Ronald Koeman says he expected Southampton to experience some struggles this season.

The Saints have been a victim of their own success in recent times with a number of their top players joining bigger clubs on big-money deals following stellar spells on the south coast.

In Koeman's first campaign ay St Mary's, Southampton managed a seventh-placed finish but have slipped to 12th this term having failed to win in their past six outings, culminating in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Of his team's drop-off in form, Koeman said it was not entirely unexpected as he goes about finding a way to continue playing attractive football while producing winning hard-fought displays.

"I was expecting a difficult season, because expectations (are) higher than normal, higher than what is normal for Southampton.

"We need to change our attitude - and normally I'm the first defending my players. The second season is always difficult for players, difficult for a team who did more than everybody expects.

"Then you have the total confidence in winning games, in playing your football. Opponents are afraid.

"Opponents at the moment are not afraid of Southampton; you have to change your attitude because it's a new situation.

"You have to work harder, you have to be more aggressive, because that can make the change. It's difficult to compare last season with the season, because some good players have left.

"We start the season with a lot of new players, and still I believe in the qualities of the players but maybe, to win this battle, we need a different type of football.

"And not about our philosophy, but maybe about - that's a question to myself - we need players now who first are winning the battle on the pitch and then playing nice football."