Ralph Hasenhuttl: Will Smallbone has a big future

Midfielder Smallbone was on the bench for the first time against Crystal Palace last Saturday and may well feature in the matchday 16 again as Hasenhuttl prepares to rest players after four Premier League matches in ten days.

Smallbone, 19, has impressed in pre-season and for the Under-23s this season. 

Hasenhuttl said: “Young players could get a chance to play and he has a big future at this club.

"We try to bring young players through to play for this club and he’s an option for Saturday’s game, yes.

“Against the ball he still has to learn a little bit but he shows in the sessions that he is special with the ball. A good young player."

Will Smallbone (left) in 2017

As well as giving some players a well-earned rest and others opportunities, Hasenhuttl also want to maintain the momentum of the last ten days by getting his first FA Cup win as Saints manager, following the defeat on penalties to Derby County last season.

“We’ve had a very busy period with very intense games and short breaks in between but we also have a few players waiting for their chance to show up and be part of this winning team,” he said.

“We want to show they are able to win games for us.

“It won’t be so easy to show the right balance for the FA Cup.

“We want to take this challenge very seriously, the FA Cup is important for us and we want to come as far as possible.

“Last season we lost in the first round and we want to do better at home for our fans. Everyone enjoys playing at this ground and we want to keep the momentum high.

“When you play at home against a Championship team everyone expects a win but everyone knows it’s never easy in a cup game.

“The most important thing is we find a team that can do this workload that we need for our game.

“If it’s with three or four new players it’s not a problem. They are hot now and also want to show they are a part of this team. This is the reaction I want to see.”