RALPH Hasenhuttl described Saturday's huge FA Cup quarter-final at neighbours Bournemouth as "maybe the most important game of this year" for Saints.

After picking up just four points from their past 12 Premier League matches, the cup represents the only opportunity for some tangible success for the club this season, having slid down the league table.

Cherries are the only side outside the top flight left in the FA Cup, and have been inconsistent in recent weeks, currently sitting seventh in the Championship.

Saints have already beaten Shrewsbury Town, Wolves and holders Arsenal to reach this stage.

And Hasenhuttl says everybody at Saints is well aware of just how important Saturday's showdown at Vitality Stadium will be.

"The cup for us is to have a chance to win a trophy and I think this is why we took it very seriously from the beginning," said Hasenhuttl.

"We didn’t pick our best team against Wolves and Arsenal to now say it’s not important for us. It is very important.

"We said when we were in a better position in the league we could also concentrate on the cup, with the risk we have then a few more injuries maybe.

"But we took this risk and because of having a game like we have on Saturday. A game where we have a chance to get to the semi-final of the most traditional competition in English football.

"I think it is for us, for the players, for the staff, for the fans, for everybody in this club, maybe the most important game of this year."

Asked if having this quarter-final on the horizon has kept his squad upbeat during the disappointing run in the league, Hasenhuttl added: "Definitely. It’s always fantastic when you are in a second competition and have something big to win.

"Still this target is there. Otherwise the rest of the season would be not that interesting, like it is if you get to the next round.

"This is a goal enough for us, a target enough for what we have to face."