DUSAN Tadic has revealed that Saints are suffering from some teething problems in the “tough” diamond 4-4-2 system Claude Puel has constructed, and has pressed home the importance of getting their first win of the Premier League season against Sunderland this weekend.

The Serbian attacking midfielder has been one of the shining lights as a number 10 just behind the strikers in Puel’s new-look formation, which has seen Saints turn their back on the 4-2-3-1 set-up that brought huge success in the past three seasons.

While the 27-year-old, who signed a new four-year contract earlier this month, spoke of his concerns over the tactics, he was adamant that Puel and the players are grafting hard to make it work and ensure Saints taste victory against David Moyes’ Black Cats at St Mary’s this Saturday.

“We need to improve a lot of things. We should be playing much better,” Tadic explained after Saints’ 2-0 defeat at Manchester United.

“In everything – in defending and attacking together – everyone needs to be on a better level.”

“We always want to improve and give our best," the 27-year-old added. "We just want to see what is good and what is not good from this game and try now to win the game against Sunderland – this is most important.

“It’s important to win that game to give that extra confidence.”

Puel wasted little time in introducing the diamond 4-4-2 to Saints over pre-season, but Tadic accepts that the players are still very much learning the ropes and need time to develop in their new roles after the change in style, even with the Premier League now two games old.

“Yes, because it’s a very tough system,” Tadic explained, when asked whether the players are still adapting to the formation. “That is because if one player is a little bit late it becomes tough for the system – we need to learn things.

“The coach tries to explain to us and it’s hard, it’s difficult, but we still try our best to do good things.”

“We never play normally in that specific system and the players don’t play so much that system,” he continued. “You always need to learn from the system – this needs time.”

Saints had a lot of possession in the United defeat – more than 56 per cent – but failed to seriously threaten David De Gea in the Reds net, only finding one shot on target in the whole match.

Tadic isn’t yet worried about their form in front of goal, but wants Saints to show more courage, while also paying careful attention to Puel’s instruction as the team focus on getting their first victory of the campaign as well as bedding in the new system further.

“We should have more courage to play and do things together and attack together or defend together,” he said. “We try to follow him (Puel) and to listen to him.”

Tadic has been utilised just behind the strikers as a number 10. It’s a role he’s enjoying, but admits he’s open to where Puel utilises him.

"For me it’s not a problem to play that position,” he said. “I just like to be on the ball. It doesn’t matter what position I play, I just want to be important for my team.”

Daily Echo: