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.
Shane Callaghan
