Mark Hughes says his goal-shy strikers need a bit of luck and has urged Southampton to take more risks in front of goal.
Saints, who play at Wolves on Saturday, have had 85 shots — as many as Manchester United — but have found the net only six times this season.
Top scorer Danny Ings has acclimatised well with three goals in his four starts, but Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini are yet to score in the Premier League so far.
And Shane Long, who is struggling with a toe injury, has a meagre two goals in his last 51 games for the club.
‘If you’re a striker you’ve got to remind yourself sometimes of the sound of the ball hitting the back of the net,’ Hughes said.
‘That might just be getting six balls and hitting them with no keeper and just getting used to the timing of hitting balls quickly and hearing that great sound of the ball hitting the back of the net. Sometimes it can be as simple as that just to trigger another run of goals.
‘Sometimes it’s the psychology of the game. Sometimes you just need something to fly in off your backside and you’re off and running again. Maybe that is what we need.’
Southampton have won only three Premier League games since Hughes took over in March and have thrown away five precious points from winning positions this season. Hughes knows his side need to be more clinical.
‘We’ve created quite a high number of chances but our conversion rate isn’t as good as it needs to be. In terms of shots, I think we’re quite high.
‘Maybe we’re just not creating those clear-cut chances that lead to goals. We’ve got to improve that. I think we are guilty sometimes of being fearful of losing the ball in the final third and really that’s the time you should take risks and be more creative than we have been. That’s something I’m trying to encourage the team to do.’
Wolves, who are unbeaten at home, are playing without fear and manager Nuno Espirito Santo has named an unchanged side for their last six league games.
Hughes added: ‘The way they play is different — it’s really expansive, they have a lot of width so it’s difficult to get pressure on in good areas.’