Southampton

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Former Southampton forward Jo Tessem believes mixing experience with youth was key to Saints progressing past Watford to reach the FA Cup fifth round.

Discussing the 3-0 fourth-round replay win on Goin' Home With Adam And Jo, Tessem said, "What I like with Russell Martin's way of playing is that there is a formation, there is a plan, and everyone has to take up the plan that he's given.

"4-3-3 is the way we play. If you come in on the wing you know your role and that's why he's got clarity into his players.

"If you come in 0-0 or 1-0 up at half-time with a 4-3-3 formation, you put yourself in a great position to win the game. We did that.

"It does help that we have the core of the team with Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Flynn Downes, Will Smallbone and Che Adams up front - then you place these inexperienced players around that.

"The security they need to be better out on the pitch is given and that's why we looked better than in the first half at Watford.

"Whoever is on the pitch needs to interchange, that's what he [Martin] wants.

"He got the tempo up in the second half - quicker with the ball, quicker going forward, being braver on the ball.

"All the things he talks about, that's what they did second half."

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Southampton boss Russell Martin says he "really enjoyed" the performance of his side as they brushed aside Watford 3-0 to set up an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Liverpool at Anfield.

Three second-half goals at a rainy St Mary's - two from Sekou Mara and one from Che Adams - were enough to extend the side's unbeaten record to 24 games.

"We scored a couple of real quality goals," Martin said post-match.

"Joe Lumley staying brave and the courage we talk about all the time. Flyn [Downes] rolling out from two players being pressed in our corner and then we go and score.

"There was some really outstanding performances. Four young guys on the pitch and they did brilliantly - all of them.

"So, a lot to be happy about in the second half. I thought the players were immense and I really enjoyed that."

Did you know?

• Southampton have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup in four consecutive seasons for the first time in their history.

• Adams has had a hand in six goals against Watford in all competitions (three goals, three assists) - his joint-best tally for goal involvements against an opponent (also six v Leicester City).

• Mara has netted four goals in his past six appearances for Saints, one more than he managed in his previous 45.

Harry Tizard, The Saints Score, external

Southampton extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to 21 games with a 2-0 away win against Rotherham United, leapfrogging Ipswich Town to move into the automatic promotion places.

Fans are starting to dream of a Premier League return, the riches of the top flight and mouth-watering away days. However, one of the biggest bonuses of Russell Martin's men potentially going up is the retention of star centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Signed from Manchester City in the summer on a loan deal, with an obligation to buy for £20m if Southampton are promoted, the England youth international has been a revelation.

Starting all but one fixture in the league since his debut, Harwood-Bellis has been at the heart of the Saints' success and fits the manager's tactics perfectly.

He was on the losing side in his first three matches, but has since been one of the strongest performers, with some suggesting he is the club's best defender since Virgil van Dijk.

His range of passing, confidence, goal threat and potential makes it a shock that Burnley didn't sign him permanently in the summer after a Championship-winning loan spell. Southampton have capitalised on a gem and are reaping the rewards.

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Southampton assistant manager Matt Gill says "it's a huge month coming up and beyond" so while their unbeaten run is important, it's about managing minutes.

Speaking to the media before Tuesday's FA Cup replay against Watford, Gill said: "There will more than likely be changes tomorrow night.

"It's important that we're at home, but we need to start the game cleaner than the away leg.

"I've said before that it's a huge month coming up and beyond but we want to win the game. The unbeaten run has been brilliant and we want to continue that.

"The lads deserve so much credit but we'll always look at the bigger picture and what's best for the squad. It's important we have everyone with us and there will be a balance to be had in terms of minutes."

Gill also confirmed that David Brooks is cup-tied so will be unavailable, but Sam Edozie could feature as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Former Southampton forward Jo Tessem has been discussing the 2-0 win over Rotherham which saw the Saints return to second in the Championship table, on Goin' Home With Adam and Jo: "I thought as soon as we get the first goal this would be routine. We hoped for the second before half-time and we got it. We walked in with a very comfortable 2-0 lead.

"I couldn't see Rotherham getting back into it. They had nothing, long throws and a few free-kicks. They started with good tempo, played in behind and quickly.

"It's not easy on a very tough pitch, I have to say. There wasn't much grass on it, a lot of mud. The ball travels totally differently on a pitch with grass or without grass. When there is little grass and [lots of] mud, it makes the ball bobble and slows the game down as you have to be more careful with your touch.

"[So] the better players will stand out. They dealt with it and that was impressive today. We dealt with it and gave some back. I think Rotherham's tactic was to push us, but we dealt with it. It shows good character, the players stepped up for one another.

"I think David Brooks will be a class act for us. He plays forward and always wants to go forward. He looks fit, ready, and his passing - he doesn't miss many."

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Russell Martin believes Southampton are "in a stronger place" after signing Joe Rothwell and David Brooks in the January transfer window.

"I think January has been really good," said Martin. "Keeping everyone like Kyle [Walker-Peters], Stu [Armstrong], and Janny B was also really important. I haven't had one conversation about them wanting to go and we can feel better as a group now to keep doing what we want to do."

Saints two loan signings Rothwell and Brooks joined from Bournemouth until the end of the season, as Martin's side continue to push for promotion to the Premier League.

"I'm really happy with the business we've done," Martin added.

"Brooksy was our first choice - as was Joe Rothwell in his position - I watched him play for Bournemouth and Wales and he's overcome something huge in his life, which says a lot about him as a character.

"When I spoke to him and he really wanted to come here I was really grateful, and I think he's a great signing - a specialist in his position - that will really help us for sure.

"With Brooksy, Kamaldeden, Ryan Fraser, and Sam Edozie and Sam Amo[-Ameyaw], we have some really brilliant options there right now."

