MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 10:39:31| >> :60:3085:3085:

Claude Puel backs Manolo Gabbiadini to rediscover goalscoring form

Puel backs Gabbiadini to rediscover form
© SilverHub
Southampton manager Claude Puel backs Manolo Gabbiadini to rediscover his goalscoring touch, having failed to find the back of the net since returning from injury.

Southampton manager Claude Puel has backed Manolo Gabbiadini to rediscover his goalscoring touch during the closing stages of the season.

The Italian striker hit the ground running with Southampton following his January arrival from Napoli, scoring six goals in his first four appearances for the club across all competitions.

However, a groin strain halted his bright start and Gabbiadini has not found the net since returning from that injury.

"I think sometimes it's difficult, when you come back from an injury, to find the good rhythm and good intensity - and of course we played a difficult game for a striker against Liverpool," Puel told reporters.

"He played alone, between two or three defenders, so it's difficult to have the ball. Like many strikers his quality is in the box, and we need to have the ball high up the pitch on the opponent to have the final shot and find the clinical edge.

"It's important to play as high as possible, against Liverpool it was another tactic. We played against a good team, they wanted the three points for their position in the table. It was difficult, but against Arsenal it will be another game. I think this game will be open and perhaps we will see more opportunities for them and for us."

Southampton's final four games of the season come against Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Manchester United and Stoke City.

ID:297762: cacheID:297762:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2267:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster in action during the EFL Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley on February 26, 2017
Read Next:
Puel: 'Fraser Forster back to his best'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!