GOALSCORER Anders Svensson admits he is relishing the freedom he gets on the left of midfield.

It has been a problem position for Saints over the past year, but the Swedish international put himself forward as the answer with the pick of the goals in Saturday's 3-2 win against Blackburn.

"From the left I can cut in and take people on and be more offensive which is a strong part of my game," he said.

"I played from the left for a few games last season and my best games were the last two games I played.

"Playing wide I can go forward a bit more and maybe get the ball a bit more and create chances so it's good.

"I'm not as strong tackling as other players. We had a few talks about it and I realised last season that it is a better role for me."

Svensson's goal was his first for Saints since he netted in the 3-2 defeat at Birmingham in April 2003.

Since then, he had made 39 league and cup appearances for the club without scoring.

And the Swede - who has now scored seven goals in 99 league appearances - said it was a relief to get off the mark in his first start of 2004/05.

"It's been a long time and hopefully I won't have to wait so long again," he admitted.

"It has played on my mind a little bit. Since I was a little kid I have scored loads of goals, but at Southampton I haven't scored that many..

"Kevin and Beatts have scored loads of goals and it's good to help them out."

Svensson says he is baffled by talk of dressing-room unrest, but admitted there had been a meeting two weeks ago to discuss reports of problems.

"I didn't have a clue when we had a meeting about it the other week," he said.

"There were a lot of confused minds and I don't think many of us knew what was being talked about.

"There is a very good atmosphere and we have been working very hard in pre-season.

"I don't really know what it was all about. I don't read any papers and it's not a problem.

"We have been working hard, we are really fit, we have been playing some good football.

"It's been a great atmosphere around the training ground. I haven't noticed anything and I've just been enjoying it."

Svensson added that Saturday's win had given the players a real confidence boost ahead of the visit of Bolton on Wednesday.

He said: "The performance was a bit up and down. Against Aston Villa we didn't perform and our confidence wasn't at our highest.

"We were a bit nervous on Saturday, but after Kevin's goal we played some good football and could have scored one or two more in the first half.

"We started the second half a bit sloppy and they got a goal back.

"Then they took over the game and played some good football.

"They got a second and we had to dig really deep.

"We showed everyone that we are going to work until the end.

"This will obviously give us confidence and hopefully we can win against Bolton."