HARRY REDKNAPP, who tomorrow walks back into Fratton Park for the first time since joining Saints, says the only thing he fears is losing.

The Saints boss insists he will return to Pompey with his head held high after a remarkable two and a half years in charge saw him take the club from First Division basement dwellers to a mid-table Premiership side.

Redknapp famously quit Fratton Park after growing unhappy with chairman Milan Mandaric and, in particular, the role of executive director Velimir Zajec. He joined Saints two weeks later when he was approached out of the blue by Rupert Lowe.

The hype going into this game is huge but Redknapp has dealt with it responsibly.

He said: "I suppose it will be a hostile reception, that goes with the territory. I left Portsmouth and joined Southampton and it seems it's some sort of a crime to do that.

"It's a game of football as far as I can see but if people have got nothing better to do than shout abuse then they must have sad lives - I feel sorry for them really."

Despite security fears, Redknapp and assistants Jim Smith and Kevin Bond, who also left Pompey and joined Redknapp at Saints, will be on the touchline as usual.

"What are they going to do," said Redknapp.

"If some nutter wants to do something silly they'll get locked up.

"I've got no time for violence or violent people."

But Redknapp is determined that the focus on him must not distract the players who really need a win to boost Saints' hopes of surviving relegation.

Redknapp added: "It's a big game. It's about trying to get some points for Southampton.

"I don't think the players need lifting, they've been playing OK.

"As I said all along, once you get stuck in the bottom four it's very hard to get out.

"When you're there for most of the season it's a struggle. No one puts a run together and pulls themselves out of it.

"You win one, you lose one, you draw one, it's very hard. You take one step forward and take one step back.

"Three weeks ago I got manager of the month and we think we're on our way out of it.

"Then we got beat against Chelsea, then Blackburn, then 2-0 up against Villa and lose so it all turns so quickly so you never know.

"It could all turn quickly now. We could win four games and be out of it so you never know.

"Look at Norwich - they've beat Man United, get a point at Palace then score four minutes into injury time to beat Newcastle.

"West Brom have been on a great run, Palace are still in there too.

"It's a game of football we need to win."

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