Puel expecting tough Tigers test for Saints

Claude Puel is targeting a top-half finish for Southampton this season and is expecting a tough game on Saturday against a Hull City side scrapping for their lives.

The Tigers are looking for their first away win since August, and travel to St Mary’s positioned one place above the relegation drop zone.

Saints head into the game off the back of defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City, and could close the gap between themselves and West Bromwich Albion who sit eighth in the league table.

And Puel has re-iterated the importance of Saints picking up three points to keep the fans happy and secure a top-half finish for the fourth season running.

(Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

“It’s an important game for us after two losses, it’s important now to move forward and to take points,” said Puel.

“We know to finish in the top half of the table is important for us and for the fans.

“I think Hull City are a good team with good technical players and they play good football. They won their last game with ten-men against eleven which shows good spirit.

“It’s important in front of our own fans to have a good game and hopefully get a good result of course.”