Southampton were held to a disappointing goalless draw on the weekend, as they failed to break down a stubborn Blackburn Rovers defence.
Russell Martin was left frustrated with Southampton‘s decision-making at Ewood Park and the lack of creativity in attack was pretty evident throughout the dull affair.
Saints have seen their top-two hopes dashed over the last week, as they’ve failed to win any of their last three fixtures.
It’s been the defensive side of their game where the South Coasters have really needed to improve, so it came as a surprise to Martin that Saturday’s clash was the total opposite.
With automatic promotion now out of the picture, they must gear themselves up for a gruelling play-off campaign and former defender Francis Benali has issued a rallying call to supporters.
Francis Benali sends rallying call to Southampton fans
Following the frustration at Ewood Park, Saints icon Benali took to X to send a galvanizing message to supporters.
“This sport that we all love so dearly can be a hell of a frustrating thing. But if there’s something we can all agree on… it’s that we will always show up and stick behind our teams,” the 55-year-old said.
Fans flocked to the comments of his post and agreed with his words, which will certainly be encouraging for Martin.
Now, more than ever, even after the disappointment at Blackburn, The Saints faithful need to get behind the side heading into the final seven games of the season.
Southampton need to gather momentum with the play-off campaign fast approaching and in order to do that, they’ll need uplifting.
Southampton must stick together
Saints find themselves in a very strange position.
They aren’t in an automatic promotion race, anymore, and there isn’t any real danger of them dropping out of the top six.
Martin’s side have a 12-point cushion on seventh-placed Coventry City and a game in hand, so they haven’t much to play for.
Having said that, fans won’t want the season to peter out and nor will The Saints boss, who has to try and find a new target for the group.
Setting short-term goals like a certain number of goals they must score or something of the like should be set for players.
That will help motivation to stay high and in turn results may start to turn in their favour, harnessing momentum ahead of a crucial three-game period at the end of the season, if indeed they advance to the play-off final.