3 things Puel’s Southampton must improve ahead of the run in

Tighten up defensively

They have been far from the worse side defensively in the Premier League this term, but the Saints have struggled at times at the back over the past few months.

Puel’s men have conceded more goals in their last nine games than their first 14, shipping 16 since their 0-0 draw with Stoke on December 14, in comparison to just 15 in the first 14 games of the campaign, which included seven clean sheets.

With just two clean sheets in their last nine as well, it’s clear that teams are finding it easier to net against the Saints, and whether that’s because of injury troubles or the rotating of the squad remains to be seen.

Nonetheless, starting against United in the League Cup final, Southampton must aim to be more solid and difficult to break down, like they were in the early phase of the season.