The Automatic Saints News Thread

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Jose Mourinho has to change to get the best out of Paul Pogba at Manchester United

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The issue with Pogba may simply be that Mourinho is not playing to his strengths. He is shoe-horning him into a system – 4-2-3-1 – which the manager favours rather than what is best for the player.

It was obvious from Euro 2016, when Pogba was France’s poster boy only to be usurped by Antoine Greizmann, that coach Didier Deschamps did not get the best out of him. To accommodate Griezmann, Deschamps switched to 4-2-3-1 also with Pogba back alongside Blaise Matuidi.

For United he has been stationed there also – with Marouane Fellaini – although he played in the middle of the three behind the main striker against Feyenoord. Again it is not the best use of him. He might want to wear the number 10 shirt (as he did at Juventus) but he is not a number 10.

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Southampton vs Swansea: Team news

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Ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Southampton’s game with Swansea…

Southampton will assess forward Jay Rodriguez ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Swansea.

Rodriguez came off the bench to score a last-minute goal in the 3-0 Europa League win over Sparta Prague on Thursday evening, and manager Claude Puel reported him as a fitness concern.

Puel made seven changes for the European tie, so the likes of Charlie Austin, who scored twice, and midfielder James Ward-Prowse could be back on the bench. Club-record signing Sofiane Boufal remains out with a knee injury, as does right-back Jeremy Pied.

Swansea are set to return to a four-man defence at Southampton on Sunday, and that could mean more disappointment for Neil Taylor.

The Wales international was hauled off before half-time of the 2-2 draw against Chelsea last weekend as manager Francesco Guidolin abandoned the experiment of playing three central defenders. Taylor could once again lose out to Stephen Kingsley, who has been first-choice left-back this season, at St Mary’s.

Record signing Borja Baston could make the bench after a thigh injury which has delayed his debut since a £15.5million move from Atletico Madrid, but winger Nathan Dyer has been ruled out for two months with an ankle problem.

Southampton have lost just one of their previous eight Premier League games against the Swans (W5 D2).

Swansea have failed to score in five of their last seven league games against Southampton.

All of Swansea’s three Premier League goals against Southampton have been scored in the 73rd minute or later.

The last time Southampton failed to win any of their first five games in a Premier League season was in 2000-01.

Three of Swansea’s four league goals this season have been scored by Leroy Fer.

Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty against Chelsea last weekend made him Swansea’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League (26 goals).

Only Chelsea (7) have allowed their opponents fewer shots on target than Southampton (10) in the opening four matchdays, but Saints have conceded from six of these.

Southampton are currently on the longest run in the Premier League without keeping a clean sheet (16 games).

The last Southampton manager to fail to win any of their first five Premier League games at the club was Harry Redknapp, who didn’t win any of his first seven games in Dec 2004-Jan 2005.

There has been a goal scored in the final 11 minutes of each Premier League game involving Swansea City this season; three of which have changed the outcome of the game.

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Sourced from BBC article

Southampton v Swansea City

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Southampton boss Claude Puel is set to restore a host of players to his first XI after resting them for the Europa League win over Sparta Prague.

Striker Charlie Austin scored twice in that match but Puel has refused to guarantee him a starting place.

Swansea’s record signing Borja Baston may be on the bench for the first time after a thigh injury delayed his debut since a move from Atletico Madrid.

Winger Nathan Dyer has been ruled out for two months due to an ankle problem.

John Roder: "Southampton fans are in for plenty of blank Saturdays over the next couple of months, as this is the first of seven Sunday Premier League fixtures in a row for the Saints.

"Thursday’s Europa League victory over Sparta Prague was the perfect result as Southampton look for their first domestic win.

"Swansea arrive in Hampshire with Leroy Fer in impressive goalscoring form, but they haven’t won in the Premier League since the opening weekend.

“I was at this fixture last season for Match of the Day, almost a year ago, when Southampton were impressive 3-1 winners. It should be a lot closer this Sunday.”

Southampton manager Claude Puel on his squad: "It was, I think, important to improve and to build for the future. With a game every three days, it will be very important.

“It is important to stay concentrated on the next game against Swansea, which will be very difficult, because the players must play another game after just two days off following this game [v Sparta Prague].”

