It's been a traumatic week around St Mary's, but for many Saints supporters it has seen change and that is what has been needed, so Southampton go into this game with the shackles off and a new manager and with a realistic chance of getting to the semi finals.

No one now has the Russell Martin excuse, that has now gone, whilst it likely that it is only the caretaker manager Simon Rusk in charge, it could hopefully see the weight off the players shoulders and a chance to play to their strengths.

Add to that the fact that Liverpool have prioritised this game behind the 3 other major competitions that they are in and will likely play a much changed side from the one they usually put out in the Premier League, if we can play a strong side, then this season might well have some glory to be chased after all.

I am surprised that this game is still a fair way off a sell out, our supporters have put up with a lot this season, they have watched error strewn games and placed the blame firmly at the door of the manager, now that has changed and this game is a genuine chance of some joy, we gave them a good run for their money in the league, so perhaps we can give their weakened side an even better game this time out.

That being the case why spurn the chance of a little bit of glory, just because the previous games have been awful.

So I hope that there is a late surge for tickets for this one, if we are to move forward, we have to change the perspective that the fans feel towards the club, there has been the change that the fans wanted, so time to get back behind the team and hopefully going forward the club.

Hopefully Simon Rusk will get back to basics and pick a team that has the players in their own positions and with the shackles taken off they can clear the ball when they need to and pass it forward when they have the chance to create chances.

The fans need to see a good team put out this evening, they need to have some faith put back in their team, they need to see a battling performance from a side of seasoned professionals, in short the best side we can put out.

We will find out tonight how much of the problems were down to Russell Martin and his selections and tactics and how much was down to the players themselves.

It will be interesting to see if Rusk brings back any of those who have been alienated under Martin, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Ben Brereton, Lesley Ugochukwu, Charlie Taylor, all players with Premier League experience to varying degrees, yet who have barely played and in truth had done no worse than many who were being selected yet were still ignored whilst a plethora of others failed.

This is a free hit, a chance to win a game with no real pressure, lets go out there and enjoy it both on and off the pitch.

All Photos Via Reuters

IanRC added 09:02 - Dec 18 I would like to see Sulemana, Sugawara and Onachu played so we have some wing penetration and crosses from wide positions.
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JoeEgg added 09:23 - Dec 18 Well lets hope we are not 1-0 down within the first 60 seconds! My concern for the Liverpool match is the defence and the little effective protection they get from our midfield. The new manager needs to decide on his best defensive set up and let the players get used to playing together. Every match its been something different which must have been so confusing for the players. If indeed we do have some Premier league quality players then what better chance for them to prove it and start earning those inflated salaries and purchase prices.

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WestSussexSaint added 12:34 - Dec 18 I don’t see the style of football changing much. Let’s face it the players have been playing possession football for the last 18 months so they won’t deviate too far from that despite it not being RM in the dugout.
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