Southampton legend Rickie Lambert has admitted he was worried for the team's fortunes this season.

The 41-year-old ex-forward was not best pleased when the club sacked Ralph Hasenhuttl earlier this term.

The Austrian was replaced by Nathan Jones, who could not even last half a season in the post.

Speaking to Hampshire Live, Lambert said: “It really is tough, but no team has ever had the right to stay in the Premier League, so you have to fight and scrap every season.

"When the decision came that they were going to get rid of Ralph, I was worried. I'll be honest, I was worried. I was a massive fan of Ralph and I think he massively achieved at Southampton.

“I don't know why that decision came. I always felt like he was going to get it right this season. He brought in young, exciting players who he was going to develop. I think he's one of the best in the country at developing players and he was going to do that."

He added: "But he got sacked and Nathan came in. Obviously, I wish Nathan all the best, but it was a massive call getting rid of Ralph in my eyes.

“Obviously, it hasn't worked out under Nathan and now they are really in a scrap and it's going to be tough. It's going to go right down to the wire. Everyone's picking up results and it happens every year."