RALPH Hasenhuttl has been pleased with how his players responded to last week's 3-1 loss.

Saints were blown away by West Ham at the London Stadium, despite getting themselves back into the tie through Michael Obafemi.

But ahead of tomorrow's home match with Newcastle, Hasenhuttl wants his side to show the same commitment they have shown in training this week.

The Austrian said: “I think we have been critical and I think the players know we didn’t make our best game at the weekend.

“We need to show a performance at our home ground and I’m sure we will show a reaction.

"I’m sure the players know what it’s about.

"It’s not the most important thing to train with intensity – it’s more important to play intense at the weekend.

"But if you’re not at 100 per cent in the week and then want to switch it on at the weekend, that doesn’t work."

Saints have now lost four of their last five games in all competitions.

Hasenhuttl put their recent record down to the difficulty of England's top flight.

"This is something of a normal situation in the Premier League. I don’t see any consistent teams except perhaps Liverpool.

"You have to play in a very strong league so sometimes you lose and then there are times when things turn better. 

"All teams have the same problems, no one consistent. We have to be honest and find reasons why we lost the last game. We changed things this week and have tried to be more intense and aggressive."