Martin lays out what Southampton must avoid against Plymouth

The south coast side made it 16 matches unbeaten on Boxing Day thanks to a resounding 5-0 win against Martin's former club, Swansea City.

They also visit Norwich City on January 1 as part of a schedule that has seen Saints climb to third in the Championship, five points behind Ipswich Town.

The boss insists his side need to follow up their convincing win over Swansea with an equally positive showing against the Pilgrims on Friday.

He told the Daily Echo: "We just need to keep the feeling we had at the end of Boxing Day. We need to want that and have that, more and more.

Saints have scored nine goals in their last two home matches

"I don’t want to follow this up with something that is not as good or something that doesn’t feel anywhere near the same. It’s a challenge for the players.

"Plymouth will come here fighting together. They are a good team. We saw that earlier in the season, down at their place.

"It isn’t going to be easy. No game is. The players have to rise to the challenge now and the expectation. If they can do that, it will be fine."

Saints beat Friday's opponents 2-1 at Home Park back in August thanks to a late winner from Che Adams, whose future remains uncertain.

Plymouth have seen their promotion-winning boss Steven Schumacher depart to join Stoke City and will travel to St Mary's with caretaker Neil Dewsnip at the helm.

The Pilgrims come into the game on the back of a 3-3 draw with Birmingham City last Saturday and a 2-2 draw at Cardiff City on Boxing Day.

Martin continued: "You have to find the energy to keep going again but even more so as a leader. You have to make sure the players are aware of what is coming.

"At the same time, they should want to feel this again. It is addictive to be in a flow on the pitch.

"Never take that for granted, it is not easy to do it. Hopefully, they keep wanting more and keep enjoying themselves."