CLAUS Lundekvam reckons the current Saints team is a better footballing side than any he played in.

The former club captain was at St Mary’s for the first time this season to see the 3-1 win against Liverpool.

It was Liverpool’s fourth defeat in five visits to St Mary’s – and Lundekvam was involved in Saints’ three previous home wins against the Merseysiders, from January 2002-05.

But he reckons the current Saints team is more attractive than those he played in under Glenn Hoddle and Gordon Strachan. Lundekvam, who has seen Saints regularly this season as a television pundit in Norway, said: “I played in some good Southampton sides, especially from 2000-2004.

“We were a solid side, Gordon took us to the cup final and we were very hard-working. “But I must admit I don’t think I’ve seen a Southampton side play as well as this team and I mean that. “They play very attractive, modern football and the foursome up front is quite a force.

“The football they play, their interaction and the way they move the ball is very good.

“After conceding too many in the first ten games they’ve turned things around.

“They’ve improved at the back without it hampering their attacking play and I’ve been very impressed. They give me confidence they’re going to make it. “They’re a very energetic, positive side and when it works for them it works really well.”

Lundekvam, who made 403 Saints appearances, has been particularly pleased to see the progress made by Morgan Schneiderlin and Adam Lallana, who have blossomed since his career ended in 2008. And while he was surprised by the sacking of Nigel Adkins, he has also been impressed by Mauricio Pochettino. “The philosophy has stayed the same [under Pochettino], they’re just a little more direct. Mr Pochettino and Mr Cortese are very ambitious in what they want to achieve which is great. “Nothing pleases me more than to see that ambition.”

Saints signed Vegard Forren on the day Pochettino replaced Adkins two months ago.

Forren is yet to make his debut, but Lundekvam still believes his fellow Norwegian defender will prove an astute signing. “I thought Vegard would have played by now and I’m sure he’s frustrated but I’ve always said it shouldn’t be easy to walk straight into a Premier League side,” said Lundekvam. “He would have liked his chance earlier but when he came in he needed time to get match fit and the team was defensively solid and playing pretty well. “It’s understandable that the manager’s kept the same side but Vegard’s stayed patient, he played a decent under-21 game recently and I’m sure he’ll get his chance sooner rather than later.”