RALPH Hasenhuttl was quizzed if he thought Saints could reach the October break winless and admitted “there were chances to win games,” but adds: “The crazy thing is you get one point for a draw and you could lose two times, win once, and you have the same points as a draw (in all three).”

Only four teams have yet to register their first win seven games into the 2021-22 Premier League season, with Burnley, Newcastle and Norwich all sitting below Saints in the relegation zone.

Leeds United finally picked up their first victory with a 1-0 defeat of Watford at Elland Road during the last matchday, a result that spelled the end of Xisco Munoz’s time in the London borough, to reduce the winless club’s club membership to four.

But by most people’s estimations, it’s probably fair to say Saints had the hardest opening stretch with Everton, both Manchester clubs, West Ham and Chelsea matches already – it had been said when the fixtures were released that without a big performance, they could be without shooting a three-pointer at this moment.

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Although that has been realised, it hasn’t quite been the sinking feeling of a lead balloon that has enveloped the club, there have been some much improved and tidy performances. Them amongst some others not so much, of course.

Daily Echo: Saints came close to a huge first win at Manchester City (Pic: PA)Saints came close to a huge first win at Manchester City (Pic: PA)

Asked about going into the break without victory, before the 3-1 Chelsea defeat at the weekend, Hasenhuttl said: “I think there were chances to win games.

“When you see the chances we had against Newcastle and the situation (penalty incident) against Man City. But these are not must-wins. We have been in the lead against Man United and conceded an equaliser.

“We were in the lead against Everton and played a bad second half. It’s a tough season. Like always, when you want to win games, you need to do a good job. We have done it particularly well in games.

“The crazy thing is you get one point for a draw and you could lose two times, win once, and you have the same points as a draw. You don’t really move forward with draws. What we need is a win and we will work.

Daily Echo: Saints picked up four consecutive draws but have lost two since (Pic: PA)Saints picked up four consecutive draws but have lost two since (Pic: PA)

“After the international break we will have more fixtures with teams in our zone but that’s also tough. We need to win games.”

The next five in the league look a completely different picture for Hasenhuttl’s men, who will, no doubt, be targeting at least a few wins if they’re to provide tangible proof that this improvement has legs.

Saints welcome Leeds, Burnley and Aston Villa to St Mary’s, with trips to Watford and Norwich at the end of October and November respectively.

Last week, Hasenhuttl reflected on a day spent with Ryder Cup golfer Bernd Wiesberger, and offered his elaborated judgement of the season so far in that tongue: “A few out-lipped putts, I think!

“We had a few good chances for a birdie that we missed. I think the average of conceding goals is something we have developed since last season and we are more compact.

“At the other end, the average of scoring goals is below what we have last season and that’s why we haven’t won so far. You need goals for winning, and that’s our goal for the future. To be honest, I’m not scared.

“But the goal for the win must be there.”