(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Southampton players must stay positive and help each other to improve their performance after a difficult spell in the Premier League, midfielder Maya Yoshida has said.
Southampton have collected 18 points from as many league games having won only one of their last nine matches to sit 12th in the table but Yoshida believes unity rather than criticism will revive their campaign.
"Don't bring any negativity, stay positive and help each other before we start pointing at each other - that's the way," the Japan international was quoted as saying by the Daily Echo.
"It's a difficult situation which we haven't had in the last couple of years. It's like life, life isn't always a good time.
"At this time we need to show our character and we have to stand up."
Southampton have recorded two draws and as many narrow defeats in four of their last five league games and the 29-year-old said a little extra effort from each player could help the team to end their dismal run.
"It's all the small details but it costs a lot," Yoshida added. "If we put an extra 10 per cent on each other then I think we will get good results - that I believe."
The Saints were thumped 4-1 by Leicester City followed by a 1-0 loss at Chelsea earlier this month and Yoshida has backed his team mates to get a morale-boosting win in Saturday's game against promoted Huddersfield Town.
"We have to get back on track as soon as possible and that means we have to get three points.
"Especially, still, there's huge disappointment after Leicester and we come back to home and we need to show a good spirit, as we did at Stamford Bridge."
Meanwhil, Southampton could be handed a double injury blow ahead of a packed festive schedule as full backs Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand sustained injuries during last weekend's 1-0 defeat by Premier League champions Chelsea.
Soares, 26, missed draws against Bournemouth and Arsenal earlier this month due to a hamstring injury and returned in the defeat by Leicester City followed by the Chelsea game, but has ruled himself out of the Saints' next few matches.
Bertrand, 28, is yet to miss a league match for Southampton this campaign but limped off in the final stages of the game at Stamford Bridge with the Saints yet to release details of either players' injuries or recovery timelines.
"Unfortunately, in the game against Chelsea, I suffered an injury that will keep me away from the next few games. Thank you all for the messages and support," Soares said on his official Instagram account.
The injuries leave Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino with limited options at the back as the club aim to end a poor run of three defeats and two draws in their last five league games.
Southampton are 12th in the league and host 11th-placed Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
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