ORIOL Romeu believes Saints will now be mentally strong enough to cope with their Premier League survival battle after finally holding firm against AFC Bournemouth.

It has so often been the case in this painful season that Saints have buckled under pressure to surrender valuable points.

In total Saints have dropped 19 points from winning positions this term, including a costly six against Arsenal and Chelsea in last month's comeback defeats.

Finally, though, Mark Hughes' side turned a corner on Saturday and held onto a one-goal advantage for a 2-1 victory against Cherries at St Mary's.

That has given Saints new-found belief after winning just one of 21 top flight games before the triumph over Eddie Howe's side.

Romeu reckons it needs to be the beginning of a run of victories as they prepare for the final three-game run-in, starting away at Everton (5.30pm kick-off) on Saturday.

"That’s what we want to think and that is what we are feeling right now; that this victory gives us extra strength to carry on now, to do something nice and finish where we want to finish," the Spaniard said.

"Winning makes you feel like you can win games, that we have fight enough to be there and to stay up."

"I think the word is relief. It’s been so long and so hard," he added.

"You were going home after losing or drawing a game and thinking, ‘What do we have to do and when will we win a game?’ "It was never our day.

"We are going to feel relaxed but we need to prepare for the next game because it does not give you too long to rest.

"The next one will be as important as this one so we have to go again."

Saints sit a point from safety with three games to play and it looks like it will be a four-way scrap to beat the drop, with West Ham, Huddersfield and Swansea sitting precariously above the bottom three.

Second-to-bottom Stoke are also not out the running but have played a game more and are three points adrift of the Swans in 17th.

Of the four, Huddersfield have the toughest run-in, facing Manchester City (a), Chelsea (a) and Arsenal (h) to finish their campaign.

The Terriers  are three points above the drop zone along with the Hammers, who play Leicester (a), Manchester United (h) and Everton (h) in their final three fixtures.

"It is difficult to tell. Hopefully two wins will do," said Romeu, about what will be enough to secure survival.

"The other opponents have difficult games coming and it is not going to be easy for them.

"We are going to push as hard as possible and are going to chase points, for sure."

One clear advantage Saints have is a far superior goal difference, although Hughes' men do have to play free-scoring Manchester City at St Mary's on the final day of the season.

The real key game for Saints, though, comes a week today at direct rivals Swansea.

The 26-year-old admits he is regularly studying the league and fixtures as this season reaches its climax.

“Yes. Results goal difference, who our opponents are playing," he said.

"We make our maths but I think we need to win two of our three games and draw the last one.

"That will make us safer because we don’t want to think of other results, we have to think of ourselves."

Romeu also wanted to acknowledge the work Hughes has done since he arrived as manager in March, when he replaced Mauricio Pellegrino.

The former Barcelona man is pleased the players have finally delivered a victory in the league for the Welshman, who had lost three and drawn one before the Cherries game.

“Since he came he has been doing things well, training has been amazing, the lads have been putting up a lot of effort and showing we want to do things well," he said.

“Unluckily we did not get points and in football that’s what matters; results are what talks.

“Finally the result has come and we need to carry on again."