Puel praises spirit after first league win

The 55-year-old is now hoping to follow up that result with a maiden league success against Swansea at St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday, as he has seen his side pick up just two points from their opening four top-flight matches this season.

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.

“Thursday’s Europa League victory over Sparta Prague was the flawless result as Southampton look for their first domestic win”. I saw their last few matches.

” They did not play this week, so Swansea can keep good energy to play against us, but it is important for us to stay with good concentration for our game and to just think about what we have to do on the pitch”.

“It is important for the future”.

“I said congratulations after the game to my players, because to win this game with things going against us was very hard, and sometimes also the decision of the referee was contrary, and it’s a very good win together”.

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

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.

Southampton, who secured their first win of the season in the Europa League, had been without a league victory, but Austin volleyed in the victor at the back post shortly after the hour mark.

Charlie Austin put the Premier League outfit in the lead in the fifth minute from the penalty spot and doubled the advantage on 27 minutes.

Southampton are one of three clubs yet to win in the Premier League this season, along with Stoke and Sunderland.

– Swansea have failed to score in six of their last eight Premier League encounters with the Saints.

Claude Puel could become the first Saints manager to go winless in his first five Premier League games in charge since Harry Redknapp’s seven-match streak between December 2004 and January 2005. Against an opponent like Southampton, it doesn’t matter what tactic you choose.