Leicester boss Claude Puel defends his record at Southampton as he eyes a win over his former club: 'I hope the fans remember our good times'

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Leicester manager Claude Puel believes he does not deserve criticism for his style of play at former club Southampton.

The Frenchman defended himself ahead of his first Premier League visit to St Mary's since being sacked in June.

Puel's lone season at Southampton saw the club finish eighth in the league and reach the League Cup final. 

Leicester boss Claude Puel has defended his record at Southampton ahead of his return

But Puel came under fire for a defensive approach with the club scoring just 41 goals, the lowest among teams in the top half of the table.

The club had one win in their final eight league matches and did not score in their last five home games before he was sacked. 

Ahead of Wednesday's clash, Puel said: 'Other people decided to make comments about our play, about results or other things.

'It is a mistake because if you saw games at Southampton we played good football and created chances.'

The Frenchman will visit St Mary's for the first time since he was sacked by the club in June

Adding: 'For me it's always the same, to try and score more goals, to play football, to attack together and to always have good chances to score.'

The 56-year-old pointed towards the success he had on the south-coast. 

Despite being beaten 3-2 by Manchester United, the Saints reached their first major cup final in 14 years.

Puel continued: 'I hope the fans remember our good times, like the journey in the cup and the final. It was great at Wembley, they are good memories.' 

Leicester have improved since Puel took over in October and they now sit eighth in the table

Leicester are currently eighth in the table with 23 points after six wins, five draws and five defeats and are looking for their fourth straight victory. 

The club have improved under Puel, who replaced Craig Shakespeare in October with the Foxes third from bottom.

He added: 'It's important to keep the way and just to continue this work after that, it's for other people to criticise or be positive or negative.

'It's important for me to always give my best for the club and I gave my best for Southampton. But it's in the past now, it's finished.'

Southampton are 11th with 18 points and were unlucky to draw 1-1 with Arsenal in their last game.