Despite the fact that Southampton are higher placed in the Premier League table and have the same number of points as they did at this stage of the season last year, manager Claude Puel is continuing to come under scrutiny from the club’s supporters.

The Frenchman certainly hasn’t been helped by the fact that his side have lost their last three matches in the top-flight, including defeats by three goals against Tottenham and Everton – heavy reverses that the Saints and their supporters haven’t been accustomed to in recent seasons.

One of the main annoyances for the fans is the almost constant chopping and changing from game to game - you only have to look at the example of the consistent team that Leicester City fielded last term as they won the Premier League title as proof that it can be better to make fewer changes.

While the club did have the Europa League to contend with earlier in the campaign – and had to utilise their squad as a result – the multiple changes to the starting XI have continued even after the south coast outfit were knocked out last month, and it seems to be affecting the team.

Here are THREE reasons Puel’s rotation must stop if Southampton are to get back to their best…

The players will be frustrated

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While it may have been because he was unhappy with the club, the fact that the Saints' captain, Jose Fonte, didn’t play a single minute of his side’s Europa League campaign is hard to understand and certainly wouldn’t have helped him want to remain at St Mary’s.

Senior professionals like Ryan Bertrand, Steven Davis and Fonte should - and will want to be - starting almost every game when fit - the former left Chelsea for Saints to play more first-team football - but it just hasn’t happened this term and it is something that could especially annoy players that are looking to feature for their national side on a regular basis too.

The lack of cohesion

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The constant chopping and changing makes it more difficult for players to create partnerships and understanding – especially in key positions for the side like at centre-back.

While Virgil van Dijk has been a constant at the heart of the back four, he has had Maya Yoshida alongside him in the cup competitions, while Jose Fonte has often been next to him in the Premier League.

It’s the same story in midfield where the four central midfielders – James Ward-Prowse, Steven Davis, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Jordy Clasie – play one game and then are on the bench the next, meaning they don’t have a run of matches to find a consistent level of performance.

Players struggling for consistency

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When you are playing one game and then are on the bench the next, it is certainly more difficult to get a rhythm to your play, and it has been apparent with a number of the Saints' players this season.

Summer signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a prime example, with the Dane showing the ability he has in his locker in flashes, but when he isn’t regularly being named in the starting XI it is hard to find that on a consistent basis.

It’s the same story for Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long up top, with the duo failing to get the extended runs in the side that they need to find the net on a regular basis – and it has shown with their respective goal returns.