Saints alive in all competitions, insists boss
MAURICIO Pellegrino insists Southampton can juggle tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at West Brom while gearing up for five games he branded “fundamental” to the club’s Premier League survival fight.
Saints return to face Alan Pardew’s West Brom this weekend just two weeks on from their 3-2 league win at The Hawthorns.
The St Mary’s outfit then face Burnley, Stoke, Newcastle, Swansea and West Ham in five crucial clashes following the FA Cup fifth-round encounter.
Saints are eyeing a run of form to climb out of the relegation zone, but manager Pellegrino insisted they will not neglect their cup ambitions.
“I think we’ve got plenty of time to think about that. We are conscious that every single week we’ve got a game one at a time to prepare,” said Pellegrino.
“We’ve been working very well for this game, hopefully we’ll have a good game. Yes, they are fundamental games, and obviously every single game will be crucial.
“But you can’t think about the big picture all the time, you’ve got to think about refocusing our job day by day. You’ve got to be brave in the spirit to help to approach all those moments.”
Pellegrino believes Saints must go all-out for victory this weekend, even though Premier League survival remains the clear overall priority.