Saints go into the weekend looking to extend their winning streak and stay top.

There probably werent that many people who would have predicted that after three games Saints would be top of the Championship with a maximum nine points, there would have been even less who would have also said that they would be joined by both Brighton & Derby, but that is the reality going into this weekends run of games.

The toughest part though is staying top and although initially our opening trio of fixtures looked to be hard, the reality is thet we have played three teams that have struggled early season, of course the good news is that two of our opening games have been away, but thats been the case for both the Rams & The Seagulls as well.

So what are the chances of Saints still looking down on the rest come the final two fixtures of the weekend on Sunday.

Brighton themselves have a tough home fixture against Blackpool, who are still smarting after Derby beat them midweek, although you must fancy the Seagulls its still a tough game and could end in a draw, Derby are also at home against Doncaster and this looks to be a home win, Donny have yet to pick up a point so far although in fairness they came so close at Brighton on the opening day, but you have to say that they have a chance at Derby more in hope than judgement

Next in the pecking order of those who could overtake us if we fail to win are Middlesbrough, they are also at home, but they are playing Birmingham, the Blues although early favourites for a return to the top flight have been decimated by their off the field problems so again hard to see anything but a home win.

Coming up on the rails are West Ham, after losing to Cardiff on the opening weekend and that to a last minute goal, they have won two on the bounce since, the Hammers host Leeds on Sunday and if the Elland Road sides vist to SMS is anything to go by West ham should cruise to victory.

The other favourites for promotion Leicester are six points behind us after winning only their opening game and being defeated twice at their own stadium, they will hope to put their season back on track, but a local derby game away to Nottingham Forest is perhaps not the easiest place to do that.

So if Saints beat Millwall their is a good chance that the wheat will start to sort itself out from the chafe by the end of the weekend and that a gap could be opening up between those promotion hopefuls battling for a tp six place and those who might perhaps be facing a season of struggle  

Photo: Action Images

BlackRod added 15:37 - Aug 18 Still early days. Green shoots are just starting to sprout and no signs of any wheat yet. I think I remember Charlton winning their first five games in League One the season after we both went down. Their fans were saying that League One was too easy, but they still seem to be there. We just have to stay grounded and focus on games one at a time. This is what Nigel is saying and I think he has been mightily impressive so far.

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legod7 added 15:41 - Aug 18 Only one comment to your headline."It's tough at the top " All I can say is "It's a bloody lot tougher at the bottom"
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SalisburySaint added 16:23 - Aug 18 Derby are playing Donny this week, Burnley next saturday. Hopefully we can continue, not only to win, but play in with the same quality of passing and movement we've shown in our games so far. But as many have said loads of teams have started well but not kept it going But remember when we played Sheff Weds away last season they had made a great start and we were near the botttom, yet at the end of the season they were in danger of relegation Still so far so good

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saintwonston added 17:26 - Aug 18 It is all about confidence which we seem to have plenty of at the moment and also not worrying about what other teams do. As long as we keep winning it doesnt matter especially as we have a better goal difference compared to others.
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