Southampton resume Championship action on Tuesday evening as they play host to Preston and North End.
The good feeling is back at St Mary’s after securing a late victory against Watford on the weekend, which moved them to 81 points.
They are now just six points adrift of third-placed Leeds United with two games in hand, so they have their sights set on closing that gap tomorrow, as well as the seven-points to surmount on Leicester City, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot.
Speaking ahead of the Preston clash, Russell Martin dropped a team selection hint.
Russell Martin hints at making changes v Preston North End
Having only played on Saturday, which took a lot out of the players given how the game went, Martin was asked whether he’d be making changes against Preston.
“There were some tired bodies and tired minds, and also the emotion of the game,” The Saints boss said.
“I was exhausted on Sunday, letting them know what the players were from that, the emotion we all felt and how it happened.
“We have a brilliant group of players as well so it’s up to us to use the quality of the squad, but also determine which are the best players for this game.”
Martin continued: “The players for the last two games have done brilliantly so we’ll wait and see tomorrow, see how they feel, see what we feel.
“Whatever team we put out, we will be confident that it’s one that can win, because it’s another tough challenge for us.
“Every game we’ll treat separately and see how it comes.”
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Who drops out v Preston North End
Naturally, you’d expect the big hitters to remain in the side, namely the match-winner Flynn Downes who was excellent against Watford.
Perhaps Ryan Manning will come in for James Bree, which could see Kyle Walker-Peters moved back to the right.
Jan Bednarek has been an everpresent this season but wasn’t named in the 11 on Saturday, so he’s likely to start.
Ryan Fraser is another who came on as a substitute who could make the line-up.
Martin will need to utilise his squad as he eluded, too, and should place his trust in the prestigious Staplewood academy, which has plenty of talent ready to make the step up.