Martin acknowledges Southampton likely destined for playoffs

Saints failed to finish their chances at Ewood Park and were made to pay, following similar stories versus Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town.

Having kept up a promotion hunt for much of the season, Martin's side look saddled with pressure in the big moments. 

Promotion rivals Ipswich and Leeds United lost this weekend, but Saints remain 12 points off the top two - with two games in hand. 

Speaking after the match, Martin said: "The guys still have a brilliant chance to get as many points as possible.

Russell Martin on the touchline at Ewood Park (Image: PA)

"We need to do that so we can all look at each other at the end of the season and go ‘well, we did our bit, it just wasn’t to be this season’. 

“We don’t deserve, the players nor the supporters, for this season just to finish flatly ahead of what is looking likely to be the playoffs.

“I think it’s really important we build some momentum and we go into it feeling good about ourselves.

"With a spring in our step and energy then the rest will take care of itself, I’m sure.”

He added: "I feel disappointed with the results but it's our job to look at more than just the outcomes. 

"We have seven games to go and the carrot at the end of the stick is still there for us, as long as we continue to do our thing." 

Due to postponements, Southampton face the prospect of playing more games than any other Championship team ahead of the season's end.

READ MORE: Do Saints have the steeliness to make it back to the Premier League?

A run of seven games includes trips to Leicester and Leeds, with Martin looking for Saints to build momentum for the playoffs.

"We have a lot of good players, we made some changes today to give people an opportunity on the pitch," Martin said. 

"There will be more changes on Tuesday and we will take the next games as it comes. We don't have a big squad but we have a good squad.

"Our fixture schedule is tough but it's not an excuse, the Championship is tough all season. I think it will help us.

"I hope it will help to keep the guys motivated, to energise them and get us in a good place ahead of where we need to be." 

Saturday’s point was important for Blackburn, who dug deep having started the week with a fantastic 5-1 win at Sunderland.

The result edges John Eustace’s outfit closer to Championship survival, with Callum Brittain producing a key block to deny Kyle Walker-Peters with 10 minutes remaining.

“I thought it was an excellent game, a good Championship game,” the new Rovers boss said. “Two good teams going at it.

“I was really proud of the boys’ efforts. I thought we were outstanding with and without the ball, just disappointed that we couldn’t be a little bit more clinical in the final third.

“I think that’s the first time Southampton haven’t scored for 30-odd games, so that’s something very pleasing. It’s all the work that the boys are putting in on the training field.

“We were disappointed not to get a clean sheet on Monday but the boys have thrown their bodies on the line.

“Today, you could see that, you could see the commitment of the whole squad, the togetherness of the whole squad, which is vital at this stage of the season.”