Southampton secured a dramatic late victory on Saturday afternoon, as they defeated Watford 3-2 at St Mary’s Stadium.
Russell Martin‘s side moved on to 81 points and closed the gap on Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Leeds United, who all failed to win.
Remarkably, their automatic promotion hopes remain alive and if they were to win their two games in hand on Leeds, they’d go level on points with them.
Though, despite taking home three points against Watford, Martin wasn’t best pleased with his side, speaking post-match.
Russell Martin frustrated at Southampton players
Martin was indeed delighted that his side was able to get the winning goal but he didn’t hold back on one thing that frustrated him.
“Watford are playing with freedom, and they are playing for Tom (Cleverley). They’ve got a lot of good players, but we came off it. We can’t afford to and we do it too much,” the 38-year-old said.
“I’m frustrated about some of it. I’m really pleased with the character, grit, and willingness to win, but you can’t concede two goals at home after being 2-0 up. We have to stop that nonsense.”
Saints, for much of the season, have struggled defensively and that remained the case on Saturday afternoon.
It almost cost them and Martin’s spot on, it simply can’t continue or else they’ll end up throwing too many points away to surmount the gap on the three sides above them.
Southampton are still in Championship automatic promotion race
After their defeat at Ipswich Town followed by a goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers, most thought Southampton were resigned to a play-off campaign, and even Martin did to an extent.
But all of a sudden, two wins in two and they’re right back in the picture with their rivals all beginning to falter.
The South Coasters reside eight points adrift of league leaders Ipswich Town with two games in hand on them, meaning they could find themselves two points off the top if they can string a run together.
Further, they still have both Leeds and Leicester to play, so they really do have a chance to claw back the points difference.
Southampton are next in action on Tuesday evening, as they play host to Preston and North End, who have a slim chance of attaining a play-off spot.