SAINTS MUST KEEP FIGHTING TO BEAT DROP
SOUTHAMPTON goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has told his team-mates to prove they have the bottle for a relegation scrap.
Saints take on fellow strugglers Stoke at St Mary’s today in a match which will have a major say in the battle for Premier League survival.
McCarthy said: “The next game against Stoke has a lot of pressure involved.
“It’s a pressure we’ve got to do deal with. It’s massive and we must take as many points as possible over the next few fixtures.
“Being a game at home it’s one we have to win. The games are running out now, so we need to be picking up as many points as possible.
“We know we have got a tough job on our hands, but with the squad we have got here I know we’ll have enough to get out of it.
“It’s a massive game, everybody knows that. Every game that we have between now and the end of the season is going to be in the spotlight.”
Southampton are only out of the bottom three on goal difference and McCarthy knows Mauricio Pellegrino’s team are entering a critical stage of the season.
Stoke’s trip to the south coast is followed by visits to Newcastle and West Ham and a home game with Swansea.
McCarthy added: “It’s a place that nobody at the club wants to be in and we need a win at the weekend to get out of that.
“There are not three teams that are done and dusted. We have seen Swansea get some momentum together and work their way up the table.
“I’m pretty sure we can do the same.
“We’ve got some very winnable games coming up and if we get points there it gives us the best opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Saints boss Pellegrino has called for a show of unity after coming under fire from fans.
Pellegrino said: “We need togetherness from every single fan, from every single player, to be together, to try to play our football and to be brave in character.
“We have to put everything on the pitch.”