O’SHEA’S CATS CAN REBOUND
GOOD LUCK to the next man who comes in at St Mary’s.
Southampton have consolidated their position in the Premier League again and, though it wasn’t that long ago they were in League One, now the bar has been raised.
Significantly. But all the indications are that what Claude Puel has achieved this term won’t be enough for him to keep his job. Offered the chance to back Puel this week, chairman Ralph Krueger said: “I think all of that should be properly debriefed, analysed next week and then we need to move with whatever is best for the club at that point.”
The pro-Puel camp say he could have done little more than he has by leading the south-coast club to the EFL Cup final and a potential eighth place.
All without two of his best players – Virgil Van Dijk and Charlie Austin – due to injury.
But the disappointing quality of football, the Europa League campaign and lack of goals have given the ‘Puel Out’ brigade further ammunition.
Puel’s performance as manager has split the fan base, while the Frenchman labelled speculation about his job “strange”.
But there is only one word for Krueger’s comments about his future – ominous. JOHN O’SHEA believes Sunderland need “positive changes” if they are to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
The Black Cats defender, 36, saw his side hold Arsenal for 72 minutes on Tuesday before an Alexis Sanchez double inflicted their season’s 25th defeat.
Boss David Moyes is likely to stay following the relegation but striker Jermain Defoe, defender Lamine Kone and keeper Jordan Pickford are among their top stars being circled by Premier League clubs.
And a number of players will also leave once their contracts end this summer.
O’Shea said: “Everyone who is willing to fight and stay at the club hopefully will do that and the club can bounce back.
“But there has to be positive changes made as quickly as possible.
“It wasn’t good enough in the end. It’s all well and good doing it for 72 minutes at Arsenal but you have to do it for 92, 96 minutes, whatever it takes.”
O’Shea has indicated he is willing to remain once his deal expires next month.
He said: “Yeah, we’ll wait and see over the next few weeks.”