Southampton boss Martin says 'everyone agrees' on club direction

Martin insists "everyone agrees" their current philosophy is the "way to go" for Saints to remain sustainable. 

Saints are set for a Championship playoff campaign after their final game of the regular season at Leeds United on Saturday.

The St Mary's side are guaranteed a fourth-place finish after three consecutive defeats ended their automatic promotion hopes. 

Asked about the plan to bounce back this week, Martin said: "A couple of good nights of sleep, I think everyone needs.

Saints boss Russell Martin (Image: Stuart Martin)

"Then I think we'll discuss the next few weeks and the schedule, what it's going to take and what's going to be really important.

"If you can't be excited about two games to get to Wembley and then get to the Premier League, then you're in the wrong game.

"We have a game to focus on with Leeds, which could be a really important game for us, and then we go into it and it's an exciting time.

"I said when I first come in on the first day to strap in, that it's going to be a bit bumpy at times. And it has been.

"I think the moments the lads have given us on the pitch, 25 games unbeaten and all that stuff, they've been brilliant from where they were to where they are now in the club.

"You feel it in Staplewood the staff and everyone have come together. I'm sorry to the fans for last week but we're going to need them in three games."

Southampton player of the season Adam Armstrong (Image: Stuart Martin)

Martin continued: "I know they'll be there at Leeds for sure and hopefully for four more games. But in those playoff games, they're going to be huge.

"I hope they appreciate or feel they have a team to be proud of. Not this last week, they'll be as frustrated as I am.

"But I hope they see what the lads are trying to do and how aggressive they're trying to be with the ball and without it.

"The club have such a clear identity that it is going to embark on now until the owners decide they want to sell or someone gives them a lot of money to buy the club.

"I think everyone agrees it's the way to go if we're going to be sustainable as a club, so I hope the supporters have felt proud of their team.

"I hope they can feel that again in the playoffs and then hopefully we can give them a special moment with the players, staff, their families and the supporters.

"You can have a day and a moment that you can remember forever, and I think that has to be everyone's motivation."