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Southampton getting relegated would be 'ridiculous' - Wayne Bridge

Former England international Wayne Bridge believes it would be "ridiculous" if boyhood club Southampton get relegated from the Premier League given the quality at their disposal.

Saints' remarkable rise from League One to the Premier League has been well documented, with firm foundations seeing them finish eighth last season on the back of reaching the League Cup final.

However, things have gone awry this term, with Claude Puel's successor Mauricio Pellegrino floundering and players underperforming, leaving the south-coast side in the drop zone with only three matches to go.

Southampton beat Bournemouth 2-1 last week to give them a shot of survival ahead of Saturday's trip to Everton, but youth product Bridge is struggling to comprehend the prospect of a side boasting so much talent potentially going down.

"The lads put in a performance and got my hopes up that we'll be getting out of trouble, to be honest," the former left-back told Press Association Sport.

"From what I have seen, it's just been a bit disappointing.

"I don't think the lads have shown as much quality as what they have got because there's some quality players.

"The most disappointing thing is I don't think there's been enough fight in the team, considering the position that we're in. You need to fight a lot when you're down there.

"So, the quality players that Southampton have got, to see them go down would be ridiculous."

Bridge is remembered for his time at Chelsea, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in a career that saw him represent several other clubs and his country before retiring in 2014.

He also knows about fighting relegation at Southampton, having broken into the side in 1998-99 and seen their 'Great Escape' first hand.

A side boasting current Saints boss Mark Hughes stayed up on the last day of the season, with Marian Pahars netting against Saturday's opponents Everton to ensure survival.

"The 'Great Escape'," Bridge said. "It was my first season when it went to the last game.

"When I look the players that we had, they showed so much fight, I thought anyway.

"And I think it's just what the team has probably lacked this year, a bit of fight."

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