Southampton vs Norwich City preview - Graziano Pelle confident Southampton will improve - 7M sport

Southampton vs Norwich City preview - Graziano Pelle confident Southampton will improve



Posted Saturday, August 29, 2015 by PA

Graziano Pelle insists Southampton must move on from their indifferent start to the season - beginning against Norwich on Sunday.

Ronald Koeman's men are without a win in their opening three Barclays Premier League fixtures and were knocked out of the Europa League at the play-off stage after defeat to Danish champions FC Midtjylland on Thursday.

Add to that a number of injuries to key personnel and constant transfer speculation surrounding Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane and it has been a difficult start to the campaign for the south coast club.

However, Pelle says the players remain united and is optimistic they can put their European disappointment behind them with victory over Norwich at St Mary's.

"We have an amazing group," said the Italian forward.

"We don't have a problem with each other. Football is a lot about confidence. When the result doesn't come everything looks like it is not your moment.

"We can't any more think about what has happened. Of course we have to look at the game to improve but now there is a new season.

"We need to work hard to again, try to get the same things we did last season. We will do our best and we will be sure that we will have better moments."

Pelle, who has three goals to his name this season, has also called for Saints fans to stick with the team, with the Italy international keen to meet their expectations.

"The fans have been supporting the club for a lifetime," he added.

"They, of course, are free to think many things. We have to give them back the feeling we can have positive moments.

"They always show us a lot of love and patience. The club has improved a lot because of the great supporters. Together we can go one way to win the game and be back.

"Norwich come to play in St Mary's and we are sure it's going to be tough to beat us but we have to show it. No words, just working hard to get the best result."

Saints hope to have Victor Wanyama (stomach infection) and Sadio Mane (hip) fit.

Norwich manager Alex Neil has refused to be drawn on Lewis Grabban's future.

Grabban has been the focus of a series of rejected bids from former club Bournemouth, which culminated in the striker walking out of the team hotel during the week.

The 27-year-old was believed to be unhappy at being left out of the Capital One Cup win over Rotherham but has subsequently been suspended by the club for a breach of discipline.

"I think it's been well documented why he is [suspended]," said Neil. "It's an ongoing matter and we're investigating the fact he left the hotel without permission.

"The feeling is that if any player leaves without permission they bear the consequences that come their way and that's the way it is.

"The bottom line is anything that happens at Norwich is not within anyone's power but mine and the owners of the club and that will remain the case, so we're in total control and will dictate what happens between now and the end of the window.

"There will never be any player, or collection of players that will have more power than what I'll allow them to have so the fact is Lewis has been a silly boy and he'll face the consequences of what he's done."

Neil takes his side to St Mary's hoping to achieve what could be a club record of 13 unbeaten games away from home after an impressive start to the season but he admits his side still have a way to go to match the levels reached by Southampton.

He said: "They're a great example of a club that have come up through the Championship and managed to stabilise themselves in the Premier League and also bring in some real good talent but still maintain that competitiveness in the league.

"They've lost quite a few players over the last few years but they've got a basis of a really good squad so it's going to be a tough game and they're trying to get a win under their belt.

"My aim, and certainly the squad's aim, is to not only survive but to try and give a really good account of ourselves and really attack the league and see where that takes us and that's how we've approached the games so far."

Grabban's absence - until Tuesday - could hand a chance to record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who has so far struggled to make an impact with the club.

After a season on loan at St Etienne, Van Wolfswinkel scored on his Norwich return in Tuesday night's win and could be rewarded with a first Premier League appearance since April 2014.



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