Following a historic 2-1 win against Italian giants Inter Milan in the Europa League at St Mary’s on Thursday, Southampton looked to be heading into the international break in good spirits.
That was before they travelled to lowly Hull City on Sunday. Despite taking an early lead through a Charlie Austin penalty at the KCOM Stadium, quick-fire second half goals from Robert Snodgrass and Michael Dawson condemned Claude Puel’s side to their second successive Premier League defeat.
The Saints are still in the top half of the league on goal difference, but there will be some disappointment in that a side which finished sixth last term is currently below the likes of Watford and Burnley.
So, what do the south coast outfit need to improve on when their stars from international duty?
Here are FOUR things we believe Puel needs to address by the time Liverpool arrive at St. Mary's for Southampton's next Premier League fixture.
Being less complacent
Puel's side got a little complacent at the KCOM Stadium once they had taken the lead, and it is something the Frenchman must eradicate in the future.
It may be a cliché, but there are no easy matches in the Premier League, and Saints supporters will hope a lesson was learnt against Mike Phelan’s lowly Tigers, who ended a run of six successive top flight defeats by taking all three points.
Be more clinical
Despite only Liverpool and Manchester City making more key passes than Southampton (137) in the Premier League so far this season, only four of those have been assists for goals.
Saints need to be more clinical in the final third and Puel knows it. Sofiane Boufal was brought in during the summer to help with that, but having only recently returned to full fitness, supporters will be hopeful they haven’t seen the best of the Morrocan yet.
The side’s main creator is Dusan Tadic, but he is yet to pick up a single assist from 31 chances created.
More clean sheets
After picking up three clean sheets in a row against Swansea, West Ham and Leicester, Saints have now failed to stop the ball going in their net in four successive Premier League matches.
Much of the side’s success over the past couple of years has been down to their sturdy defence, but Puel will know he needs to improve the backline if his team are to match their sixth-placed finish from last term.
More goals from midfield
It has been the same old story for Saints so far this term, with a lack of goals from midfield meaning they have been heavily reliant on the likes of Charlie Austin and Nathan Redmond in attack for goals.
Behind them, Steven Davis, Jordy Clasie, James Ward-Prowse, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oriol Romeu have one between them in the Premier League this term, while their main creator Dusan Tadic has only netted once himself.
The situation must change if the club are to push on again this season.