Shane Long is confident he can solve Southampton’s scoring woes – despite his own SEVEN-MONTH goal drought.
Wasteful Saints have failed to find the net in nine of their last twelve matches ahead of Saturday's trip to Stoke.
Republic of Ireland striker Long has gone 18 games since scoring against doomed Sunderland in February but said: “I hope I can get a run of games and pick up a bit of form.
“The more games I play the more confident I will be and the more goals I will score.
“For me it is all about game time. I remember in my Reading days I think I scored one in 13 but finished with 25 goals by the end of the season.
“The manager kept playing me and giving me that chance and that confidence makes a big difference for a striker.
“Hopefully I can get a run of two, three or four games in the team and the goals will come.
“I feel like I am playing well and the chances will come. I have been scoring in training and been flying on the pitch.”
Saints captain Virgil van Dijk will find himself on the subs’ bench again
Boss Mauricio Pellegrino hopes the Dutchman has learned lessons from his failed attempts to force through a move to Liverpool.
Pellegrino said “I use every single day and try to learn and for the players it is the same. I like to see people who are open minded and learn from the past. Hopefully that is happening.”