Saints boss on the Payet threat

austinSouthampton boss Claude Puel claims he’s unworried by the threat posed from Dimi Payet.

Frenchman Puel admits his countryman is a “very good player” but insists the team won’t be distracted by the free-kick specialist.

He said: “It (a free-kick from Payet) would be a good opportunity for them and of course defending is important, but we must also concentrate on all the many good things we do on the pitch.

“He is a very good player on the free-kicks, but our players also have many qualities and it will be difficult for West Ham to defend these players.

“It is important to keep in our minds all of the good things we can make on the pitch and not just to stay in close (attention) with the opponent, (but) to give a good answer against all of the (West Ham) team, with a good concentration.”

Puel is likely to ask Charlie Austin (above) to lead his attack after the former QPR striker scored three goals in his last three games.

Austin may feel he has a score to settle on Sunday after Hammers co chairman David Sullivan insisted last season that he wouldn’t sign him because he could not guarantee his fitness.

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon