SAINTS are aiming to rectify the wrongs of the opening day of this season, a game that saw their next opponents Everton win 3-1.

Adam Armstrong’s 22nd minute opener started the season off on good terms, but Richarlison’s early second-half equaliser left the hosts well poised to complete a comeback.

Late goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin handed Everton all three points, and setting Saints’ season off with a damp squib.

Since that opening day defeat it has been a campaign of contrasting fortunes for both Everton and Saints, with the south coast side entering the game in better shape than the Toffees.

However the sting of defeat still lingers for Hasenhuttl, who is calling for his side to show an improved performance in comparison to their poor performance at Goodison Park back in August.

"Yes, hopefully we are better now.

"We want to show on Saturday that we have learned from this game, it was a tough game, the second half we have been killed a little bit by the atmosphere and the intensity of the game.

"But at home, we want to do better and this is the goal at the weekend.”

Whilst Hasenhuttl hinted that the return of fans might have impacted Saints in their previous game with Everton, he also shared that he felt having the fans back at St Mary’s was also a big boost, with the atmosphere at homes games carrying his side to victory in recent weeks.

"We changed the way we played and we have definitely been more successful, with better results and very good games at home.

"Yes, we can see the positive atmosphere around the club at the moment, with the results we have been delivering at the moment, it is deserved.

"The fans want to see us and they are coming to see us, even against Coventry in the FA Cup we had a sold out stadium.

"They enjoy what we are doing I think. It is always an enjoyable game to watch when we are playing, away or at home, there is always a lot of intensity in the game and you can definitely enjoy what you see.

"This is the reason why they love to support us.

“I think the fans are not stupid, to think we are now going here through these games.

"It is not possible with less energy, less power, we need to have our best performances against these teams.

"We need a very high speed in these games, like we have shown in the past with other games. If we do that, then we have a chance to win games, but only then."