Saints may have to abandon their footballing principles in the pursuit of points after dropping into the relegation zone for the first time since Glenn Hoddle took charge.

The crushing 5-0 defeat at Manchester United left them third from bottom and facing two tough Premiership fixtures at home to Chelsea and away to Sunderland.

And despite his firm belief in a passing game, Hoddle accepts his side may now have to put that on hold to grind out some results.

Once again Southampton moved the ball around neatly but lacked a cutting edge and gave away sloppy goals at the back, most notably a howler from Paul Jones which started the rot after just eight minutes.

Hoddle said: "I can only imagine Paul took his eye off the ball. It is ironic that there was a similar mistake but the other way round in last season's game.

"Even after that we had more possession than United in the first half. We got in great positions but did not have the quality or creativity to turn it into goals and that has been the story of our season.

"That's why we are where we are in the league. We don't feel we deserve to be there and we should have more points for the way we have played.

"But the reality is that we are there and we have got to pick up some points and if that means battling for them in games then that is what we are going to have to do for a period of time.

"It might mean we have to scrap or be scrappy or change the system or put other players in but whatever it takes, we have got to get points quickly."

More immediately Saints have a Worthington League Cup tie at home to Coventry on Wednesday with Tahar El Khalej a doubt after hobbling off with a tight hamstring.

Hoddle also has to decide whether to keep faith with Paul Jones who made two stunning late saves to keep the score down.

The manager added: "I need to assess the situation with him in the next couple of days and I will have to see what frame of mind he is in.

"He is the first to admit his mistake and he is very disappointed about it. He made two fantastic saves at the end but by then the horse had bolted."

*Saints reserve game against Arsenal at Boreham Wood tonight has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.