SAINTS boss Ronald Koeman insists that playing in the Europa League could be more of a help than a hindrance at this stage of the season.

The trip to Watford is being played tomorrow to give Saints three days’ recovery from their first-leg tie against Midtjylland on Thursday night.

And despite the struggles of other Premier League teams involved in the Europa League in previous seasons, Koeman reckons it is not the reason for his side’s below-par start.

He said: “I hope it will be [a problem] later on in the season but there’s no tiredness at the moment, because we’re starting the season.

“We don’t have long to prepare for the next game but at the start of the season that’s not a problem.

“Maybe it’s good to play so many games because we need to develop and improve and cut out mistakes. The second half [on Thursday] was good but we are learning.”

Koeman knows it will not be easy against a Watford side managed by Quique Flores, who Koeman played against in Spain and succeeded as manager of Valencia in 2007.

“I don’t know him very well but respect his career as a player for Valencia and Real Madrid and what he’s doing as a manager,” he said.

Watford, promoted as runners-up behind AFC Bournemouth last season, have taken a point from their two games. They twice took the lead at Everton before drawing 2-2 and had a goalless stalemate to home to West Bromwich Albion last week.

“It’s always nice to play a promoted team and they have had two good results, the start of the season is very positive for them.” said Koeman.

“It takes time to integrate into the Premier League, that was the case for me last year, finding how difficult and tough it is.

“But the [Watford] manager’s always had good organisation in his teams so it will be a tough one.”