Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is confident his side can continue their good form coming into the second half of the season.
The Saints have not conceded a goal in their last four games, which saw them beat Watford, West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United, as well as stealing a point against Arsenal.
Koeman was named January’s manager of the month this week and spoke in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saints tough tie with West Ham United at the weekend: “We know what we have to do, the confidence is totally back in the team after the last few results.”
Ahead of the game against the Hammers, Koeman admits his side are wary of Slaven Bilic’s team, however, the Dutchman is confident his side have the quality to take all three points from the tie.
Inconsistent start to the season
The south coast side started the season in inconsistent form, winning just one of their first six Premier League matches, they also suffered home defeats to Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur and were humiliated 1-6 against Liverpool in the League Cup quarter-final.
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Looking up
However since the turn of the year Koemans’ side have turned their results and performance level around, climbing up to seventh in the table, and are now just 5 points behind Saturdays opponents who visit St Mary’s on Saturday.
With January signing Charlie Austin beginning his Saints career in an impressive manner, scoring the winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Southampton are in good shape heading into the remainder of the season. Their latest recruit gives Koeman another attacking option to aid Shane Long and Graziano Pelle, whose long-term future at the club is currently unclear.
The Saints were able to fend off interest for some of their key players in the January transfer window with Pelle and Victor Wanyama both linked with moves away from the club, but the Saints stood firm and they go into the remainder of the season with a strong squad, looking to push for a European finish.