Southampton secured a much-needed win on Tuesday evening which has left some fans optimistic of a top two finish.
The South Coasters showed character and bounced back from a dull display at Blackburn Rovers by defeating Coventry City 2-1 at St Mary’s.
Heading into the clash, many felt Saints’ automatic promotion hopes were all but over but victory and other results may have brought them back into the race.
Leeds United, Ipswich Town and Leicester City all failed to win in midweek, so Southampton have gained ground.
They reside 11 points behind second-placed Ipswich with two games in hand, meaning if they were to win those, they’d be five adrift.
One EFL pundit has just issued a message to fans who still think can finish inside the top two.
Ryan Dilks sends message to Southampton supporters
Speaking on the Second Tier podcast, Ryan Dilks issued his verdict on Southampton’s chances of automatic promotion.
“It’s got Southampton fans a bit excited, they’re nine points off the top two but have got two games in hand and they have still got to play Leicester and Leeds,” Dilks said.
“A faint hope that Southampton might be back in the automatic promotion race, although still very much a long shot isn’t it.
“I appreciate the ambition of Southampton fans but when they have only won three from eight It’d be quite the turnaround in form.”
As Dilks alluded to, Saints’ recent results would have to drastically change if they are to realise their automatic promotion hopes.
They’ll probably need to win all of their six remaining games to stand a chance, which would move them to 96 points.
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Southampton just need to focus on themselves
There will be lots of external noise around the automatic promotion race and whether Saints are in it or not, they just need to focus on themselves.
Russell Martin‘s side can’t worry about other results, they just need to focus on finishing the season in the best way possible.
That way, they’ll have real momentum if they are to end up in the playoffs, which they’ll no doubt be fancied in.
Southampton welcome Watford to the South Coast on Saturday and will be hopeful of picking up a second successive victory.