Despite the fine form in the Premier League Saints best chance of success and European qualification is still via the FA Cup.

One thing Saints are finding this season as we keep going in what has been a remarkable season is that if you want to be one of the big boys you have to fight on all fronts, it was hoped that the League cup might turn out to be a source of success but Saints suffered an element of bad luck when the tie was played in terms of injuries and suspensions and it would end in disaster.

But now we come to the FA Cup and although we are fourth in the League we cannot take our eye off the ball in this competition and we have to treat it seriously and try to win it.

That is because not only will it give us a chance to enjoy a trip to Wembley and ultimately some glory, but it well enable us to qualify for Europe.

Of course we would prefer to qualify for the Champions League but the Europa cup is seriously undervalued in this country by many clubs in the Premier League, the top five see it as derogatory to enter although that may change with a Champions League place up for grabs for the winners and the bottom half of the table are afraid it will affect their league form and lead to relegation.

But Saints are now in the positions occupied by the likes of Spurs, Liverpool & Everton for so long, that is always challenging but often having to settle for a position between 5 -7 in the league, now we all hope that this won't be the case for Saints and that we do achieve what the rest of the league deem impossible, but we also have to be realistic and look to cover ourselves in all areas. Ask any Spurs fan and they will tell you the Europa League is a minimum requirement and it helps them not only retain players but sign new ones of a certain quality.

So Saints need to take tis FA Cup seriously and look to it as potential way into European competition not to mention a trophy, Saints are building foundations that could see us grow as a club year in year out, football though is about winning things and competing with the best and that means fighting n all fronts.

Photo: Action Images

cheltenhamsaint added 11:44 - Jan 3 I agree with your sentiment Nick. Whilst our league position is exciting and a great achievement, we should always as a club try to win either cup every season. The FA Cup in particular is the fans competition as any PL team could win it, or at least get to the final, and every club in the land enters the competition along with its supporter base. It is not just for the elite clubs. There is a pat on the back for coming fourth in the PL but trophy or day out to Wembley And this season there may not be even a CL place if an English club wins the Europa League as they will take the 4th spot (the maximum allowed from any country in the CL)

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Bison added 12:15 - Jan 3 That would just be our bloody luck , finish 4th and Spuds or One of the Scouse teams win the Europa League.
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ItchenNorth added 13:27 - Jan 3 It's not a second European competition that is seriously underrated by clubs and fans it's the format of the Europa itself that devalues it in most peoples eyes. If UEFA would go back to the cup of the same name, it's profile would again raise. Until that happens (which won't under Platini because he envisions a European Super League long term hence the formats in the Europa & Champions League), it's a black hole for clubs of our size. It's a shame because European football should be an exciting prospect but it's CL or nothing these days. Still want to win the FA Cup but.........

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saintstuinoz added 01:09 - Jan 4 For those who weren't aware, or didn't see it, NBC USA had a program about Saints on New Years Day called 'The Southampton Way'. Great insight into the club, with interviews with Koeman, Kruger and a load of current and ex players. I managed to watch it on NBC's website: http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/pl-download-the-southampton-way/ Up the saints!
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