A number of Southampton supporters have reacted to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s admission that the Saints “gave up” during the second half of their 3-0 defeat at Leeds United on Tuesday.
The Saints went into the game at Elland Road needing to get back to winning ways and hoping to build on the 1-1 draw against Chelsea last weekend. A promising first half saw Southampton denied a penalty by a VAR review, denied a goal because the referee deemed that a free kick had been taken too quickly, and fail to convert their chances (Sky Sports).
Hasenhuttl’s side went behind early in the second half, with Patrick Bamford firing Leeds in front just two minutes after the restart. From that point on, confidence dipped and effort and energy levels worryingly declined, as the Saints surrendered any chance of taking anything from the game with the concession of another two goals.
The latest result means it is now eight Premier League games without a win, seven of which have been defeats. Once top four contenders this season, Southampton are now in danger of potentially being dragged into a relegation scrap.
Speaking to Sky Sports [via Hampshire Live], Hasenhuttl confessed that he felt his players had given up during the second half as Leeds put the game well beyond his team, saying:
We have chances, we don’t score, and we have a few moments. The [disallowed] goal, I think it was one second too early [that the ball was] played, yeah?
But I have to say it was an absolutely deserved win from Leeds United tonight. They had more energy in the second half, I don’t know why, we are normally very energetic, but in that second half we gave up. This is not what I like to see.
Southampton fans react to Hasenhuttl’s admission
Many Southampton fans were left rather concerned by the comments from Hasenhuttl, with some suggesting that it is his job to ensure that his team don’t throw in the towel so readily. Others felt that the blame for their collapse lies more with the players.
