JAMIE REDKNAPP reckons Saints answered their critics by beating Norwich.

The players were accused of not having the stomach for a relegation fight in the wake of their collapse at Portsmouth.

But the negative press helped them end a forgettable week by finishing it out of the relegation zone.

Redknapp said: "People were writing us off during the week. It's been levelled at us that we haven't got character and I saw a few papers where our fixtures weren't even put in because they thought we'd lost our bottle and were already down.

"We let ourselves and the fans down against Portsmouth, it was a really disappointing performance and when we went a goal down after a couple of minutes against Norwich the fans probably thought it was going to happen again.

"But we showed a lot of courage and character and we now know it's going to go to the last game."

In order to remain out of the bottom three, Saints, who have shipped 17 goals in their last six league matches, must surely tighten up at the back - but Redknapp prefers to focus on the positives.

He added: "Claus was very good when he came on, Matty Oakley was brilliant on the right, Nigel and I were strong in the middle and Kevin Phillips and Peter Crouch were good as well.

"And the atmosphere was as good as I've ever played in. It was a cauldron and made them nervous - but we played good stuff under pressure and passed the ball well."

A rousing team talk from Redknapp snr helped Saints take all three points after sharing SIX first half goals.

"Dad had got us going at half-time, he told us that we could win because we'd already shown more than enough times that we could score.

"And for there to be only one goal in the second half was amazing because there were so many chances.

"Norwich put in a lot of effort as well and you almost feel sorry for them. But we've conceded so many late goals so it was nice for us to get one because it was paramount we won.

"We couldn't go back in the dressing room without three points."

After watching cousin Frank Lampard's goals clinch Chelsea the Premiership title at Bolton, Redknapp is now targeting a memorable family double.

He added: "Now that Chelsea have wrapped up the Premiership people have got their eyes on what's happening at the bottom - and being in a relegated team is not how I want to end my career.

"I'm desperate not to be part of a team that goes down, especially as this club has been in the Premiership for 27 years.

"And when your dad is the manager it takes it to another level.

"I'll be trying everything I can, as I'm sure all the players will, to preserve our Premiership status."