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Claude Puel Reveals Who Is Fit And Who Is Not For The Arsenal Game
Tuesday, 29th Nov 2016 22:04

Claude Puel has spoken of who will make the squad for the trip to the Emirates and who will sit it out.

Clude Puel has revealed that both Steven Davis and Sofiane Boufal will return to the squad for the trip to Arsenal after missing the win over Everton, however long term injury Matt Targett will miss the trip as will Dusan Tadic who suffered a broken nose on International duty.

Arsenal will be without Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Debuchy is also out with a hamstring problem, but forward Lucas Perez is available for the tie at the Emirates Stadium after an ankle injury.

Puel also hinted that he may also rest Josh Sims after his explosive debut on Sunday although Saints fans will not want to hear that he is ready to continue with the mix and match policy for midweek cup games.

“To win this competition it’s important to win tomorrow,” he said.

“Every game is very difficult and in different competitions for the moment for us the most important is to stay qualified in different competitions and we will see this in the second part the possibilities to win something.

“For the moment it is important to see this game against Arsenal, keep a good concentration and to have a good performance and after we will see.”

“It’s an opportunity for Southampton to win something and perhaps to have the ability to play European games for the next year,” Puel continued.

“It’s an important game but it’s important also to consider and respect our philosophy. It’s not just for me, 11 players and experienced players, but to give opportunities also like Sims the last game for young players to show their qualities.

“It’s a balance between good results and to continue this work with Southampton and to develop different players and to give also game time for players without time in the Premier League.”

A mixed message from the Frenchman who on one hand seems to be well aware that it is important to win trophies, but on the other seems prepared to gamble by not putting out his strongest side.

Although I agree with Puel's philosophy, I also believe that you have to prioritise some games and the result is far more important than giving a few youngsters a game.

With Arsenal missing key players and also likely to rest players this is a great chance, I want us to go for it, if we lose I want us to do so knowing that we have given it our best shot and not because we have fallen short because of a weakened side.

The players seem to have intimated just as much in various interviews this week, the squad seem to want the strongest team out and players usually rested like Ryan Bertrand want to play and win trophies.

This is a key moment for Claude Puel, he needs to show his senior players that Southampton Football Club want to win trophies and not just develop youngsters.

Photo: Action Images



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PatfromPoole added 22:54 - Nov 29
Adam Blackmore said to me at Prague Airport last Friday he would be surprised if VVD plays tomorrow night.
0

SaintNick added 23:15 - Nov 29
Then Claude Puel is stupid, I want to win trophies not see promising youngsters there is a time and place for that
2

PatfromPoole added 23:19 - Nov 29
Blackmore might be wrong, but it's pretty rare. He said that Puel follows a pattern of resting certain people from specific competitions, i.e. Fonte and Bertrand from the Europa, and VVD from the EFL.

I think he could actually rest VVD for the Palace game on Saturday and we'd still win it.
0

SaintNick added 23:28 - Nov 29
The pattern is there, but sometimes you have to break that pattern, this is a big test for Puel and he has to break the pattern
3

SanMarco added 00:24 - Nov 30
I agree with Nick on this one - feck patterns, this is football not knitting.

VVD doesn't need a rest. He's 24 and as fit as a fiddle. Bertrand and Clasie have hardly been overworked lately and Davis will be raring to go. Bring in Long for Sims and Davis for Redmond and have Boufal as sub ready to come on and get another League Cup wonder goal. Sadly JRod isn't up to it so leave him out. Do all that and we may well win. A Prague style 11 and we will lose.

4

highfield49 added 09:09 - Nov 30
"To win this competition it's important to win tomorrow". Can't disagree with that, and can't disagree with everyone else who wants to see the strongest possible team on the pitch at the Emirates. The rotation policy is all well and good but there's a sense creeping in that rotation is essential otherwise players are going to collapse with fatigue or somehow implode! Surely Puel can risk putting out the best possible teams against Arsenal, Palace and Happoel? Ok, there's always a gamble that key players will pick up injuries but that can equally happen on the training ground. Take the wraps off Claude and go for it, please.
1

davenbennett added 09:24 - Nov 30
I saw the documentary on White V Blacks at WBA on BBC. One of the white players said he could not really remember the game as he played 75 matches that year! They were THAT hard in the 70s - no rotation then.
1

SanMarco added 12:44 - Nov 30
WBA must have had lots of replays that season...
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halftimeorange added 12:46 - Nov 30
Am I right in thinking that Tadic could play, it's simply that he has refused to play wearing a protective nose guard? I'm sure that was reported on Radio Solent. There is no good reason not to field our best defence and midfield but Austin could be knackered after his efforts on Saturday so Long should come in. If Charlie is ready and able to play then Shane should start instead of Redmond.
1

aceofthebase added 09:53 - Dec 1
The result is in:

Puel 2 Doubters -7
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