Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has claimed that his players are brimming with confidence as they have not been beaten in the Premier League since September.

The Saints, who are seventh in the table after 12 games, can extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in the top flight if they overcome Stoke City at St Mary's this weekend.

"I think the key to this run is a good organisation," TEAMtalk.com quotes Koeman as saying. "We had a difficult start and you always need time to improve. The confidence in the team is key.

"We have different ways to attack. With Graziano Pelle we can play the long ball. We have offensive full-backs and we are strong in our set pieces. We are close to the level that we want, but we have to work hard and it will be a tough programme coming up. But we'll be ready."

Southampton are four points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.