Saints centre-half Paul Williams says his defence need to keep clean sheets while the side is struggling to score.

The former Coventry defender has been on top form this season, producing a string of excellent performances at the heart of the Saints back four.

But his side have been unable to pick up a win yet and have scored only two goals this season in picking up their two points.

Williams said: "I think we're not doing too badly at the back. We were disappointed to concede three goals at Anfield and to concede the goal against Chelsea.

"But we know that where we aren't scoring all that many goals we need to try and keep clean sheets as much as we can.

"In the Chelsea game we took a 1-0 lead at home and we're looking as a defence to try and win the game at least 1-0 so we were disappointed to concede the goal.

"When we score, the defence need to match it by keeping a clean sheet."

Despite his top showings this term, Williams believes he will have to keep on playing well if he is to keep his place in the team with Michael Svensson looking impressive in the absence of Claus Lundekvam - and Tahar El Khalej and Garry Monk waiting in the wings.

"Michael has played very well," he said. "In his first full game against Chelsea he did really well and it provides competition for places so you know you need to be playing well.

"That is a good thing and will hopefully pay off during the season by keeping everyone on their toes and playing well.

"You can never get complacent in any walk of life and at this club you need to play well in each game because if you don't perform then there is always a chance you wont get selected for the next game.

"But it isn't about personal performances. It is about getting a win and for that the team performance is more important."

Williams is also happy to hook up with Marcus Hall again after they both played together under Gordon Strachan at Coventry.

"Marcus will be a good addition to the squad" he commented. "Again he will provide competition for places. He didn't have a permanent contract and the manager knows him very well and hopefully Marcus will get his head down and do well."

Saints have failed in their appeal against Michael Svensson's dismissal at White Hart Lane.

The Swede was sent off in injury-time after the ball hit his hand when he threw himself in the way of Steffen Iversen's goalbound shot.

Saints argued that there was no intent, but referee Mike Dean has refused to change his original verdict, meaning the 26-year-old will miss the trip to West Brom on September 14.

Svensson's suspension makes it vital that Claus Lundekvam gets fit for the trip to the Hawthorns.

Lundekvam has been struggling with a hamstring problem but was called up to the Norway squad to play Denmark on Saturday.