SAINTS manager Russell Martin described Taylor Harwood-Bellis as "fantastic" following Saints 2-1 win over Plymouth on Friday.

It was Harwood-Bellis' ball over the top which unlocked Plymouth's defence and allowed Che Adams to add Southampton's second goal.

The 21 year old created two chances and finished the game having completed 129 of his 133 passes.

In addition to his passing, Harwood-Bellis made several important defensive interventions to cut out The Pilgrims counter attacks.

Saints have a clause in the Manchester City defender's loan which would see the move become permanent should they get promoted to the Premier League.

"He's been fantastic. Let's get it right, we need to go up to keep a lot of our players," Martin admitted.

"Otherwise it would be an interesting summer. Obviously, the incentive is to get this club back to where it belongs.

"We need to repay the patience that the supporters have given us. But we also want to keep some of the players that the supporters love.

"We have so many top young players that if we don't quite get there then maybe they get there some other place - which won't be the best for us."

During the second half, St Mary's rose to its feet as a chant of 'stand up if you love Southampton' rang around the Stadium.

"It's amazing, I love it," Martin added. "I'll never lose gratitude for that. Where it is now we always talk about it because it's so important.

"We tell the players that 'you have done that.' Now the supporters feel like they've got a team to be proud of and a team with such an identity.

"They are the bravest team in the country with what they are doing. The supporters really recognise that and travel in huge numbers.

"I just spoke to Kevin (Nancekivell) from Plymouth, he said he has been here a few times and the atmosphere hasn't been as intimidating as that.

"That's the best thing you can hear if you are a Southampton player or supporter. I'm proud of them for that."