The above date should stick in the memory of all Saints fans, that was the date we crashed out of the Premiership with barely a whimper in a defeat to manchester United, now we can excorise that sad day.

May 15th 2005, a day when Saints fans knew the game was up even before a ball was kicked, we knew that Harry Redknapp's heart wasnt in it and we knew that his squad could see that and the collection of loans and signings he had brought to the club in the main didnt care less, whilst some players who did were rotting in the reserves, in the stadium that day you sensed that the spirit of Southampton shown in 1994, 95 & 99 was not present in 2005, even in the crowd, the belief had gone and had been driven out, many Saints fans havent forgiven Redknapp for his time at St Mary's and for his tactical ineptitude and therefore laugh hysterically with derision at the thought he is the best man for the England managers job.

But on riday night we play our most important game since that 2-1 defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson's men, yes the Derby games in the play off's 5 years ago were big, but we were still a long way from winning the play off's, now we stand perhaps one win from a return to the top flight, knowing that if we beat Reading we could be virtually promoted the following day if West Ham lose.

Indeed this game is probably bigger than the Man Utd game itself, back then although we were relegated from the Premiership, financially we were not playing for as big a stakes as we are now, even after being relegated we still had parachute payments and started at a big advantage to other clubs in the Championship, OK it didnt quite work like that, but technically it should of, put bluntly there is a lot lot more to play for in our last four games, but this is really the biggest of the lot.

In fact it could be said that this game is our biggest in 13 years, since the great escape season in fact when both Wimbledon away and Everton at home would qualify as a vital game, with plans for St Mary's in the pipeline and likely to be scuppered if we were relegated, that was truly a big couple of fixtures.

But back to the present, the importance of the clash with Reading should not be underestimated, although defeat for either side would not be a disaster, it would give a chink of light to West Ham and for that reason its important to get three points from the game and leave the Hammers staring at a nine point gap as they kick off their home fixture with Brighton.

Its one where vocal support of every form is essential, it is not a game to sit and watch passively, if you do then perhaps you are taking a seat from someone who could support the team more positively.

Promotions are not won on message boards on internet web sites, they are won on the pitch and being positive is about supporting your team where it counts, by supporting each and every player who steps on to that pitch whatever your opinions on them, only one thing matters on FRiday evening and thats winning this football match and once the final whistle blows the only thing that matters is the next game.

Make no bones about it, the Reading game is vitally important to the futre of this club, as was the fixture seven years ago, we now have a team that has spirit, if they and we show it, then the good times could be back.

Photo: Action Images

SeafordSaint added 11:58 - Apr 12 This is, in my opinion, a massive game for us. It will not be easy that's for sure. I have to say that Reading have been on an incredible run of form and should be automatically promoted along with ourselves. When they lost 2 -1 at home to Cardiff City in November they were 16 points behind us with an inferior GD. We now know that they currently trail us by GD only. All credit to them. However, if we perform to our ability we could and should win this vitally important match. My question relating to tomorrow's match is this: - Which Saints team will turn up? Will it be the swashbuckling team that despatched Brighton & Hove Albion, Middlesbrough, Derby, etc so easily at the St Marys stadium? Or will it be the team that failed to turn up against Blackpool away or Leicester at home? Naturallly, I hope that it's the former and we win in a convincing and swashbuckling way. I am unable to make the game but I have passed my season ticket to another Saints fan living in East Sussex. I hope that he sings his heart out for the duration of the match. Along with everyone else lucky to be able to make it to the game. This match is the title decider in my opinion. May the best team win. COYS SfS.

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stmichael added 12:51 - Apr 12 Yes and No. If we lose we SHOULD still go up. However win and we are practically home and dry. Personally I want our name on the Trophy. The very same trophy that was won by Liverpool in their hey day and dare i say it Scumpey. 2nd now would almost be an anti climax.
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VeloSaint added 12:59 - Apr 12 A win would make life very easy for the remaining games. A defeat and a Hammers win will really put the pressure on the 2 away games that follow. In truth this side has something about them and have met just about every challenge put in front of them, its all about discipline, focus and getting the job done. I am more then a little concerned that Reading play exactly the type of game we've struggled against in recent months. Expecting to see us pressurised for 90 mins and balls played down the channels and out wide to try and expose our flanks. Adkins will need to be on his game for this one and get the tactics bang on from minute one.

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schatfield added 13:15 - Apr 12 Sorry, but 100% disagree - yes, it is an important game if we want to be champions of the division but if you are looking for just automatic promo (which is what this article is about), then this game isnt any more vital than boro away for example. Facts are 4 game games left, and we need to win 2. Any 2.
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bstokesaint added 13:25 - Apr 12 For me the worst thing Redknapp could have done was admit his love was always for Pompey and he never felt the same way about the Saints. This roughly translated as the bungs are far better at Portsmouth. Oh how they laughed when Harry came out with this clanger. Little did they know he was just another bloodsucker that would contribute to their demise. Brilliant. As for the game, it's the biggest one I can remember in the league for a long, long time. As Seaford and Velo correctly point out we need to get at them early and for our best team to turn out. Reading have some great form, but Brighton had them up against the ropes for large parts of their most recent game. It was luck as much as anything else that carried them through that match (a deflected goal and a missed Brighton penalty - what are the odds?). They were nervous and we need to make sure they're the same against us. We do have some weaker areas, so we need the wingers to support the wing backs and just leave Rickie to concentrate on getting to his 30. Promotion and the title won't be settled tomorrow. One game at a time. Winning the Championship is just the icing on the cake. Let's worry about that at a later date. Larger targets are best broken down into realistically manageable chunks.

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SaintNick50 added 14:24 - Apr 12 We could loose and still be champions/promoted. We could win and end up in the playoffs. In that context this is not the most important game since 15/05/05. In the context that it is the two best teams playing each other near the end of the season then it should be the most exciting game of this season and the most important so far this season, until Peterborough on Tuesday! I can never understand why Harry dropped Kevin Phillips madness! TOGETHER AS ONE!

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SaintNick added 16:51 - Apr 12 Schatfield, the next game is always the most important at this stage of the season, defeat would leave us open to a late west ham surge and we dont want that
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BlackRod added 19:21 - Apr 12 Schatfield said : "Facts are 4 game games left, and we need to win 2. Any 2." You are right of course, but winning 2 out of 4 gives better odds than winning 2 out of 3. The game is vital in the sense that if we win we are almost home and dry. If we lose we need to start looking over our shoulders again. Remember that Peterborough can spring a surprise and are the only team to have beaten Reading in the last few months. I wouldn't want to go into the last two games needing to win both of them.

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tiptop added 20:37 - Apr 12 Have to agree with Nic this, the next game, is the most important game. Psychologically a great step away from West Ham and 3rd. Do not forget promotion is THE priority. Look at QPR and Norwich this season as a case in point of what significance Championship Champions status has. None. Of course it would as bstokesaint says the icing on the cake. Make no bonmes about it Reading I think are the best team we've played this season. Yes it was at their place but they ran riot and new exactly how to get at us and dominate - and dominate they did. This is the kind of challenge we are going to face IF we are to be promoted EVERY game. We must be able to adapt and keep the ball without hoofing it in desperation after getting knocked out of our stride. It is going to be interesting to see how we go but I am confident and excited. Brighton kept the ball and bossed it for long periods. We need to do that and capitalise, unlike Poyet's lot. COYR's!!!

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