Claude Puel hopes that Saints’ win against Bournemouth will spark a consistent run in the Premier League.
Puel has been frustrated by the up and down nature of his side’s results in the top flight, which have been affected by playing cup games between Premier League fixtures.
Now though Saints are playing back-to-back league matches for the first time since Puel took over, and are starting to see an upturn in results.
Victory over Bournemouth lifted them up to seventh, and looking upwards at Christmas rather than over their shoulders.
With three games in six days up after Christmas, Saints have the chance to really get a good run going.
Puel said: “I hope we have regularity in the Premier League because sometimes we can do very good play on the ground without what we deserve.
“I think it was important for this win, to take seven points from nine points, and it’s important to continue this work with good spirit and we are on the first part of the table.
“It’s important to stay here and to progress with all the players in front of us.
“It’s not finished and it’s important to continue this work and keep your regularity.”
Puel has given his players three days off to enjoy an early Christmas break with their families ahead of a return to training to prepare for the festive fixture schedule.
“It was an important moment, and important time before three days of recovery,” reckoned Puel.
“We can now have a fantastic Christmas with their family and friends and it was important to win and to deserve all the team with a good result and a good game and it’s important now to continue this work.”
Puel also played down any falling out with Sofiane Boufal, after the pair appeared to exchange words after the Moroccan was substituted in the second half.
“I think Sofiane come back with the team just a few weeks,” said the Saints boss.
“He don’t know the Premier League, he don’t know his partners or tactical but he can do the difference every moment with his action because he is a talent.
“Sometimes he makes an instruction but all this step by step to improve.
“He’s a young player and these are his first games for this team in another country but he is a fantastic talent and he has to improve for the future.”
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