Chris Marsden is urging Saints' fans to play their part in firing the team up the table tomorrow.

Buoyed by winning three matches on the trot after Monday's 1-0 victory against Aston Villa, Saints are hoping to make it four against Fulham at St Mary's tomorrow.

A win in that match could send them into the top half of the table for the first time this season.

Marsden believes the St Mary's crowd have a huge role to play and is encouraging them to continue getting behind the team.

He said: "Hopefully we can get the crowd right behind us. They come out in good numbers and things are picking up. We are putting in good performances and, if we can get three points tomorrow, it will shoot us right up the table - but it's going to be a hard game.

"The fans have been patient this season when we weren't scoring goals but then they always have been. Every season people say we won't fill the stadium but we do and I expect there will be 30,000 tomorrow even though the game is on the television.

"That is testament to them and us getting a few more goals and some wins.

"St Mary's is top quality when it's full and you only need to look at Villa Park on Monday to see how hard it is to play in front of a half-full stadium.

"It can play on their minds but we are hoping to give the crowd tomorrow something to cheer about and there is no doubt they can play their part."

Marsden, who along with fellow left-sided player Wayne Bridge is the only man to start all 11 of Saints games this season, is expecting a tough ride against Jean Tigana's men.

But he remains confident that his side can get a valuable win and make the league table look even healthier.

"We're the home side so the emphasis is on us," he said, "but it's not going to be an easy, there aren't any of those in this league. I have seen Fulham play a few times this season and they look a good side but we have to go into the game feeling confident. We are in good form and are sticking the ball in the back of the net."