Ronald Koeman has dropped the hint that he wants to give some of the fringe players a chance to impress against Aston Villa.

Speaking ahead of the Capital One Cup game aginst Aston Villa Ronald Koeman has hinted that he wants to give a few players who have not had much game time recently a chance to impress him and force their way back into the team, with injuries and suspensions already cutting a swathe into his options, Koeman is perhaps not giving too much away as it will be as much out of necessity as choice.

But the Saints manager also re iterated that he is taking the competition very seriously still.

“It’s all about the squad that you have available,” Koeman said speaking to the club's official you tube channel youtube.com/southamptonfc.

“We know the difference between this season and last season is that, in my opinion, we have a stronger squad and we have more competition between the players.

“Some players deserve to play and this is the opportunity for them to show they count in our squad and they give real competition to the rest of the players.

"You have to be 100 per cent to go on in this tournament what we like.We like to win and we like to reach the final.

“You hope always for a good performance from the team and we know we will have great support of our fans again.”

Saints will again be without Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez and of course Sadio Mané is suspended following his late red card against Liverpool on Sunday.

But Koeman thinks the absence of those three will give soe of the fringe players a great opportunity against Aston Villa.

“Shane is still not available and it will be difficult for the weekend,”

“Jay still has some pain with his feet and it makes it very uncomfortable the situation for him. They are not involved tomorrow.

“We have some injuries but we have a lot of fit defenders, who are strong and still without injury and I’m pleased for that"

“But with the forwards we have a little bit more of a problem.

“Players like Juanmi and Gastón Ramírez are doing well, they are training hard and they showed already last weekend their qualities.”

This is perhaps the difference between Saints this season and last, they now have a good depth that means even with three key forwards out there are still plenty of attacking options and indeed in all areas of the team.

Photo: Action Images

VancouverSaint added 15:23 - Oct 27 Ronald must be reading my comments on here! Maybe he will contact me for more wise advice. COYR's
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WestSussexSaint added 19:24 - Oct 27 Personally I would play the following: stekelenberg Cedric Yoshida VVD Bertrand Classie Romeu Gaston Juanmi JWP Pelle Put some of the kids on the bench with Tadic and Davis if we need them. Should still be strong enough to beat Villa.
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A1079 added 19:40 - Oct 27 I hope he is taking it seriously as I am not travelling 250 miles with my son just to watch a team go through the motions (or experience the debacle of Sheff Utd again). He is obviously going to say he is taking it seriously, but I reserve judgement. Recent managers (including RK) have had an indifferent attitude towards cup competitions.
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