RALPH Hasenhuttl refused to park the bus in a bid to improve Saints’ Premier League points haul.

The St Mary’s boss was speaking after his side were beaten 3-1 away at top-flight title-chasers Chelsea on Saturday.

Saints looked in the game for the large majority of the contest at Stamford Bridge, having drawn level through James Ward-Prowse’s second-half penalty.

But having seen their skipper sent off for a foul on Jorginho, the visitors were left to ponder a 3-1 loss.

That meant Saints were still looking for their first league win of the season, having picked up just four points from their opening contests.

Put to him that his front-foot mentality would not change in a bid to find a winning formula, Hasenhuttl replied: “Why should we change? I think it is nice to watch also.

“I must say I am not a big fan of parking the bus in front of the goal, to be honest.

“Also, not against the big teams, because the way we press hurts everybody. Chelsea on Saturday, you could see it in some moments.

“When we lose, then we want to lose with our way we play.

“This is never nice to lose games but when I see it on Saturday – I must say congratulations to everybody who was in the stadium because everybody saw a fantastic game, a fantastic football game.

“You fans saw a fantastic football game from our side. Then you go home and you have no points but against the Champions League winner, this is how I want to see my teams playing.

“We were close to getting a surprise point. It’s a pity that we didn’t.

“But if I had to take the decision before the game again, I would do the same again.”

Saints’ defeat leaves them 17th in the division, ahead of crucial contests against Leeds United and Burnley following the October international break.

The south coast side are alongside the Clarets, Newcastle and bottom side Norwich yet to register a Premier League win this campaign.