SAINTS midfielder Steven Davis believes that the current crop of players at St Mary’s is the best the club have had in the Premier League since promotion three seasons' ago.

Since arriving on the south coast in July 2012, as Saints, under Nigel Adkins, were about to embark on their first top-flight campaign for seven years, Davis has been impressed with the club’s ambitions and the squad they have put together this term.

Despite a number of high-profile departures, Davis has admired how competitive this season’s team is, with eight fresh arrivals, and is enjoying competing for his place.

When asked whether this is the strongest Saints, Premier League team since their promotion from the Championship in 2012, he said: “As a squad, I think yes.

“Obviously we’ve lost some important players over the years and Morgan (Schneiderlin) again this year and Clyney (Nathaniel Clyne).

“There are people who have done a great job for the club over a number of years, so if you look at competition for places now within the squad, it’s really healthy.

“It’s arguably the best squad since I’ve been here.”

With a number of new signings arriving at St Mary’s in the summer, Davis has been only pleased to have the opportunity to compete for his place.

“It’s good for everyone,” he said. “It’s natural now in the Premier League.

“You look at most squads, there’s good healthy competition for places and that’s the same here.

“That means if you get the duty, you have to play well to stay in the team.”

Davis has worked under Adkins, Mauricio Pochettino and now Ronald Koeman at Saints and is happy to be as willing and as versatile as possible for the Dutchman.

The Northern Irishman has played in attacking midfield and further back in a more defensive role for Saints, but is just keen to be on the pitch, no matter the position.

“Obviously the manager’s played me in a couple of different roles and that’s something I’m always happy to do,” he said.

“I don’t mind (where I play), the most important thing is you want to be playing and helping the team out and getting consistent results and it’s about getting back to that and getting back to our level.

“But I think we’ve seen progression and the performances from the start of the season have been getting better and getting back to the levels that we know we can.

“We need to get back to doing that.”

Regarding where he’d prefer to play, he added: “It just depends on how the game’s going and what position you are needed in.

“I’m not really too picky about that.

“It’s nice to be adaptable, obviously the most important thing is that team are winning games.”