SAINTS Women boss Marieanne Spacey-Cale has called on her players to "manage" their emotions against Portsmouth this evening.

Spacey-Cale admitted her players are excited ahead of the South Coast derby at St Mary's but insisted focus will help them beat Pompey for a third time this season.

Saints have beaten Portsmouth in the Women's Championship and League Cup this season but have not won in eight games across all competitions.

Pompey will arrive at St Mary's on the back of consecutive wins - their only victories since claiming promotion to the Championship last season.

"Playing against Portsmouth is always a big game. You don't want to get caught up in the derby but that is what the whole weekend is about," Spacey-Cale told the Daily Echo.

"We have got to manage the game, manage our emotions and have a real focus on being organised and the best version of ourselves on the day.

"Football is all about change and how you adapt. The first thing I've had to do is make sure the players are adapting to the change.

"We have to make sure they are comfortable with it, that they are thinking positively so we can move forward with things.

"Our first game back was against Birmingham and now we face Portsmouth. We have five games left and we want to finish the season on a real positive."

She added: "I know the girls are really excited but very focused. That is the key message. St Mary's under the lights is a phenomenal place.

"You get a good crowd in and they are vocal. They are supporting the girls. We sometimes forget how much energy on the pitch can be driven by noise off the pitch.

"That drives the players on. A Saturday evening kick-off is something different but why not give it a go? The players will thrive on that support."

Spacey-Cale has leaned on her pre-existing knowledge of this group since returning to a coaching position on an interim basis last month.

The former England international has replaced Remi Allen until the end of the season following her exit by mutual agreement.

Director of women's football Spacey-Cale has previously worked with a large number of the playing squad but explained giving them confidence has been important.

"You have to look at where the strengths of the players are. I know a lot of the players but there are a few I don't know," she outlined.

"But I've been around enough to see them and know what their strengths are. It's about making sure they are confident they can do what we expect from them.

"We had some really good performances, there has been some really good moments this season. We have to continue that in the last five games."