SAINTS defender Kyle Walker-Peters insisted "we know what we need to do to beat West Brom" ahead of facing them in the Championship playoff semi-finals. 

Southampton were 2-1 winners at St Mary's before beating the Baggies 2-0 at the Hawthorns in February, just days after losing their undefeated streak.

Manager Russell Martin played down the importance of beating their semi-final opponents twice, insisting the playoffs is a "different competition."

However, Walker-Peters admitted it could give them a psychological edge in the first leg on Sunday, May 12.

He said: "The playoffs are something that I've not been involved in before. We will definitely go into that game with a lot of confidence.

"I guess that they'll also go into it really hungry to beat us and show that they are better than us.

"We are aware that we have beaten them twice and we know what we need to do to beat them."

Southampton's morale will have been boosted by their 2-1 win over Leeds United on the final day.

Daily Echo: Kyle Walker-Peters battles against Crysencio SummervilleKyle Walker-Peters battles against Crysencio Summerville (Image: PA)

The victory put a stop to their three-game losing streak and showcased that Martin's side are still capable of performing at their best.

"We spoke before the game about how important it is to end the season well," Walker-Peters continued. "I thought we did that.

"We have been in the situation where we lost four games on the bounce before and we didn't want to let that happen again.

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"We are aware that we could end up playing this Leeds team in the final so it's good to put this statement out there and show how dangerous we can be.

"This win should give us a lot of confidence because we have beaten a really good team. We need to take that confidence into the games against West Brom.

"I thought we were really good in the second half because we often struggle in the second half of games.

"We will have a little bit of downtime now and do some team bonding, then we will get back on the training pitch."

Saints deployed a new set-up at Elland Road as they lined up with three central defenders flanked by two attack-minded wing-backs.

The change in system gave Walker-Peters the freedom of the right-hand side, something he admits he relished.

The two-time England international caused Junior Firpo a whole load of problems, particularly for Southampton's winning goal, scored by Will Smallbone.

He raced on to a brilliant long ball from Jan Bednarek before breezing past the Leeds defender and teeing up Smallbone for a first-time finish.

Asked about the tactical changes, Walker-Peters responded: "I thought it worked well. It's something that we worked on all week on the training pitch.

"Everyone was looking forward to playing with it and I think it worked a treat. It's nice for us to have a few different formations that we can change to in-game.

"That is what the gaffer wanted us to do. It allowed me to make more runs in behind, which I love to do, you could see that from the assist that I got.

"It gave me a bit more of a license to get forward. Who knows how we are going to play against West Brom, I don't want to give anything away."