Nigel Adkins accepts Southampton are in a 'relegation dogfight' and need to start picking up points immediately.
The south coast side have struggled on their return to the top flight and have lost eight of their opening 10 matches, conceding a league-high 28 goals in the process.
That alarming start has seen manager Adkins come under increasing pressure ahead of the visit of Swansea to St Mary's.
It is the first of five home matches in a six-week period for Saints, and Adkins wants to kick off that run of fixtures with three points against Michael Laudrup's side.
"It is massively important in respect that it is the next run of fixtures that we've got," Adkins said. "We cannot do anything to affect the 10 games we've had previously. We've put them to bed now.
"We move on and we look forward to the next ones with positivity, with a steely resolve. Our aspiration at the start of the campaign, we've had to assess that and address that.
"We're in a relegation dogfight and we're fighting. Everyone is well aware of that. People have to be accountable, players have to take responsibility like every other member of staff.
"The supporters are certainly behind the football club and the players when they go on that football pitch, which is important. We're all going to work hard to make this a very successful season for Southampton."
Southampton will be able to call upon Jack Cork for the match after the midfielder recovered from a knee injury.
Artur Boruc could also be involved again after the club completed its investigation into allegations the goalkeeper threw a bottle at home fans and swore at them in the recent loss to Tottenham.
The game could also see much-vaunted left-back Luke Shaw get his first Premier League start.
The 17-year-old, who has attracted reported interest from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, came off the bench in Monday's 2-0 defeat at West Brom for his first top-flight appearance.
Meanwhile, Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel will face Saints believing his current run in the side is reward for his patience and hard work while serving as back-up to Michel Vorm.
The 33-year-old initially joined Swansea on trial in the summer of 2011 and eventually did enough to secure a permanent contract at the Liberty Stadium.
But the former Red Bull Salzburg player found his aspirations of being first-choice stymied by the outstanding performances of Vorm, making just three appearances during the 2011/12 campaign.
Dutch international Vorm was rightly lauded for a number of eye-catching displays during Swansea's maiden Premier League campaign.
His performances saw the former Utrecht goalkeeper named Swansea's player of the year, but the groin injury he suffered in the defeat to Manchester City has given Tremmel a chance he wondered if he would ever get.
"You do start to think like that because Michel and the team were doing so well," he said. "You think you won't get a chance and you wonder if you should go on.
"If you're not playing you cannot be satisfied. The thing is you don't get rewarded at the weekend, although you work hard and train hard.
"But my attitude is if I stop training 100% that might be a time when I need to play and I would not be in shape. I expect myself to be a number one keeper so I have to train like one.
"You always have to go through hard times. There will be hard times and good times. Now is a better time. I see this as a reward."
Swansea defender Chico Flores is set to miss out as he struggles to overcome a dead leg.
The Spaniard suffered the injury in the Capital One Cup win over Liverpool and missed the draw with Chelsea. Manager Michael Laudrup rates him as "very doubtful" to face the Saints.
Club captain Garry Monk is set to continue in the centre of defence while Vorm (groin), Kyle Bartley (thigh) and Neil Taylor (broken ankle) are all out.
Source: PA
