Eljero Elia insisted West Ham only came to St Mary’s looking for a point, and that Saints must play better football to break down such defensively-minded sides.

Ronald Koeman’s men have failed to score in their last two home matches, both of which came against dogged opponents, with the frustrating 1-0 defeat to Swansea preceding last night’s goalless draw.

Elia agreed that Saints deserved more than a point from last night’s game, and said: “They came for one point and they go with one point, so I’m disappointed.

“I’m disappointed in myself, and I think the whole team is also disappointed.”

The winger explained that Saints also have to be sharper with their final pass.

“We had to create more and create something from the sides and we know that the chances will come,” he said.

“It was not the finishing touch, like the ball come 100 per cent. It come always like 80 or 90 per cent. That was the reason that we don’t win.”

Elia added: “We have to play better football.

“First it was like 100 per cent training, now we have to train 500 per cent, because we know they come only for one point here and they expect not too much from the team – only to defend.”

On what is the best way to break down defensive opposition, the 27-year-old said: “Play the ball around, play it from left to right, left to right, left to right, then when you play one-on-one you have to take them on.”