Adam Lallana believes the current performances from Saints' young guns is the fruition of years of hard work.

Lallana is one of several players who have been with the club for some time to break into the first team under Jan Poortvliet.

The youngsters have grown up playing alongside each other in successful academy and reserve sides under the guidance of Georges Prost and Stewart Henderson.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a new contract, which keeps at St Mary's until 2011, and he is delighted with the way things are panning out for him.

He said: "I'm happy it's all sorted now and I can just concentrate on my football.

"It didn't really take too long because I knew I wanted to stay here and more importantly I've been playing.

"Hopefully that will continue and I can help Saints get promoted.

"Since Rupert (Lowe) and the new manager have come in they made no secret of the fact that they want to feature a lot of youngsters.

"So far this season I've been involved a lot more.

"I'm enjoying my football.

"We're playing the way that we played growing up under Georges Prost at under-18 level.

"We played the same formation then, so it's not new for us and we're really enjoying it.

"We look back now and see that all Georges' training methods and tactical sessions are coming through now because the way that Jan Poortvliet wants us to play is the way he wanted us to at that level."

Lallana is a local lad, having been brought up just down the road in Bournemouth.

He has already got off the mark for the season with the winner at Derby last weekend and another against Birmingham in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

Now he is targeting another against Blackpool in today's Sky-televised lunchtime kick-off to round off an exciting week.

"It's been a really good week, with the win at Derby and getting through to the next round of the Cup," he said.

"Now to be here for another three years is brilliant. I'm just thrilled really.

"It means a lot to me coming from the local area and always watching Saints growing up.

"To be here now and to hopefully get the chance to play in the first team is fantastic.

"As a team we've got to play each game as it comes.

"Individually I just want to keep playing well and getting on the scoresheet.

"Another goal against Blackpool would really be the icing on the cake this week, but I'd take a team victory over scoring.

"All the lads are up for it and we're definitely looking for the three points.

"It's also great to get a game on TV and to show the rest of the world the way we play.

"We think we're playing a good style of football, so we hope people enjoy watching us."