Shane Long expects Saints will have to deal with teams showing them greater respect after they marked themselves out as serious Champions League contenders.

Last weekend’s famous victory at Manchester United moved Ronald Koeman’s side up to third in the Premier League, with more than half the season gone.

Having also taken seven points from a three-game spell that saw them play Chelsea, Arsenal and then United, there is little doubt now that Saints have the ability to claim a sensational top four finish.

But Long is aware that their success could lead to opposition sides approaching them differently in the second half of the campaign.

And he is expecting a tough challenge this evening as Saints head to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle, who will be led by caretaker boss John Carver following the recent departure of Alan Pardew.

“They’re in need of a win as well and, with their manager going, I’m sure a few players want to show what they’re about,” he said.

“We’re ready for it. They’re going to be coming at us.

“People respect us a bit more now, from here until the end of the season, so it’s going to be tough for us.”

Reflecting on Saints’ current situation, Long added: “It’s brilliant, but we’re not getting carried away.

“We know it’s a long way to go and we’ve earned this place in the league.

“No one can say we don’t deserve to be there, and I think everybody’s going to be wanting to take that away from us.

“We know it’s going to be a long battle for ourselves, but we believe in our quality on and off the pitch and as a group to see the season out.”

He continued: “The lads are flying at the moment. We’re enjoying training.

“Obviously, you look at the table and kind of have to pinch yourself a little bit, but, as I said, we deserve to be there and it’s only us that can take it away from ourselves now.

“We’ve a lot of hard games coming up, but winnable ones, and we’ll take them as they come.”

Long, who sent Saints into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a winner in Wednesday’s replay at Ipswich, knows how big it would be to finish off this fine week with another three points.

“It would be massive, especially at Old Trafford and [Portman Road] and St James’ – it’s three proud stadiums and three proud sets of fans, so it’s going to be tough,” he said.

“Hopefully we can frustrate them for the start of the game, maybe nick a goal and make them come at us again, and I’m sure we’ve got the quality in the team to pick them off.”

Long added: “It’s always a tough place to go, big stadium, a long way away.

“Hopefully we’ll get a good turnout up there.

“They’re right up the back of the stand, but I’m sure we’ll hear them all.”