Koeman backs Saints to keep "surprise" going

Ronald Koeman hailed his “fantastic” Saints as they fought to ensure another three points to keep themselves second in the Premier League table.

It was an often frustrating afternoon against Leicester at St Mary’s before second half sub Shane Long fired two goals in the space of five minutes to secure yet another win for Koeman’s men.

It sends Saints into the latest international break guaranteed of second place and with the hopes and dreams of the fans only increasing still further.

“If you have the belief and the lads are doing fantastic, it’s amazing how they work every day and how they have the spirit and it’s really a team and they show that every week,” said Koeman.

“In the last few weeks maybe the wins are more difficult but we are Southampton, we are not City, we are not Chelsea who win sometimes very easily.

“We have to fight and we know our qualities and another clean sheet makes a difference and it’s very positive what we are doing until now.

“We have played only 11 games but after 11 games the big teams maybe they more quality players than we have but I don’t see a lot of difference between the big clubs and how they play and with the programme they have. We can keep this surprise in the season.”

Saints had to work hard to break down a dogged and well organised Leicester team but were still good value for their win.

“I think we had enough patience,” reflected Koeman.

“It was necessary because it was difficult.

“I think in the final passes we missed some quality in the first half and we were the better team, the dominant team in the game, but we didn’t create a lot of opportunities.

“We spoke about that and said if we keep good organisation and clean sheets we will score because we have players that make the difference and it as what we spoke about in the second half.

“Patience, more pressing, and they had good organisation and good defending and Shane Long made the difference when he came on.

“He had great quality to score both goals and another win and clean sheet.

“Sometimes it’s difficult because people expect an easy win with our position in the table but we know exactly our qualities and we have to work very hard every game to win.”