Southampton manager Claude Puel has been the focus of persistent speculation surrounding his future over the past few weeks, as fans on the south coast voice their displeasure over the Frenchman’s tenure.
Despite having led his side to their first major Cup Final in 14 years, as well as potentially securing a top ten finish having dealt with the rigours of European football with a squad inexperienced at that level, fans remain unhappy with the brand of football on display at St. Mary’s.
Supporters on the south coast have been treated to an attacking style under the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Ronald Koeman and even Nigel Adkins since their return to the Premier League, a style which bought plenty of scalps along the way.
However, under Puel’s stewardship, things have been far more conservative. The Saints have struggled in the goals department, especially at home with only relegated Sunderland having scored less (16 to Southampton’s 17) on their own turf.
Saints captain Steven Davis, however, is not worried about the speculation over the bosses’ future at the club, telling the Daily Star:
“The speculation over the manager has not really been hard to deal with.
“I’ve been in the game long enough and ever since I came here we’ve had speculation about the manager and players at different times, it’s all part and parcel of it.
“It’s testament to the structure of the club and what they have in place that we deal with whatever happens and the foundations in place here are excellent.
“There have been highs and lows this season but I just don’t think we’ve been able to get that same level of consistency that we’ve shown in the last couple of years.
“With the changes throughout the team and the management over the last few years it’s been unbelievable that we’ve managed to keep that upwards curve.
“We can finish as high as eighth and if we manage that we can reflect and say it’s been an okay season, but we all want more than that.”
Having beaten Middlesbrough with a much changed side at the weekend, Davis and his teammates will to end the season on a high as they host Manchester United on Wednesday night before Mark Hughes’ Stoke City side come to visit on the final day of the season.
