Ralph Hassenhutl makes Newcastle United ‘money’ admission ahead of Southampton clash

Ralph Hasenhuttl says Southampton are unable to compete with Newcastle United on a financial level - however refused to believe the narrative that the success under Eddie Howe has been bought.

The Magpies have enjoyed a strong start to the Premier League campaign - currently sitting fourth in the table with 24 points from their opening 13 games - but several outsiders have been quick to put that down to the £210million spent across two transfer windows.

Hasenhuttl, although admits United have deep pockets, says the funds spent in the transfer market is “only one side” to the story. The other side has been Howe’s ability to improve pre-takeover players such as Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Fabian Schar.

“They want to become a top six club,” Hasenhuttl said. “They are in a good way to do this because they’re a strong side. I look at our chances and our level. It’s not the club we want to compete with. (There’s) a different potential from the money they can spend. In the end, they also have different targets. You have to have money to do this.

“That’s only one side (the money). The other side is you have to work with the players you have. Eddie worked very long in Bournemouth and in the end struggled with his team and had no other job until he went to Newcastle. In Newcastle, he has shown immediately that he knows what to do with the team.”

Hasenhuttl on Eddie Howe and Newcastle’s style

United’s high press and high intensity style has also been pivotal to the recent resurgence, which was perhaps exampled when Newcastle held Premier League champions Manchester City to a 3-3 draw at St James’ Park in August.

Indeed, Howe’s side have lost just once this season and that was via a controversial stoppage-time goal at Liverpool. Newcastle are currently on an eight-game unbeaten run and have won five of their last matches ahead of Sunday’s visit to the South Coast.

“It’s impressive to see how they’re doing,” Hasenhuttl added. “I think they definitely have the players to do this. Not every player is playing at the moment. (Allan) Saint-Maximin was not playing all the time, he (Howe) is going more for the players that give you this intense game and high speed running.

“We all know this can be a very nasty way of putting an opponent under pressure but we have also been a team with this style. When we are doing well, we can still cause them issues. You don’t get a lot of chances against this team. We have shown against other good teams we can break their rhythm.”

On Howe, Hasenhuttl added: “He’s one of the best young managers in England, He has a lot experience in the Premier League. He had a long time at Bournemouth and has finally has another club where he can show he can deal with a bigger side. This is fantastic to watch.”