Swansea City head coach Francesco Guidolin: "We must be ready to fight, because in this league to fight is the most important thing.

"The quality of the players is obviously important, but fighting spirit is very important.

“We must improve. We know we can play better, quicker and with more confidence and aggression.”

It was a great comeback by Swansea to draw with Chelsea last week but they are still without a win since beating Burnley on the opening day.

Southampton do not have a league win under Claude Puel but they had enough chances to beat Arsenal last week before losing to a last-gasp penalty, and I think their wait for three points will be over on Sunday.

SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

Southampton transfer BLOW! Japan star Keisuke Honda to snub Saints interest in favour of MLS switch

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AC Milan midfielder Keisuke Honda is ready to snub interest from Southampton and move to the MLS.

The Japan international has made one substitute appearance this season, totalling just 11 minutes on the pitch.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to Southampton and Claude Puel is fan of his talents.

However, according to Calciomercato, Honda looks set to move to the MLS during the January transfer window instead.

Los Angeles Galaxy, New York City FC and New York Red Bulls are all interested in the playmaker and have offered him the chance to head to America.

All three clubs are reportedly open to taking Honda on loan or signing him permanently.

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@CucoMartina has been speaking about how much it meant to play in #SaintsFC’s opening #UEL match: https://grabyo.com/g/v/LAY5Up49yZt

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 16/09/2016 16:01:58

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| Forgotten England men show Saints the way to climb tableNEWSLADBROKES |
| | Southampton star shortlisted for Europa League Player of the WeekSPORTWITNESS |

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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Southampton vs Swansea City: Team line-ups, injury updates and more

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Southampton will assess forward Jay Rodriguez ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Swansea.

Rodriguez came off the bench to score a last-minute goal in the 3-0 Europa League win over Sparta Prague on Thursday evening, and manager Claude Puel reported him as a fitness concern.

Puel made seven changes for the European tie, so the likes of Charlie Austin, who scored twice, and midfielder James Ward-Prowse could be back on the bench. Club-record signing Sofiane Boufal remains out with a knee injury, as does right-back Jeremy Pied.

Swansea are set to return to a four-man defence at Southampton, and that could mean more disappointment for Neil Taylor.

The Wales international was hauled off before half-time of the 2-2 draw against Chelsea last weekend as manager Francesco Guidolin abandoned the experiment of playing three central defenders. Taylor could once again lose out to Stephen Kingsley, who has been first-choice left-back this season, at St Mary’s.

Record signing Borja Baston could make the bench after a thigh injury which has delayed his debut since a £15.5million move from Atletico Madrid, but winger Nathan Dyer has been ruled out for two months with an ankle problem.

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Sourced from The Telegraph article

10 reasons to be excited about this weekend’s Premier League matches

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Sadly, this season, reality has awoken from it’s stupor and the Foxes’ opening-day defeat to Hull was like having an ice-cold bucket of water chucked in the face. They did momentarily seem to revive, earning a draw against Arsenal and a win against Swansea, but last weekend’s 4-1 drubbing by Liverpool has opened our eyes once again to the truth - this season there won’t be another miracle!

Burnley on Saturday will be an acid test of where Leicester are right now. A team with genuine European and domestic title ambitions who should be putting Sean Dyche’s men in their place, or a mid-table outfit who punched above their weight for one glorious year but must now fall back into the rank and file.

Pep Guardiola’s thinking in shipping out Joe Hart to Torino and importing Claudio Bravo from Barcelona is that he wants his goalkeeper to be more of a ball-player, to be a sweeper-keeper and the starting point for his team’s attacks.

