CHRIS Marsden has warned his Southampton team-mates that they cannot waste time feeling sorry for themselves.

Marsden was one of the shining stars in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Derby which leaves Saints reeling at the bottom of the Premiership table.

It means the next three matches, against Charlton at St Mary's on Saturday and then Leicester a week later at Filbert Street, followed by the visit of Sunderland to the south coast on December 15 take on even added importance.

Marsden said: "We cannot keep saying we are unlucky. We have to get some points - and fast.

"The fact that we are bottom means there is no leeway now and no time to waste.

"The game was pretty similar to the one against Blackburn because we had so much of the play but came away with nothing.

"If anything, this was even more one-sided than Blackburn. Derby only really had one shot which produced a freak winner.

"Jonah said it went out but we are desperate for a slice of luck like they had. We need the ball to go in off someone's backside just to get us rolling again.

"It does not matter how we do it but we have got to turn things around. We know we are playing well and have enough quality to get clear but we need to make it count.

"We have been in this position before but we are not far away and if we stick at it then it will turn."

Team-mate James Beattie is also in an upbeat mood. He believes the team are playing well enough to steer clear of the drop and has set his sights on proving it in Saturday's home game against Charlton.

He said: "Sooner or later someone is going to get a real thumping from us.

"In our last two games we have had a lot of possession and some great chances and one of these days they are all going to go in.

"When we do get a few goals it might be three, four or even five - and I just hope it is against Charlton to give us our first victory at the new stadium.

"It has got to be a home win - it is coming down to that now. It is no longer a case of hoping - we have to make it happen before we get cut adrift.

"But there are enough plusses for us to know that is not going to happen. The fans would be the first to say so. They could not say anything else but that the lads are giving their all and playing well.

"You could tell that by the way they stuck with us right to the end at Derby. They were brilliant and sang to the last whistle which really does help."