EFL Championship: Russell Martin Calls For Momentum As Southampton's Play-Off Hopes Dented

Russell Martin acknowledged automatic promotion is now likely beyond Southampton after his side바카라�s toothless display at Blackburn saw them stumble to a scoreless draw. (More Football News)

Having fought for a top-two finish in the Championship for much of the season, Saints바카라� profligacy in front of goal proved costly in the last-gasp Good Friday draw with Middlesbrough and even later loss to Ipswich on Easter Monday.

Those frustrating results were compounded by a lack of attacking spark on Saturday at Ewood Park, where fourth-placed Southampton created little against well-drilled Blackburn in a forgettable 0-0 draw.

바카라�I was positive about the way we defended, about the clean sheet,바카라� Saints manager Martin said.

바카라�We바카라�ve looked so dangerous and creative going forward recently but conceded too many goals, so we did a lot of work on that side of game.

바카라�(I바카라�m) pleased with that side of the game, pleased with the aggression in the team on that side of the game because it was a tough game and big credit to Blackburn.

바카라�They바카라�re fighting with everything they have but I바카라�m really disappointed with the side we have been so good at recently, the creativity, the attacking flow. It wasn바카라�t there today at all.바카라�

Southampton바카라�s inability to win in Lancashire further dented their hopes of automatic promotion, leaving them 12 points behind second-placed Ipswich with seven league games to go.

That run includes trips to Leicester and Leeds, with Martin looking for Saints to build momentum and peak again for the play-offs as they seek an immediate Premier League return.

바카라�The guys still have a brilliant chance to get as many points as possible, so we can all look at each other at the end of the season and go 바카라�well, we did our bit, it just wasn바카라�t to be this season바카라�,바카라� he said.

바카라�We don바카라�t deserve, none of them deserve, for the season just to finish flatly ahead of what is looking likely to be the play-offs.

바카라�I think it바카라�s really important we build some momentum and we go into it feeling good about ourselves, with a spring in our step and energy, and then the rest will take care of itself I바카라�m sure.바카라�

Saturday바카라�s point was important for Blackburn, who dug deep having started the week with a fantastic 5-1 win at Sunderland.

The result edges John Eustace바카라�s outfit closer to Championship survival, with Callum Brittain producing a key block to deny Kyle Walker-Peters with 10 minutes remaining.

바카라�I thought it was an excellent game, really exciting game, good Championship game,바카라� the Rovers boss said. 바카라�Two good teams going at it.

바카라�I was really proud of the boys바카라� efforts. I thought we were outstanding with and without the ball, just disappointed that we couldn바카라�t be a little bit more clinical in the final third.

바카라�I think that바카라�s the first time Southampton haven바카라�t scored for 30 odd games, so that바카라�s something very pleasing. It바카라�s all the work that the boys are putting in on the training field.

바카라�We were disappointed not to get a clean sheet on Monday but the boys have thrown their bodies on the line.

바카라�Today, you could see that, you could see the commitment of the whole squad, the togetherness of the whole squad, which is vital at this stage of the season.바카라