PETER CROUCH was frank in assessing the 5-1 drubbing at the club where he began his career.

"Maybe it's the wake-up call we needed," he said. "Sometimes we have been 'oh well, we'll win next week'. But this is next week now. This might be the kick we needed.

"We have to be realistic and say 'we are down there and we are in a fight'."

Crouch's performance was the highlight of an otherwise dismal display, with the big striker scoring his second consecutive goal on only his second Premiership start of the season.

"It's always pleasing to score," he said. "There was some hope at 3-1. If we get another goal we are right in there with a chance.

"We are disappointed not to get the second because we looked alright, but it didn't materialise."

Crouch felt Saints suffered through not controlling Tottenham's front two of Jermaine Defoe and Fredi Kanoute - something manager Harry Redknapp had identified as the main pre-match danger.

"We are really disappointed with the performance," said Crouch.

"When you give yourself the start we did you have a mountain to climb no matter who you are playing against. We made them out to be world-beaters when they are a beatable side.

"The manager said to us before the game 'we can beat them as long as we keep the front two quiet' but that's just what we didn't do.

"They ran riot and it was extremely disappointing to come off with such a bad loss.

"The main point was the front two and Keane coming on. We should have enough about us to stop that, but we didn't do it."

Crouch, though, is remaining optimistic about the challenges ahead, although he knows the Boxing Day clash with Charlton at St Mary's is another absolutely crucial match. He added: "It's a massive game against Charlton. We are right down there and we do need to pick up points.

"I'm sure with home games we can get some points."

If Saints are to pick up points at St Mary's, Charlton are one of the teams they have to be targeting as a must-win.

Only rock bottom West Brom have conceded more away goals (22) than Charlton's 19.

Alan Curbishley's men have lost 4-0 at Manchester City and Arsenal and 4-1 at Bolton this season.

But they will turn up on Boxing Day having won three of their last four on the road in the league - 3-2 at Spurs and 1-0 at both Crystal Palace and West Brom. Their only defeat in that run was 2-0 at Old Trafford.