Jan Bednarek, a defender for Southampton, commended manager Russell Martin for keeping the team composed during challenging Championship periods.
Saints, who had a losing streak of four games in a row in September, have ended it with back-to-back triumphs.
“Whether bad or good, the team sticks together and we are honest with each other,” Bednarek said on BBC Radio Solent.
“The manager is always honest with us and explains what works and what doesn’t.”
The 27-year-old Poland centre-back believes Martin’s approach is what has got them heading in the right direction.
“That honesty from the manager was really helpful through that tough period when we lost games,” he said.
“It helps us stay on the ground and we are getting better.”
“Ready to fight”
On Saturday against Rotherham United, Southampton will be back at St. Mary’s hoping to make it three straight victories.
Martin promised fans a “evolved version” of the system he used at Swansea, with an emphasis on passing and pressing the opposition, when he was named manager in the summer.
Two months into the season, according to Bednarek, the team is feeling more secure and at ease with the plan.
“The way we play now is completely different to how we played in the last two seasons,” he stated.
“It’s different, and learning new things and having faith in what we are doing and why takes time.
“It’s different, and learning new things and having faith in what we are doing and why takes time.
“It can be challenging to establish new routines, and I believe that in some of our most recent games, we did these new things, but not for the full 90 minutes.
However, we adhered to our concept and had some gritty moments in the most recent game, particularly [against Stoke], and I believe that made the difference.
“We were ready, prepared to fight and that was the difference.”
“Saints concentrated on task”
In search of their first home shutout since March, 10th-placed Southampton will take on bottom-of-the-table Rotherham on Saturday.
It is different, and it takes time to pick up new skills and have faith in what we are doing and why.
“It can be challenging to establish new routines, and I believe we were utilizing these new practices throughout some of our recent games but not for the full 90 minutes.
“But I think the last game, especially [against Stoke], was the difference because we kept to our principles and there were gritty moments.
“We were ready, prepared to fight and that was the difference.”
“Saints focused on task”
In search of their first home shutout since March, Southampton, who is currently tenth in the Championship, will take on second-from-last Rotherham.
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