Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl likes a good quote or two, but in an interview with the German media he has revealed his stirring message to his players when it comes to the top six this season. A case of Pirates Of Southampton Water !
Speaking to German media outlet Sportsblld, the Austrian told them that the mentality in the squad changed after the 1-0 win over Manchester City after the restart back in the summer.
"It all started with the lockdown,”
"After that, we came back fitter and, above all, much stronger in terms of football. Without all the pressure and without spectators, we took more risk and benefited from it in the end.
"The highlight was then the 1-0 victory against Man City. From then on, the conviction was finally there that we could beat anyone.
"I told the boys: We want to be pirates, and our goal this season is to plunder the wealthy elite again and again — in other words, to beat the big clubs.”
Hasenhuttl also spoke about the current pandemic's affect on the way he is having to adapt his way of working with the squad and how he himself is not taking any risks and is careful with his squad and staff after being struck down by hantavirus in 2012
"For me, not much will change. We are working normally as usual,”
"It’s more of an advantage because players are less likely to get infected with the virus. But I hope that we can start with the vaccinations soon.
"That would be a huge piece of security for everyone. I know what it is like to be infected with a virus that brutally hurts you.
"In 2012, I had the hantavirus which was not immediately recognised either. I was young and fit, thought nothing could happen to me.
"But then I was in incredible pain, lying in intensive care. That is why I am very careful now.”
But in the meantime the Jolly Roger is flying above St Mary's stadium and any rich football clubs dropping by will find that they had better batten down the hatches as they are about to be boarded.