We need to push on  - 03/10/08

Striker Stern John is happy with his goalscoring form but he's not that jolly over his team's failure to hold on for full points as they try to stay away from the relegation zone of the English Championship Division.

On Saturday, in a 2-2 draw with Blackpool, the Saints survived early scares before taking the lead when John was fouled by Kaspars Gorkss and Gregory Vignal slotted in the resultant penalty.

John celebrate another goal

Blackpool responded after the break and Keith Southern headed in Shaun Barker's cross to equalise and six minutes later Gorkss volleyed in to put them ahead.

But John bundled in on 63 minutes after Jason Euell's header had been saved.

With the club now going ten matches without a win, both John and club manager Nigel Pearson are a frustrated duo.

"I feel frustrated. This is a difficult place to come, Blackpool make full use of their home advantage," Pearson said in the post match meeting.

"We have had four draws in a row and we need to start turning these into wins. An early goal would help tremendously.

"This club needs a reality check. Let there be no mistake, we are still pretty close to a relegation scrap."

John added: "We keep letting ourselves down by not holding on to the lead and that can frustrate any team," John said.

"But for me personally I'm staying strong. I just want to keep fit and keep scoring to help my team back up the table.. It's a team game and I'm just doing my part... and I love scoring. We need all 11 players to play well so we can win games and push ourselves up the table. I didn't come to Southampton to go down," John added.
 
With 15 goals to his name this season, the 20-goal mark seems a realistic goal at this point of the season and he will have a bit more time to focus on the club's ambitions, now not having to travel to Kingston on March 23 for Trinidad and Tobago's friendly international against Jamaica three days later.

"I play better under pressure .and I'm really enjoying my football at the moment but we need a win
and we have to start tomorrow night a massive home game against  Leicester City. We need to win this one.

"I'm not disappointed with the no call. I'm always supporting the boys and I have an understanding of what the new coach is trying to accomplish with the Trinidad team. I hope we can get the result because playing Jamaica is always a derby for bragging rights and it will be a boost at this stage for whichever team comes out on top regardless of it being a friendly. I hope we can put on a good showing and get a result," John added.

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