Ready to Go Again

Saints will pick up their aching limbs and look to put in another powerhouse performance at home to Sunderland tomorrow.They produced another high-tempo display of awesome commitment and industry to earn a 0-0 draw on an energy-sapping quagmire at championship chasing Chelsea.But Michael Svensson is confident the players will be rested and ready in time to do it all again when they face the Wearsiders in what looks likely to be close to a sell-out. The Swedish international is looking more the part with every game and produced another towering performance to snuff out Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink yesterday.He has adjusted well to the physical demands of the Barclaycard Premiership and now he is ready for a second gruelling game in three days.

He said: "We are strong - and we need to be. We are on a very good run and want to keep it going tomorrow.

"We have not lost at home for a long time so we need keep our winning run going.

"Sunderland are getting stronger and fighting for survival so we need to work every bit as hard as we did at Chelsea.

"We were solid, aggressive and strong in the tackle. We showed great team spirit from James Beattie up front to Antti Niemi at the back.

"It was really exhausting especially on such a heavy pitch. It meant we had to concentrate at all times because the ball could bounce the wrong way.

"And it left us very tired because we did a lot of running and chasing on a boggy surface but we have to put that behind us and do it all again tomorrow."

The pitch cut up badly with huge muddy scars and divots making controlled football almost impossible.And afterwards Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri revealed the club will be laying a new surface next month.

He said: "It is a contender for the worst pitch in the world but we have two more games on it and then we replace it. That decision was taken in November because we remember what happened with it last year.

"It was very hard to play on it but Southampton did very well. they were very tight, neat and efficient and well organised.

"Last season we lost 4-2 to them here - so we are improving!"