Saints manager Russell Martin will be looking to improve his squad in the January transfer window _(Image: PA)_
MANAGER Russell Martin admitted the festive period is "massive" as he cryptically hinted positive results could help Saints in the transfer window.
Martin made the interesting comment ahead of the Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, which is one of four league matches in two weeks.
As well as next week's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool, Saints take on Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace before the turn of the year.
On January 1, the winter transfer window opens and bottom-place Saints can begin engineering deals to help with their desperate relegation scrap.
Under pressure boss Martin suggested results in the next few matches could give him a better chance of new signings ahead of the February deadline.
"I think it's a massive period for us, it is for most teams over December," said Martin, speaking to the _Daily Echo_ ahead of the clash with Spurs.
> Time to build. 🤜
>
> Our festive fixtures 🎄 [pic.twitter.com/1tQ2UUQLc3](https://t.co/1tQ2UUQLc3)
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) [December 1, 2024](https://twitter.com/SouthamptonFC/status/1863265302114414983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
"We need some points on the board to really give ourselves a chance of getting a bit of help in January and then really kicking on from there.
"I believe the team is getting better but we have to get the results to reflect that now. I think there's no one in here believing that everything's decided.
"We can't think that. I really believe we can do it and surprise everyone to be the first team to do that (survive from five points) so we have to keep working."
Martin could be suggesting that Saints would find it easier to lure new players to the club next month if they still stand a chance of surviving in the league.
The boss could also be referencing the possibility that the club's owners will operate differently based on the likelihood of deals turning the tide.
If Saints are bottom and cut adrift, would they be wiser to save their finances for a summer rebuild? Martin will be desperate to avoid that situation.
Sport Republic are looking to stave off a second relegation this season _(Image: Stuart Martin)_
Saints believe they have a good chance of a result against out-of-form Spurs, who are struggling with several injuries to their starting defenders.
"We've started games brilliantly and then it's all turned on the first setback in the game so we have to try and draw blood first," insisted Martin.
"I think that's the simple solution and answer. Sometimes we're really on top but then we go behind and it completely changes the feeling of the game.
"If we have a spell where we're on top from the off, I hope we play with the right energy, aggression and intensity," he continued.
We're playing against a team with the most running stats, the most intense sprints and the most high-speed running stats in the league.
"We have to try and match them for every bit of that and make the best of the moments we have because we've had so many moments in the league.
"When we play, we really play and we cut people open but we don't have enough to show for it - we haven't been in front enough for some of the performances.
"We have to try and draw blood first, we're not going to sit there and try to soak it up - we're going to take the game to them as much as we can."