Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is delighted with their improvement since the season restart.
Hasenhuttl says his side have shown "unbelievable progress".
"You see how quickly things can change in football if you push the right buttons," said Hasenhuttl.
"Unbelievable progress from the team this season and especially our games against the so-called bigger teams, we have been very competitive.
"Very often I have said, normally this turnaround is reserved for the following guy, not the same manager.
"I never stopped searching for the right steps and the right changes. We can all be very proud. It gives us a good feeling for next season."
Hasenhuttl also said of Danny Ings: "The development of Danny has made him something of a role model for our club.
"I'm really pleased about his character, as a human and also as a football player."
