“I want that” – Southampton boss sends strong message to Onuachu, Aribo, ahead of Brighton clash

Southampton head coach, Ivan Juric, has set demands for Super Eagles stars, Paul Onuachu and Joe Ayodele-Aribo, as he wants his side to step up against Brighton and Hove Albion, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian duo found the back of the net in Juric’s only win since taking charge of the Saints late last year. Juric has called on them, alongside the entire team, to take charge against the Seagulls.

Southampton are currently bottom of the English Premier League, with nine points from 25 games, and it’ll be nothing short of a miracle for them to avoid a return to the EFL Championship.

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Speaking at his pre-match conference ahead of the clash against 10th-place Brighton, the former Roma Manager urged his team to raise their level of intensity.

“I’m not surprised. I try to be optimistic and I think we can do better. There is a moment in the game we are doing very well. There is also a moment when we are not good enough to compete. Our goal is to be more competitive all 90 minutes. The big difference is intensity.

“If we miss intensity we cannot compete. If we have intensity then we can compete with Brighton, with Bournemouth, with everybody and I want that,” the Croatian gaffer said in quotes revealed by Daily Echo.

“Every year they [Brighton] became better. They always put better players in and they can invest lots of money to create a big team. Now they are really good because I think they have something from Roberto De Zerbi from last year like build-up and new ideas.

“I think it’s a perfect way of operating. When you are in the Premier League for more years you have the opportunity to have great players. This is the big difference between us and the likes of Ipswich I think. They are eight years there and every year they can buy new players.

“They sell well and create something important. It seems even if they change managers, like from Graham Potter to De Zerbi and now, they are still good,” the Southampton coach concluded.

Paul Onuachu has scored two goals and provided one assist in 15 games for Southampton this season, while Aribo has found the back of the net thrice in 24 outings.