Ronald Koeman says it is important Saints back-up their positive performance at Liverpool with three points against West Brom.

Saints produced a fine display at Anfield in their opening match of the season, and were unfortunate to lose 2-1.

However, despite ending in defeat, the match provided a real sense of encouragement following a summer of upheaval at St Mary’s.

Koeman is pleased that is the case, but he says it will be of little comfort if the team don’t start picking up points now.

“Always, before every match, I think always of winning, and not of losing,” he said.

“If you reach that level in a football way, in our qualities, we have a big possibility to win Saturday, but we respect West Brom, because it’s a team who play with a good organisation.

“They will come to defend, and wait for counter attacks, for the space, and it will be tough for us, but, of course, we need the points. We like to go up (the table).

“Ok, one time away against Liverpool it’s a little bit more easy to understand that we play well and the positive things, but it’s football and football is about winning and losing. After losing, we like to win.”

Saturday’s clash with the Baggies will represent a first home Premier League match in charge for Koeman, and he says he is relishing the prospect.

“We look forward for that,” he said. “That means for the manager, for the rest of the technical staff, but as well for the players.

“The support of our fans was amazing last week and we look forward to play at home, because I always prefer to play at home than away, because we have more support and every player needs that.”