(Reuters) - Newly-appointed manager Mark Hughes has made a positive impact at Southampton and could be the right man to reinvigorate the struggling Premier League club, midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has said.
Hughes, who was named as Argentine Mauricio Pellegrino's replacement last week, took charge of his first game as Southampton beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
"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," Hojbjerg is quoted as saying by the Daily Echo.
"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.
"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."
The former Stoke City boss has a tougher task on his hands in the league, where Southampton are two points adrift of safety in 18th position with eight games left to play but Hojbjerg is focusing on the positives.
"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," Hojbjerg added.
"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."
Hughes will take charge of his first league game when Southampton travel to 17th-placed West Ham United on March 31 before their FA Cup semi-final tie against Chelsea next month.