Southampton striker Graziano Pelle has said that his side are gradually finding their best form in the Premier League.
The Saints saw an exodus of key players for the second time in two years as Morgan Schneiderlin, Nathaniel Clyne and Toby Alderweireld all left the club, while Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama were linked with moves away from St Mary's Stadium.
As a result, Ronald Koeman's men endured a poor start to the campaign, taking just six points from their opening six games and they also crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of FC Midtjylland. However, the Saints have since defeated Swansea City and Chelsea to move up the table.
"We are improving a lot, we are doing better than at the start of the season," Pelle told Sky Sports News. "It's always difficult then with the transfer market and rumours. We are settled now, we have a great team and a great bench.
"We work hard, it's never easy to be in the first 11. I'm happy with the progression of the team, but it's just the beginning. The way we are playing as Southampton is a sparkling way to play football, it is very attacking with beautiful combinations.
"The worst day for me was to go out against FC Midtjylland because we worked hard last year to achieve European football and to not be part of it is not nice."
Southampton play Liverpool in their next outing on Sunday at Anfield.
Simon Sinclair