Hart’s strengths are not with his feet, they’re with his hands. Bravo may not be as good with the gloves but he’s superior with the ball at his feet and thus seen as more fitting with the Guardiola gameplan.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 16/09/2016 17:02:20

| | Puel: 'Sparta win a major confidence boost’SPORTSMOLE |
| | Vote For Charlie Austin As Uefa’s Europa League Player Of The Week ! - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
| | Puel Needs The Benefit Of The Fan’s Patience - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |

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| Southampton 3-0 Sparta Prague - The five talking points | Southampton got back to winning ways last night as they comfortably swept aside Czech Republic outfit Sparta Prague … 16-09-2016 |

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| Austin delighted to get off the mark for the season17 hours ago |
| Virgil van Dijk honoured to wear the captain’s armband17 hours ago |
| Twitter Reacts - Southampton 3-0 Sparta Prague17 hours ago |
| Our man of the match: Sparta Prague (H)2 days ago |
| Southampton vs Sparta Prague - Match Preview2 days ago |
| European opponents in profile - Sparta Prague2 days ago |
| Southampton vs Sparta Prague - Europa League Predicted XI2 days ago |
| How well do you know Southampton’s European history?2 days ago |
| Who’s the dangerman? Sparta Prague (H)2 days ago |

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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Premier League team news: Injury updates, possible line-ups and more

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Not everyone is sold on the idea of Friday night football but this gameweek’s fixture may change that.

Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge at 8pm on Friday, with David Luiz set to make his second Chelsea debut.

Elsewhere, Arsenal travel to Hull in a repeat of the 2014 FA Cup final while Manchester City host Bournemouth.

Champions Leicester face Burnley at 3pm while the late game sees Middlesbrough travel to Goodison Park.

After just one Sunday game last weekend we’re treated to four this time around.

Here is all the team news you need ahead of the next round of fixtures.

David Luiz will start for Chelsea in place of captain John Terry when they host Liverpool on Friday night.

Defender Terry suffered an ankle injury during the 2-2 draw with Swansea on Sunday and was ruled out for around 10 days.

Boss Antonio Conte confirmed Luiz would make his first appearance for Chelsea since his £34million deadline-day switch from Paris St Germain in Terry’s absence.

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is expected to return to the starting line-up to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after an eye injury.

The Croatia centre-back missed Saturday’s 4-1 win over Leicester after sustaining a badly-bruised eye in training and midfielder Lucas Leiva had to deputise.

Midfielder Emre Can is back in training after an ankle problem but is not yet match fit, while manager Jurgen Klopp has to decide whether to bring back Philippe Coutinho after he was rested following a long trip back from international duty with Brazil.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will recall Petr Cech for Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Hull and could also have Theo Walcott available again.

Cech was rested from Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Paris Saint-Germain. In his absence, David Ospina impressed, but Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper will return.

Walcott faces a late fitness test, as does Olivier Giroud who is carrying a knock. Saturday’s fixture will come to early for Aaron Ramsey, who has a hamstring injury, and Gabriel Paulista, who is short of match fitness.

Hull’s new signing Dieumerci Mbokani is expected to be included in caretaker boss Mike Phelan’s squad for the home game against Arsenal.

Phelan confirmed former Norwich striker Mbokani is now ready to join the group following his deadline-day arrival on loan with a view to a permanent deal from Dynamo Kiev.

Club record signing Ryan Mason and Will Keane may be given bigger roles after making their debuts off the bench in last week’s 1-1 draw at Burnley, while fellow new recruits Markus Henriksen, James Weir and David Marshall hope to feature. Phelan has no new injury concerns.

The trip to West Brom may come too soon for West Ham defender Alvaro Arbeloa to make his debut and he will most likely wait until next week’s EFL Cup tie against Accrington.

The former Real Madrid full-back, who signed on a free transfer on deadline day, was expected to be in line for his first start of the campaign but Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is set to stick with Sam Byram at right-back.

Mark Noble is available despite needing stitches for a hand injury suffered in their 4-2 defeat against Watford. Diafra Sakho, Andre Ayew and Aaron Cresswell are all making “good progress” as the trio edge closer to a return to action. Simone Zaza should keep is place up-front.

Hal Robson-Kanu could be included in the West Brom squad for the first time and is in line to make his full debut in front of a home crowd.

The Wales international striker has been building up his fitness since signing for the club at the end of last month and he might make the bench against the Hammers.

James Morrison is also nearing a return from his hamstring problems but Saturday’s match may come too soon for the midfielder.

David Silva is set to miss Manchester City’s game against Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Spaniard sat out of the Champions League victory over Borussia Monchengladbach during the week and remains sidelined with a slight ankle problem.

