DEFIANT Blackburn boss Graeme Souness today launched a passionate defence of his players as Rovers prepare to dig themselves out of a rut at Southampton tomorrow.

A fourth successive Premiership defeat at St Mary's, coupled with results elsewhere, could see Rovers sink into the bottom three for the first time this season.

But Souness insists he still has complete faith in his squad and he has backed his underfire troops to spark a revival against the Saints.

"I saw Southampton play Everton last week and they looked a very workmanlike side who are hard to play against," said Souness.

"So this would have been a hard game for us even if we hadn't lost our last three games, but the fact that we have makes it even more difficult.

"However, sooner or later lady luck will shine on us and I hope it's tomorrow.

"I listened to some of the comments and things after Monday night's game against Charlton and because we lost, people see your problems magnified.

"But if you analyse the stats, Brad only had one save to make in the whole of the 90 minutes.

"We made far more chances than them but couldn't put the ball in the net and that's been the story of our season so far.

"So things just aren't going for us at the moment but I haven't lost faith in this group of players.

"I don't just believe in them 100 per cent, I believe in them 200 per cent.

"We've got to keep believing and keep our spirits up.

"We've got to stick together and be mentally strong because it's no good having any other attitude in this situation."

Monday night's 1-0 defeat against the Addicks -- Rovers' fourth successive home reverse in the Premiership this season -- was another crushing blow in the wake of last week's UEFA Cup exit.

But Souness is adamant recent results have not affected the overall confidence within the squad and he remains convinced that all the players need is a lucky break from somewhere.

"My players aren't stupid. They go home and analyse games and know that we are not playing that badly," said the Rovers boss.

"I've got some intelligent players and they know they are only a midge's away from getting a result."

Rovers head for the South Coast still searching for their first clean sheet of the season.

In the 11 games played so far, a total of 21 goals have flown past Brad Friedel -- a figure considered to be unacceptable by Souness.

"I want to be in a position tomorrow where I have the chance of putting a defender on with 15 minutes to go to protect what we've got, rather than having to look at putting on as many attacking players as possible."

Southampton, meanwhile, are encountering problems of their own.

Gordon Strachan's side made a flying start to the season but they have failed to score in each of their last four games.

On top of that, Kevin Phillips -- the Saints' second leading scorer -- is also missing through suspension tomorrow.

But they still have former Rovers striker, James Beattie, who has already netted six goals this season.

"It's no secret how they play," added Souness.

"They look to get the ball forward quickly and then push on from midfield and pick up the pieces.

"James Beattie is the obvious threat. He's as good as there is at the moment in terms of a target man."

Souness is expected to choose from: Friedel, Reid, Gresko, Taylor, Todd, Flitcroft, Tugay, Ferguson, Thompson, Emerton, Cole, Jansen, Yorke, Gallagher, Neill, Baggio, Johansson, Grabbi, Kelly.