We Have To Step Up Our Game - Southampton Manager Claude Puel

Southampton Manager Claude Puel has challenged his side to be more clinical in front of goal in their midweek Premier League clash against in-form Crystal Palace. The Saints were held to a goalless draw against Bournemouth on Saturday after missing numerous chances to claim all three points with the Frenchman insisting that his side's lacklustre performance was due to tiredness following the international break.

Despite scoring 11 goals in their last five games, Puel believes his side will need to be at their best if they are to overcome a Palace side who have won four games on the spin, including a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Saturday.

He said “It's important now to find a good balance, to find a clinical edge because we haven't scored in the last game, against Sunderland, Watford we found a good clinical (edge). All of this is interesting, all the team took confidence. It's important to have a good feeling about this. We have a solution with Jay Rodriguez or Shane Long. It's important to have a good feeling with all the players. You can score the first goal after the team can take confidence and it's better for the next game.”