Its a telling weekend for Claude Puels Southampton as the Saints head into Sundays clash with Middlesbrough at St. Marys Stadium in need of a positive reaction after the events that unfolded this week.Puels club, which it can be argued, is in the greatest period of prosperity in team history, was knocked back a peg Thursday when they were bounced from the Europa League following a 1-1 draw with Israels Hapoel Beer Sheva at home in their final group stage match. Maor Buzaglo opened the scoring with 11 minutes to play before Virgil Van Dijk found the late equaliser, but the damage had already been done as the draw dumped the Saints out of Europa.Van Dijk, for his part, didnt mince words when asked for his post-match thoughts.Im very disappointed -- I feel (bad) to be honest with you, said Van Dijk. We need to do much better, especially in the first half. We knew how they were going to play -- we needed to do much better especially with chances we had, and every time they broke on us it was a bit dangerous.We needed to get our organisation right instead of always attacking. Thats something we need to talk about. We just need to focus on the league the most now. The EFL Cup is special, but with the current group we can do something beautiful in the league. But we need to be clinical and not concede stupid goals like we did.The Saints (4-5-5) must now quickly focus their attention on Middlesbrough, as a win in front of the home fans will wipe away some of the disappointment from the European exit.Its important to look forward and come back with a good spirit and come back in the first half of the table and keep the good concentration for the next game in the Premier League, Puel said. Its an opportunity to play quickly. Its a good thing to have this game on Sunday and to have a good reaction.The clubs league form is a bit of an issue as well, coming off a 3-0 loss at the hands of Crystal Palace. But a win can take them as high as eighth place, depending on other results.Middlesbrough (3-6-5), for their part, enter the contest unbeaten in five of their last six league matches. Theyll aim for a second consecutive victory following last weeks 1-0 result over Hull City, thanks to a 60th-minute strike from Gaston Ramirez.(Mondays win) was massive for us, midfielder Adam Forshaw said. For us to get the win, and to play as well as we did at times was a real confidence-booster.The Teeside club will be a bit shorthanded for Sunday as Alvaro Negredo, Ramirez and Jordan Rhodes are all doubts, while George Friend will miss this fixture.Alvaro, Gaston and Jordan couldnt train with the team (Friday), manager Aitor Karanka said. I need to check (Saturday) with the doctors. The main thing for me is the players who are ready to play are ready to take that chance.George it taking steps, and hopefully tomorrow he will train with us, as its not a hard session.Southampton will also be missing a key piece as forward Charlie Austin is unavailable after being subbed off in the first half of Thursdays match.We will see later what the full answer is and how long he will be out for, Puel said. Its a disappointment for him, because he has had a good first part of the season, but its important for the team to have a good answer. We will see the quality of other players. Old Skool Outlet . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. Discount Old Skool . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. http://www.cheapoldskool.com/ . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Cheap Old Skool Sale .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Old Skool Shoes From China . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Sydney FC have scored a major A-League coup, securing the return of winger Bernie Ibini on a season-long loan.Ibini left last year to join reigning Belgian Pro League champions Club Brugge on a three-year deal, only to break his leg badly in his first training session and miss the season.Now, the 23-year-old two-time Socceroo will be back in Sky Blue for the first time since playing a key part in Sydneys run to the 2014-15 grand final.Ibini, set to reunite with teammates on Friday, said hed be fit to start playing in round one.I played some of the best football of my career the last time I was here, Ibini said.We had a great run.Theres no reason why we cant repeat that with the quality in our squad this year.Nigerian-born Ibini was a strong attacking outlet for Graham Arnolds side with seven goals from 28 A-League games, the sort of contribution that will be highly welcome following a goal-shy 2015-16 campaign devoid of finals action.I think everyone is well aware of what a great talent Bernie Ibini is and how highly I rate him, Arnold said.ddddddddddddHe is quick, has a great football brain and plays quality attacking football.Hes also has a fearsome shot, and I know opposition defences dont enjoy playing against him.Ibini joins the day after striker Matt Simons re-signing for a further year, and is the latest arrival in Arnolds off-season rebuild.Twelve players have departed to make way for new blood.On board so far are former Melbourne City defenders Alex Wilkinson and Michael Zullo, ex-Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic and fringe Socceroos midfielder Josh Brillante.The club might still be on the lookout for a proven out-and-out striker.Arnold said the team were looking strong.With a couple more signings, well be in a very good position come round one, he said. 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