Will Smallbone makes 'unbelievable' Southampton run admission

The Basingstoke-born 23 year old finished Southampton's second during Saturday's 3-1 win at Swansea City.

The result made it 20 Championship games unbeaten - the club's longest league run since joining the Football League in 1920.

Smallbone, who made his debut in an FA Cup fixture with Huddersfield Town in January 2020, has been at Saints since he was eight.

The central midfielder, the only academy graduate to play regularly during the club's run, declared his pride.

He told the Daily Echo: "It's unbelievable - coming into the game, we were very aware of what we could do and making history.

Will Smallbone has made 26 appearances in all competitions this season (Image: PA)

"The first half performance was special, to go out there and put on a show playing the way we have been.

"It is a very proud day for the club to create a bit of internal history and I hope everyone went home happy."

Smallbone added: "For me, having come through the academy, it is an unbelievable feeling - to score as we break the record too.

"It's been a joy to play in and hopefully, a joy for the fans to watch as well. From the fans to the players and staff, we have a real togetherness.

"That has maybe been missing in the last few years and I think everyone has played a big part of the journey." 

Smallbone registered his fourth goal of the Championship season and first since November with his strike in South Wales.

The Republic of Ireland international continued: "I have missed a few recently so I was hoping to get on the end of a great ball from Stu.

"I wanted to get back on the scoresheet so hopefully I can kick on from there.

"When the ball is on the other side it's quite natural for me really, I don't think too much about it.

"You just try and get on the other end of it and I could have had a few more this season. I was in the right place at the right time." 

Saints must will keenly watch Monday evening's meeting between league leaders Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

Will Smallbone is keeping his focus on what Saints can do as they track the top two (Image: Stuart Martin)

Should the Foxes beat the Tractor Boys, Saints will finish a matchday in the Championship's top two for the first time this season. 

A point for Kieran McKenna's side will take them back above Saints, with 18 league matches still to play. 

Smallbone insisted: "We can only control what we can do on the pitch and you can see we have been doing that.

"It has taken us a long time to get into the top two and put pressure on them but we don't want to stop now.

"We will keep playing the way we want to and keep pushing those top two to see where we can get to."

He added: "You can see the belief on the pitch, we have come a long way since September and put all of that behind you.

"The gaffer said to us at the time that we would be better for it and I think we genuinely have been.

"We have all kicked on, we got together as a group and I couldn't think of a better bunch of lads to do it with."