STEVE WIGLEY has laid down the challenge to his Saints players, publicly asking: "Have we got the stomach for the fight?"

The Saints head coach delivered a damning verdict following Tuesday's 5-2 humiliation against Watford and is demanding a positive backlash in Saturday's south-coast derby against Portsmouth.

Many fear Wigley's position could become untenable if Saints fail to produce against their fiercest rivals, although the majority of the fans' fury is being aimed at Rupert Lowe.

The Saints chairman is on his seventh manager or head coach in almost eight years, but now wants stability and is on record as saying the current coaching structure will still be in place at the end of the season.

"I didn't expect to go into the derby on the back of a result like that," said Wigley. "It is how we react, have we got the stomach for the fight?

"I have to make sure we are ready for Saturday and at some stage this week I've got to galvanise this group.

"They shouldn't need picking up if they are the kind of people I think they are.

"The one thing I'm pretty sure is there will be a positive reaction."

Wigley admits it is impossible to overestimate the importance of Saturday's visit of Pompey as he now goes in search of a first Premiership victory at the 11th attempt.

"It is immense, I can't stress the importance," he said. "We must get the fight back - we have got to be ready. Our aim is to get three points.

"Saturday is a massive game. We must get a reaction. It is a massive test for us. If we get the right result Saturday night, the Watford result wouldn't be forgotten but it certainly would fade in the memory.

"It certainly won't be forgotten by me because I picked the team that went out there and prepared it."

Wigley has described Wednesday's performance as "horrific", saying he and the team should feel "ashamed".

He said it was the lowest he had felt since taking over as Saints head coach, but vowed to fight on.

"I've got a responsibility to prepare a team for Saturday - that is what I'll do," he said.

The sole positive from Tuesday was the performance of 18-year-old Dexter Blackstock, left, who added some spark when he was introduced in the 65th minute and scored his fourth of the season.

"I didn't start Dexter because he is in my thoughts for Saturday," said Wigley.

"I felt he needed a rest. He has done very, very well for us.

"But it's hard to take positives - Dexter did well and Leandre (Griffit) got some crosses in, but that is grasping at straws."

James Beattie could also feature on Saturday - his first game since breaking a toe against Manchester City over a month ago.

Watford have been drawn at home to Pompey in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

But the highlight of the last eight draw made last night was Manchester United's home tie with fierce rivals Arsenal. Fulham host Chelsea in a west London derby while Martin Jol's Tottenham tackle Liverpool at White Hart Lane.

Watford boss Ray Lewington "After Tuesday's win we will think we have a chance of making the semi-finals."