Graziano Pelle hails patient Southampton fans

Southampton hitman Graziano Pelle has thanked the club's fans for supporting him during his lengthy goal drought this season.

The Italian striker found the net in last Saturday's 2-0 win over Hull for what was his first Premier League goal in 2015, having scored 10 in his first 12 games in all competitions.

"I got really happy after I scored because the stadium was waiting so much for the moment. It was a release for everybody," he told The Mirror. "It was really nice, especially for the fans who never stopped believing in me.

"In the games where I did not score I hit the post maybe eight times. That helped me understand I was still getting chances and to have faith in what I was doing.

"It is a long, tough season and not always easy. I have to take this season in a good way and improve for the next one. As a striker, I have to work hard for the team and am double happy when I score."

The 29-year-old has 13 goals in all competitions this season following his summer switch from Feyenoord.