Southampton manager Ivan Juric has issued a clear challenge to Super Eagles duo Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo, urging them to elevate their performances as the team prepares to face Brighton and Hove Albion, according to *Soccernet.ng*.
Southampton manager Ivan Juric has called on Super Eagles stars Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo, along with the rest of the team, to step up their performance as they prepare to face Brighton and Hove Albion. The Nigerian duo played a key role in Juric’s only win since taking charge of the Saints, and the Croatian coach is demanding more intensity from his squad.
Southampton’s Struggles
Southampton are currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, with just nine points from 25 games. Avoiding relegation will require a miraculous turnaround, but Juric remains optimistic. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he emphasized the need for greater consistency and intensity throughout the full 90 minutes.
“I’m not surprised. I try to be optimistic, and I think we can do better,” Juric said. “There are moments in games where we perform well, but there are also moments when we’re not good enough to compete. Our goal is to be more competitive for the entire match. The big difference is intensity. If we lack intensity, we cannot compete. If we have it, we can compete with Brighton, Bournemouth, and everybody else—and I want that.”
Brighton’s Strength
Juric acknowledged Brighton’s growth over the years, praising their ability to invest in quality players and maintain a high level of performance despite managerial changes.
🔜 Seagulls at St Mary's 🏠 pic.twitter.com/4HqLxm2V3k
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 20, 2025
“Every year, they’ve become better. They always bring in better players and invest heavily to build a strong team,” he said. “They’ve retained some of Roberto De Zerbi’s ideas from last year, like their build-up play, which makes them a formidable opponent.”
He also highlighted the advantage of sustained Premier League presence, noting, “Teams like Brighton and Ipswich have been in the Premier League for years, allowing them to buy new players and build something significant. Even with managerial changes, they remain competitive.”
Onuachu and Aribo’s Contributions
Onuachu has scored two goals and provided one assist in 15 appearances this season, while Aribo has netted three times in 24 games. Juric will be relying on the Nigerian duo to deliver once again as Southampton fight to keep their survival hopes alive.
With the Saints facing an uphill battle, Juric’s message is clear: intensity and consistency are non-negotiable if they are to stand a chance against Brighton and other Premier League rivals.
Leave a Reply