SAINTS captain Jason Dodd has called on fans to unite behind the team ahead of Sunday's clash with Birmingham.

Action is being threatened by some fans following the poor start to the season, but Saints do not believe that represents the view of the vast majority of supporters.

Dodd, who was at the club during the difficult era of Ian Branfoot in the early 1990s, said: "The last thing we need is for fans to create an atmosphere of tension or anxiety or disharmony.

"The supporters have always been like an extra man to us and we need them more than ever when we are finding life tough.

"We need them to unite and get right behind us and I promise we will do our utmost to turn things around and climb up the table."

Saints appear to be hitting back at recent criticisms from the newly reformed Southampton Independent Supporters' Association.

SISA vice-chairman Perry McMillan last week called for Rupert Lowe to stand-down as chairman, claiming he had made the club a laughing stock.

But Saints have questioned the support of some of their critics, stating that they were not on their database as having bought tickets since the club moved to St Mary's.

No names were mentioned, but it is presumed they were referring to SISA pair McMillan and Richard Chorley.

Taxi-driver McMillan yesterday insisted he was speaking for a lot of Southampton people.

He said: "A lot of people in pubs and taxis all over Southampton and saying that Rupert Lowe has become the problem and should go. We are not getting at Steve Wigley and we believe he deserves to be given a chance.

"I don't need to prove my support of the club. I have been to plenty of games this season and hundreds over the years. I have been going since 1966 and I am Southampton born and bred.

"You don't have to be on their database to get a ticket. In any case, people can vote with their feet if they are not happy. That's why attendances have gone down this season."

Chorley said he has only missed one home match this season.