Claude Puel defends Southampton season after Stoke loss
Sunday 21 May 2017 19:55, UK
Claude Puel is satisfied with Southampton's eighth-placed finish despite being met with jeers in their final-day loss to Stoke.
Puel, who signed a three-year deal last summer, will meet with executive director Les Reed next week for a review on his performance this campaign after the club finished with their lowest points tally in four years.
Southampton did manage to reach the EFL Cup final, where they lost to Manchester United at Wembley, but were knocked out in the group stages of the Europa League.
Puel refuted talk of a St Mary's exit after boos from the crowd following the 1-0 defeat to Stoke on Sunday and hailed the club's top-flight standing, despite admitting the defeat was a reflection of their season overall.
Asked about his future at Southampton, Puel told Sky Sports: "No speculation about this. I'm satisfied for this season because it was difficult.
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"It was the first time we played all these European games, every three days, but these players gave their best all season.
"It [the Stoke defeat] was a little picture of the season, with many possibilities, many opportunities, without scoring. It was difficult. All my players tried to give their best today."
Charlie Austin made his first start since December for Southampton after coming back from injury but struggled to make an impact as Saints missed a host of opportunities to score against Stoke.
Virgil van Dijk, who has been linked with a summer move away from the club, was watching on from the stands as Southampton were beaten by Peter Crouch's headed winner, and Puel believes the absence of his key players has had a big impact this season.
"I want to say about all the positives this season," Puel added. "The journey in the EFL Cup, the journey in the championship, because it was difficult to play every three days sometimes, and other times with games postponed playing only every two weeks. It was difficult with the injuries of Van Dijk, Austin, all these players.
"It was the same all season, with good intentions like it has been all season, fantastic spirit and fantastic attitude from the players. To finish eighth with all the good teams in the first place of the table, it is a good thing."
