MANAGER Russell Martin admitted Saints could do without an FA Cup tie with Liverpool next week after their 2-1 league defeat to Millwall on Saturday.

Saints, who are now five points off the pace in the race for automatic promotion face the Premier League leaders on Wednesday evening. 

The FA Cup is not a welcome break from Championship action in the eyes of Martin, who was left frustrated by his side's performance during their third defeat in four games. 

“We could do without that right now if I’m being honest,” Martin admitted, speaking to BBC Radio Solent.

“But, we will have 5,000 supporters going there who have been amazing on the road this season. We need to make sure we go there and give a good account of ourselves and make it worthwhile for those people.

“We have worked very hard to get there. We need to make sure it is a good night for us as a club and a group. 

“It is also a chance to take out some frustration from the last couple of games or the last couple of weeks.

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“I know everyone will go there frustrated. We need to use that in the right way. I had an interesting conversation with the supporter behind the dugout. He started screaming at me that it was on me. 

“Of course it was on me, I am the manager. I am going to take responsibility but support the team. 

“Support the team when it is going a little bit wrong on the pitch. Come and hammer me after the game, no problem. We had a conversation. It is what it is. The support has been amazing.

"We need to regroup. We have 12 games left of what can be a really exciting and incredible season. We need to dust ourselves down and bounce back quickly.”