Friday 6 April 2018 23:42, UK
Mark Hughes says he will make tough decisions if that's what it takes to keep Southampton in the Premier League.
Last week the Welshman oversaw a 3-0 defeat at West Ham in his first match in charge, making Sunday's fixture at Arsenal and next week's at home to Chelsea even more crucial.
The Saints remain in 18th place in the Premier League after struggling under the sacked Mauricio Pellegrino, and Hughes has made it clear that he's prepared to make significant changes if necessary.
"It should be a prerequisite that they should be ready to give every single time they come in, and for the most part they have been," he said.
"It's going to be difficult this weekend because they are all showing me they all want to be part of it and want to address the situation.
"We haven't got time to wait for form to change and players to come to terms with it. I've got to look at the group and see who's ready to go and who is in the best frame of mind to get the job done.
"If that means on occasions that you possibly lessen the talent in the group to make you more solid then sometimes those are decisions that need to be made but it's about getting results at this stage.
"We are looking at all options we have before us. Some players will grab the shirt, others will have the shirt but let it go too readily, and we have to pick players who are ready for the games ahead of us."
Arsenal beat CSKA Moscow 4-1 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday and Hughes has been observing Arsenal's weaknesses ahead of their meeting this weekend.
"They will be delighted with results and they were excellent going forward. Given that they have very attack-minded players sometimes that leaves them exposed", Hughes said.
"The opposition did have good opportunities and didn't make the most of them. If we are able, which I feel we are capable of, to create similar opportunities I would expect us to put them away.
"That's encouraging because we have seen that they are not rock solid. They are a good side clearly, and you have to stay in the game and can't allow them good opportunities in and around your box because they've got the talent to unlock you. We have good talent going the other way so that will test them."
Defensive midfielder Mario Lemina faces a late fitness test to determine whether he has fully recovered from a virus before Hughes selects his starting XI against Arsenal on Sunday.
Sam McQueen has already been ruled out with a groin injury.