It means Ilkay Gundogan could be handed his first Premier League appearance after following a four-month absence because of a knee injury.

He had made in Europe during the week.

Eddie Howe has no fresh injury or suspension concerns as Bournemouth face league leaders City in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Cherries travel to the Etihad with a fully-fit squad but loanee Jack Wilshere is expected to start on the bench as he builds his fitness.

Callum Wilson is believed to be in the starting XI after scoring last time out against West Brom, his first goal since coming back from an injury which kept him sidelined of the majority of last season.

Islam Slimani is set for his Premier League debut after impressing for Leicester against Club Brugge on Wednesday.

The Algerian made his first appearance for the Foxes in Belgium and could be back in the line-up on Saturday as the champions welcome Burnley to the King Power Stadium.

There are some injury problems for Claudo Ranieri, however, with Danny Simpson, Nampalys Mendy and Jeffrey Schlupp all out injured.

Marc Albrighton is expected to keep his place in the starting XI.

Burnley remain without only Ashley Barnes for their trip to Leicester, while Jeff Hendrick could be given a full debut.

Barnes is yet to appear this season because of an issue with his lower hamstring and record signing Hendrick only made a 15-minute cameo against Hull last weekend having returned from international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche has now seen Hendrick up close for over a week and may be tempted to pair him with previous record signing Steven Defour in a central-midfield tandem.

Everton have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s clash with Middlesbrough at Goodison Park.

Forward Enner Valencia, signed on loan from West Ham on transfer deadline day, is set to come into the Toffees matchday squad for the first time.

While boss Ronald Koeman has confirmed his intention to select Gareth Barry for what will be his 600th Premier League appearance, it is more unclear what Ross Barkley’s involvement will be after he was substituted at half-time at Sunderland on Monday. Fellow midfielder James McCarthy (groin) remains sidelined.

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has doubts over strikers Cristhian Stuani and Jordan Rhodes ahead of the trip to Everton.

Stuani limped out out last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Place with a groin problem, while Rhodes suffered a knock to his knee in training on Thursday and both are being assessed.

Gaston Ramirez came off the bench against Palace after - like Stuani - only arriving back from international duty with Uruguay the previous day, and he will hope for a recall, while otherwise only long-term absentees James Husband (dislocated shoulder), Fabio da Silva (knee) and Grant Leadbitter (hernia surgery) are still missing.

Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw return to Jose Mourinho’s matchday squad as Manchester United face Watford in the Premier League.

The trio were rested for Thursday’s Europa League tie at Feyenoord, with the latter not risked after complaining of a tight hamstring following the derby defeat to Manchester City.

Centre-back Eric Bailly will be assessed after receiving a knock during the midweek loss in Holland, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan (thigh) is set to join Phil Jones (knee) on the sidelines.

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri is expected to retain much of the starting XI that won 4-2 at West Ham last weekend when they host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

Younes Kaboul faces a late fitness test, as does Sebastian Prodl, who replaced him as a substitute at the London Stadium.

Stefano Okaka also made his debut, coming on as substitute, but has been ruled out for the next month with a hamstring injury.

Crystal Palace will be without defender Pape Souare for up to six months after he was injured in a car accident.

The 26-year-old suffered a broken thigh and jaw in the incident and is expected to be released from hospital this weekend.

Yohan Cabaye (groin strain) faces a late fitness test, but Connor Wickham (knock) and Bakary Sako (groin strain) have fully recovered and will be involved against Stoke.

Stoke’s Mame Diouf and Glen Johnson look set to be available for Sunday’s clash at Selhurst Park.

Forward Diouf and full-back Johnson have been sidelined by hamstring and thigh injuries respectively, but both have been in training this week.

Winger Xherdan Shaqiri remains out due to his calf problem.

Charlie Austin is not guaranteed a place in the Southampton team despite his first-half double against Sparta Prague in midweek.

The former QPR striker was in fine form in the Europa League but could lose his place for the game against Swansea.

Manager Claude Puel is expected to make wholesale changes to the team that ran out 3-0 victors at St Mary’s, as he prepares to restore the players he rested in the week.

