The bottom-placed team in the division is six points away from safety.
In order for his struggling team to pull off a remarkable escape from the Premier League, Southampton's trip to Champions League-chasing Newcastle is the first of five games that must be won, according to Ruben Selles.
Prior to the difficult trip to St James' Park on Sunday afternoon, the bottom-placed club in the division is six points from safety.
Time is running out, and Saints boss Selles wants his players to show courage as they try to pull off a surprise and maintain their tenuous chances of making it out of the bottom two.
Regarding games that must be won, the Spaniard claimed, "I think we have been talking about that in the last five to six games."
"Of course it's a game we have to win, and every game has turned into a game we have to win more than ever.
"And we're going to try to go for it; that's what we're going to do.
"I'll remain upbeat all the way to the finish. I continue to believe that we can succeed and that everyone in the club is capable of doing so.
"We just have to hold onto that conviction because then things might change."
Following Thursday's pathetic 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, which was a club record 11th home loss, Southampton are on an alarming eight-match winless streak.
While this is going on, third-placed Newcastle has been on a scorching scoring streak as they get closer to making their first appearance in Europe's top competition in 20 years.
Selles thinks his underwhelming players' ability to overcome the odds was demonstrated by their victory at Chelsea in his debut game as manager and draws against Tottenham, Manchester United, and league-leading Arsenal.
"I believe they have shown that they are capable of winning Premier League games, and then we have put on some good displays against the top teams," he remarked.
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