FORMER Saints boss Ronald Koeman has snubbed St Mary’s centre-back Wesley Hoedt having excluded him from his first Netherlands squad.
Koeman, who was appointed Holland’s manager in early February, has named a 33-man preliminary squad ahead of friendlies against England and Portugal later this month.
While the ex-Everton chief has named Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake in the team along with seven uncapped players, Hoedt has been overlooked so far, despite previously being regularly involved in recent squads.
The defender, who turned 24 this week, has six caps, having played four times in Oranje’s failed World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign.
Hoedt also played in two friendlies, but it looks like he’ll have to be patient for his next chance with the Netherlands.
“We have to be really happy,” Hoedt said about Koeman’s appointment last month.
“Ronald Koeman is a really experienced and a really good coach, so it’s a new era and we all need to show that we are willing to fight for our country and it’s up to him what the selection will be.”
“We have a great squad and a lot of quality players,” he added.
"Maybe it’s not as much quality as Holland has been used to in other days but we have really good players and a lot of talent as well.
“Now it’s up to us to step up and lead the team together with the new coach to better days.”
SAINTS forward Shane Long has been named in the Republic of Ireland’s provisional squad for their upcoming friendly game against Turkey.
The 31-year-old has struggled for goals this term for Saints, and has been named alongside Championship forwards Sean Maguire and Scott Hogan as the potential starters for the Irish.
Long has netted once in the Premier League for Saints in 24 appearances this season in all competitions and last found the net at international level in October 2016, scoring in a 3-1 win against Moldova in a World Cup qualifer.
The news comes as fellow Saints player Wesley Hoedt was left out of Ronald Koeman’s first Netherlands squad.
Long, who has been involved with the senior Ireland set up since 2007, could feature in the game at the Antalya Stadyumu on March 23.
Mauricio Pellegrino says Saints are well aware that each of their remaining nine Premier League games until the end of the season are “massive.”
Saints travel to the north east this weekend to take on relegation rivals Newcastle, with both sides hovering just outside of the bottom three.
Having failed to beat Stoke at St Mary’s last time out, the pressure is well and truly on, but Pellegrino is optimistic his players are up to the task.
He said: “I think every single game from now thinking about the next nine games will be massive because we have to try to do our job as soon as possible.
“We have to be focussed on what we have to do on the pitch – how we attack, how we defend, how balanced is our mentality in good moments and difficult moments.
“The team is conscious about how we need to be in this moment, how we approach this situation and we are ready to compete.
“It is difficult to talk to the fans and say we are getting better because since January the team lift performances but now we need results. That is the reality.
“As a manager I have to think about what to do. We need results but the consequence is what we do on the pitch.”
Saints travel to Arsenal on Monday 9th April (8pm). We have received an allocation of 3,004 tickets for the game, which will go on sale in the following order.
Tickets bought in person at the Ticket Office will not be issued at the point of sale, and will be posted at a later date.
We have received an allocation of 25 pairs of Wheelchair and Enabler tickets priced at £18 for Adults, £16 for Over-65s, £16 for 17-18 year olds and £10 for Under-17s, with the Enabler admitted Free of Charge.
We have also received an allocation of Ambulant Disabled seating, mainly located in Rows 24-26, which are ideally suited for supporters with walking difficulties. Ambulant tickets are priced at £18 for Adults, £16 for Over-65s, £16 for 17-18 year olds and £10 for Under-17s, with the Enabler admitted Free of Charge.
Official Coach Travel provided by Princess Coaches can be purchased for this game, priced at £20 per person. Coaches will depart St. Mary’s Stadium at 14:30, Eastleigh at 14:45 and Winchester at 15:00.
Tickets are restricted to one per Supporter Number. Fans can purchase more than one ticket in each transaction by linking other eligible accounts with theirs using our friends and family function.
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