Former Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock thanks Southampton advice that proved ‘right’

Former Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has been praised for his advice at Southampton, which boss Russell Martin said proved correct.

Southampton suffered a disappointing end to the season as their automatic promotion charge ended early as they won just two of their next eight games after Boro went to St Mary’s on Good Friday and earned a late draw. The low point of that run came when they lost 5–0 against champions-elect Leicester City.

Gearing up for a play-off campaign and risking heading into them in a very low mood, Warnock had told Martin he should take his side at a Chinese table after the Leicester defeat. And although they lost their next game against Stoke City, the Saints boss admits he took Warnock’s advice and got the reaction he wanted, his side ending the season with a morale-boosting win over promotion rivals Leeds United on the final day of the season.

READ MORE: Championship breakdown as promotion rivals draw inspiration for rebuilding Middlesbrough

Martin said: “I think when someone as wise and as experienced as Neil Warnock tells me to take the team to a table, I think it’s appropriate. It was a good meal, but it wasn’t Chinese, it was a bit healthier than that!

“I thank him for this advice. He was right that the players, after such an intense schedule, needed only him. Also the staff. We were all together with the owners and executive team here. I worked hard in the morning and ate. We spent some time together and set the stage for what was to come. I think it was good advice and I took it.”

Having ended their regular campaign with victory at Elland Road, Southampton now head into a two-legged play-off semi-final with West Brom, with the winner heading to Wembley at the end of the month to face the winner of the other . tie between Leeds United and Norwich City.