It’s Saint Francis keeping the faith
HOPE: Francis Benali SOUTHAMPTON legend Francis Benali has called on everyone associated with the south coast club to keep the faith.
The situation is bleak for Mark Hughes’ troops going into today’s FA Cup Semi-Final showdown against Chelsea.
Despite that shot at possible Wembley glory – and a first piece of major silverware since they lifted the FA Cup in 1976 – the Saints are odds-on to crash out of the top flight next month.
A point at Leicester last Thursday night did at least end the club’s recent run of four straight league defeats but they remain in desperate trouble – stuck in 18th place, four points adrift of safety.
However, ex-Saints favourite Benali, 49, is refusing to accept that relegation is a forgone conclusion.
Benali, who made 311 league appearances for the Saints between 1988 and 2004, said: “I get that it’s tough and, of course, you contemplate what will happen if the club is relegated.
“There’s a lot of negativity over results at the moment. It’s understandable. Fans have been a little bit like the team to be honest. They have had the wind knocked out of them – especially at home.
“But let’s completely flip the picture on its head. Yes, this can be the worst month in the club’s history – but it could also be our best month ever.
“It could be the best in the sense that we stay up and survive in the Premier League and then go on to win the FA Cup.”
And to emphasise what can be achieved Benali recalled facing an almost identical predicament at The Dell in 1999.
He was a part of a Saints side that, with five games to go, was on the brink of losing their elite status.
Benali, speaking on behalf of BT Sport, said: “Relegation never happened to me and I’m grateful for that. In 98-99, the team, including myself and Mark Hughes, had won only a handful of games all season.
“But we turned it around in the last five games. That shows everything is possible.”
Watch Chelsea v Southampton in the Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final today on BT Sport 1 from 2.30pm. BT Sport is where the best go head to head, bringing you live coverage of the Premier League and Emirates FA Cup. For more information, visit BT.com/sport BLEAK: Chris Sutton CHRIS SUTTON is convinced Chelsea boss Antonio Conte will leave – and it could be by the end of next week if they lose today.
The ex-Blues striker, who won the Premier League with Blackburn, also sees Eden Hazard and Willian following Conte out the door.
He said: “Nothing is very clear but given the hints Conte has dropped, the transfer policy seems to be the reason.
“He has indicated the players the club signed are not his players. He must have known what DEBT OF HONOUR: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte Apr 2018: Saints 2 Chelsea 3 Dec 2017: Chelsea 1 Saints 0 Apr 2017: Chelsea 4 Saints 2 Oct 2016: Saints 0 Chelsea 2 Feb 2016: Saints 1 Chelsea 2
Chelsea – 43 wins Saints – 28 wins Draws – 28