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Hasenhüttl: My opinion has changed

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Ralph Hasenhüttl has suggested that his team must be wary of Burnley's experience and quality this coming weekend, as the Lancashire outfit visit St Mary's in search of a first Premier League win of the season.

The manager explained that he'd noticed an evolution in the way in which Burnley approach games in recent seasons and also praised his opposite number Sean Dyche's longevity in the role - currently the league's longest serving manager.

Southampton unlocked their first league triumph of the Hasenhüttl era over Burnley only last season, winning home and away, but only by a single goal each time and the boss expects a similarly difficult test this time around.

"I must say that I've changed my opinion about Burnley in the past two or three years," he commented. "I thought in the beginning that this is a team that only kicks long and doesn't want to play football.

"I think if you let them play, they definitely can do it. They have very good pressing, been very brave this season with high pressing also.

"They have also developed their game, this is what you see. This is what is necessary in the Premier League, to play a little bit more football otherwise it is difficult. They play in a very direct and forward-oriented way. The goals they score are typical for them.

"It's always good to do what you're capable of doing in a perfect way. This can be successful and the reason why we have to be very aware about their qualities.

"But we have also shown our qualities, especially in the last season where we beat them twice. It was the first time that we have won against them. This is the goal for the weekend."