Puel: We Must Work On Our Play
- Manager Claude Puel says Leicester City must learn from their defeat to Southampton
- The Foxes were beaten 2-1 at King Power Stadium in the Premier League
- Analysis of the game will be broadcast live on Extra-Time at 6pm GMT on Monday
The Foxes fell behind on 11 minutes when James Ward-Prowse dispatched a penalty, but the hosts gained a one-man advantage just before the break after Yan Valery was sent off following two bookings.
However, Shane Long struck in first-half stoppage time and while Wilfred Ndidi pulled a goal back for the hosts, Puel’s men suffered a narrow loss to the Saints.
“I think we wanted to give the right response after our game against Newport,” Puel told LCFC TV. “I think we started with good moves and after we conceded the first goal from a counter attack and gave some easy balls for the opponent to make counter attacks and put us under pressure.
“Of course, it is a shame to concede the second before half-time because with 11 men against 10 men we can come back into the game easier. We scored our goal at a good time.
“We tried to score another goal and come from behind, we made a lot of crosses and shots, but it is always difficult to play against a deep block. There was a lot of shots and saves from their goalkeeper but without enough movement in the box.
“We need to work at this play because we play a lot against a deep block and it is important to find more solutions. It’s a shame, a big disappointment. We continue to learn and now it is important to be strong and find the right response and reaction in the next game.”
The Leicester manager felt his side had a significant opportunity to turn the game around when Valery was dismissed, until Long’s strike doubled Southampton’s advantage and ultimately sealed all three points.
Puel added: “We saw this team against Chelsea, they made a draw against Chelsea and they beat Arsenal. They have a good mentality in this moment.
“They defend very well and we gave them opportunities in the first half. We put them in the right side, they scored this goal and after it was better for this team to defend with a block and wait for counter attacks.
“I regret the balls we gave away and also the second goal conceded just before half-time. One goal, we can come back and perhaps win this game.”