RONALD Koeman praised Victor Wanyama’s performance at West Brom – after bringing him back into the side following the close of the transfer window.

Wanyama had been left out of the club’s previous game, a 3-0 win over Norwich, amid Tottenham’s interest in him.

Despite wanting out of the club, Saints stood firm and retained the midfielder, with Koeman having revealed before the trip to The Hawthorns that the player had returned from international duty with complete focus on the team.

And the Saints boss saw no reason to change that assessment after witnessing the 24-year-old Kenyan’s performance against Albion.

“Yes, very pleased,” said Koeman. “I think he played what we expect from Victor out of that position.”

Wanyama was deployed as a lone holding midfielder on Saturday, with Koeman introducing a little twist to his usual formation.

Explaining the switch to 4-1-4-1, with Steven Davis and James Ward-Prowse in the advanced central midfield positions, Koeman said: “We did a little bit different on the midfield.

“That was the reason that Romeu wasn’t starting today. [We were playing] with two offensive midfielders and Oriol is more defensively [minded] than Prowsey or Davo for example, but Victor was again important on the midfield.”

Asked if the formation could become a more regular feature, Koeman said: “Today was the reason to change that and try to make the passing line to Graziano more open than when you play with a ten behind Graziano.

“But then you need more running people, better movements than what we had today. But, ok, it can be something to continue, of course.”