<\/p>\n
The relegation-threatened Saints enter the weekend 20th in the table and four points from safety having failed to win any of their last four matches.<\/p>\n
Unless things change quickly, Southampton\u2019s 11-year stay in the Premier League will soon be over, with their poor form and position compounded by a challenging run-in.<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola\u2019s City provide an unenviable challenge at St Mary\u2019s on Saturday evening, when Haaland is shaping up to return from injury for the reigning Premier League champions.<\/p>\n
Asked if it is a case of hoping the Norwegian sharpshooter has an off day, Saints boss Selles retorted: \u201cNo, no, we don\u2019t work with hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work with facts and with situations that we can control the better.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think, per se, one player can change the dynamic of one team. I think one player can change it if the other 10 are doing their job properly.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, the fact that Manchester City now has Haaland in front just makes their system a little bit better because of the creation of the chances.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Ruben Dias in the build-up, Ederson\u2019s long distribution, Kevin De Bruyne in the half spaces, (Ilkay) Gundogan, Bernardo (Silva), Rodri as a central player, they make it possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not about only Erling Haaland. It is about a team that knows how to use their players in the best way possible, so that\u2019s what we are focusing on.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Erling is there, then good, we will play against him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf not, they have the striker (Julian Alvarez) that won the World Cup with Argentina and it\u2019s a team that has great players, so we respect every player, but we have our own way to do things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saints lost the reverse fixture 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in October, only to stun City 2-0 in January\u2019s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash.<\/p>\n
Selles was still working as first-team coach back then but the divisive Nathan Jones\u2019 sacking saw the Spaniard installed as manager for the rest of the season, meaning he will go toe-to-toe with one of his idols.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s exciting just to play some of them, also to play against Pep,\u201d the Southampton manager said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen let\u2019s see what we can do. I think we prepared a solid and robust game plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the boys know what to do exactly and then with our way to approach things, and our style, we are going to try to put a big performance there and try to win the game, that\u2019s for sure.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, yeah, it\u2019s exciting for me. It\u2019s not only about Pep, it\u2019s about the other managers, but in this game (I face him).<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Pep has been one of the best managers in the last 10 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe changed the football approach with his Barcelona some years ago, and he\u2019s a coach that everybody has been studying and everybody, in one way or the other, has tried to copy.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it\u2019s a pleasure, as I say with many others, and I will try to get the very best out of the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Che Adams and Mohammed Salisu have been ruled out of the City game.<\/p>\n
Germany international Armel Bella-Kotchap is a doubt, while Tino Livramento and Juan Larios remain long-term absentees.<\/p>\n
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