Hasenhüttl: Players rose to the challenge
Ralph Hasenhüttl was delighted to see his players meet an ambitious target set by the boss midway through the 8-0 drubbing of Newport in the Carabao Cup second round.
Leading 3-0 at the break, Hasenhüttl challenged the team to hit “seven or eight” to underline a statement performance at Rodney Parade.
A much-changed Saints side did not disappoint, as Mohamed Elyounoussi’s hat-trick capped an 8-0 rout, enhancing the playing prospects of all involved.
“It was, from the first moment, a very serious game from our side,” Hasenhüttl said.
“We wanted to make it very soon very clear what we wanted to do here: win and go to the next round.
“It is never super difficult against such a team, but to score eight goals is not so normal, so I think we showed a very professional performance.
“That was the message at half-time: we don’t stop giving a high speed and trying to score goals.
“I said I wanted to see seven or eight, and they did what I told them to do.
“We have a very big squad this season. They need to get chances to play and they showed that we have more than only 11 players.
“We will try, in every round, our best to win and come to the final. This is the goal.”
