These 2 Southampton players must improve if they are to challenge for the top six

Southampton were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday night after drawing 1-1 at home to Israeli champions Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

The Saints only needed a scoreless draw or a victory to advance to the knock-out stages, but conceded to Maor Bazaglo with just 12 minutes to go and, although Virgil van Dijk netted an equaliser, they didn’t have enough time to overturn the deficit.

Nonetheless, they return to Premier League matters this weekend when they host Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Boro are just a place and two points behind their opponents following a 1-0 win over Hull on Monday, which was their third league victory of the campaign.

Claude Puel’s Saints though lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace last time out, their third defeat in five league games, but they did win their last home game against Everton a fortnight ago.

Nonetheless, Southampton have hit a bit of sticky patch in recent weeks, and some players need to up their game ahead of the busy Christmas period.

Thus, here are TWO players that need to improve over the coming weeks…