Ronald Koeman hailed the remarkable first team return of Ryan Bertrand, declaring him the best player on the pitch in the win over Swansea despite a lack of game time.

The England left back made his first start of the season in the 3-1 victory, having missed the opening stages of the campaign with a knee injury.

Bertrand’s return made a significant difference to Saints, and his manager was thrilled.

“Very good,” insisted Koeman.

“In my opinion he was the best player on the pitch, and that’s all the credit.

“No pre-season for three months out and playing like he wasn’t away of the team and that was very good.”

Another big plus was Virgil van Dijk, who scored his first Saints goal to give his side the lead.

“Of course that’s one of his qualities,” reflected Koeman. “A good header, he’s defensively strong, he has good free kicks, a good shot out the box. His personality is important for the team.

“He’s only 24 years, it’s his first season in the Premier League and he will improve, he will learn and he can be better.”

Saints really look an attacking force again, having scored 11 goals in their last three games.

It is an area they have been keen to improve upon and it looks like their hard work is paying off.

“That’s very good,” admitted Koeman.

“One of the critics sometimes was that we had to create too much to score goals.

“Last Wednesday, ok, that was against Championship, but with all the respect we scored six goals.

“Today about maybe four or five chances we scored three goals and that’s being very clinical.

“That’s one side but the other side I think we have to improve.”

One of the areas Koeman now wants his team to look at improving is their communication.

He felt it was something that let them down despite their victory over Swansea, and he will be reminding his players of what he expects from them in that department.

When asked about the display of Victor Wanyama, he said: “That was about defending in his role, also the first half the role of Prowse and Davo (Davis). The second half when Oriol came in the same.

“Sometimes too much defending and not defending your man.

“I think that was the problem first half and why they get some good shots outside the box.

“It’s all about communication and we have to communicate much more than we do.

“That’s one of the critics of every manager and we must improve.”