Southampton hero James Beattie admits he's been impressed by the work of manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Like so many others, the Birmingham City coach has been reenergised by the impact of manager Ralph Hasenhüttl.

“I've been impressed by the manager and his style of play," he told the Saints website.

“I came to watch the team against Chelsea, in one of Mark Hughes's last games, and it's probably the only time I can remember getting angry at a football match.

“I don't get angry at football matches. I probably did as a player – not with my own teammates, but with the opposition – but I felt the players were playing the game passively.

“I was actually a guest and I went into the lounge, where Nicky (Banger) was trying to ask me questions and I was just saying 'I can't answer them' because I was right on the edge. I was not happy, because the club means a lot to me.

“The one thing I gave was a hundred per cent, because I wasn't the most technically gifted, but heart and desire are a given, so I can imagine how Mark felt.

“But now Ralph has come in and he's been great. He's changed it all around, given it that freshness and when I speak to the boys they say the training is so intense – short and sharp but really tough. That's the way he wants them to play.

“He's got a new set of players from what I saw in that Chelsea game."