JAMES Ward-Prowse has revealed dreams of playing European football are spurring Saints onto survive a rare period of strife in the Premier League.
Saints have been a top-eight outfit in the elite for four successive seasons and have played Europa League football in the three campaigns preceding this one.
But now Saints find themselves deep in relegation trouble, with their trip to Italian giants Inter Milan – the apex of their recent European adventures last term – all but a distant memory.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s men are out of the bottom three on goal difference alone and face a huge six-pointer against fellow strugglers Stoke at St Mary’s on Saturday in their bid to avoid the drop.
Ahead of the huge showdown, Ward-Prowse, one of the brighter lights in a dark spell for Saints, insists that one of the motivations for the team is getting back into Europe.
"You know, sometimes football goes like that, but I think that’s what drives us because we know we’re good enough and we know we should be higher up the league,” he said.
“We all have aspirations of playing European football and that drives us on to make sure we get back to those days of playing Europa League football.”
Despite their precarious position, Ward-Prowse insists there is no panic in the Saints ranks at all and they are approaching a crunch period with calm.
After facing lowly Potters, Saints head to bottom-half rivals Newcastle and West Ham during a decisive period.
"That’s the thing, I mean we’re not in a drastic situation where we’re bottom of the league and a lot of points away,” Ward-Prowse said.
"We’re a win or two from being higher up the league and gaining that momentum.
“So, it’s not panic at all, we’re looking forward to the rest of the season now.”
The 23-year-old midfielder has grown in importance this season, having netted four goals in his last eight games in all competitions.
"I’ve been pleased with my sort of recent form, to be in and around the goals and a couple of assists as well has been nice,” he said.
“I just keep working hard on my game, I am playing a slightly different position, so keep trying to evolve that and improve myself day to day.”
The Staplewood academy graduate gained his first England senior cap last year, coming on as a late substitute in a 1-0 friendly defeat against Germany last March.
He admits that a potential call-up to Gareth Southgate’s squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia is another motivation for him.
"It has been in the back of my mind since the European Championships finished in the summer,” he said.
"I know that if I can do well in my day-to-day job here at Southampton and help the team win games and perform well on an individual level, then I give myself a chance.
“I want to give myself every chance of being in the squad and if it doesn’t happen, then at least I can say I know I gave it everything.”
TONIGHT’S Southampton Senior Cup semi-final between holders Sholing and Blackfield & Langley has been postponed.
The tie was due to be played at AFC Totton’s Total Branding Community Stadium, but the pitch was frozen last night and, with temperatures plummeting again today, the decision was taken with a view to the players’ safety.
A new date will be announced shortly.
The other semi-final between Lymington Town and Saints under-23s will take place at Blackfield & Langley’s Gang Warily ground tomorrow (Thursday, 7.30pm) - unless ‘The Beast from the East’ decides otherwise!
We have received an allocation of approximately 4,600 tickets for our Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final tie away to Wigan Athletic, which will go on sale in the following order:
All sales dates are subject to remaining ticket availability.
Tickets bought in person at the Ticket Office will not be issued at the point of sale, and will be posted at a later date.
Any tickets set for collection from St Mary’s will be available for collection 4 working days after the date they were purchased.
We will receive an allocation of Wheelchair and Enabler tickets located in the raised Wheelchair platforms, priced as above with the Enabler admitted Free of Charge.
We have also received an allocation of Ambulant Disabled seating, mainly located in Rows N and P, which are ideally suited for supporters with walking difficulties. Ambulant tickets are priced as above with the Enabler admitted Free of Charge.
Official Coach Travel provided by Princess Coaches can be purchased for this game, priced at £28 per person. Coaches will depart St. Mary’s Stadium at 05:30, Eastleigh at 05:45, Winchester at 06:00 and Chieveley at 06:30.
Tickets are restricted to one per Supporter Number. Fans can purchase more than one ticket in each transaction by linking other eligible accounts with theirs using our friends and family function.
The FA Cup quarter-final between Wigan and Southampton will be broadcast live on BBC One on Sunday, 18 March.
Wigan, second in League One, host Premier League side Southampton at the DW Stadium in a 13:30 GMT kick-off.
The 2013 winners claimed a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City in the fifth round to progress to the last 16.
Southampton reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2005 by beating West Brom 2-1 at The Hawthorns.
Leicester take on Chelsea at the Kingpower Stadium in Sunday’s other quarter-final at 16:30, a game that will also be shown live on BBC One.
Manchester United’s home match against Brighton will start at 19:45 on Saturday, 17 March.
One the same day, Swansea, who beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 in Tuesday’s fifth-round replay, will welcome the winners of Wednesday’s replay between Tottenham and Rochdale at 12:15.
What has the form been like at Stoke in recent weeks?
Best to judge it from Paul Lambert’s arrival, since when they have beaten Huddersfield, drawn at home to Watford, lost 2-1 at Bournemouth, drawn 1-1 at home to Brighton and on Saturday drawn 1-1 at Leicester.
You can make a case for saying they could have won any one of those four since Huddersfield – and they certainly work harder and look more organised than under Mark Hughes - but we are all aware that his games so far have come against ‘easier’ opposition.
What sort of an impact has Paul Lambert had?
He’s unquestionably got a response from the players. It’s as if their predicament has finally dawned on them now there is a more animated manager at the helm, one prepared to go back to basics and demand those basics from his players.
He wasn’t first choice, but they will be singing his name long and loud if he keeps them up.
How much significance is being placed on this game at Stoke?
We are seriously worried, so this has to be another huge one. Not just because it’s a six-pointer, but because they really need a win from somewhere to try and generate some momentum after shooting themselves in the foot when wins were available against Brighton and Leicester. Draws are laying a firm foundation, but they’ve got to find three or four wins from somewhere in these last 10 games.
What sort of an approach/style of play do you think they will have for the game?
Nothing fancy. Simply keep a good defensive shape, get men behind the ball when without the ball, carry out your duty at set pieces and take any chances (more often than not) that come your way.
All the simple things they should have been doing before Paul Lambert’s arrival.
Who will be the key players for Stoke?
At the back, it will be Jack Butland, particularly after his error at Leicester, though he responded magnificently afterwards by pulling off a few saves.
In midfield, Stoke need another performance from Joe Allen like the one he turned in at Leicester when he pick-pocketed the ball off the opposition so many times.
And up front, all eyes will be on Xherdan Shaqiri to see if he can score for a fourth consecutive game. He’s scored those three with his head, his left and his right, so goodness knows which part of his anatomy he’ll use next.
As a lifelong Saints fan, Steven has always felt the connection between his Club and his community, and as part of Saints Together he wanted to find out how Saints Foundation are integral to both…
Watch the video above, and remember to get involved and support Saints Foundation’s work at its official charity matchday this Saturday, against Stoke. There will be exclusive entertainment, chances to win signed merchandise and even take a penalty on the pitch at half-time!
You can also give £1 to help Saints Foundation change lives by texting COYR18 £1 to 70070. If you wish to donate more, simply change the amount in your message.
Visit our Saints Together page to sign up to the Foundation Newsletter, register your interest for volunteer and watch more of their inspirational stories.