Southampton manager Claude Puel after his side's 3-1 defeat to West Ham at St Mary's

A 3-1 St Mary’s defeat to West Ham left Saints with a sorry record of six defeats in their last seven league games and just starting to look over their shoulder.

They travel to Sunderland next Saturday for their final match before the EFL Cup final at Wembley, desperate for a win to ease any top flight nerves.

When asked about the prospect of a relegation battle, Puel said: “We play against a team at this moment like the next game, an important game for us.

“At the moment it is not possible to see on the first part of the table and it is important now to take points and to prevent other teams to come back on our level.

“It is very important of course and we need results of course and it’s important to win and to give confidence for this team.

“Sometimes it has not been the reward like the second half, the first half against Swansea was not sufficient but it is important to keep a good mentality, aggressiveness, work very hard and prepare this important game against Sunderland.

“We see all the possibilities for the moment to come back in the first part of the table.”

He added: “Of course it’s a bad moment for January and the start of February also.

“I think it’s enough and of course we have to correct and to win.

“It’s a pity for this game because we can start very well with the fantastic goal of Gabbiadini and we took a goal just five minutes after and it is not the first time.

“It is important to keep concentration about this situation because it’s always difficult after the result.

“It was difficult to finish the first half and I think the second half good solution, quality with many chances, and we are unlucky on the third goal.

“We continue to play without the possibility to score with all the chances.

“It was good play in the second half like against Swansea but we have to correct the situation about free kicks also with concentration because it is difficult after the result.”