Ralph Hasenhuttl has urged his Saints players to make themselves heroes by securing a first win at Fratton Park since 1984.

The talking finally ends tonight when Saints take on Pompey in a Carabao Cup tie in the first meeting between the sides in seven years.

It is 35 years since Saints last tasted victory at Fratton Park with Steve Moran delivering the winning goal.

The current crop of Saints talent have the opportunity to write their name into the history books, and Hasenhuttl is encouraging them to think that way.

He said: “Sure you can be a legend.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a League One team or a Premier League team. In that moment it’s not interesting.

“It’s about this one game and you can be a big hero if you decide it.”

There has been a fear that with so many players from abroad the Saints team may underestimate the importance of the game or the task in hand but Hasenhuttl insisted: “Even if you are not from this area I think we have a lot of players in this team who played derbies around the world that is maybe not less important for the fans to win than this game. They know what it’s about.

“As a player I also played a lot of games and there are in every country duels like this, famous and historical and we know what it’s about.”

He added: “I think this is the best answer of how important it is in what position you are in the table going into a cup game. It doesn’t matter.

“It’s one game you have to win and in one game in football everything is possible. That’s why I expect the most difficult game for us.

“If we are prepared for this we have a big chance to win there.”

There are two men in the Saints ranks do know what the game is all about.

James Ward-Prowse grew up in Pompey but came through the Saints academy system while first team coach Kelvin Davis started in goal for the last three derby matches.

Their inputs could be crucial in the build-up to the game.

“I used to talk to every player sometimes and also to Prowsey and he was the guy who was jumping through the living room after the draw because he really likes to play against this club,” smiled Hasenhuttl.

“I know that he was part of the fans supporting this team when he was young and it’s a special game, but also the others.

“They know what it’s about.”