Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl is looking forward to being involved in the Emirates FA Cup again, describing the competition as a special part of the English football calendar.
Saints will host Championship side Huddersfield Town on Saturday, as they begin their campaign at the third-round stage, and Hasenhüttl is hopeful the journey will not end there.
ralph hasenhüttl
the carabao cup was a good competition for us and now we have the next chance.
southampton manager
The club have already enjoyed a decent run in the Carabao Cup this season, beating Fulham and memorably thrashing rivals Portsmouth 4-0, before a trip to Manchester City ended their challenge.
While the Premier League has understandably been the key point of focus this term, Hasenhüttl is excited about turning attention to a different competition this weekend, especially off the back of taking ten points from a possible 12 in top-flight action.
"I think it's a special thing in English football that you have two cup competitions and that you have two chances to go far," he said.
"I think we did a good first cup competition in the Carabao Cup. We were a little bit unlucky with the draw in our third game, but it was a good competition for us, with a win against Fulham and a win against Portsmouth, and now we have the next chance.
"We take it absolutely seriously and we want to come as far as possible."