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.

Photo: Action Images

Colburn added 16:35 - Aug 4 I don't expect to see Bella start, nor Lis or Mara. Ralph may opt for Valery on the right of a 3 if he goes that way. I hope to see Bazunu and Aribo start for sure, speaking of baptism, Lavia will have it as tough as it gets if he starts and I wouldn't mind that but I expect to see him on the bench next to Mara and Bella. If he goes for a back 4 then Lavia is more likely to be starting. Aribo aside, it's a lot to ask of the others but they will be keen and Tino shocked us all last year with his intro.

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IanRC added 16:56 - Aug 4 Lavia a good bet if Romeu tires later on. Really hope it’s Bazunu between the sticks.
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GRIM added 17:30 - Aug 4 One thing is for sure, Ralph will put lots of square pegs into lots of round holes for the Spurs game. He even moved JWP from his favoured right / centre role over to the left in front of Salisu against VillaReal, Prowsy doesn't look comfortable on the left , being a natural right footer he's most affective on the right or even central. But that's what Ralph does he tries to be to smart, he should just keep it simple & play his best players in their best position. I'm not saying he should, but I reckon he'll play Aribo as lone striker with Stuart Armstrong in no 10 role. But we are all experts & given a chance we would all pick a different starting eleven. That's the problem at the club, there's so many players of the same standard & not enough stand out players. We are notoriously slow starters at the start the season so a defeat on Saturday will not be a shock but we live in hope.

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SWH1748 added 18:53 - Aug 4 Bazunu, Kwp,Valery, Bednerak, Salisu, Djneppo, jwp,Romeu,s.Armstrong,Aribo, A.Armstrong, Adams. Subs Cabellero, Perraud, Lyanco, Bella Kotchap, Diallo, Lavia, Ellyonusi, Redmond, Mara.
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Block8 added 20:19 - Aug 4 Strange as it might seem, it's rather difficult to guess which of our new boys will start. As it is always difficult to have any idea of our starting line up. Personally I would play Bazunu over McCarthy but whoever plays is going to be busy. Rather see Perraud over Djenepo at LB that might just make the keepers job a little bit easier.
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