Saints At Everton The Preview

The rotation of the past few games now means that Claude Puel has no leeway with the supporters as he goes into the game against Everton.

There are many Saints supporters on social media calling for the head of Claude Peel after two straight awful defeats, this serves no purpose at present, in that a manager, indeed any manager needs to be given time and Puel is no different.

The time to judge him is at the end of the season when we can look at the big picture, at present we do not look like getting into trouble at the bottom so the worst thing that can happen is an exit from the two remaining cups and mid table obscurity.

But the trip to Goodison will go a long way to sealing Puel's reputation in the eyes of many and if he is able to get something out of this game then he will perhaps keep the balance tipped in his favour.

Their is no doubt the Frenchman has tried to be too clever for his own good in recent weeks and the constant change has upset the balance and momentum of the team and this needs to be addressed.

With Virgil Van Dijk missing he has to get back to basics, the side is weakened so does not need to be weakened further by needless change.

Quite simply Puel has to put out his best side in each game, get the points in the bag and then worry about the next game, he has to stop trying to be clever and be a step ahead.

At this present time I remain behind Puel and back him to succeed, but he has to help himself, the backing of the fans is essential, we have over the years seen many managers brought down because the crowd have been on their backs and not given them a chance, if the board sacked them at the first period of hardship then Lawrie McMenemy would not have been around to have won us the cup.

So up at Goodson Park I want to see a strong Saints team set out to win the game, I do not want to see the likes of Ryan Bertrand on the bench or youngsters in the side to give them a game, I want to see men in the side to do a mans job.

If Claude Puel does that then he can win this game, if he doesn't then more Saints fans will be turning on him and that will not be a healthy situation going into a week of vital cup ties.

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