Mallinder's side blitzed the first division with a mainly high-paced running game that utilised their glittering array of backs.
But Mallinder knows it will be a lot tougher for his backs to find the space to run at sides against the likes of Leicester, Wasps and Gloucester.
Instead Mallinder will have to make sure his side is able to adapt to different styles to find weaknesses in the opposition.
Mallinder said: "The pitches are actually better in the Premiership, so you have got the potential to keep playing running rugby even if it is wet, but you have got to have a mixture and a balance to your game.
"And that means playing quick and wide at the right times, you have got to slow ball, you have got to have a kicking game and play through the middle at the right times. We need a squad who are capable of doing that."
Saints are already deep into their pre-season training as they countdown to the first game against Worcester on September 6 and Mallinder knows if his side are to impose their gameplan on the top sides in the Premiership they will have to win the physical contest.
Mallinder added: "It is physical, from one to 15, it is a lot more physical than what we experienced in the first division. We saw in the Premiership final that there are some good teams in there and it is going to take us time to get back up there and competing."