ORIOL Romeu has defended Claude Puel, insisting the under pressure St Mary’s chief has not had it easy.

The Spaniard has also urged Saints to take the positives from the campaign – despite the negativity that surrounded the final day defeat to Stoke City.

In a long season which also included a Europa League campaign, Puel took Saints to the EFL Cup final and an eighth place finish in the Premier League.

But the Frenchman looks likely to depart, with many supporters dissatisfied with the team’s style of play.

“It’s been hard because of all the competitions we’ve played in,” Romeu said. “We went to the cup final and it wasn’t easy because of the amount games we had.

“He [Puel] tried to give minutes to everyone in the team and that was good for everyone. Everyone has played a part this season.

“There were difficult moments and it’s not been easy for him as well as everyone, but looking at what we’ve done it’s been positive.”

Saints finished the season with just one win in eight games, having failed to score in their final five home games of the campaign.

“At the moment we don’t feel happy because wanted to finish with a win that would have been deserving of that eighth place,” explained the newly-crowned Daily Echo Player of the Season, Romeu.

“But now we’ve only finished there because of other teams making a mistake.

“But, overall, and maybe in one, two or three weeks we’ll look at it and say that eighth is an important place in this league.

“Apart from the big teams, it’s only Everton in front of us in this league. It was good, we had some good moments and some bad but we need to look on the positive side.

“Personally, I’ve enjoyed a lot this year and I think the team has had some amazing days too.

“That’s what we need to focus on and make sure next season we are more clinical in front of goal and we don’t drop silly points against teams that we feel are better than.”

Former Saints man Peter Crouch scored the winning goal at St Mary’s as the hosts finished the season with defeat to the Potters.

“The first half was a bit sloppy,” Romeu added. “The tempo wasn’t high enough and from both teams it was a bit odd.

“The pitch was very dry and it was difficult to keep running and moving quickly.

“In the second half we did better and played forward and went through the channels and had more chances.

“But, again, the lack of composure in front of the goal or sometimes that bit of luck also plays a part in the game and we haven’t had that.

“It hasn’t fallen to us and we have to accept that we are not good enough in front of goal.”