RALPH Hasenhuttl’s style of play appears to have been fully implemented with statistics revealing that no team has made more tackles in the attacking third than Saints during the opening three fixtures.

The Premier League’s own stats place Saints fifth in the leaderboard for most tackles made altogether, alongside Leeds United with 59.

Only Brighton, Brentford and Wolves have made more – but 20 of those Saints tackles have come in the attacking third, where Hasenhuttl wants the likes of Adam Armstrong and Che Adams to get stuck in and win the ball back.

The next highest are Brighton and Chelsea, both on 11, with Wolves and Brentford having made 10 tackles in the opposition third themselves.

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That’s nine more tackles made in the attacking third, almost 100% more than any other side in the Premier League.

Oriol Romeu and Jack Stephens have been Saints’ top tacklers so far this season, with 20 of the total between them – but Adams and Moussa Djenepo have made another five each, with a handful coming up towards the opposition goal.

Daily Echo: Che Adams has made more tackles than the likes of Chelsea's Reece James, Manchester City's Ruben Dias and Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure Che Adams has made more tackles than the likes of Chelsea's Reece James, Manchester City's Ruben Dias and Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure

Both of Saints’ first two goals in the 2021-22 Premier League season came from high-press tackles in the opposition half courtesy of Adams, at Everton, and Stephens in the Manchester United clash at St Mary’s.

However, the only stats that are important are points, really, and so far Saints have just the two from the opening three games.

While Hasenhuttl’s vision is clear to see within the Saints squad, supporters will hope to see a first win put on the board when West Ham visit Southampton on Saturday 11 September, following the international break.