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It was about as defiant as you could get from Southampton boss Claude Puel.
For once, the quiet man of Premier League management found his voice to express his shock at suggestions his job is under threat.
To say he came out fighting would be an over-statement but it was arguably the most passionate news conference we have seen from the Frenchman since his arrival last summer.
“We are ninth in the table with all these games and injuries. I think this is OK. Now it is important to finish the season strongly,” he retorted when asked if he felt under pressure ahead of Sunday’s trip to Champions League-chasing Liverpool.
But the rumours will not be swept away by one prematch briefing and the silence from the Southampton board to this week’s newspaper reports speaks volumes.
The fans remain divided over the Frenchman’s future at St Mary’s. Some share Puel’s assessment he has had a rough ride with injuries and the struggle to balance the pursuit of domestic glory with competing in Europe.
Others cannot see past the often lifeless performances, especially at home where tickets remain unsold for Wednesday’s visit of Arsenal, usually one of the most anticipated fixtures of any season.
Southampton may well pick up enough points between now and May 21 to cement their place in the top half of the Premier League. But the simple fact is Puel needs performances as much, if not more, than results in their final five matches of a truncated season. Stirring and spirited performances like the ones which saw Puel’s men beat Liverpool home and away in their EFL Cup semifinal clashes – undoubtedly the high point of his tenure.
Not limp and turgid displays like last weekend’s dour 0-0 draw at home to a relegation-haunted Hull side without an away win since the first week of the season.
Thrilling attacking performances like the one at Wembley when Southampton did not deserve to lose 3-2 to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-inspired Manchester United.
Not lacklustre displays like the one at home to minnows Hapoel Be’er Sheva that saw Saints crash out of a Europa League group they should have won.
Puel also needs his big players to step up and prove they are fighting for their manager as defender Ryan Bertrand – rumoured to share a frosty relationship with the former Nice coach – has claimed.
Body language speaks volumes in situations like this and the universal shrug of the shoulders from Southampton’s players after Dusan Tadic’s penalty miss against Hull hardly demonstrated a burning desire to win at all costs.
Tadic’s form has not been of the Serb’s usual high standards since publicly criticising Puel for substituting him during matches.
Meanwhile, record signing Sofiane Boufal’s maiden season in English football has been a disaster – showing only in glimpses the ability which persuaded Puel to pay £17 million for.
Puel has not been helped by an injury to January signing Manolo Gabbiadini, which halted his goal rush and the Italian has not looked the same player since making his comeback in last month’s 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.
At least striker Charlie Austin – who remains Saints’ top-scorer despite five months on the sidelines – is close to making a first-team comeback having come through an Under-23 game in Friday unscathed.
Puel is naturally a cautious coach. Southampton knew that when they named him as Ronald Koeman’s successor. But now is the time to throw caution to the wind, to show he has the ability to entertain the fans in the same manner Koeman and predecessor Mauricio Pochettino did.
It seems bizarre to say but a gutsy 3-2 defeat at Anfield could do more to aid his long-term employment prospects than scrapping out a lifeless 0-0 draw.
Alex Crook is ESPN FC’s Southampton blogger. Follow him on Twitter @alex_crook
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