Selles: Saints must trust process to remain in top flight

Southampton manager Ruben Selles feels everyone at the club must trust in the process if they are going to maintain their Premier League status.

Since Selles replaced Nathan Jones during February, the Saints have taken eight points from six league matches.

Despite some positive displays, including fighting back to draw 3-3 with Tottenham before the international break, Southampton remain bottom ahead of Sunday’s trip to fellow relegation-battlers West Ham.

However, with just four points separating the Saints and Crystal Palace in 12th place heading into the next round of fixtures, there remains all to play for over the closing 10 games.

Selles has no doubts with a fully committed belief in what Southampton are trying to achieve, then the positive results will come.

“We talk about how we are in a process and we are building things,” Selles said.

“The first goal against Tottenham is a clear process. We had a chance after two minutes which showed the movement we want to do and we had more chances with those same movements which showed we didn’t lose structure.

“Even though we were two goals down, we stuck to the plan. Even with the finishers, with the substitutions, we stuck to the plan. We knew we were going to score goals.

“We can arrive into those situations and that was the main topic a couple of weeks ago.

“We have evaluated the last six weeks and with everyone back from the internationals we have also reviewed the Tottenham game.

“There are ups and downs when you are trying to build something, but the points are there and I think we can get some more wins in the last 10 games.”

Selles told a press conference: “We have a clear idea, a clear identity now. We have this culture and mindset of being one per cent better every day.

“Every team that will face us knows that they need to play a really good game to try to beat us.

“We know how we can perform, that we can be good in the games and how we can do it.

“It is not scary at all. We have been in the situation the whole season – it should be more scary for others that has not been there.”

Selles has held various coaching roles across Europe, and was also part of Southampton’s backroom staff under former boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The 39-year-old Spaniard is relishing the opportunity to now lead from the front.

“I am curious, so I tried to evolve every single day, then I tried to find ways to motivate my players, to find ways to motivate myself,” he said.

“I am growing because I am learning some situations where now I need to make a decision.

“At the same time that I am enjoying the position, I am growing also personally with the leadership position.”