Ralph Hasenhuttl has spoken about how with so many of his new signings unproven in the Premier league he is unlikely to play all of them against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in the opening Premier League game of the season.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has made six signings in the summer so far, however none of them has played in the Premier League before, although the likes of Joe Aribo, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Sekou Mara have experience in top flight football in other countries.
In his press conference this afternoon Ralph has spoken of the need to allow them to adapt to a league that is faster more high pressure than anything they have previously experienced.
"We know the kind of players we get; they have a lot of fantasy. They can help us immediately or some take a little longer.
"We have seen it in the past that some players need a year to adapt to the Premier League, some are so good that it goes quicker. We will not see all of the new players immediately from the start. They are young, they have to learn.”
This hints certainly that not all will make the starting line up at Spurs, that would be an impossibility given that two of them are goalkeepers, but the other five have made varying starts to their Saints career.
In goal is the biggest decision, both new signing Gavin Bazunu & Alex McCarthy have 225 minutes under their belt, whilst Bazunu would be the fans choice sto start in goal, it would be a baptism of fire.
In defence I would expect him to throw in Bella-Kotchap, however in the centre of midfield he might want to consider bringing in Oriol Romeu's experience and nous rather than throw in Romeo Lavia for a Premier league debut.
Joe Aribo has looked good in pre season and I would also expect him to start, however the 5th outfield signing Sekou Mara looks likely to start on the bench.