Alan Pardew praised the attitude of his players after they held their nerve to see off Southend at St. Mary's.
With only pride riding on the game, it would have been easy to become distracted, but the manager felt that the team showed how far they have come with a resolute display.
"I was pleased with our mentality because when we got 2-1 up I could see one or two of the younger players saying 'come on, let's shore this up.' That was nice when really we had nothing on the game," he told Saints Player.
"That mentality to win is all important and we have that and we take into summer and pre-season and take it into next year.
"If we hadn't had that ten point penalty and we were that close to the play-offs we might have even won more games, because we would be fighting and driving on in that zone.
"I've been amazed all year by the support we've had but to finish seventh and have a response from the home crowd like that is phenomenal," the gaffer added.
"They realise where the club has been and Nicola Cortese and Markus' efforts have given us this opportunity to build a good team. As a staff and a playing unit we don't want to let them down and I think the fans appreciate everyone's efforts.
"We've had a good campaign, we've won 23 games and our goal difference is only second to Norwich I believe.
"We ticked a lot of boxes, but of course we need to tick a very big box next year and that's promotion."
Saints rounded off the 2009/10 season with a 3-1 win over Southend United at St. Mary's and Pardew still felt that his side learnt some lessons from a far from straightforward encounter.
"The result was certainly better than the performance. When you haven't got focus on a game it's very, very difficult so the two games we've had have been a good lesson for the players. If you come off it five or ten per cent then you're not the same and very good players can look very ordinary.
"We did for long periods of that game but we have outstanding quality in the team and that shone through in little period here and there.
"I felt sorry for one or two - David Connolly was really trying but nothing would fall for him, Michail Antonio was again committed to playing well and looked nervous and it effects people in different ways.
"I'm pleased Rickie got his 30th and 31st goal and I know Adam was fighting him for the penalty to get his 20th. It was thoroughly deserved because they had brilliant seasons individually.
"They have been excellent all season."
