Ralph Hasenhuttl has admitted that his team are facing a make or break in their period season.

Saints find themselves stuck in the bottom three heading into tomorrow’s game at Everton after a difficult opening run of fixtures that has seen them play most of the league’s leading sides.

But the game against the Toffees marks the start of a run of six matches out of seven against teams in the bottom half.

Hasenhuttl said: “I think then you know what way it is going – up or down.

“We have the chance so far against opponents like Brighton and Sheffield (United) and we did it well and against big opponents we only took one point against Man United and the rest was not so perfect.

“We showed last season also we can take points against big teams and the game against Man City showed we didn’t do it so bad and that gives us a little bit of self-confidence feeling of being organised and making it difficult for the opponent to score.

“In the end we also have to do more in the front and create chances more than the last games.”

There is huge pressure on tomorrow’s game at St Mary’s after the last home match ended in a 9-0 defeat to Leicester. Though Saints have since twice battled hard but been defeated at Manchester City they desperately need a first home win of the season.

“The pressure is one thing but I think it’s about the willingness to show up at home and if the crowd feels you invest everything and put everything on the pitch like we did against Man City then the crowd is there and they will help you,” said Hasenhuttl.

“We will try and put immediately the pace high and we can do this.

“I feel every one of us needs a win and this pressure I make myself for all the time I am working 24-7.

“I feel the pressure and I want to help the guys to take this win and me and every member of my staff and every player will do everything to win this game.

“This is the pressure we make ourselves and we don’t need more.”

It is going to be an interesting atmosphere at St Mary’s with fans returning for the first time since the humbling against the Foxes.

“I think the players don’t care anymore about this result. They know it has gone and we have a good reaction twice,” insisted Hasenhuttl.

“It was the last Premier League game (at home) but it’s about us to show that we can win home games. The last one we won was a long time ago.

“We must be sure that we can win games at home and therefore we must score in the moments we have chances and also a longer time a clean sheet.

“The important thing is to find a good balance of pressing high and attacking them and not being exposed at the back. When we have a balance we showed against a strong team like City that we can score and we can defend well.”