JOSE Fonte says it is vital that Saints do not lose any players between now and the end of the transfer window – revealing that he and his teammates have spoken to Victor Wanyama about why he should stay at the club.

Wanyama has asked to leave St Mary’s, with Tottenham said to be interested in him, but Ronald Koeman has reiterated that he will not be sold ahead of Tuesday’s 6pm deadline.

Sadio Mane has also been linked with a move away – in his case to Manchester United – and Fonte believes it is extremely important that the club holds onto both players.

“That would be a help to us once the transfer window is closed and hopefully no one will leave, and possibly add a couple more, so we will see, but the main thing is not letting anyone go,” he said.

On Wanyama’s situation, Fonte added: “We all had conversations with him and try to explain, so now it’s up to the club and to him.”

In terms of matters on the pitch, the Saints captain was delighted with the team’s response to their Europa League exit at the hands of FC Midtjylland, as they thumped Norwich 3-0 at St Mary’s to earn their first Premier League win of the season.

“Yes, we’re glad with the result and the performance and especially with the three points,” he said.

“That’s all we needed in my opinion, so hopefully we can kick on from now.

“I think everyone understood what needed to be done. I thought the lads reacted really well and, as you could see, everyone took responsibility and wanted to play to help the team, so I’m really pleased.”

Fonte added: “We was expecting a tough one, but I felt that we started well.

“They had a chance, they didn’t take it and then we had a couple as well and we took control of the game. I thought we were comfortable.

“Obviously, after the red card, still we had to be concentrated, but it was easier. Sometimes it can be more difficult, but we made it easier.

“It was one of them games that we got a little bit of luck with the red card and we took the advantage.”

It was an afternoon reminiscent of many of the ones the team enjoyed at home last season, and Fonte confirmed the players had talked about getting back to that standard.

“That’s what we spoke during the week – we need to get back to what we do best, which is play football, enjoy our football, be expansive and above all create chances and just play out of our philosophy,” he said.

The result sends Saints into the international break tenth in the table and in a far more positive frame of mind than they might have been.

“It was very important going into this two-week break,” said Fonte. “If we didn’t win it would be really hard, so we really wanted to win and thankfully we did.”