Koeman: "We are a victim of our own success"

Southampton's manager Ronald Koeman has admitted that early success this season has come at a price. His side have netted 27 goals in 16 home games, although half of those were came in two games.

"We scored 12 goals in the games against Newcastle and Sunderland. It’s more difficult now as there isn’t really a lot of space.".

In the league, Saints have only scored five times in the last nine games. Koeman has challenged his players to hit the target more often to boost the club's chances of reaching the Europa League.

"At the beginning of the season opponents don’t care about how they play against Southampton, but we don’t get that space we got in the beginning now."

Struggling Hull are the visitors to St. Mary's on Saturday and Koeman expects a tough game.

The Dutchman revealed that midfielder Filip Djuricic has an ankle injury and will miss the game. Meanwhile, Steven Davis and Florin Gardos have recovered from their respective setbacks and return to the squad.

Koeman also denied that he is looking at buying Reading FC's goalkeeper Adam Federici this summer. Saints' first-choice shot stopper Fraser Forster is currently out with a long term knee injury.