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Claude Puel keen to finish job when Norwich visit in FA Cup replay
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Claude Puel hopes Southampton have learned lessons ahead of their FA Cup third-round replay against Norwich on Wednesday.
Puel’s side looked set for a place in the last 32 at Carrow Road, only for Steven Naismith to pop up two minutes into added time and force a replay.
Southampton have struggled for form in the last month, winning only one of their last six games in all competitions which came against Liverpool in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg last week.
Puel said: "Norwich was another disappointment.
"It was a game where we had good control of the ball but without many opportunities.
"It was the same as many games - we are unlucky.
"Many games are the same, without opportunity for the opponent and 30 seconds from the final whistle we conceded another goal.
“It was a shame because we had all of the ball and now it’s important to finish this work at home, in front of our fans, and to give a good answer and get a good result.”
Puel will again rotate his squad when the Canaries visit St Mary’s, adding to his reputation as a new ‘Tinker Man’.
The Frenchman is yet to name the same team in successive matches and will bring a number of youngsters in to face Alex Neil’s side.
He added: "It’s normally a mix. It’s important to continue the work, to improve with these young players and also to put around them experienced players to maintain a good level with the emotion, the physicality and the quality.
"I think with all of these games in January it’s important also to make rotation, but of course we want to qualify - it’s important for all the squad to continue this work.
“It’s important to give game-time to different players, to continue to improve - it’s important for Southampton. A good result would be a good thing for the squad at this moment.”
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