MIDFIELDER Mateus Fernandes insisted he needs to score more goals and revealed he is working to improve his ability under pressure.

The 20 year old confessed he has felt the heat in goalscoring positions this season, despite knowing he has the quality to find the net.

Fernandes has registered more shots than any Saints player this season (37) but has scored just two goals from an xG of 3.7.

The Portuguese youth international is always keen to improve his game and is now working with Southampton's coaches to add more goals.

“I want to play, so to play I need to be better at everything: mentally, with my body, everything," he told PLP.

“Now I’m training my shooting because I need to score more goals, and I know it. The staff have helped me a lot from the beginning.

“I’m a much better player now than I was in Estoril. The coaches spoke with me about shooting because I have the chance to score many times.

“But I have felt pressure. I need to train this because I have the quality to put the ball in the goal. I need to control the pressure, the timing. These small things matter to me. 

"The first goal was amazing against Liverpool, the team that will win the Premier League. I try to score more to enjoy more.

“I’m very strong now with my legs in duels. I was in Portugal, but England is very different. The work in the gym is very important for me.

Mateus Fernandes has the joint most goal contributions for Saints this season.Mateus Fernandes has the joint-most goal contributions for Saints this season. (Image: Stuart Martin)

“Recovery and sleep are very important. The small things that fans maybe can’t see off the pitch are the most important for me."

Saints welcome Fulham to St Mary's on Saturday, knowing that a point will see them pull clear of ending the season with a dreaded 11-point tally.

Simon Rusk's side secured a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture this season, but Fernandes admitted he is always playing to win three points.

“In my head, I want to win three points from every game, but I try to play in the moment as well," he explained. 

"I want to enjoy the game and try to play good. If you need to survive in the last minutes, do it well. The most important thing is to help the club win some points.”