Jose Fonte, Ryan Bertrand and Nathan Redmond could all start.

Swansea are set to return to a four-man defence at Southampton, and that could mean more disappointment for Neil Taylor.

The Wales international was hauled off before half-time of the 2-2 draw against Chelsea last weekend as manager Francesco Guidolin abandoned the experiment of playing three central defenders. Taylor could once again lose out to Stephen Kingsley, who has been first-choice left-back this season, at St Mary’s.

Record signing Borja Baston could make the bench after a thigh injury which has delayed his debut since a £15.5million move from Atletico Madrid, but winger Nathan Dyer has been ruled out for two months with an ankle problem.

Mousa Dembele is set to make his first Premier League appearance of the season when Tottenham host Sunderland on Sunday.

Dembele came off the bench against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday but has missed the start of Spurs’ domestic campaign through suspension.

Danny Rose is unavailable for the match at White Hart Lane as he is still recovering from a hamstring strain.

Lee Cattermole and Steven Pienaar are close to returns for Sunderland as they head into Sunday’s tough Premier League trip to Tottenham.

Midfielder Cattermole has not played this season after undergoing hernia surgery, while Pienaar has been nursing a hamstring strain, but both are back in training.

Defender Billy Jones (hip) is also training, but not quite as close to playing again, while striker Victor Anichebe has picked up a thigh problem while working his way towards match fitness, and goalkeeper Vito Mannone (elbow surgery), midfielder Sebastian Larsson (knee) and striker Fabio Borini (groin) remain on the long-term casualty list.

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Saints aim to make it a big week

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Claude Puel has called on Saints to back up their first win of the season with victory against Swansea.

Saints got their season properly up and running with a 3-0 defeat of Sparta Prague at St Mary’s, and go searching for a first three Premier League points of the campaign on Sunday.

If Saints can get that opening top flight victory it will have been a very good week for the club, and one which gets them back on track and with a feeling of momentum behind them.

Puel said: “It will be important for us and for our fans also because it’s important to keep a good efficient and to score and to be rewarded for the good many things we can make in our game. This is important.

“It was a good result for another competition, the Europa League, and it’s important to continue this in the Premier League.

“I think it is quiet and calm. The players play a good game but it just the first win and it’s important now to continue.

“I think this game was important for the result and also for the confidence of all the squad.

“I said it was important to show that Southampton have good young players and very interesting and possibility to do change game after game. It’s important for the future with all the many games we have to play, it’s important to see the quality of the squad.”

Swansea haven’t been on sparkling form themselves in the opening stages of this season, but didn’t have to play a midweek game and won last time out, defeating Burnley 1-0 away from home.

“All the time in the Premier League is difficult games because possibilities and many good players who can make every game the difference,” reckoned Puel.

“A good collective, a good defence and after just one player can be the difference in the Premier League.

“It’s the same with Swansea, a good team with good individuals and good possibilities to score also.

“They didn’t play this week, just one game on the weekend, and they can keep good energy to play against us.

“I think it’s important to stay with good concertation for our game and to think just what we have to do on the pitch. This is the most important for me.”

Puel believes Swansea have a number of threats that Saints have to be wary of with the club’s record signing Borja Baston set for a potential debut, and the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente to pick from.

“All the time individuals like Sigurdsson and many good players with the ability to play good football,” reflected Puel of Swansea’s threat.

“We know they are strong in the physical, and they are ready to play against us.

“It’s important to stay concentrating on our game and we have the possibilities to play against every football team in every moment with the answer every time and this is the most important.”

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Danny Butterfield on way back to Saints

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DANNY Butterfield is on his way back to Saints.

The former full back is currently player coach at League 2 club Exeter City.

But he will leave the Grecians later this month to become assistant manager of Saints under-18s.

