Southampton's Lallana targeting back-to-back wins this week

Saints welcome Stoke City to St Mary's on Tuesday for a Carabao Cup tie before hosting Everton in the league on Saturday.

Russell Martin's side are without a win in the league - their last victory came in the cup against the Toffees - and now sit bottom of the Premier League table.

Lallana, admittedly flat following a 1-0 loss at Manchester City, insisted a win would give Saints much-needed confidence.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, he said: "We've still got no points, but there were pockets within that performance against City that we'll definitely take.

"It's a big fortnight for us coming up now with some big games. I thought we were brave in how we played and how Russell wants us to play.

Southampton were beaten 1-0 at Manchester City on Saturday (Image: Martin Rickett/PA) "In the first half, we showed a bit of ego and a bit of balls, to put it candidly. It's a bit flat because I don't want to be losing football matches, we don't want to lose games.

"We need a win, but it's important we stay calm and believe in what the manager's asking us to do. That's the best way for us to get results.

"There was enough there against City to give us confidence going into the next two home games this week. It's on us to show that.

"I want back-to-back wins this week, it's as simple as that. Stoke and Everton at home, and I'm confident we can."

Lallana came back into the starting lineup at Manchester City having gone unused in the previous two fixtures against Leicester and Arsenal.

Martin insisted Lallana did not feature off the bench in those games due to Southampton playing for large periods without the ball.

Asked about the number of minutes he has played recently, Lallana said: "I'm too old to get into tit-for-tat. We've got a big squad, I know I'm not here to play every game.

Adam Lallana rejoined Southampton on a one-year deal this summer (Image: Richard Crease) "I'm in constant communication with the manager about when I play and when I don't, but I feel like I can help us the most at the moment on the pitch.

"I feel like I'm playing well, I feel comfortable on the ball, I feel like I can calm us down at times, be a little bit of an experienced presence, and I showed that again on Saturday.

"Obviously, it wasn't enough, but there were definitely large pockets within that game where we have to take confidence from because they're Manchester City, they're the best team in the world.

"It's not that we had them scared or anything, but you can feel it on the pitch when you take the ball and you break the press, it's big moments.

"If you're brave enough in those moments, that's how you gain success and confidence. We need to be a bit calmer when we get to the final third.

"But we've got one point. There is panic at times. But it's still a long season, there are a lot of points up for grabs."