STEVE WIGLEY'S players are being asked to refund the ticket price to the 2,400 Saints supporters who endured the Carling Cup humiliation at Watford out of their own pocket.

In what is believed to be an unprecedented move, SaintsAway Supporters group official Steve Grant is writing to the club to ask if the players who appeared at Vicarage Road - with the exception of goalkeeper Alan Blayney - stump up over £30,000 as an act of goodwill.

And the Southampton Independent Supporters Assocation and the True Saints Association are both backing the initiative after one of the worst nights in the club's history.

Tickets for the embarrassing fourth round round at Vicarage Road cost £15 for adults with concessions £5

Grant was typical of the fans who travelled - taking time off work to leave Southampton at 3.30pm on Tuesday - getting back just before midnight and then being in work first thing on Wednesday morning.

"It would be a nice gesture from the players if they would do that, but I'm not that hopeful," said Grant, who contacted the Echo to explain his motives behind writing to Saints.

"You don't get much from the club - look at the Ted Bates statue idea, the True Saints Association had to go to the council to get the whole thing going rather than the club taking the lead.

"Tuesday was truly, truly shocking - it was even worse than the second half at Tranmere when we lost 4-3 after leading 3-0.

"For the players to go out there and play like that was absolutely scandalous.

"They seemed to make a joke of it on the official club website, saying the players had said beforehand they would gladly swap victory at Watford for three league points. They certainly kept to the first part of the equation.

"The mood among the fans was truly despondent. I don't think there was a single positive to come out of the night - I would imagine it's opened some eyes in the boardroom."

SISA chairman Mick O'Callaghan also contacted the Echo and added: "The players owe us big time. They not only owe us three points but they owe us the £15 ticket money for Tuesday. That's the least they owe us.

"Tuesday was a disgrace."

Steve Godwin, chairman of True Saints Association, remarked: "Refunding the admission money would be a fantastic gesture - many fans feel the absolute minimum the players should do is issue a public apology for their performance."

O'Callaghan added: "In 18 months it has all gone wrong, and it is down to Rupert Lowe. SISA have been saying this for months but now it is finally being picked up by others.

"If they lose on Saturday Wigley has got to resign. He keeps on saying the players are working hard, so they can't do any more for him - but we're not winning.

"Anders Svensson comes out and says Wigley is the best coach he's played under in three years here, but we don't look like winning a league game against the likes of West Brom."

Grant said he doubted whether Lowe truly understood the gravity of the club's plight.

"The players are clearly not playing for Steve Wigley," he said.

"I would be surprised if Wigley was still in charge on Saturday, but this isn't his fault at all - I don't think he was the right man for the job.

"There are three camps at the moment - those that blame Wigley, saying he can't motivate the players.

"There are those quite rightly blaming the players for Tuesday's performance.

"And there are those blaming the board for appointing the wrong man - again.

"They appointed Stuart Gray from within and that failed, they appointed Steve Wigley from within and that looks like failing, and Lowe has admitted appointing Paul Sturock was a mistake.

"That's three out of the last four that have been mistakes.

"Rupert got most of the stick on Tuesday, but he's been getting stick all season. I don't think he's bothered.

"The West Brom game showed that there's still people coming through the turnstiles, and they'll still have 30,000 for the Portsmouth game at platinum prices.

"So long as money is still coming in his business sense will tell him things are okay."