Butterfield, 36, signed for Sants in the summer of 2010, and made 44 league appearances as the club won back to back promotions.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 16/09/2016 18:03:15

| | PL team news: United and Arsenal boosted, City’s Silva blow - TEAMtalk | Latest Football News & Transfer RumoursTEAMTALK |
| | Claude Puel ready to rotate Saints squad for domestic and European challengesBELFASTTELE |

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| Southampton 3-0 Sparta Prague: Rating the Saints | Southampton opened their European campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sparta Prague at St.Mary’s tonight. The … 16-09-2016 |

Older content…

| Southampton 3-0 Sparta Prague - The five talking points18 hours ago |
| Austin delighted to get off the mark for the season18 hours ago |
| Virgil van Dijk honoured to wear the captain’s armband18 hours ago |
| Twitter Reacts - Southampton 3-0 Sparta Prague18 hours ago |
| Our man of the match: Sparta Prague (H)2 days ago |
| Southampton vs Sparta Prague - Match Preview2 days ago |
| European opponents in profile - Sparta Prague2 days ago |
| Southampton vs Sparta Prague - Europa League Predicted XI2 days ago |
| How well do you know Southampton’s European history?2 days ago |

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No time to rest! :muscle:

#SaintsFC were back to work today ahead of the visit of the #Swans on Sunday. https://grabyo.com/g/v/tPFJPtgEDLG

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| Who was your man of the match? Southampton 3-0 Sparta Prague | Last night, Southampton finally hit the ground running, winning their first game of the season and topping Group K … 16-09-2016 |

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| Southampton 3-0 Sparta Prague: Rating the Saints21 hours ago |
| Southampton 3-0 Sparta Prague - The five talking points21 hours ago |
| Austin delighted to get off the mark for the season21 hours ago |
| Virgil van Dijk honoured to wear the captain’s armband21 hours ago |
| Twitter Reacts - Southampton 3-0 Sparta Prague21 hours ago |
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| Southampton vs Sparta Prague - Europa League Predicted XI2 days ago |

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Catch up on all the talking points from Claude Puel’s press conference ahead of #SaintsFC’s clash with the #Swans: https://grabyo.com/g/v/Bimi6Q4Io0T

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Claude Puel insists he is prepared to rotate his Southampton squad

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Claude Puel maintains he will need to call on every one of his Southampton squad if they are to do well in both Europe and the Premier League this season.

Striker Charlie Austin scored twice as the Saints opened their Europa League campaign with a 3-0 victory over Sparta Prague on Thursday night.

It was only Austin’s second start of the season, in one of seven changes made by Puel to the team which were beaten 2-1 at Arsenal last weekend.

However, the French coach believes having such options throughout the squad can only serve them well in the challenges ahead, which continue when Swansea come to St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday, with Saints still searching for a first Premier League win.

‘This game was important for the result and also the confidence,’ said Puel a press conference on Friday afternoon.

'It was important to show Southampton have good young players, and the interesting possibility to make changes in game after game.

'This is important for the future with the many games we have to play. It is important to see the quality of the squad.

'All of the players are important in the squad. If we understand this and accept this, it is (a) winning (formula) for the squad, because it is not possible to play all of the games with 10 or 11 players.

‘We can see yesterday the quality of the squad, it is not a problem for me with selection to change the team if the players keep this good spirit and attitude.’

While Puel was impressed with the efforts of Austin, who won the penalty from which he gave them the lead and also had a header ruled out for offside, the Saints boss indicated he could mix things up again on Sunday.

‘It is natural because Charlie played all the game, and it is important now for recovery and to have a different solution on the bench,’ he said.

‘All of the players are ready to play, it is interesting.’

Midfielder James Ward-Prowse played the full 90 minutes on Thursday night, having been a late substitute against Arsenal.

He said on the club’s official website: 'We know there is going to be rotation in the squad to deal with the amount of games we have.

‘We are all professional players ready to do the job.’

With a first win of his tenure secured, Puel is now focused on delivering three points against Swansea.

‘Now it is the Premier League we have to do the good work and win games,’ he said.

‘There has been a lot of disappointment and frustration after every game because I think we played good football with many chances, but at the end it was a loss or a draw. This is not interesting for the squad, they deserve to be rewarded.’

Puel confirmed forward Jay Rodriguez, who came on as a late substitute against Sparta and scored in the final minute, will be assessed.

The Saints boss said: ‘There are no injuries - it is Jay Rodriguez, he felt something and we will see tomorrow, but there is no problem for the moment.’

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