Southampton shot stopper Alex McCarthy is targeting a top half finish this season.

The keeper believes the Saints, who finished 15th in the Premier Legaue last term, are primed to have a much better campaign.

Despite starting strongly last term, their form dipped alarmingly during the run-in.

"This season, I think the main goal for us is to finish in the top half of the table and keep that consistency throughout the whole season," McCarthy told the Daily Echo.

"We all collectively as a squad believe we can do that and achieve that, with the group of players that we've got.

"We had a few meetings while we were away in Wales (during pre-season) and that was one of the targets, to finish in the top half, definitely.

"We know we can do it, it's just being that bit more consistent throughout the whole 38 games. I think if we tighten up in those areas we've been focusing on, then I think that gives us a great chance to be able to achieve that."