RALPH Hasenhuttl was asked if the decision to let Oriol Romeu leave on deadline day had a bigger impact than first thought and insisted he “had to give him the chance”.

The Austrian admitted he “expected more” from the players in line to replace him, and added that Saints cannot “cry about it” for the next five years.

Romeu, now 31, was awarded a permanent transfer to Catalonian club Girona – who compete in Spain’s top division – after seven years of service to Saints.

The move, which had been simmering for a period of weeks building up to the final day of the summer window, was sanctioned despite Romeo Lavia’s injury – for which he is still sidelined.

Ibrahima Diallo and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who arrived from Arsenal on loan hours after Romeu’s departure, were tasked with replacing the void of the vice-captain.

Yet to win a Premier League game since Romeu left, Hasenhuttl was asked if the Spaniard’s departure has left a bigger hole than first expected.

“That's a very good question,” he said. “I must say that I expected more from the guys that had to replace him. And that does not mean we can for the next five years cry about it. Ori was going.

“He was over 30 and it must be possible to replace him at one time. But he was a very important player for this club,” Hasenhuttl admitted.

“Very often when a player leaves then afterwards you see how important he was. What doesn't change in my opinion, is that I had to give him the chance to do this (leave) after what he has done for this club.

“But maybe this was not the easiest decision for me to say yes to his change, because we know how important he was.”

Maitland-Niles made his second start in a Saints shirt during the 1-1 draw with West Ham on Sunday and said after the match he feels he is now earning the trust of Hasenhuttl.

The midfielder had been tasked with learning fully the positions he can play for the St Mary’s side, with captain James Ward-Prowse needing a reliable partner. 

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook