MIDFIELDER Keith Southern believes staying in the Championship would eclipse promotion to the division last season, given the teams currently around them.

Southern was named as one of the only positives by manager Simon Grayson in the defeat to Cardiff at the weekend as he continued his comeback from injury.

Following the loss at Ninian Park, attentions are now firmly focused on what has been deemed a six-pointer with relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday this Saturday.

A win in that game would surely see Pool safe in the division for another season and Keith is confident the Seasiders will be victorious.

"It's a massive game," Southern said. "I don't know about a six-pointer but it's a real big game and one we've really got to win, I think. It's as big a game as we've had all season, so we've got to win as far as I'm concerned."

Sheffield Wednesday made it seven consecutive draws last night with a late equaliser against Plymouth but Southern feels that will have no affect on Saturday's encounter

"I was praying Sheff Wed didn't score but it was a decent strike by the left-back," he said. "They got a point which they probably deserved to be honest but that'll have no bearing on Saturday's game.

"It will be a tough game, as they all are in this league, and we've just got to go about our business better than we did on Saturday to be honest."

Home advantage could really be crucial at the weekend and the Geordie believes the supporters can provide the twelfth man on the pitch.

"I think they can play a big part because we've had a good home record all season and last year, we've had a good home record for a long time now. I think partly down to that is the atmosphere the fans make," he stated.

There is no doubting the belief in the squad at the moment and Keith remains positive of victory against the Owls: "I'm confident. I'm always confident. I've been at this club a long time now and there's been a lot worse times than this, we've been in a lot worse predicaments than we have this week that's for certain.

"It's in our own hands. We've got a home game that we are more than capable of winning and that's all we're focusing on now."

Last season was a fantastic turnaround that ended in promotion to the Championship at Wembley but Southern believes three points on Saturday and survival in the division would eclipse last May.

"I think it's bigger than last season," he said. "I think if we can stop up this season, this will be bigger than promotion.

"As a whole, it will be a massive achievement. The budget, the size of the club, where this club has come from in the last couple of years, has got to be up there with any achievement any clubs made. It's a tough league this; there are some massive clubs in there. We're fighting off teams down at the bottom end of the league - the likes of Leicester, Southampton and Coventry - who were all in the Premier League not so long ago.

"This club has come on leaps and bounds and if we can stop up it will be a great positive for the club," he added.