MAYA Yoshida is desperate to avoid another relegation dogfight after admitting the thought of it ‘worries’ him.

Saints have picked up just one win in their opening 12 Premier League matches and are kept out of the drop zone by goal difference.

And after scraping their way to survival last year, Yoshida is concerned that it could be more of the same this season.

Yoshida said: “Of course, I’m worried about it [relegation].

“If you see the table, it says we only have eight points which isn’t enough.

“It definitely isn’t good.

“I’ve been worried about it since the beginning because we were in trouble last season and we barely stayed up.”

By the time Saints next play at St Mary’s, they will have picked up just one home win in a full calendar year.

That victory came against Bournemouth back in April when they were in desperate need of three points due to their position in the league.

And after being pegged back by Watford’s late equaliser on Saturday, the next chance they will get to end the St Mary’s hoodoo will be against Manchester United in December.

Yoshida is well aware that performances simply haven’t been good enough in front of their own support and has challenged the team to raise the bar.

He added: “It’s not enough. Every matchday, the fans are spending money and we need to perform better. We have to win.”

Before their next home game, Mark Hughes’ side travel to Fulham for the first fixture after the international break.

The game at Craven Cottage has a feel of must-win attached to it given the precarious position both teams find themselves in.

Yoshida will be away with the Japanese squad during the break, but he is aware of how important the Fulham game will be if Saints are to avoid a relegation scrap.

“We strive to make a strong squad, but we couldn’t get good results in the last 11 games,” Yoshida added.

“Sometimes we lose our confidence and it looks like we are scared to play.

“It is really difficult after a 6-1 defeat to Man City, but after that game we showed passion.

“Everyone is still fighting and that is a positive thing.

“We have an important game against Fulham. We have to stay positive for the Fulham game because it is going to be really, really massive for us.”