Mark Hughes believes his team have broken out of the “straitjacket” of playing at St Mary’s.

Saints have endured consistently poor results in front of their own fans in recent times, as evidenced by just four home league wins in the last 26 attempts.

After a draw with Burnley and a defeat to Leicester, Saints are hoping to record a first St Mary’s victory of this season when they host Brighton on Monday night, and Hughes senses any mental barrier that may have been there is being broken down.

He said: “I think it has been (a mental block) but I sense there is a bit more freedom about our play at home.

“There is a good energy in the stadium now in terms of fans seeing a real difference in our play in terms of our attitude to the game and what we’re trying to do.

“That filters back to the players and they’re encouraged.

“Certainly it seemed when I first came into the building that there was a bit of a straitjacket in terms of apprehension before home games. I think that’s gone.

“Performances - not necessarily the results we would have wanted - have been decent when the crowd was actually with us and could see what we were trying to do, when we were trying to be more positive.

“That will continue because that’s the way I want us to play. Long-term that will bring us the results at home that you need to sustain a good Premier League season.

“Our home form needs to be addressed and that’s what we’ve been talking about.”

Another nasty habit Saints have picked up is failing to win back-to-back league games.

It’s something they haven’t managed since April 2017 but after a win over Crystal Palace before the international break they have a chance to put that right.

“These are the opportunities you have to take,” admitted Hughes.

“When you have won an away game and have a home fixture which you expect to win, with no disrespect to Brighton who are a good team, you go into with intentions of winning.

“We can’t let these opportunities pass us by.

“It’s a good moment for us, we’re playing OK.”

He added: “Confidence is a huge thing. We all know that in football.

“Leicester were very complimentary when talking to the staff after the game. They were really pleased and grateful that they were able to get maximum points because for a long time we were in the ascendancy against a very good Premier League team.

“They recognised that and held their hands up that they were fortunate on the day.

“That encouraged us that when we go up against good sides in this league, we can more than hold our own.

“Our confidence is building. We just need to have the ability and capacity to maintain it.”