Charlie Austin: Belief is back for Saints

Charlie Austin says the belief is starting to flow back through the Southampton squad after Sunday’s emphatic victory over Everton at St Mary’s.

The Saints striker bagged a brace at the weekend with Dusan Tadic and Steven Davis also netting in a 4-1 win over a struggling Everton side.

Southampton were eager to return to winning ways after failing to win any of their previous three Premier League outings against Liverpool, Burnley and Brighton and Austin feels they can now build some momentum.

Austin admitted confidence levels within the squad had dropped over recent weeks but he insists the belief is back as their attentions turn to facing league leaders Manchester City on Wednesday.

“It’s a big uplift, the lads are delighted after what’s been a tough few weeks for everyone involved in the football club,” Austin said.

“We knew it would come. They’ve been on a bit of a slippery slope but so have we, and playing at home today everybody got behind us, pushing us forward.

“That’s what we need. We’ve been struggling and everybody’s had that self-doubt, but now we’ve won and the performance was there.

“Everyone involved in the football club needs to jump on the ship now and push forward. “It’s great for the lads moving forward to have that belief.”

Southampton are priced at 12.00 to claim a surprise win when they travel to face Manchester City, who can be backed at 1.20 to come out on top on Wednesday, while the draw is available at 7.50.