Ronald Koeman expected dip at Southampton after success last term

Ronald Koeman admits he expected Southampton to experience a dip this season after they came seventh in last term's Premier League.

The St Mary's team are without a win in six matches following Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham.

That has left them 12th in the table and in danger of being sucked into a relegation fight in the second half of the campaign.

Southampton's success has come at a cost, with a number of their best players moving on to other clubs in big-money moves.

Between that and the fact opposing sides now look at his men in a different light, Koeman anticipated a tough time.

He said: "I was expecting a difficult season, because expectations (are) higher than normal, higher than what is normal for Southampton.

"We need to change our attitude - and normally I'm the first defending my players. The second season is always difficult for players, difficult for a team who did more than everybody expects.

"Then you have the total confidence in winning games, in playing your football. Opponents are afraid.

"Opponents at the moment are not afraid of Southampton; you have to change your attitude because it's a new situation.

"You have to work harder, you have to be more aggressive, because that can make the change. It's difficult to compare last season with the season, because some good players have left.

"We start the season with a lot of new players, and still I believe in the qualities of the players but maybe, to win this battle, we need a different type of football.

"And not about our philosophy, but maybe about - that's a question to myself - we need players now who first are winning the battle on the pitch and then playing nice football."