Soccer-Hughes aims to convert draws to wins at Southampton

July 5 (Reuters) - Southampton can have an outstanding Premier League season if they can keep the number of draws in check, hopefully converting some of them into wins this term, manager Mark Hughes has said.

Southampton had the joint fewest defeats among the league's bottom 11 teams last season but 15 draws and just seven wins meant that the south coast club finished just three points above relegated Swansea City in 17th position.

"Clearly, we drew too many games and lost too many games but it's fine margins in the Premier League... ," Hughes told Daily Echo newspaper.

"So if we can change maybe half of those draws into wins which, like I said, these are the margins we're talking about, then we'll have an outstanding season."

The 54-year-old, who signed a three-year permanent deal in May after helping Southampton retain their top-flight status, has bolstered the squad with four new signings and is currently leading the team during a pre-season camp in China.

Southampton kick off their pre-season friendlies against German side Schalke 04 later on Thursday. (Reporting By Arnab Paul in Bengaluru Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)