ORIOL Romeu insists that Claude Puel’s squad rotation is vital to Saints’ chances of succeeding this season.

Puel hasn’t been short of critics during the early stages of his St Mary’s reign, but after back-to-back victories the concerns over tactics and selection have dissipated.

And the Spanish midfielder has now backed his boss’s policy ahead of tomorrow’s night’s League Cup match at home to Crystal Palace.

“No, I think it is good,” the former Chelsea man stated. “We need to keep winning and just doing the same, and rotation is important to keep everyone fresh for the next challenge.

“The season is very long with a lot of games and competition. The whole squad is important, we are proving that so far and we just want to keep doing the same.”

Puel has chopped and changed to cope with the overflowing fixture list, making seven changes for the 3-0 win over Sparta Prague and then six as Saints recorded their first Premier League win of the campaign against Swansea.

There may well be more of the same for Palace’s visit.

“Whoever is playing knows his job, knows what we have to do on the pitch,” said Romeu, who turns 25 on Saturday.

“We have a great squad and great numbers, so whoever’s out there will do his job properly.”

The ex-Barcelona man has no concerns over the team’s fitness, despite the unforgiving run of games.

“We are professional players and we need to be ready for the next games, so physically we are good,” he said. “It’s something we’re not worried about.”

Alan Pardew’s side visit St Mary’s tomorrow on their own run of two wins in a row, after beating Stoke and Middlesbrough.

Romeu insists that Saints will be taking the tournament seriously even though they are already battling on two fronts in Europe and in the Premier League.

He said: “We need to keep our positive run going and the League Cup is as important as any game. We want to go through. We want to win and want to do our best.

“Any competition is a chance to win and be in a great place, but it’s going to be hard.

“Crystal Palace also have a great squad, but we are happy and want to keep winning.”