Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino expects nerves from his players at home as they look for rare home win against West Brom

  • Southampton have won just won game at St Mary's Stadium so far this season 
  • Manolo Gabbiadini scored twice to rescue a point against Newcastle on Sunday 
  • Boss Mauricio Pellegrino says he expects his side to show some signs of anxiety 

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino believes it is only 'normal' for his players to feel anxiety at not being able to produce winning performances at home.

The Saints faithful were again left frustrated last weekend when Newcastle headed back up to the north east with a 2-2 draw.

Midfielder Dusan Tadic admits the players can 'become a bit nervous' when finding themselves on the back foot at St Mary's Stadium, where they have recorded just one Premier League win so far this season.

Charlie Austin reacts during Southampton training, while team-mates enjoy a laugh

Charlie Austin reacts during Southampton training, while team-mates enjoy a laugh

England Under-21 midfielder James Ward-Prowse prepares to strike the ball towards goal

England Under-21 midfielder James Ward-Prowse prepares to strike the ball towards goal

Dusan Tadic and his team-mates have been struggling to win games at St Mary's Stadium

Dusan Tadic and his team-mates have been struggling to win games at St Mary's Stadium

Pellegrino, though, accepts that is all part and parcel of the team wanting the best for supporters - with another chance to impress at home against West Brom in Saturday's late kick-off.


'It is a fact we are not getting really good results (at home), and not just from this season,' said Pellegrino, who took charge at Southampton in the summer.

'Some players who have more time here than me can feel this anxiety, but it is something which is normal.

'At the top level, things can be up and down, but this is in every single game, and you have to survive, to challenge these kinds of moments.'

England international Ryan Bertrand dribbles with the ball at the Staplewood Campus

England international Ryan Bertrand dribbles with the ball at the Staplewood Campus

Manolo Gabbiadini rescued a point for the Saints in their last home match against Newcastle

Manolo Gabbiadini rescued a point for the Saints in their last home match against Newcastle

Pellegrino added at a press conference, broadcast on the club's official website: 'Dusan is experienced and I think when you explain this situation, it is because you want to challenge it.

'Sometimes anxieties can have a good relationship with excitement and when you have this, it is because you want to do things right.

'To have anxiety can be something positive, when you want to give your best performance - it would be worse when you don't feel anything.'

Pellegrino feels it is up to the team to help lift the fans.

'The fans will always receive the messages from the teams on the pitch,' the Argentinian coach said.

'We use football to be happy, every single weekend, but we cannot always be (happy), we are fighting with other teams.

Virgil Van Dijk, launching a pass in the rain, has been part of a shaky Southampton defence

Virgil Van Dijk, launching a pass in the rain, has been part of a shaky Southampton defence

Mauricio Pellegrino says he expects his side to show some nerves given their poor form

Mauricio Pellegrino says he expects his side to show some nerves given their poor form

Goalkeeper Fraser Forster reaches out his right hand to claw away a shot during training

Goalkeeper Fraser Forster reaches out his right hand to claw away a shot during training

'In society today, we have to be stimulated all of the time, to be exciting, be happy - sometimes, though, the movie (you are watching) is just not good enough.'

Pellegrino added: 'We want to play well, we want to score goals, that is our job.

'We have to understand the people and give our best on the pitch to show the people that we want to win, then I think the crowd will be behind us.'