DEAN Wilkins thinks Saints’ winning habit has come as a result of increased self belief – but admitted it took longer than he expected to generate it.

Wilkins joined Alan Pardew as assistant manager at Saints and found a squad of talented but shell-shocked players.

All those that remained from the previous season had suffered a horrible relegation as well as off field worries and were used to losing games on a regular basis.

It was never going to be an easy task to change that mentality and it took quite some time for that to happen.

But finally Saints seem to be getting on top of things and this afternoon aim to make it four back-to-back wins when they travel to Walsall.

Wilkins said: “It was evident as soon as we walked in the door that we struggled to keep a lead and I think that was a little bit of a hangover from last season when they were not used to winning with a young squad.

“As we’ve started to pick up points, firstly the draws and now wins, that belief just snowballs."

Full story in today's Daily Echo