Claude Puel insists his team still have plenty to play for in the remaining three games of the season.

With Saints stuck in midtable, out of the race for European football and also unconcerned by the relegation battle going on below them, there does not seem to be a lot riding on it.

Saints travel to relegated Middlesbrough for their last away game of the campaign on Saturday, before back-to-back home matches against Manchester United and Stoke in the final week of the season.

From the outside, there is the impression that few things are left to be settled at St Mary’s.

But closer to the action there is the sense that there is still much to play for, not least Puel’s future.

There has been speculation that Puel could be sacked at the end of his first season in charge of the club, and he could do with a big finale to strengthen his position.

The manager though is just focussed on his side and trying to turn some performances into much needed goals, and wins, in the final days of the campaign after last night’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at St Mary’s, courtesy of second half goals from Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud.

He said: “We can see the attitude of the players and it’s a fantastic attitude.

“The last game against Liverpool was a defensive game and a fantastic spirit and it was a good draw.

“Tonight also just three days after it was very interesting with good work and quality against a good team.

“It’s a good answer and to see my players giving the good motivation about all the games will be important to find the good spirit and attitude against Middlesbrough.

“It is not Arsenal but it will be a difficult game and we saw this with Sunderland.

“They can have a good game after relegation and perhaps it’s the same feeling about Middlesbrough and it will be important to have the good attitude and find a good win.

“It’s very important for us and to finish this season with a good result.”

Middlesbrough are one of only two teams to have scored less home Premier League goals than Saints this season.

While Saints have netted 17 in 17 matches on their own patch, Boro have bagged just 16 in 18 before the visit of Saints to the Riverside Stadium this weekend.