Yoshida demands more aggression from Southampton

Southampton defender Maya Yoshida admits Claude Puel’s side need to be more aggressive during the Premier League run-in if they are to haul their way up the table.

The Saints sit tenth after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Bournemouth at home on Saturday, and realistically now European qualification is probably beyond them.

Dušan Tadić struck the post and Jay Rodriguez had his first-half strike ruled out against the Cherries, but Yoshida was adamant that – ahead of a midweek game against Crystal Palace – his side need to go for broke more often.

“We need to be a little bit more aggressive,” explained Yoshida. “We were well organised defensively [against Bournemouth] and happy, as a defence, to get the clean sheet.

“But, if I am honest, today was a bit lucky.

“We can take confidence from the clean sheet because it was one that we needed, and hopefully that will help us to go forward now and progress.

“There are many games coming now. So we have to be fresh and work on the recovery so that we can come back on Wednesday night against Crystal Palace.

“They played well and beat Chelsea in their last game, so we will have to be ready for them. They have a good squad with a number of quality players, so we know it will be tough.”