Southampton boss Claude Puel keen to end season on a high

Southampton boss Claude Puel is keen to end the club's winless streak when they face Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Saints lost 2-0 at home to Arsenal on Wednesday night, with their last victory coming away to West Brom on April 8.

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After the trip to Teesside, Southampton play Manchester United and Stoke at St Mary's and Puel is keen to end the season on a high, although he admits Middlesbrough could prove to be tough opposition as they have nothing to lose after their relegation was confirmed with defeat to Chelsea on Monday.

"If we can have a good result against Middlesbrough, we can prepare for our last two games at home with good possibilities, good intensity," Puel said.

"There's the possibility to have a good finish in the first part of the table and that is very important to us.

"We are going to play and we have been playing every three days, which is difficult at the end of the season.

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"Middlesbrough have been playing just one game a week and for us, the most important thing is to put in place a team with good balance, with players who are physically fit and to give a good answer.

"After that, the second thing is of course that it's a difficult game to prepare for. It's important to be ready for this game.

"We saw Sunderland, after their relegation, could play without pressure and did some good work in a good win away. I think it will be the same with Middlesbrough and it will be important to be ready in our heads with good concentration and motivation."

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Despite an indifferent season that could see the Saints finish as high as eighth in the Premier League or as low as 16th, Puel insists he and his backroom staff have laid the foundations for future success.

"We put the basics of our play and our philosophy in place this season and what we want to do. It was very interesting," he added.

"I think the consistency was important but there was no clinical edge. We need to improve for next season."

Watch Southampton v Manchester United on Wednesday May 17. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7:30pm.

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