Oriol Romeu believes mental strength will be key in Southampton’s fight for survival. The Saints held on to win 2-1 against Bournemouth, in what was Mark Hughes’ first league win since his appointment.
A Dusan Tadic brace ensured the win for the Saints, who have also boosted their hopes of Premier League survival.
Saints have dropped 19 points from winning positions this term but midfielder Oriol Romeu is now adamant that their victory will be the beginning of a run of victories as they prepare to beat the drop.
The Spaniard told the Daily Echo:
That’s what we want to think and that is what we are feeling right now; that this victory gives us extra strength to carry on now, to do something nice and finish where we want to finish. Winning makes you feel like you can win games, that we have fight enough to be there and to stay up.
The Saints midfielder also admitted that the win lifted their nerves and anxiety and that they have become more relaxed ahead of the crucial final games.
I think the word is relief. It’s been so long and so hard.
You were going home after losing or drawing a game and thinking, ‘What do we have to do and when will we win a game?’ It was never our day.
We are going to feel relaxed, but we need to prepare for the next game because it does not give you too long to rest.
Southampton face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday and they will go into this game with full confidence as they aim to escape relegation.
