Hearing David Connolly speak will be like music to Alan Pardew’s ears.

The Irish striker, who has been a prolific marksman during his career, is a big time player with a down to earth attitude.

There is not a hint of pretentiousness about Connolly, or any notion of him being ‘a big time Charlie’ having dropped down to League One after so long playing at the highest levels in the game.

Instead Connolly is determined to prove himself – to Saints’ fans, to his teammates and to his manager.

And what’s more, he understands the pressure of being at a big club in a lower league and how to handle it – which is exactly what Pardew has been saying Saints need.

Connolly said: “I would never think disrespectfully about League One – there’s still a lot of good players in this league.

“There’s a lot of friends of mine playing in this league and I am surprised they’re playing in the league but there are a lot of good teams.

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“I thought Southend were good on Friday and could count themselves unfortunate to lose 3-1, so I definitely wouldn’t think I was too good for any level of playing.

“As a footballer you've got to go and prove yourself and hopefully I’ll do that this season.

“Southampton’s a big club, a historic club full of tradition and unfortunately it finds itself in the position it is, but I'd like to help contribute to bring it back into the Championship and then kick on from there.”

He added: “There are similarities with Sunderland – Southampton is a big club in this league and there is pressure every time you play home and away because you’re the big club and that’s something you’ve got to live with.

“I like that, I enjoy that and I think other players should enjoy that and live up to the pressure.

“Everyone will say when they come to Southampton ‘what a great stadium,’ and things like that.

“You have to deal with that and overcome it because that’s the challenge.

“I know we've got the players because I’ve been training with them for over a month but we just need to win.

“In the last few weeks we have and you've seen the confidence is there and once you get a bit of momentum anything can happen.”

Connolly has moved for pretty big fees throughout his career, meaning his signing for Saints on a free transfer having been unattached is something of a coup.

It only came about because persistent groin problems made Sunderland decide to release him in the summer.

The only slight risk is that Connolly won’t be able to get himself fully fit and playing regularly again but at the very least the man himself is not getting carried away.

“My target is train, play and see if I can get in the team,” said Connolly.

“I haven’t set too many targets because I’m not too sure about goals at the moment. I'm just taking each day at a time and taking it from there.

“My goal is to do my best for the club and everyone knows where the club wants to be and that’s not in League One.

“As a club we have to show and prove that we can get out.

“It won’t be easy but all the lads and myself are up for the challenge.”

He continued: “It’s a great club with a good set of lads who want to do well. It’s a big challenge this season and it’s one I’m looking forward to.

“I've taken five months now to get fit and to make sure everything’s behind me.

“I made a commitment to Southampton about five weeks ago to come in and train and see how things go.

“Initially, the manager just said he needed a few days but I wanted to make sure and have in been in for four or five weeks.

“I’d like to think I've done okay in that time and hopefully justified the contract and hopefully I can contribute to the team and push the club forward.”