Saints Marching
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Three takeaways from Southampton’s loss to Stoke City

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Nathan Redmond of Southampton is joined by his family for a lap of appreciation after the final Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary's Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Nathan Redmond of Southampton is joined by his family for a lap of appreciation after the final Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary's Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary’s Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary’s Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

Change is needed

It might not have to be Puel, but some kind of change is needed. The recent performances since the EFL Cup final have simply not been good enough.

The Saints haven’t scored in six of their last eight games, including their last five at home. Yesterday the south coast outfit should’ve gone out motivated for an eighth-placed finish, but they were only spared due to Swansea’s surprise win over West Brom.

It seems like the players have no real drive under Puel, no real intent. It might be because the Frenchman has lost the support of his players in the dressing room or because they don’t enjoy his style of football, no one really knows at this stage.

But 41 goals from 38 games simply isn’t to the Southampton standard, with Koeman’s side last season scoring nearly 60. Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son scored one more goal as a duo than the entire Southampton squad.