Ralph Hasenhuttl knows Southampton must improve if they are to finish in top half

Ralph Hasenhuttl says it would be a major achievement for Southampton to achieve their target of a top-half Premier League finish but concedes they have “no chance” based on recent performances.

Saints were thrashed 6-0 at home by Chelsea last weekend and have collected only a solitary point from their past five top-flight games.

Despite the poor run of form, the south-coast club sit just a point behind 10th position going into their final seven fixtures, which begin on Saturday at home to Arsenal.

Manager Hasenhuttl admits his side can only afford a few more slip-ups if they are to fulfil ambitions.

“Our target this year is a top-10 finish and the chance this season is there definitely,” said the Austrian.

“This is a big goal for us. But definitely from these seven games we need to win a minimum of three or four because otherwise there is no chance to go there.

“It would be a massive achievement for us, definitely, and as long as the chances are there we have to fully concentrate on our performances.”

Southampton recorded four successive top-10 finishes between 2014 and 2017 but have not done so since.

Following the visit of the Gunners, Saints’ remaining matches include trips to Burnley, Brighton, Brentford and Leicester, plus home games against Crystal Palace and title-chasing Liverpool.

“If we play the way we played over Christmas – against the top teams as well we took points – then it is possible,” continued Hasenhuttl.

“If we don’t get back to this level, then we’ll have no chance.”

Results at St Mary’s have largely laid the foundations for Southampton’s solid season.

They were beaten only once in their opening 13 home games, enhancing their chances of finishing in the upper half of the division for the first time