SAINTS boss Ralph Hasenhuttl believes tonight’s game with Fulham is a ‘should-win’ game as opposed to ‘must-win’.

The Cottagers are seven points behind Hasenhuttl’s side, with the prospect of relegation growing larger by the week.

Saints’ manager said: “I don’t want to say the pressure is more on Fulham, but they are eight points away from the line, and we are only one. 

“It’s an important game but not the final game – we still have ten games after tonight. I think he [Claudio Ranieri] knows it’s a must-win for him because if they lose they are 10 points away and then it’s done I think.

“For us, it’s a should-win because we’re also under the line. At the moment we are both relegated. That’s for sure.

“But also, the teams that have more points than us at the moment, if they think they’re safe now, I think that’s the wrong thought. 

“There are 33 points available from here which means everyone can get a lot. And for us, it’s not a new situation.

“When I began here I said that at the end that’s the moment where you need to be above the line. It can take until the last game until you’re there, where you want to be.

“So, if a club thinks they’re safe before the final game they’re wrong. 

“For us, it’s not a new situation. We’ve had this pressure from the first day I was working here and that keeps on until the last game and we’re prepared for that.”

For every mistake Saints have committed over the last few weeks, they’ve been punished for it: the penalty at Burnley, the lack of concentration after equalising against Cardiff and another defensive error which led to Arsenal beating them at The Emirates on Sunday.

However, Hasenhuttl believes this is down to the quality of the opposition as opposed to the players feeling the heat of a relegation battle.

He added: “I don’t think it’s about the pressure from the league table, I think it’s about the pressure you get from the opponents.

“If you make such a mistake against Arsenal, then you can be sure it will immediately be a goal.

“I trust my supporters. I know that they know what tomorrow is about and that they know how to help us. In general, it doesn’t help if there is booing when there is a mistake. I can guarantee you that there will be mistakes on the pitch tomorrow. 

“We will lose balls, that’s football. I can guarantee that they will know tomorrow what it’s like to be a Southampton FC supporter and they will help us I’m sure.”