RALPH Hasenhuttl demanded his Saints side show significant improvement, insisting “otherwise, we have no chance” of getting a positive result at Brighton this weekend.

The Austrian’s charges will visit the Amex Stadium on Sunday, April 24, just one point behind the Seagulls in the top-half of the Premier League.

With just five games to go of the 2021-22 season, they will need to immediately bounce back from a dismal 2-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Burnley to fulfil their ambition of a top-10 finish.

Currently in 13th place, just five points separate the seven teams competing for two top-half positions, and Saints will still yet play Crystal Palace (14th), Brentford (12th) and Leicester (9th).

Daily Echo: Ralph Hasenhuttl greets temporary Burnley boss Mike Jackson (Pic: PA)Ralph Hasenhuttl greets temporary Burnley boss Mike Jackson (Pic: PA)

Although they have failed to give themselves a launching platform with just one win in seven Premier League matches, a mark-up in performances could still see the season end in success.

“We have to play different, better for sure,” Hasenhuttl admitted to the Daily Echo, looking ahead to the Brighton contest. “Otherwise, we have no chance there.

“I’m sure that we can do it better. First (we’ll) look at the game, look at what I have seen today and then, although we don’t have a lot of time, give them the best chance to show the reaction we can.

“We have now all the teams around us and if we are stronger than they are then you deserve to be there (top-half), if not then it’s very simple.”

Brighton have won just two in their last 10 Premier League matches, but they came away to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur this month.

Daily Echo: Brighton manager Graham Potter (Pic: PA)Brighton manager Graham Potter (Pic: PA)

Graham Potter's side were defeated 3-0 by Manchester City last time out, but have thrown their season a lifeline with an upturn in form.

Given his public ambition of tabling a first top-half finish since arriving as manager of the club in December 2018, Hasenhuttl admitted it “absolutely” made Sunday a big occasion for him.

However, he then preferred to look back at what went wrong on Thursday, rather than forward, adding: “We know what you have to expect when you come here (Turf Moor) and we did not find the right answer.

“Physically not strong enough, with the ball not calm enough, when you want to create something against them then you have to be brave and in the right moments produce better decisions.

“We have to look at it.”