‘Can be better’: Hasenhuttl says one Southampton player must improve after Wolves draw

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Theo Walcott scored his first goal since returning to Southampton in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Ralph Hasenhuttl wants to see further improvements from the Everton loanee, as he told the Saints website.

Dexter Blackstock and Brett Omerod were his strike partners the last time Walcott hit the back of the net in Saints colours, in a 4-3 FA Cup third round victory over MK Dons back in January 2006.

So you can see why his far-post tap-in during a creditable 1-1 draw at Molineux meant so much to Southampton’s prodigal son.

Walcott gave Hasenhuttl’s in-form side the lead early in the second half after Nelson Semedo switched off from a Che Adams cross. But, in truth, he should have put the game beyond Wolves a few moments later.

The former Arsenal speedster has always had a tendency to squander presentable opportunities and there was something sadly familiar about the way he slid a shot well wide when one-on-one with Rui Patricio.

Southampton paid with their top-four place too, as Pedro Neto took full advantage of Walcott’s wastefulness at the other end.

“I’m very proud of my team today,” Hasenhuttl said at full time. “I think it was one of our best games this season, it was so tough. A very hard fight, we knew this.

“If Theo makes the second then maybe that gives us a chance to win. But we couldn’t finish it and in the end I think it was a deserved point. A draw is okay for both teams.

“Theo is investing a lot for our team. He’s very good against the ball, always closing, but his finishing can be better. It’s not always perfect. But I like the way he works for the team and this is good.”

While Walcott enjoyed a bit of a mixed night in front of goal, Alex McCarthy was once again in inspired form at the other end.

The Southampton ‘keeper is one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in the league right now and made a series of superb reflex stops at Molineux, denying Semedo and Leander Dendoncker with a remarkable double save early on.