MATT Targett has urged Saints to be more clinical in the final third ahead their “massive” Premier League showdown against Sunderland on Saturday at St Mary’s.

The Eastleigh-born academy graduate has enjoyed an early-season run in the team at left-back with first choice Ryan Bertrand, who returned to full training yesterday, having been out injured.

The 20-year-old has warned of the consequences of a slow start after Saints failed to win either of their opening matches after drawing with Watford and then losing to Manchester United.

The youngster has pinpointed areas for improvement that the team are focused correcting as they eye a crucial first victory of the season over Sunderland.

“Slows starts are costly,” Targett stated. “Then, our end product, the final pass, the final cross hasn’t been at its best. That’s what is letting us down at the moment.

“Each day we come into training and we’re trying to work on it and make it better and keep learning the (new diamond 4-4-2) formation.”

He added: “Sunderland is a big game with internationals after and obviously we want the three points to really kick-start the season.”

Saints have looked bright at times while playing in the new diamond 4-4-2 that Claude Puel has constructed, but incisiveness in the final third has been a clear weakness.

“We’ve been playing well, it’s just need to be a bit more clinical in the final third,” Targett explained. “When we find that [form in the final third], we will score a lot more goals.”

David Moyes’ side arrive at St Mary’s on Saturday without a point in the Premier League, and their manager stating that a relegation battle is very likely.

Targett is not underestimating the gravity of the game, even so early in the campaign against a side so low on confidence and quality.

“The Sunderland game is a massive game and hopefully we get the three points,” he said.

The England Under-21 international feels that Moyes’ comments regarding a scrap for survival for Sunderland have come very early and is sure that it’ll be a tough test for Saints.

“Most of the times we play Sunderland it’s a tricky game,” he said. “They put 11 men behind the ball and make it difficult for us.”

Targett reckons that Saints are developing well in the diamond formation and it’s only a matter of time before everything clicks into place.

“It’s been enjoyable learning a new system,” he said. “We’re still working on it but as games have go on we’ve looked stronger.”