SAINTS manager Russell Martin insisted moving up to second was “the biggest incentive” ahead of their 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Adam Armstrong produced an attacking masterclass as Saints dispatched Wednesday to equal their longest Football League unbeaten record.
Top scorer Armstrong scored one and set up Che Adams, Ryan Fraser and Sekou Mara as Saints leapt into the top two for the first time since the opening day.
Saints are now unbeaten in 19 league games and 20 in all competitions, which is their best run since becoming a Football League club in 1920.
The club’s all-time record, the only better than the current run, of 24 in 1896-1897 came when they were known as Southampton St Mary’s and had yet to move to the Dell.
Speaking after the match, Martin said: “I don’t know what message it sends out externally but the biggest incentive for us was going second at the end of the game.
“For how long, who knows? But it is a reward for the hard work they have put in and going 19 games unbeaten in the league. See
“It is amazing really and it has been a pleasure to watch them grow all the time. We now have to make sure they stay hungry and humble.
“If they keep playing at the same intensity and with the same courage we will be in with a chance of achieving something this season.”
The boss continued: “We did have two or three moments in the game that we shouldn’t do and a big moment scared us into life at the start of the game.
“I am proud of the lads for being brave and working it out. Sheffield Wednesday were relentless and they came to be so aggressive.
“We prepared for that and I thought the guys were brilliant. The players are really in flow, they run relentlessly for each other and press so well.
“Wednesday tried to play today and we stole the ball so many times and looked like a real threat on the regain.”
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