Southampton secured a dramatic late victory against Watford on the weekend and it has kept their automatic promotion hopes alive.
Russell Martin‘s side left it late but Flynn Downes netted a 99th-minute winner to send St Mary’s Stadium into total bedlam.
Now, after Leicester City, Leeds United and Ipswich Town all failed to win, Saints find themselves in a fight for automatic promotion.
Speaking after Saturday’s game, Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters discussed what the players spoke about in the changing rooms.
Kyle Walker-Peters reveals what Southampton need to improve
Amidst the elation on Saturday, it’s important to note that Saints did throw away a two-goal lead and that has to be analysed and improved upon.
“We spoke about that again in the dressing room,” Walker-Peters admitted.
“I think the problem is when it is 2-2, we then start playing amazing football again. It shouldn’t take that. We should go and try and kill the game off. But we’re still a young group and we’re still improving and we showed loads of character to win.”
The 26-year-old added that Tuesday’s clash against Preston North End is a must-win game if they are to surmount the seven-point gap on the top two.
“Another game coming up pretty quickly as well. It’s a game in hand for us. We want to close the gap on the teams ahead of us.
“Tuesday’s a big one for us and we need to win.”
Southampton have the momentum on their rivals
Ipswich, Leicester and Leeds are all faltering at the wrong time whereas Saints are starting to build real momentum heading into the run-in.
Leeds can now get a maximum points tally of 96, which is the same as Martin’s side, whilst Ipswich can get 98 and Leicester 100.
So, Southampton will be rubbing their hands together and believing a top-two finish is still possible, especially given they have Leicester and Leeds still to play.
Realistically, they’ll probably need to win five of their remaining six games to stand a decent chance. That’d move them on to 93 points, which will surely have them there or thereabouts.
With the form of the top three, anything can happen and the South Coasters have to be ready to pounce.