SAINTS have given themselves a chance to get their season back on track - but they MUST follow up the victory over Pompey with a win against Norwich.
That's the view of Steve Wigley after tasting his first Premiership win of the season at the 11th attempt - or lucky 13th if you include his two draws as caretaker last February.
Saturday's derby day defeat of Pompey gave Saints only their second Premiership win of the season - indeed, only their second in 18 league matches - and stretched their top flight unbeaten run to four games.
They now have two more massive matches - both with a realistic chance of victory - away to rock bottom and still winless Norwich on Saturday and at home to Palace the following week.
Wigley knows there is no better time to get those wins than now.
He said: "If we'd have lost this game the thing turns in on itself.
"The supporters would not have been able to put up with losing to our local rivals and quite rightly.
"If I was a Southampton season ticket and we got beat on Saturday I'd have been none too pleased.
"Since Tuesday I've been walking with my head down but now they (the fans) can go out with their heads up again.
"It's important now we put another couple of wins together quickly because the season can transform very quickly.
"If we get another couple of wins quickly then we'll be in mid-table.
"We've got to do it because talk is cheap."
He added: "What happened midweek brought the pressure down on all of us and to concede five goals to a team from the Championship was dire.
"Maybe what it might have done is created the right atmosphere for this game.
"We threw them into a room on Wednesday and said it's about time they had a few home truths among themselves instead of me doing all the talking.
"We then sat down with some of the senior players and I was delighted with the response. I always thought they'd produce on Saturday and thankfully they did."
Wigley also revealed he had a visit from a mystery well-known footballing friend on Wednesday night that offered him some valuable advice.
"Some people accused me of being too honest after Tuesday and I got a bit of advice from somebody I respect who said 'when you're a manager you can't always be honest.'
"I've looked back and thought he might be right," said Wigley. "I'm not going to say who that person is but it was much appreciated."
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