SAINTS manager Russell Martin admits he would have been "surprised" and "delighted" to have made this much progress in one season. 

Martin insists "three-quarters" of the squad told him they wanted to leave in the summer ahead of the campaign. 

Despite this, the boss adds he is "eternally frustrated" that his side have not finished in the Championship's top two.

They must now endure the lottery of playoffs to get to the Premier League, following the final day of the league season at Leeds United.

Martin said: "I've been in the playoffs a few times as a player and there's been different approaches, 'it's just normal season, carry on'.

"It's not. It's about mentality, real preparation and real understanding of the occasion, being able to handle the occasion.

"The last week dampens how people feel about the season and what the players have done, the long unbeaten run we went on."

Martin continued: "I feel really proud of the team and the players for what we've done this season.

"I'd love to finish in the top two and I'll be eternally frustrated we haven't, but we have an opportunity to get to the Premier League.

"Playing in our way, which from the start of the season to now, the players have made incredible strides and their belief in what they're doing is amazing.

"If you'd have told me the team would look how it does now after probably three-quarters of the squad told me they were going to leave the first day...

"Now we are here, the change in style and the change in demands and culture and what we ask of them, then I'd be really delighted.

"The only frustration I have is some of the points we've dropped throughout the season.

"But if you'd have said at the start of the season we'd be in this position with three games to get to the Premier League, playing in the way the players are playing, with the pride they have in what they're doing, then I'd have been probably quite happy and a bit surprised."