THE defeat to West Ham was a real blow for Saints.

They had the chance to return to winning ways after failing to take advantage of going a goal ahead at Newcastle.

But the way Saints played against the Hammers was reminiscent of how they were performing at the beginning of the season.

Yes, Ralph Hasenhuttl was correct in saying his side created a number of chances, but do they count for anything if they aren’t taken?

The first 45 minutes of Saturday’s defeat was bleak: there was no urgency, no pressure and, most disappointingly, no hope.

A change of shape at the break saw Saints gain the upper hand in the second half but it proved to be too late to change the outcome of the match.

This run of games, stretching back to Watford, was supposedly a season-defining one which had started so well.

Back-to-back home wins for the first time in 250 days filled St Mary’s with an optimism that had most people believing Saints were going to move away from the relegation zone.

But now there is a danger they could get left behind. Especially if they don’t get anything at Villa Park.

Saints are now four points behind West Ham and could be three short of Villa come 5pm on Saturday.

They then have to travel to Chelsea on Boxing Day, before hosting Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s.

You get the feeling that had they beaten West Ham and drawn at Aston Villa, then 10 points from 15 would have been a great return.

However, given they perform better away from home, would it be a surprise for Hasenhuttl’s side to leave the Midlands victorious?

Dean Smith’s Villa are on a barren run, failing to get a point in any of their last three games.

They also have to face runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup, although there’s a good chance they will rest players.

Saints are fortunate that it’s still so tight at the bottom, but they need to keep picking up points, so they aren’t battling against just one other team for survival.

The more sides who are embroiled in a dogfight will only benefit Hasenhuttl and his team.