We can cut it says Williams

they did have that one chance with Nathan Redmond, who put it wide.

“I think in the end we can be happy because we created chances and defended well. An example was Tommy Smith clearing the ball off of the line brilliantly, that helped us gain the point.

“Some people might think we’ll be disappointed with a 0-0 draw, but we’d have taken that before the game and I think we can build on that performance.

“The players showed great team spirit, and that’s why it’s special to play in this team.

“Obviously you want to try and finish those chances off, especially against a team like Southampton. If you don’t, with the quality they have, they can punish you.”

Williams spoke in glowing terms about the atmosphere created by the Town fans in the John Smith’s Stadium, insisting he can see a huge improvement from when he played there for Reading in previous seasons.

He said: “It’s fun to play in front of such an amazing crowd every week. That motivates you as a player here. When you have great fans like we do, they can make a difference and really push you.

“I played against Town for a few years back in the Championship, and I have played against this club when it wasn’t in great shape, when they were struggling and fighting against relegation.

“Obviously now it’s totally different with everyone being happy. I think they are still in dreamland the fans, but they have to realise it’s reality. We can hurt teams like we have shown already.”