Ronald Koeman has dismissed suggestions he may leave some of his big guns back at home as Saints take a 3-0 lead to Vitesse next week.

Saints’ return to European football went well with a comfortable win giving them a big cushion ahead of the away leg in Holland.

It would seem as if Saints already have one foot in the draw for the play-off round but, even with the Premier League opener at Newcastle just three days after the Vitesse second leg, Koeman will not be holding players back.

“No because that’s dangerous in football,” said Koeman. “You can’t think about the next one.

“My mentality is that we have to prepare for the next one and the next one.

“The next one is Espanyol and then next Thursday.

“I hate to be sloppy.

“Surprises always in football.

“It’s the beginning of the season – why I have to change a lot I don’t know.

“It’s always difficult because it’s always a risk and start and think it will be easy.

“That’s my job to prepare the team on a good way for next week.”

Despite the one-sided nature of the scoreline, Vitesse did have a few chances to make the tie far closer.

Koeman was satisfied with elements of his team’s performance, but was less content with other aspects of their game.

“A very good feeling. I think we had a great atmosphere in the stadium, the fans were looking forward to the game and maybe was one of the reasons we had a difficult start in the first 10-15 minutes,” he surmised.

“After that we controlled the game, good first goal, good moving, good passing, great finish of Pelle.

“The second, the penalty, made it easier for the second half.

“I wasn’t happy about the second half because we defended and played too much not to lose a goal and lucky about the chances of Vitesse.”

There was a real sense of occasion around a sold-out St Mary’s for the tie, with the colourful and noisy Vitesse fans playing their part.

It gave Saints a real taster of what to expect if they can progress in the competition.

“I think that makes it more easier for the players if our fans are coming with that numbers to support the team,” reckoned Koeman.

“For everybody in the club it’s a new situation and we don’t have that experience.

“We enjoy that and we do everything to reach the group stage in the Europa League.”