SAINTS are in search of a rare Premier League milestone when they host West Ham on Saturday.

Mauricio Pochettino has led his men to three consecutive top-flight victories, the first time that has been achieved by Saints since 2003.

But if they could earn yet another win, against the Hammers, they would make it four on the spin at the highest level for only the second time in more than 20 years.

The last time Saints managed the feat was back in the 2000/01 season under Glenn Hoddle, when they bagged five Premier League victories on the bounce, during a run of seven games in which they didn't concede a goal.

That was the only time they have managed the achievement since the formation of the Premier League. The last time before that was in the 1991/92 campaign.

Saints’ current run has seen them defeat the mighty Liverpool and Chelsea at St Mary’s, as well as Reading and former boss Nigel Adkins at the Madejski Stadium.

With the Hammers, promoted along with Saints to the Premier League last season, in some stuttering form at the moment, and with Pochettino’s team doing so well at home, there is a chance the team can keep progressing.

That is certainly the view of Adam Lallana.

“We have progressed, which is something we wanted to do,” he said.

“We wanted to be safe, which was the main thing, but the higher up the table we finish the better.

“Obviously, we’ve got a different manager who’s got a different culture about him and different methods and he’s gradually getting them across to the players.

“We just want to take each game as it comes, we want to be safe which is the main thing and when or if we’re safe we’ll assess things for next season.”

Lallana does believe that Pochettino’s presence has helped the team to this run of form.

“It must have,” he reflected. “We’re sitting higher in the league, we’re scoring more goals and I think the league table speaks for itself.”

Lallana is also enjoying the style of play that Pochettino has brought to Saints, believing it is also effective.

“It is, especially when you’re winning,” he smiled. “Any style of football’s good when you’re winning.”