Mauricio Pellegrino calls for unity in relegation scrap

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has admitted that he can understand why his players were booed off against Stoke City, but now wants everyone united for the final run-in.

The Saints were held to a goalless draw by their fellow strugglers on Saturday afternoon, making it one win in 16 Premier League outings and an eight-game winless run at St Mary's Stadium.

After feeling the full force of their fans' frustrations, Pellegrino has called for unity for the final 10 games of the campaign, just three of which will be played on home soil.

"Obviously we understand the feeling of the fans," he told reporters at his post-match presser. "We are working really hard to try and turn this situation up and obviously we have to do away to get those points we couldn't do at home.

"We have to continue doing the job that we did in the second half. Our fans we understand because Southampton we are everybody – the players, the fans, the board, the people, the staff, everybody.

"Now we have to be all together and pushing, giving energy and try to be as strong as we can until the end."

A trip to Newcastle United is up next for Southampton, while back-to-back games against Arsenal and Chelsea are now on the horizon.