Puel wants Saints to bring in New Year the right way

New Year’s Eve celebrations may have a tendency to disappoint, but Claude Puel wants to give Southampton’s fans the perfect 2016 send-off at St. Mary’s on Saturday.

Saints lost heavily away to Tottenham in midweek, but with 2017 looming, Frenchman Puel is planning to bid 2016 farewell with a win over West Brom.

Tony Pulis’ side are just a point behind eighth-place Southampton and with Everton a further two points in front, a win for either side would be the ideal start to next year.

“I think we are ready to play a good game and react after the disappointment against Tottenham,” Puel said.

“I think it’s important for us and the fans also. We have to prepare for this game with a good spirit and a good attitude.

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“Of course it would be nice to end the year with a victory for the supporters, the players and the whole club, but we know it will be tough.

“It’s important for us to keep a good concentration about this game, with a good spirit and after if it is a good result we can say something about this.

“We know it will be a tough game against a different opponent with a different style. They like to defend together so we have to find the solutions.”