Claus Lundekvam has described defensive partner and fellow Scandinavian Michael Svensson as his "perfect match."

The Norwegian and the Swede have proved an awesome combination since they first hooked up just over a year ago.

Lundekvam, who has been at Saints for over seven years, rates his partnership with Svensson as the best of his career -including the one he struck up with £8.1m Spurs man Dean Richards.

Last season only Blackburn, Liverpool and Newcastle kept more clean sheets than Saints' 14, while only Manchester United have conceded less goals this term.

In the 46 league and cup matches Lundekvam and Svensson have partnered each other in, Saints have only conceded 46 goals, of which nine have come in 11 cup ties.

Lundekvam said: "Michael's very good. He's so reliable and so easy to play with - you know where he is all the time.

"He does everything very simple, he's a great man to play next to.

"We've been playing together pretty well for a year now. It's always difficult when you've got new players in to adapt to each other and read each other's games, but he's really easy to play with.

"For me, an easy player to play alongside is Michael. I like to sweep up and drop a bit more and that makes Michael the perfect match for me.

"He goes for everything, he's very strong and dominates and he's a very good tackler of the ball.

"We do compliment each other quite nicely and it's been working pretty good so far."

Saints have so far conceded just five goals in nine Premiership games this season. But the problem is obvious - scoring them.

Lundekvam, who hasn't netted once in over 250 appearances for the club, today comes up against Blackburn and Graeme Souness, the man who singed him for Saints in 1996.

Lundekvam said: "We lost our last home game so it's something for us to get back - it's going to be tough but we're looking for three points.

"We have been pretty solid defensively and we have defended really well as a team. Hopefully we can keep that going.

"The main thing for us is scoring some goals. We have been working very hard at it but they're just not coming, but I'm sure they will.

"It's a team game and we all need to play for each other. The strikers need to score some goals for us now, though - it's as simple as that.

"They are all good players and have proven before they can score goals - it's just a matter of doing it.

"I don't know what we're lacking - maybe a bit of composure in front of goal.

"We are creating chances but not taking them."

Something has to give today as Saints have scored in ALL their 16 post-war home matches against Blackburn.

The 2-1 loss in 2002/02 remains their sole defeat, compared to 11 victories.