Talking points from Southampton's win over Coventry City

Saints opened the scoring when Kyle Walker-Peters' long-range effort went in off Che Adams before the Scot scrambled home a second before halftime.

Jake Bidwell volleyed in with over 20 minutes remaining but the hosts were able to hold on for a crucial victory.

These are the biggest talking points from the match... 

Bednarek left out

Jan Bednarek was left on the bench in one of three changes by Russell Martin. James Bree came into the back four while captain Jack Stephens shifted to centre-back.

Stephens, whose position in the side has come under much debate of late, looks right at home at the heart of the defence.

Martin confirmed Bednarek missed out on the starting team due to a "whack" he picked up against Ipswich Town.

READ MORE: Russell Martin explains decision to drop Jan Bednarek against Coventry

If Bednarek still isn't available to start on Saturday against Watford, Stephens is certainly an able deputy.

Aribo outstanding in midfield

Joe Aribo has become a vital part of this Saints side and he impressed from the off against a Coventry side, who still have play-off ambitions.

His pace and power in the middle of the park offered the hosts an added threat that Coventry just could not cope with.

He made nine recoveries and won eight duels in an all-round display that only ended after he seemed to tire towards the end of the game.

The Nigerian international also created two chances for the home side and he offers something that the other midfielders do not have.

Adams still an important asset

Scotland international Adams produced the kind of performance that a genuine number nine can.

He held the ball up and linked well with the wide players and supporting midfielders, while also being the man at the top end of the pitch looking to get on the end of opportunities.

While his first goal was lucky, his second was an opportunistic strike in the penalty area from a corner where he was the first to react.

Whether Martin sticks with Adams in the side remains to be seen but he did no harm to his chances of leading the line during the run-in.

Second half struggles continue

Saints were utterly dominant in the first half but they again struggled to repeat the same level of performance after the break.

From the moment Haji Wright slipped to miss his early penalty, it was all Southampton in the first half.

Speaking after the match, Martin said: "In the first half, we played so well. It was the opposite of Saturday, there was so much energy and purpose and some brilliant football.

"After the break, we started well but they had spells where they were really good."

The Coventry City fans were vocal throughout and seemed to galvanise the visiting players in the second half.

If Martin's men are able to improve on this then they still have a great chance of promotion to the Premier League.

Back in the automatic promotion race?

With Leeds and Leicester dropping points on Tuesday evening, Southampton's hopes of automatic promotion have been aided slightly.

They are still nine points off the pace, but still have two games in hand and must visit Leeds and Leicester this season.

There were questions about whether the season would peter out with automatic promotion looking unlikely but the hosts allayed those fears with an important win.

Martin's side would in all likelihood have to win their remaining matches, while two of Leicester, Leeds and Ipswich would have to suffer an almighty collapse.