Sourced from Daily Echo article
Hughes could be the “perfect fit”
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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg believes Mark Hughes could prove to be the “perfect fit” for Saints after he guided the club to the FA Cup semi-finals in his first game in charge.
Hughes took over from Mauricio Pellegrino last week and immediately went about upping the intensity on the training pitch and demanding more work from the squad.
It proved vital at the weekend as Saints defeated plucky League One side Wigan in difficult conditions at the DW Stadium to secure their place at Wembley in the last four.
Hojbjerg, who scored his first goal for Saints to give them the lead, said: “I think I speak on everyone’s behalf when it’s been positive and he has given energy and good vibes, a new fresh start.
“He worked a lot on intensity and the discipline and desire to take the extra meters, to do what we have to do as a team and an individual in our own position and the basics.
“I am looking forward to working more with him and his assistants.
“Like we have said many times we have a really good team, some really good players, and maybe this is the perfect fit. Nothing is perfect in this world but this is a good start.”
He added: “The coach said before the game that this game the key point is mentality and desire and hard work and we knew we had the quality, but to match a team like this you have to put the work in, put the battle on, and I think we did that.
“It’s difficult to say that people maybe don’t understand you come to this side, in these conditions, to a team doing well in their league, who has beaten three Premier League teams in the FA Cup and it’s not an easy task.
“We did it in a good way, a solid way, and we can take a lot from the game.
“Most important we can take a good experience for the game.
“I am happy for the team, for the club, and that the fans have something to smile about in the cold weather.”
It was a big bounce back for Saints after their humbling at Newcastle the previous week.
“It’s a great achievement. I think as a player I am really happy for the club, the new coach and most important for the fans who we can give a good experience after what happened last week,” reflected Hojbjerg.
“This is nice, a great feeling and also football. One week ago the world went down and today we are in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
“This of course doesn’t change the standing on the league but let’s focus on this and smile about the semi-final.
“After defeat you always want to hit back even harder and I think we did that today.
“Great credit to Wigan. They didn’t come so far for nothing, they are a great side with quality.
“I am happy, we had to show in our moments, kill the game and it’s a good feeling.”
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