RALPH Hasenhuttl insisted the decision to leave Che Adams on the bench during the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur was due to other players “deserving” the chance to show up.

Saints got their 2022-23 Premier League campaign off to a nightmare start, despite James Ward-Prowse scoring from the edge of the area to send his side ahead early.

Hasenhuttl’s side trailed 2-1 at half-time and the Austrian opted for a double substitution, bringing on Stuart Armstrong for his namesake Adam – who had just 22 touches of the ball.

He also made a change in defence, with Yan Valery replaced by Jack Stephens, but then left makeshift forwards Armstrong and Joe Aribo to lead the line for the rest of the match.

By full-time, they had been beaten 4-1 by an in-form Spurs side, while Scottish international – who has been subject to reports of interest elsewhere – was left on the bench.

“I think we didn’t want to change in the end the two guys up front, Joe and Stuey,” Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo, when asked why Adams was left on the bench.

“I think they deserved to play because they had a good pre-season and scored goals, and in the end, Arma got the chance today to start because he was the most successful striker in pre-season for us. He deserved it I think.”

Asked what Adams has to do to get back into the side, he added: “I think everybody should step up because this is not enough what we’re doing so far.

“Because I don’t compare this game to when we won here last year, in some moments we have done a better job last season.”

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