Ronald Koeman wants Southampton improvement to start against Palace
Ronald Koeman has warned his Southampton stars to come out of a three-match week in profit to avoid flirting with a relegation battle, starting with the FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace this weekend.
Southampton host Palace in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, before they take on Watford on Wednesday night and West Brom the following weekend in Premier League action, and the Saints' manager admitted he will throw his front-line stars into action in all three contests in a bid to boost his side's momentum.
"We have a big week coming up at home, that's true," said Koeman.
"Three times at home, and we need wins, because if not it will be a difficult end to the season.
"Because then we would be close to the bottom teams. We have to be realistic in that we need points. We are not in a situation to make big changes.
"I don't believe in rotation in football. We've got to get results."
Southampton registered their highest-ever Premier League finish of seventh under Koeman last term, but have failed to reprise that form this term.
The stunning 4-0 home win over Arsenal on Boxing Day remains Saints' sole win in nine matches, a miserable run that Koeman still intends on reversing.
Palace will arrive at St Mary's still seeking to extend their impressive form on the road from 2015 that led to 11 victories away from Selhurst Park.
Koeman refuses to change his side's game plan to try to contain Palace's pacy attack however, and despite his insistence Saints dominated territory and possession in defeats at West Ham and Norwich.
"We always play like the home team, even when we play away," said Koeman. "We played West Ham and we dominated almost all of the game.
"Then we played Norwich and had almost 60 per cent possession. But it's still all about what you make out of that possession. I'm not crazy about more possession than our opponent because that's not how you win the game.
"That's how we like to play football, but we have to create more, we need to have more balance in those positions."
Graziano Pelle has failed to beat his knee injury in time so will miss out, while Fraser Forster is still not ready to return from his long-term knee injury.
Cedric Soares and Juanmi are both fit again, while Victor Wanyama starts his two-match ban after his red card at Norwich last week.
Palace manager Alan Pardew believes his side's good start in the league has left them in an excellent position to challenge in the FA Cup.
Pardew has described the draw as "difficult", but he is confident the team have the chance to succeed.
He said: "I think teams not being as powerful or as fluid as they were (leaves the FA Cup open). I can talk about last year with Chelsea and Manchester City better placed than they are this year.
"There is a better chance I think to win it this season for the likes of ourselves, Everton, Stoke and one or two other teams.
"Like at Newcastle, I think they could win this competition and if we didn't win it, I hope they do."
Pardew believes the FA Cup is still of great importance to all the clubs and that teams focus on the cup games as much as they concentrate on the league.
"The teams in the lower end of the Premier League, of course (relegation) does impact upon you financially and I don't think anyone who loves the FA Cup could not understand that, that makes sense," he said.
Source: PAR
