RALPH Hasenhuttl insisted he does not want to “hang too high” Romeo Lavia’s debut performance and revealed it is best to be “critical” with confident and inquisitive players like the Belgian.
The 18-year-old midfielder impressed supporters and staff alike during his Premier League debut last weekend, despite the eventual 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Lavia himself, speaking to the Daily Echo, admitted even his family could not understand why the youngster was not happy with his debut – but he only wanted the team to win.
He looks set to start again for Hasenhuttl when Saints welcome Leeds United to St Mary’s for the first home league game of the season, on Saturday, August 13.
- Read more - Why Romeo Lavia is no ordinary 18-year-old
And asked about Lavia in preview of the clash, Hasenhuttl responded: “I don’t want to hang it too high because I know his qualities.
“We tried to be positive with him but also critical because we want to make him a top, top class player.
“Therefore it’s important with the young players to get praise for a good performance but also be critical with things he can make better.”
He continued: “What I really like is how self-critical he is and wants to learn and have input all the time.
“This is a very good character to get better because when you think you are a superstar it’s hard to make them better.”
CEO Martin Semmens, during the BBC Radio Solent fan’s forum, insisted every club in the world would have liked to sign Lavia.
But, just like his Manchester City teammate Gavin Bazunu, the starlet chose Saints as his destination for Premier League football.
“It seems like we have a good chance to get players like that here,” Hasenhuttl added, with German youth international Armel Bella-Kotchap making a similar decision.
“Not only the last transfer window but this one we were number one or something for very talented young players.
“They know not only that they’ll get the chance to play but that we’ll invest a lot or work to make them better.
“I think that’s something for a young player to make them want to do it and it’s a big argument for them.”
The Austrian added: “It shows that especially the younger players are willing to learn.
“They have to learn that even in some moments even if you do a good job it doesn’t mean you’ll win games in the Premier League.
“The Premier League is tough and that doesn’t mean we want to get used to defeats, but in the end its part of our business and that’s why you have to build them up and make them strong.
“Very often lifting them and showing them good habits and keep on going. We have spoken about some young players having good performances. First step and a good fundamental.”
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