Ralph Hasenhuttl has spoken of the next steps for his Saints squad and suggested they will train at St Mary's to acclimatise to playing in empty stadiums, but he may be thwarted in his plans.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has spoken from his home in Munich to the Daily Echo about the plans being put in place for the season, although his first issue on his return to these shores could be a 14 day self isolation period for those coming into the country.
But that is not what will thwart his plans to train at St Mary's, pictures on social media show a company who are seemingly relaying the St Mary's pitch, in this modern era that is not a difficult thing, football pitches at Premier League level are almost like carpets and can be laid very quickly, a matter of days, but they still have to take root and although these days those roots are not very deep and the layer of grass very thin, they still have to settle and given that it may not be a good idea for his squad to train on it at least not in the early stages of the return and even then not constantly.
The squad are still at home and have not been recalled to light training as have Arsenal players, they are all have set programmes and are being monitored by coaches and medical staff to ensure they maintain a level of fitness, but one good thing is without the rigorous training and physical contact their bodies will be able to have a complete rest meaning that when they are through completing this season, they will will be able to get though next fairly soon afterwards albeit with a couple of weeks rest.
Ralph is watching with interest how clubs in Germany are meeting the demands of getting their squads back to peak condition and will likely use that information to Saints advantage when he returns to Southampton.
Speaking to the Daily Echo he said:
"They’re really disciplined and do their job and their training at home,” .
It’s not easy for them because there is no motivation at the moment and they don’t know the exact target. It’s very different from a summer break as they don’t know when they can start again and it makes it difficult for them.
"But now it looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully it won’t be too long until we are back on the pitch, maybe with smaller groups and strict rules like they are doing in Germany now.”