Swedish star Anders Svensson insists he has no problem focussing on tonight's league game against Arsenal - because his season could end in disappointment if Saints fail to make the top half of the table.
The 26-year-old international midfielder still has the FA Cup final to look forward to in ten days' time but says his aim is to better last season's tenth-placed Premiership finish.
And, despite all the fantastic cup achievements of the campaign, Svensson will still be disappointed if his team fail to beat last season's league finish.
He said: "I am trying to focus on our games and try and build up the confidence for me and the team.
"It's not really hard trying to forget about the cup final.
"I don't think about it too much - I know it's there but I'm focussing now on getting enough points for us to get a top-ten place in the Premiership.
"We want to finish better than last year in the league and, if we don't I'll be disappointed.
"It's still a great season getting to the FA Cup final but I want to end up better.
"I think we still can do that."
Svensson was more upbeat about Saturday's goalless draw with Bolton and insisted it was good display from the team defensively after they had leaked goals in rec-ent weeks.
But he is hoping to go one better against the Gunners at Highbury tonight.
"We had conceded seven goals in three games and then kept a clean sheet, so - although it was not the best of games - it was good after those two previous defeats," said Svensson.
"We got back to not losing and it was good to get something out of the game.
"Of course we need to improve and I hope we're right back on our game tonight and can give a better performance.
"Hopefully, we can get something out of the game and get confidence for the last game in the league and then the FA Cup final itself.
"We have to work extremely hard and try to close them down and when we get our chances.
"We have got to take advantage of anything that comes our way and score - that's always the best way to beat teams!"
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