Southampton improving after tough start, says Graziano Pelle
Saturday 24 October 2015 15:32, UK
Graziano Pelle believes Southampton are improving quickly after a difficult start to the season that was dominated by transfer speculation surrounding several of the club's key players.
Morgan Schneiderlin, Nathaniel Clyne and Toby Alderweireld all left the club over the summer, while Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane were also linked with exits before the close of the transfer window.
Ronald Koeman's side started the campaign slowly, taking six points from their opening six Premier League games, and they were also eliminated from the Europa League in the first playoff round to Danish side FC Midtjylland.
"We are improving a lot, we are doing better than at the start of the season," Pelle told Sky Sports. "It's always difficult then with the transfer market and rumours. We are settled now, we have a great team and a great bench.
"We work hard, it's never easy to be in the first 11. I'm happy with the progression of the team, but it's just the beginning.
"The way we are playing as Southampton is a sparkling way to play football, it is very attacking with beautiful combinations.
"The worst day for me was to go out against FC Midtjylland because we worked hard last year to achieve European football and to not be part of it is not nice."
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The Saints face Liverpool in improved form having taken seven points out of a possible nine from their last three league games, including a 3-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge that featured a superb performance from the Italy international.
Pelle admitted last weekend's 2-2 draw against Leicester City was disappointing, though, as Southampton threw away a two-goal lead.
"We have to be a bit of patient and more ruthless. As a striker we should do better in the last part of the game, and keep the ball better.
"We gave them the feeling they could come back in the game, we have to get compact as a team and bring the result home."
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