Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has criticised the professionalism of Michael Obafemi whilst explaining why he has not featured too often for the Saints so far this campaign.

Hasenhuttl slams Obafemi

Hasenhuttl was asked about the Ireland youth international during his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash against Newcastle on Friday.

When asked about Obafemi's situation, he said:

"The problem with Michael was always he would play one good game and then fall back a little bit and was not professional enough to force or keep his position in the team or in the squad. "This makes it too easy for others to go above him. I think this is what he must learn. "Once he is in the squad, don’t give it away so easily and try to be aggressive and dangerous in front of the goal. "I think this is something he misses, but he’s young, he still has to learn a lot and this is a kind of mentality but is also a kind of quality."

Message clearly sent

Hasenhuttl has not been very subtle in making it clear to the £4.05m-valued 20-year-old (Transfermarkt) - and indeed every other player at the club - what he expects from his players. One strong performance is of course a step in the right direction, but the Austrian demands consistency from his players. In 35 games for the south-coast outfit so far, Obafemi has five goals and four assists. He has shown himself to be a regular member of Southampton's squad already, but it is clear that if he does not display the right attitude he will not be making many more appearances for the Saints in the near future. In other news, Hasenhuttl lays down a challenge to this Saints man.