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Mason Holgate's loan deal with Southampton has been terminated as the defender joins Sheffield United for the remainder of the season.

The 27-year-old, who joined in the summer from Everton on a season-long loan deal, has made seven appearances for Saints.

Southampton said: "We thank Mason for his efforts during his time with us and wish him well for the future."

When does the transfer window close?

The transfer window will close at 23:00 GMT on Thursday for the Premier League and English Football League, while in Scotland, the window will shut 30 minutes later at 23:30.

Across Europe, the Bundesliga window will close at 17:00, Serie A at 19:00, Ligue 1 at 22:00 and La Liga at 23:00 - but the Women's Super League transfer window already closed on Wednesday night.

The transfer window for the Saudi Pro League, where a number of high-profile Premier League players moved in the summer, closed on 30 January.

Can a Premier League player signed on deadline day play this weekend?

Under league rules, new signings are eligible for the next Premier League game if the club submit the required documents by midday on the last working day before that match.

Where can I see all the confirmed transfer deals on deadline day?

You can find all the deals completed on transfer deadline day within our dedicated confirmed transfers page.

What is the story so far?

Only 15 players have been signed by Premier League clubs in January, with 10 permanent transfers, five loan deals and disclosed fees of about £50m.

It is a far cry from the past three transfer windows - January 2023 and the summers of 2022 and 2023 - which each set Premier League spending records.

At the same point last year, on the eve of deadline day, there had been 38 transfers worth about £550m - 10 times this year's amount.

How can I follow transfer deadline day on the BBC?

From 07:00 on Thursday, we will have a page dedicated to all the latest transfer news, reaction and analysis. You cannot miss it as it will be the first thing you see on our football website.

Your Premier League club's page will have all the latest transfers for your team in one place.

You will also find regular updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and breaking news across BBC Sport's social media channels, including X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

There will also be a special edition of The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer and the Red Button from 22:00 until 23:30.

Adam Blackmore, BBC Radio Solent

With Carlos Alcaraz's impending loan move to Juventus looming between now and the end of the window, the Saints' January has gone from perfect, to not-so perfect.

Had the only business this month been the loan arrivals of David Brooks and Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth, then every fan would be delighted to see the squad still intact, and the club would head into February with their promotion credentials even more enhanced. But, life is not perfect.

Although losing Alcaraz does not damage their promotion chances in my opinion, there will definitely now be a sense of relief if he is the only one who goes. Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong are out of contract in the summer, so their staying helps massively, and keeping Jan Bednarek and Kyle Walker-Peters beyond Thursday night is huge.

With Brooks arrival, Saints have the option to move Armstrong back to a striker role, and with Kamaldeen Sulemana coming back from injury, Saints have plenty of weapons in the final third to get them up.

For me, they do not need any more bodies in between now and the window shutting - they just need to stop any more bodies leaving the building.

Harry Tizard, The Saints Score, external

Southampton avoided an FA Cup scare on the weekend, with Stuart Armstrong's late leveller forcing a replay against Watford to extend the Saints' unbeaten streak to a record 22 matches.

Off the pitch, Russell Martin has made just one addition in the January transfer window, with Joe Rothwell coming in on loan from Bournemouth to strengthen the midfield options.

However, the Saints are set to complete their second loan move from the Cherries in a much-needed position. Guarantees of a Nathan Tella replacement in the summer never materialised, but they finally have their man in David Brooks.

Reduced to just 273 league minutes at Bournemouth this season, the right-winger is a brilliant left-footed technician who will add quality. He encapsulates what manager Martin wants in a player and person.

The rest of the squad looks strong and should not be changed. Ever-present right-back Kyle Walker-Peters has been linked away - but with a contract until 2025, Southampton hold all the power.

Che Adams also has interest elsewhere. Despite his deal ending in the summer, his goals could be invaluable towards the end of the season, meaning a small fee would not be worth his exit - especially without a replacement.

Southampton are closing in on the signature of Bournemouth and Wales winger David Brooks, 26, on loan. (HITC), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Adam Blackmore and former Southampton player Jo Tessem have discussing their FA cup draw against Watford on BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home With Adam and Jo podcast.

Tessem sayd: "First half wasn’t very good but the bonus is that we are still in the cup and still unbeaten after 22 games. We can forget the first half. There were too many changes for my liking, but we got the top players on the second half, we had a different power and a brilliant goal from Stuart Armstrong."

Blackmore added: "It's easy to criticise. At half time you can go 'he’s made nine changes look what's happened'. They aren’t playing well and he brings the subs on who are good quality players and you go 'well that’s not good enough because as soon as they come on we’re so much better'.

"There is so much more to it than that because the four players that came on have been playing regular minutes most games every week and have been part of that fantastic resurgence since September.

"Obviously the four players that came on made a difference we know that but from the players that started I’ve got to pick out Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Carlos Alcaraz. Harwood-Bellis showed his class even as a 21-year-old, where he not only stamped his authority on the game at the back, but also as one of the driving forces in the second half trying to get them going.

"Carlos Alcaraz has had limited game time in the Championship and only started one of the last eight and had to take a back seat. Then we see Joe Rothwell come in to give more competition. Alcaraz showed real football intelligence in the positions he took up and the positions he played especially when Saints had the ball."

• Listen to the show in full here

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The draw for the FA Cup fifth round has been made, with the ties set to be played during the week commencing Monday, 26 February.

Here are the full list of fixtures:

• Blackburn Rovers or Wrexham v Newcastle United

• Chelsea or Aston Villa v Leeds United or Plymouth Argyle

• Bournemouth v Leicester City

• Liverpool or Norwich v Watford or Southampton

• Bristol City or Nottingham Forest v Newport County or Manchester United

• Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton & Hove Albion

• Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry City v Maidstone United

• Luton Town v Manchester City