MARK Wotte has declared that Saints are ready for an “ugly battle” at Blackpool tomorrow.

Saints travel to Bloomfield Road for what the head coach describes as a “critical” match in their battle to avoid the drop.

Wotte has asked his players to recapture the form they showed when they thumped Ipswich 3-0 away from home earlier this month.

He has also told his squad they must be nothing short of superb between now and the end of the season if they are to survive.

The Dutchman was in a particularly jovial and relaxed mood at yesterday’s pre-match press conference.

However, he is very serious about the importance of tomorrow’s game.

“Blackpool is Blackpool and they have 46 points and so they do better than we do,” he said.

“That’s why we have to be very good to beat them. We have to fight, it’s another battle and maybe it’s an ugly battle up there, but I’m sure we are ready for it.”

He added: “It’s a very critical match.

“It’s not easy to win over there.

“But, like I told everybody every week, I think we can beat everybody, if we do a good defensive job and we take our chances.

Full story in today's Daily Echo