Hasenhüttl: We have to prove it
Providing stiff competition for every Premier League opponent, no matter the team, is among manager Ralph Hasenhüttl's aims between now and the end of the 2021/22 season.
Southampton are still fighting on two fronts - after securing a place in the last 16 of the Emirates FA Cup - and are targeting a strong finish to their league campaign, with the top half of the table in sight.
A win against Tottenham Hotspur has the potential to lift Saints into the division's top 10, although the manager made a point of highlighting the numerous threats Antonio Conte's side possess, whilst also alluding to Saints' improvement against teams in the top half.
"We have to prove it every week, every day and with every game we play," Hasenhüttl commented. "There was a reason why we've lost these games [against Spurs] in the past.
"We gave it away too easily. It seems that this season this has changed, our defending quality is a little bit better. But we still concede goals so we have to target a clean sheet.
"In the end, a little bit of luck you need also against the big teams. Good game management. And a flexible tactic is also necessary, I think.
"We are looking like having a chance in every game. We have shown this. We are comfortable with the way we are playing and we know how good we have to be.
"The managing of the risk gives the reward and I think this is what we have to be clear on in this game."
