Fresh from taking the Player of the Year and Goal of the Year awards, Stern John is facing another big responsibility after Southampton manager Nigel Pearson said on Tuesday that he expects the striker to save them from relegation.

 

John missed two good chances as Saints went down 1-0 at home to Burnley last month. It was a costly defeat which leaves them just a point and a place above the drop zone with two tough matches left.

 

But Pearson believes John can save them.

 

“Stern is our top scorer and if you wanted those chances to fall to anyone, it would be him. It was not his day but he will be there again. He is a good finisher who has done well for us. The most important thing now is that we put this behind us as soon as possible. We could have played better but we have also played worse and won. "It did not happen for us but we have to move on because there is no room to feel sorry for ourselves.

 

“We have to remain positive and focused and make sure that things do go our way in the remaining two games. "We need the fans to keep faith with us. I know it is very difficult for them but I can assure them we  will be doing all we can to get the points we need."

 

John added the games will be difficult starting with Mondays game with league leaders West Brom .

 

“That will be a tough game for us but I believe the guys are up for it and we will not go down easily. We need to play our game and take the chances. Hopefully I can bag one for the team and ensure that we get the desired result because it will be a disaster for the club and the fans if we don’t survive this,” John added.

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Lallana: We can avoid it

Southampton's goalscorer in Monday's 1-1 draw at West Brom, Adam Lallana, thinks his club will avoid relegation from the Championship this season.

The midfielder told BBC Radio Solent: "Five teams could go down, but we think we've got a great chance.

"If we go out there with the same mentality we showed at West Brom, we've got every chance of winning," the 19-year-old added.

"It's not in our own hands, but all we can do is win."