Maya Yoshida has spoken of how he feels that the side are just a win short of safety but with a new found confidence they are looking for much more than just that.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Newcastle, Yoshida one of Saints longest serving player's has spoken of how things have changed in recent months and of the confidence surging through the squad under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
"People are saying we are already safe, but I don’t think so,”
"We have to concentrate until the end. Our target is 40 points and if we win the next game then I’d probably say we are safe.
"They [Newcastle] are already safe but if you look back at our last few games, we are a much better team now.
"Our confidence means that we feel we can win more games and we still have five left where we will try to evolve.”
He added: "We have put the effort in for every single game and the manager has had the plan for every game to try to prepare us.
"On the pitch, we are putting a lot of effort in and we are defensively solid and have scored a couple of goals.
"That’s why we are here now, it’s not magic. If we stop doing that kind of thing, then we will stop winning.”
The last three home games against Spurs, Liverpool and Wolves have seen the ground at maximum capacity and a distinct change in attitude amongst the supporters with a level of happiness and optimism that has not been seen since the final games of Ronald Koeman's time at the club three years ago as the club stormed to sixth place.
Yoshida admitted that he has noticed a difference at St Mary’s in recent weeks, which he claims is driving the team forward.
"I feel that the fans have brought back an atmosphere.
"St Mary’s has been sold out for the last two games and that is a great sign that we are playing well, and they are enjoying it.
"An atmosphere in the stadium really helps us and it has helped us in the last couple of games a lot.
"The fans can probably see that we are playing different football and I can see the fans have a different feeling.”