SAINTS have urged fans to be extra careful if the threatened strikes by fire-fighters do go ahead, writes Jeremy Wilson.

Tuesday's reserve match with Fulham, the Premiership clashes with Blackburn, Arsenal and Birmingham and the reserve match with Chelsea are all due to take place during the proposed strike period.

Southampton managing director Andrew Cowen confirmed the matches would still go ahead, but said that fans should be sensible. "The fire strike won't have any effect in terms of staging games as the licensing authority and city council are satisfied that our safety and evacuation plan minimises the risk," he said.

"But as a precaution we will beef up the number of fire stewards and we would also ask that people are vigilant and extra careful."

Cowen also repeated calls for fans to remain seated during tomorrow's home fixture against Fulham.

He said: "We would again ask fans to observe the law and nothing more than that.

"If they observe the law then the stand will not be closed down. But we still need to achieve full compliance.

"Every game that people stand takes us closer to being subject to action."

Cowen also responded to rumours that a large number of stewards had quit after several confrontations with fans this season.

He said: "It is not true that we have lost a high number of stewards.

"Every now and then we lose and recruit stewards, just like every season.

"All those stewards who work in the Northam Stand have done an absolutely marvellous job."

Nick Illingsworth, chairman of Southampton Independent Supporters Association, joined the call for fans to remain seated.

He said: "We are planning to hold a meeting, but we will wait until after tomorrow's game. We'd just ask fans to sit down and behave - no-one wants the Northam Stand to be closed."