Southampton winger Nathan Redmond believes the team have to be alert from the beginning of games to make their task easier.
Saints opened their Premier League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Watford after a debut goal from the former Norwich favourite cancelled out Etienne Capoue's early strike.
Like his team-mates, Redmond endured a quiet first 45 minutes, but he capped a dynamic second-half display with a fine volley to secure a point.
Next up for Claude Puel's side is a trip to Manchester United on Friday evening and the 22-year-old knows Southampton will have to raise their game from the off.
"We want to get off to a good start obviously, as every team does. But we started sloppy in the first half," Redmond said.
"For the second half we upped our game. It was important to get the first goal and get back into it. We didn't get the second goal, but we showed great spirit to get back. On another day we might have won it.
"I would have been delighted with three points first and foremost but it's a nice feeling to score my first goal.
"At half-time the manager just said that the first half had gone and to go out there and play with pride to get back into it.
"We did that, but we need to start better in our game next Friday."