GOALKEEPER Maarten Stekelenburg was happy with Saints’ first Premier League clean-sheet of the season in the goalless draw with Watford at Vicarage Road, and insists there is a lot more to come from Ronald Koeman’s side.

Stekelenburg, who was brought in from Championship side Fulham on a season-long loan in June, got his first clean-sheet with three centre-backs – Steven Caulker, Jose Fonte and Maya Yoshida – in front of him, in an altered five defender system against the Hornets..

The 32-year-old had hoped to get a clean-sheet earlier after conceding three against Everton and two against Newcastle, but admitted he was helped by Koeman’s change in tactics.

“Yes, it’s always nice,” he said, about not conceding. “It’s been the third (Premier League) game already, so I hope it was a little bit sooner but just happy with the clean-sheet and unlucky we didn’t win.

“We changed the system a little bit today,” he added. “We had five defenders because we conceded too many goals in the last two games and that helped.

“I think, on the whole, they didn’t get a lot of chances and we created not a lot, a few small ones, but not a lot.

“We have to be better but the basics start by defending.”

While it hadn’t been forthcoming in the Premier League, Stekelenburg’s net has not been penetrated on two occasions in the Europa League, in the two-legged play-off victory over Vitesse Arnhem.

The ex-Ajax and Roma stopper feels that he and the other new signings at St Mary’s are still settling in, but are working hard to raise their performance.

“There are some new players in (Saints), including myself so we have to get used to each-other, but we train hard as well and it gets better,” he said.

On developing relationships with the defenders, he added: “We train every day together, that isn’t a problem and it wasn’t today.

“But still we have a lot to improve.”

The Dutchman admitted his frustration at the result, but was taking the positives.

“It wasn’t the result that we wanted but I am happy with the clean-sheet,” he summarised. “We had some chances, but in the end I think it was a fair result that we drew the game.”