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Southampton: Claude Puel Proud, But Focused on Next Match

By Aaron Preston

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Claude Puel (C) the manager of Southampton looks on during the Southampton training session at Staplewood Training Ground on November 2, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Claude Puel (C) the manager of Southampton looks on during the Southampton training session at Staplewood Training Ground on November 2, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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Southampton manager Claude Puel is beaming with pride for his team after their 2-1 victory over Inter. But the Frenchman says his team must stay focused.

Southampton made a piece of team history yesterday with a victory over Inter Milan at St. Mary’s. It was, by far, the biggest giant-slaying in the club’s 130-year history. For most, such an achievement would be cause for high celebration. For Claude Puel, in his first year on the South Coast, it’s in the past.

As the Saints march into a struggling Hull City for this weekend’s league action, Puel told club media that the side’s focus must leave the celebrations behind and be set fully on the job to be done Sunday.

“One day after it’s always difficult…but it’s important now to forget [Inter Milan] and now it’s another competition and another important game for us,” Puel said in his press conference remarks.

Southampton sit in 9th place in the Premier League heading into the weekend, carrying 13 points after a 2-0 home loss to Chelsea last week. Hull City, meanwhile, sit on the wrong end of the relegation zone on a mere 7 points, in 18th position. While on paper the game would seem to strongly favour the Saints over a side that’s winless in the last 5 Premier League outings, a good manager knows that in football, nothing is guaranteed.

Next: Southampton Roll Over Hapless Inter 2-1

“It’s important to make a good answer and keep a good concentration on this game, because in the Premier League we need points,” Puel said. Depending on the results of this weekend, the Saints could slot in anywhere between 7th and 17th in the table. With so little to separate the league after the 10 game mark, every point taken becomes all the more vital.

With the next international break also fast approaching, Puel told club media it’s important to him to see his side off in good spirits with a decent position in the league table.

“It will be important to have a good result,” the 55 year old Frenchman said. “Because we don’t have a lot of points in the Premier League…it’s important to be in the top half.”