ALL’S WELL WITH PELL
SOUTHAMPTON keeper Alex McCarthy insists that Mauricio Pellegrino’s job is in safe hands.
Saints fans are calling for Pellegrino to be sacked after a dismal run of nine Premier League games without a win, which has seen them slide to 17th in the table.
Argentine Pellegrino was taunted by supporters during last Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup victory at Fulham and his side could find themselves in the bottom three this evening if they fail to beat Watford.
But McCarthy said: “We are 100 per cent behind the manager. If everyone is pulling in the right direction together, it makes it a lot easier.
“It is frustrating for the fans. They want to see goals and three points as much as we do.
“We have had a dip but hopefully we can turn that around and go on a good run.
“Hopefully we can start getting wins and move up the league.”
Saints’ slide has come as a culture shock for the St Mary’s faithful, who have seen their team finish in the top eight for four years in a row.
They also reached the EFL Cup Final last season before Claude Puel was axed as manager and replaced by the equally mild-mannered Pellegrino in the summer.
McCarthy, who has displaced Fraser Forster as the south coast side’s No.1 in recent weeks, insists he and his teammates are not focusing on their lowly league position.
“I don’t think any of the lads will say that is all we are thinking about,” he said. “We are not out there thinking about it and are just trying to do the best possible. “It is just a dip we have had, but hopefully the FA Cup win can help us crack on. There were a lot of positives to take from that game.” McCarthy has had to wait patiently for his chance to shine since joining Saints from Crystal Palace at the start of last season. The former England Under-21 international has suffered a series of injuries which have held him back. But
after keeping two clean sheets in three games, including a 0-0 draw at Manchester United on his Saints debut last month, he is determined to make up for lost time.
McCarthy even claims that Forster, the man he has replaced, is giving him a helping glove.
The 28-year-old said: “It has been a tough couple of seasons with injuries, so obviously I am over the moon to be back out playing and I want to help the team as much as possible.
Comfortable
“I am training hard every day and Fraser and I are always pushing each other. We have got a good group of lads, so we will see where it goes.
“I train properly every day, so I knew I was ready. As soon as I went out to warm up in the first game at United, I felt comfortable straight away.
“While Fraser was playing, me and Stuart Taylor were doing everything to help him.
“Now I’m playing, they are doing everything they can to help me.
“We have got a tight group here and it all works well.”