Southampton face Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup this evening.
Southampton manager Claude Puel has suggested it is important for the Saints to have a strong showing in the EFL Cup, the Daily Echo reports, with their participation in the competition getting underway this evening when they face Crystal Palace at St Mary’s.
The Saints go into the game on the back of two home wins in the Europa League and Premier League and will look to keep that momentum going this evening.
Puel is quoted in the Daily Echo, saying: “All the time for me it’s important to win, and to win in different competitions.
“I think it’s very important for the future with all the squad, all the players, to have a good participation.
“It’s important to improve these players, young players also, and to make progress together. I say that it’s important to keep an idea to improve all the players, and not just ten or 11 players.”
Reading into Puel’s comments, there seems the intention to go as far as they can in the competition, but also an opportunity to give one or two of the fringe players and youngsters an opportunity to shine.
Fixtures are coming thick and fast for the Saints as they try to find the right balance to compete on four fronts this season for as long as possible.
This could be seen as an opportunity to spring something of a surprise and aim to win the trophy this season. There are so many sides that would target it but there is every chance of the draw opening up for Southampton, and they have proved in certain games this season they are competitive against sides that are expected to regularly challenge for silverware.
It will be interesting to see what kind of line-up is on show for Southampton tonight. There might be a need to rotate, but one or two more recognised names might indicate the desire for a serious showing in this season’s competition after being knocked out at the quarter-final stage last term.
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