Wednesday 9 May 2018 10:23, UK
A "proud" Mark Hughes heaped praise on his Southampton players after their 1-0 win over Swansea all-but secured their safety.
Manolo Gabbiadini scored with 17 minutes remaining over their relegation rivals, meaning only a Swansea win over Stoke, and a 10-goal swing in Saints' game with Man City will relegate Hughes' side.
Hughes, who took over in March from Mauricio Pellegrino, deflected the praise and piled it onto his team.
The Welshman told Sky Sports: "At the beginning, we went in and you're never quite sure what you'll find. We had eight games to go and if you look at the fixtures they were really, really difficult. I think we've had four or five games away from home.
"It was always going to be hard for us, we were in a predicament and we needed to show that they wanted to keep the club in the Premier League. That's what they've done, to a man, and I'm proud of them.
"It was a huge effort by everybody, not just this evening, but ever since we took on the challenge. Myself and the staff came in, and found a group of guys that just needed a bit more direction and belief in what they were doing.
"I have to say, to a man, they've worked their socks off, every single day, every single game. Some games we've had things go against us and have had to pick ourselves up, but I thought we were immense today, we weren't going to be denied.
"I'm really delighted for them, and the club, and clearly relegation from the Premier League is a huge negative for any club. It's not done mathematically but we've put ourselves in a good position."
Gabbiadini scored just five minutes after coming on as a substitute for the injured Jan Bednarek, but Hughes insists he had been planning on taking off a defender for an attacker anyway.
"We were going to have to go for it, clearly, and there was always a point where we were going to take one of the centre-halves off, if we were losing or drawing," said Hughes. "It was always my intention, and he's reacted like a striker does.
"He's been unlucky with the opportunities I've given him, but he's always worked hard in training, always been focused, and that's what I've had when I've introduced players, more often than not they have made an impact."
Southampton had a late scramble to find a hotel for their squad, after their booking at the Swansea Marriott was cancelled ahead of their match at the Liberty Stadium.
They instead stayed at the Vale of Glamorgan near Cardiff, and asked about the situation, Hughes said: "It was great, I recommend the Vale!"
