Claude Puel’s Southampton will sit in seventh in the Premier League at Christmas after beating AFC Bournemouth 3-1 at the Vitality Stadium last weekend.

The Saints fell behind early on, but a brace from Jay Rodriguez and a first-half strike from Ryan Bertrand sealed their sixth Premier League win of the season, and consolidated their place in the top half of the table.

It now means that Puel’s men have won three of their last five games, having won none of their preceding four, and are beginning to look like the side that went seven games unbeaten earlier in the campaign.

They host Tottenham on December 28 and then West Brom on New Year’s Eve in a bid to try and close the gap on sixth place Manchester United, which currently stands at six points after 17 games of the season.

The Saints have won six and drawn five of their 17 matches, but did exit the Europa League last month following a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Nonetheless, they do have a League Cup semi-final against Liverpool to look forward to in the New Year, as the Saints look to reach the final for only the second time in their history.

In what has been a solid first half of the season on the South Coast, we thought we’d take a look back on Southampton’s season thus far, and evaluate which players have done well, and which ones need to improve in 2017.

Thus, here are the Saints players on the naughty or nice list this Christmas…

NICE – Charlie Austin

Southampton’s top-scorer this season and one of their best performers, Charlie Austin had a fine first half of the season before dislocating his shoulder in the Europa League a few weeks ago.

The former Burnley and QPR striker started behind Shane Long in the pecking order in the early stages of the campaign, but a brace in the Saints’ 3-0 victory over Sparta Prague back in September appeared to change Puel’s mind, as Austin became his number one from then on.

And, six Premier League goals later, it was certainly the right decision, as the 27-year-old has led the line brilliantly for the Saints before injury ruled him out until the spring.

They will have to replace both his goals and his work-rate over the coming months.

NAUGHTY – Shane Long

Shane Long started the season up top for the Saints, but no goals or assists in that time made it difficult for him to keep his place ahead of Austin.

The Republic of Ireland international started their games against Watford and Manchester United back in August, but didn’t do enough to justify his selection.

The 29-year-old always offers you an outlet going forward, and he is always full of energy and will always chase down lost causes, but he has also got to offer a goal threat and, for much of this season, he hasn’t been able to.

In Austin’s absence, it will be up to him and Jay Rodriguez to keep the goals flowing for the Saints.

NICE – Virgil van Dijk

Arguably the best defender in the Premier League this season, Dutch international Virgil van Dijk continues lead by example at the heart of the Southampton defence.

The 25-year-old initially struggled at the start of the last season following his move from Celtic, but soon found his feet in the Premier League and has been excellent ever since.

Combining all the traits a modern-day centre-back needs, van Dijk is already attracting interest from other top-flight clubs ahead of the January transfer window, with the likes of Liverpool, Everton, and Manchester City all being linked with the defender.

Thus, it would be the best bit of January business Southampton did if he remained a Saints player come February 1.

NAUGHTY – Jordy Clasie

Dutch international Jordy Clasie has struggled to nail down a regular spot in the Saints first team since arriving from Feyenoord last year.

The 25-year-old made 20 Premier League starts last season and looked set to get a starting berth in Puel’s side this term following the departure of Victor Wanyama, yet Oriol Romeu, Steven Davis, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have remained ahead of him in the pecking order.

More opportunities and better performances in recent weeks suggests that he is beginning to shine again for the Saints, but the St Mary’s faithful will hope to see that more consistently in 2017.

NICE – Oriol Romeu

Southampton’s defence has rightly got a lot of plaudits this season for their solidarity, but a fair bit of that comes down to the job Oriol Romeu does just in front of them.

The Spaniard moved back to England in 2015 after time on loan at Valencia and Stuttgart, having been on the books at Chelsea, and he seems to have come back a different player, and one more suited to the demands of the Premier League.

Romeu is strong, excellent in the tackle, and reads the game very well, allowing the forward players to do their bit in the final third, as well as help out with defensive duties.

The 25-year-old is the sort of player every team wants, but very few actually have.