Ralph Hasenhuttl calls for reaction from Southampton players ahead of Newcastle clash

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has demanded a reaction from his players ahead of Newcastle’s showdown at St Mary’s on Thursday night. The Magpies make the 650-mile round trip to the south coast looking to extend their eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

The Saints boast an impressive home record, avoiding defeat in each of their last 12 games to cement a comfortable mid-table position. However, an embarrassing 4-0 drubbing against Aston Villa at the weekend offers Newcastle hope that confidence among the Saints’ ranks may not be as high as it seems. Hasenhuttl was furious after the defeat, believing Steven Gerrard’s side ‘wanted it more’ during the one-sided affair at Villa Park.

"It was overall not good enough what we showed against an aggressive side who wanted to turn things around at home and they wanted it more than us," he told HampshireLive.

The Saints boss is adamant performance levels will improve against Newcastle and there will not be a repeat of Saturday’s horror show. He added: "I know how it is to lose higher in the Premier League. I have experience of this, but I didn't have the feeling today… we were completely helpless.

"I cannot remember us being so open in the last few weeks, how unorganised we were. Everything was not good enough today and now we have a chance to try and start the next run. We have a chance to show a reaction against Newcastle and we will show a different face."