Defender Yoshida Calls Southampton Teammates To Arms

6th August 2018

Saints willed to get winning start against Burnley in new EPL season

Defender Maya Yoshida rises to head the ball during Southampton FC's friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach at St. Mary's Stadium on Saturday, August 4, 2018. PHOTO/Southampton FC
Defender Maya Yoshida rises to head the ball during Southampton FC's friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach at St. Mary's Stadium on Saturday, August 4, 2018. PHOTO/Southampton FC
SUMMARY
  • Defender came on in the 69th minute of 3-0 home defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach
  • Last season we dropped so many points at the start of the season- Yoshida
  • Manager Mark Hughes believes the competitive nature of the Premier League season will get the best out of his players 
  • Southampton kick-off against Burnley this weekend

SOUTHAMPTON, England- Maya Yoshida has urged his Southampton teammates to train hard this week to help the club get off to a winning start in the new Premier League season.

The defender came on in the 69th minute of Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach, making his first appearance of pre-season in Saints’ final friendly.

Yoshida was honest in his assessment, saying if Saints want to enjoy the coming season and avoid another year of struggle, they must work for it.

“Everyone has to train a little bit more,” he said. “We have to work on it because we conceded so easily, and when we had opportunities we couldn’t score – myself included.

“When we have a chance, we have to take it, otherwise we are going to struggle like we did last season.

“The Premier League is the best place to be and we have to enjoy it, but if we want to enjoy it we have to fight for it.

Dropped points

“Last season we dropped so many points at the start of the season, so we can’t make the same mistake again. We have to learn from that.”

Manager Mark Hughes further believes the competitive nature of the Premier League season will get the best out of his players when Southampton kick-off against Burnley next weekend.

Saints came from 2-0 down at half time to beat Celta Vigo in midweek, but on Saturday, fell to a 3-0 defeat on home soil against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Hughes, whilst acknowledging his side must improve, is confident the intensity of the “real stuff” will serve Saints well.

“I think everybody understands that pre-season is difficult for players, in terms of getting them all to a level where they’re at full capacity,” he said.

-Report by www.southamptonfc.com