RALPH Hasenhuttl likens Michail Antonio rebirth under David Moyes to Danny Ings’ rejuvenation, saying: “The only thing you can do as a manager is to put the player in positions where he has his biggest strengths.”

West Ham’s Antonio has hit four goals already this season and was awarded the Premier League's August Player of the Month award, as the London outfit have climbed to second-place following three games.

The Jamaican international has reached double figures in each of the last two league seasons despite missing a lot through injury, but looks set to best his total of 10 with ease if current form continues.

In the 2009-10 League One season, Saints fans may remember Antonio who played at the club on loan from Reading, making 28 appearances and scoring on three occasions.

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He scored the fourth goal in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley. 

His rise has been a steady one from the third division, before an explosive season that harboured 14 Championship goals during 2014-15 earned him a Premier League move.

Antonio has played a number of positions including right-back, on the wing and as a focal-point striker.

Speaking ahead of the West Ham fixture, Saints boss Hasenhuttl said: “The only thing you can do as a manager is to put the player in positions where he has his biggest strengths.

Daily Echo: Michail Antonio celebrated with a cardboard cutout of himself brought by fans (Pic: PA)Michail Antonio celebrated with a cardboard cutout of himself brought by fans (Pic: PA)

“When I have a player who needs space to attack then it wouldn’t be helpful to be dominant and play slow in the final third.

“The best thing you can do is adapt your game to the quality of strikers you have. When you do this, automatically the strikers will perform better and score more goals.

“This is what he did with Antonio and this is what we did with Danny Ings. We tried to bring him in the best possible position to bring his strength on the pitch that helps you.”