DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM has insisted Saints have copied the Manchester United spirit which has helped Sir Alex Ferguson's men win countless honours.

And as Saints continue their preparations for this Sunday's FA Cup semi-final, the £1.5m transfer window signing also admitted he could see "no weak links" in Gordon Strachan's squad.

Higginbotham, though, has first-hand experience of Watford this season and admits the First Division underdogs will be no pushovers.

He helped Derby beat the Hornets 3-0 earlier this season, but was impressed with the organisation and work-rate of Ray Lewington's team.

Higginbotham, who played for Saints in the 2-0 FA Cup fifth round win against Norwich, said: "We beat Watford when I played them and the scoreline flattered us a little bit.

"They were a good team and very well organised. It will be a tough match and they will be up for it mentally.

"They can put the ball in the back of the net and it is a one-off game.

"The main difference as a defender is that you get less time on the ball in the First Division. People tend to chase you down much more and you don't get a second on the ball.

"But in the Premiership they quite often stand off you a lot more, so we will have to be ready for that."

The 24-year-old has appeared four times for Saints since his move from Derby and compared the never-say-die attitude of his new team-mates to the Manchester United squad he grew up at.

He said: "We had a good squad at Derby, but the mentality was slightly different. The lads here at Saints go into every game thinking that they can win the game and it was also like that at Manchester United.

"That showed in our play when we have come back from 2-0 down twice in recent weeks, whereas when I went to Derby they had just avoided relegation so there was a big difference.

"Some of the players here are just so under-rated. Chris Marsden has been brilliant, Matthew Oakley is superb and everyone knows about James Beattie and Wayne Bridge.

"Everyone works well together, as a team and no one just concentrates on individuals.

"There are no weak links and we just seem to be heading in the right direction."

Higginbotham filled in for Bridge at left-back when the England man was injured and also briefly against Aston Villa last month when Bridge was pushed into midfield.

Although his preferred position is centre-back, Higginbotham, likely to be on the bench again at Villa Park, is happy to wait for his chance.

He added: "I was pleased to play the first three games, but I know Wayne Bridge is a real quality player. If I'm needed I will be ready.

"It's just been great to be part of the FA Cup run. They were having an outstanding season before I came so it was a good time to come and I'm really enjoying it.

"Everything down here is absolutely brilliant. The city is beautiful, the countryside and the weather are all great.

"I'm just getting myself settled down, but I already feel quite spoilt living down here.

"There is obviously a massive buzz about the city, but when we get on the pitch it is one game at a time.

"But we will be ready, the manager is very professional and no one takes anything for granted.

"And if everyone plays up to their standards, we have a great chance."