Gillett relishing role

Southampton’s Simon Gillett is relishing his role in the Saints side and the combative midfielder believes that Mark Wotte’s men can continue their rich vein of form at Birmingham on Saturday.

Speaking to saintsfc.co.uk ahead of the game, Gillett said, “We know that on any given day in this division anyone can beat anyone so we’ve just got to go out there and do the same as always to get the win on Saturday.”

Saints’ first home game of the season was against Birmingham City back in August and the two met under a fortnight later in the second round of the League Cup at St Mary’s – a game the hosts won 2-0.

“It’s a game we’re looking forward to,” Gillett commented. “We’ve played Birmingham twice this season already and we did well against them especially in the Cup and now we’re looking to pick up another win.

“We know that it will be a tough game because they’re vying for promotion at the moment and even though a few of them have had a little wobble up there,” he added.

“We don’t fear them because we’ve beaten Preston and Cardiff recently who were up there and now we’ve just got to approach this game with the same attitude.

“There’s been an element of ‘no fear’ throughout the season though. We beat Reading away and were close to doing it again at home whilst it was also tight when we played Birmingham here.”

Despite the fact that Saints’ form has improved dramatically in recent weeks, with Mark Wotte’s side winning their last three games, Gillett insists that the players aren’t getting carried away.

“It’s far from over,” he stated. “Three wins in a row meant that we perhaps thought we would be out of the bottom three by now. We’re not, but we are catching up the teams and we’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing.

“It’s a little bit frustrating because you always have a little look after the match to see where you are in the table, but we know it’s all about what we do, so we just have to pick up as many points as we can. If we can keep on doing that then we’ll be alright.”

Gillett has become a mainstay in the heart of the Saints midfield since his return from injury, and the 22-year-old has admitted that he’s delighted to be playing regularly.

“I’m enjoying my role in the side,” he enthused. “I see alot of the ball and I just love playing at the moment and helping the team out where I can. I want to start in as many games as possible and see where I go.

“My job is to shield what I can and help out the defence before they have to do anything. I also start the moves that go forward, although I don’t get as many chances as I’d like to get forward myself.

“We’ve got a lot of lads that are good going forward anyway and they’re doing their jobs really well at the moment.”

Saints’ third game in a week is just the start of a hectic schedule which sees Mark Wotte’s side play a further four matches over the next fortnight.

“I don’t mind it at all,” said Gillett. “We want to keep the games coming especially as we’re on a role and because we want to try and pick up as many points as quickly as possible so that we can climb up the table.”