SHANE Long insists that Saints’ performance in the 1-0 defeat to Stoke at St Mary’s is nothing to worry about and believes they’ll get back on track.

Long also hopes he impressed enough to warrant another start against Manchester City this weekend with Graziano Pelle serving a one-game suspension.

The attacker, who felt Ronald Koeman’s were unlucky not to come away with a point, made just his second start for Saints this season in the drab Potters defeat after coming back from an ankle injury that kept him out for six weeks.

The Irishman stated clearly that he felt fit enough to play the full game and has implored Saints supporters not be overly concerned by the performance.

 “There’s going to be good weeks, there’s going to be bad weeks and, if you look at the season as a whole, we’re doing well,” he said.

“People always look at your last result and it’s frustrating.”

He added: “It’s just disappointing.

“You win some, you lose some. Today we all gave the effort, but it just didn’t happen for us somehow.

“We’ll look forward to Man City. We’ve then got three games in a week with Liverpool and Villa after that.

“We’ll get back on track. We’ll have a good training week and I’m sure the gaffer will have us well prepared for three big games.”

With nine-goal top-scorer  Pelle banned for Saturday’s trip to City, Long could well be in line to make another start.

The 28-year-old has had to be patient, but reckons he’s sufficiently fit after injury and hopes that he’s done enough in the 1-0 defeat to warrant another call up.

“I’ve been biding my time. The injuries didn’t help,” he explained.

“The lads have been doing well. They’ve been winning games and sometimes when that happens you’ve got to wait your time and try make an impact when you do play.

“The gaffer gave me the nod today and I thought I caused them a few problems and kept going for the 90 minutes. I’ll try to impress them this week and hopefully get a shout for next week.”

He added: “I got a nod off the management after 70 minutes saying ‘are you feeling okay?’ I felt good on the pitch.

“I managed to play the 90 and felt good from the first minute to the 90th.”

Both Long and Pelle had penalty appeals turned down during the match.

“Mine was probably 50/50, but the one with Graziano the ball fell to me and I’d stopped because I thought it was a definite pen,” Long said.

“I thought the linesmen would see it and the ref had seen. Graziano’s chested it and he’s kicked across him.

“I’m surprised that wasn’t given, but sometimes they give them, sometimes they don’t.”