Mark Hughes believes Saints can still achieve a top ten finish this season but admitted any thoughts that they are still going to be competing for sixth or seventh place are unrealistic.

Saints finished in the top eight four years in a row before only narrowly avoiding relegation last time out.

This year has started as a struggle too after a summer where too much was done to overhaul the squad.

Hughes, whose side host bottom of the table Newcastle tomorrow hoping to finally end their poor run of home form, does not want to play things down but is realistic.

He said: “I have never been one that tried to lower expectations and I don’t think fans want to hear that.

“I will talk about reality and the reality is that we were 17th last year and we are not going to make a huge leap from 17th to seventh or sixth. I think that is unrealistic.

“I think we have more than enough capability of being a top ten side if we start getting points on the board sooner rather than later but we have got to accept we are in a group of teams who are very much like for like and on any given day we can beat them or we can be beaten on a different Saturday.

“I don’t think there is a significant difference between all the teams outside of that top six in my view.”

After that difficult season last time out Saints opted for largely continuity with their squad, making just a few select additions and losing Dusan Tadic rather than going for a more radical option.

Hughes added: “Last year was difficult and fundamentally the squad hasn’t changed too much from what was available last year to what is available this year.

“Maybe the initial struggles aren’t to be surprised at.

“I feel the group is waiting to make that step to have that confidence to go into games and be very confident in the outcomes of games.

“The Premier League is very difficult to get points in and we have struggled for some time. It won’t change overnight, and we are working hard to keep it on an upward trend. It will be a long process.

“We have good signs here, a good group of players who are working exceptionally hard and if you have that you always have a chance.”

When asked whether the club failed to do enough business in the summer he replied: “I don’t think that’s the case.

“A lot of the business was in place and I sanctioned a number of the deals because the players we brought into the club were good players and a lot of the work had been done in terms of the background checks and due diligence on each and every one of them.

“It’s difficult coming into the Premier League.

“If you look at the four we have brought in Danny has come in and made an impact immediately, which is great, but we feel there is more to come from Danny.

“It’s been more difficult for the other three. Jannik and Moi have had good game time. Stuart has had less game time because it’s been more of a transition for him.

“Fundamentally the group hasn’t changed to that great extent and the likes of Dusan has left and he was a big influence on the group.

“It takes time and it’s about making sure these guys understand the demands and have the impact we know they will have long term because they are all good players. Initially we always knew some would transition into the Premier League easier than others.

“Danny knew the league and it was always going to be easier for him. The other three have come from different leagues and different levels and it was always going to be more difficult for them.

“We understood that and recognised that and were prepared for that but hopefully they will get up to speed and have an impact for us. I’m sure they will.”