KEVIN PHILLIPS has labelled any plan to sack Saints manager Paul Sturrock as "ludicrous".

The in-form striker cannot believe Sturrock is under pressure after such a short time - just 13 games, of which five have been won - at the helm.

He said: "I know it's a cut-throat business, but give the man a chance. To be under pressure after only one game is a joke. It's ludicrous.

"We are 100 per cent behind the manager here.

"We want to perform on the pitch - we want to perform for him and for ourselves.

"Saturday wasn't a fantastic performance but it was one which won the game so hopefully the attention will be directed somewhere else and we will be left alone."

Phillips scored Saints' opener - his 12th strike in his last 18 Premiership outings for the club - and believes their eventual comeback from a 2-1 deficit against Blackburn underlined the spirit in the camp.

He said: "To come from behind to win is excellent.

"You saw the reaction - it is not very often that lads are cuddling each other at the end of the game.

"And that just showed that it was very important and we can't wait now for Wednesday.

"Coming off the back of last week, we were all disappointed and we couldn't wait to put things right.

"It wasn't the type of game you would want to play every week - it was nail-biting stuff.

"But it was a win, that was the main thing. We have got three points on the board now and another home game coming so things are looking good."

Phillips also repeated his hope that James Beattie will remain at Saints, despite ongoing interest from Aston Villa.

He said: "Beats is a quality player.

"When he is fully fit and playing at the top of his game he is one of the best centre forwards in the country - he is a real handful.

"He handled the pressure so well to score in the 90th minute with a penalty with ease.

"He is not 100 per cent at the moment but when he is he will be even better.

"When the opposition see James Beattie is playing they know they are going to get a rough time.

"And that gives everyone a lift.

"If we can keep James that would be fantastic, though that obviously remains to be seen.

"When he is playing to the top of his abilities, he is a right handful and a good player."