Swansea and Southampton talking the talk ahead of crunch relegation battle

The Swans and Saints meet in what could be a season-defining game for both on Tuesday night

Swansea and Southampton meet in what could be a relegation decider on Tuesday night (Getty)

The message is clear from both camps.

"It's a quick turnaround so we can't dwell on this one," Mark Hughes observed after Southampton were denied at the death at Everton. "As I said when we came through the door, we have to look at what's ahead of us. We've got a huge game very quickly and we can't feel sorry for ourselves.”

“After losing a game like we did at Bournemouth, everyone is sad of course,” remarked Carlos Carvalhal after watching his side draw a blank on the south coast. “But tomorrow is another day and we will react. On Tuesday we must be at the top of our game.

“This is the main point and the players know about that. They know they must react very fast.”

Hughes watched Southampton throw away the points at Goodison Park (Getty)

A reaction. That’s what both managers have called for ahead of a do-or-die meeting that will likely go a long way to deciding who wins the battle to beat the drop in the Premier League.

Seven goals are all that separate 18th-placed Swansea and Southampton a place above after both failed to capitalise on thoroughly winnable weekend games to leave them teetering on the edge of the abyss.

Hughes, however, insists his side’s confidence remains intact.

"I don't think we're in any way damaged by the consequences of the game in terms of confidence, so we'll be ready to go again and it's up to us to get the job done.”

The Saints host champions Manchester City in a less than ideal final game whereas Swansea face already relegated Stoke, but Hughes is refusing to look any further ahead than the task at hand.

"We've got two games left and everybody is writing the Man City one off. We'll give that one a go as well, but clearly the Swansea one is one that we can really decide our own fate."

They must do it without Maya Yoshida, with the Japan defender suspended after his red card at Goodison Park. Midfielder Mario Lemina could miss out too after picking up a hamstring problem on Merseyside, while Steven Davies continues to battle Achilles trouble.

Carvalhal's Swansea face two huge fixtures to maintain their Premier League status (Getty)

For the hosts Kyle Naughton could return after a stomach bug kept him out at the weekend, while Sam Clucas is in contention for a starting place after nursing a knock.

While Hughes is ramping up the heat Carvalhal, for his part, is playing it cool instead hoping home advantage can make all the difference for his men.

“Since we arrived, in nearly all the games we play at home, we have performed really well,” he said. “Even against Chelsea, if you saw the game you can see we divided the game and we could have achieved much more. I don't have any reason to doubt we can do it again on Tuesday.

“My players will give the maximum and the fans will give the maximum, and when we play in Liberty, usually we are a strong team. It is our plan to be a strong team on Tuesday.”

The battle lines are drawn. The time for talking is over.