Saints have a simple task ahead of them for the rest of the season, they have 15 games left to play, if they win 9 of them they go up automatically.

The mathematicians amongst Saints fans are bringing out their calculators and working out just how many points it will take to get promoted, I would hazard a guess at around 85, if that turns out to be the case then Saints need to win 9 of their remaining fixtures, draw 2 and lose 4, a simple case of addition here.

So Saints task is to put together that winning run sooner than later and start now with the visit of Derby County, of course its a must win game, all of them are now, we can only afford to drop points in 6 games maximum so the job is not to put the pressure on ourselves too early, when I suggested this back in November, I was shouted down by many, told that there's a long way to go, well personally Im not happy that we blew a really good chance and i dont want to see it happen a second time.

The key for the manager is once again continuity, our four match unbeaten run against some tricky opposition was achieved due to this very reason, I dont want to see those mistakes repeated, our only real doubt is Frazer Richardson and i would suggest that due to the lack of options in replacing him, he is just about the last player we would want to lose through injury.

Deby County arent a great away side, winning four, drawing four and losing seven, scoring only 13 and letting in 22 and its this record thats seen them drop right out of the promotion race since our top of the table draw with them at Pride Park back in October

But its a case of doing what we do and doing it well, do that and we reagain top spot which will be a morale victory even though the Hammers will have a couple of games in hand on us, but more to the point its not about winning the division, its about finishing 2nd, lets get this job done and get it done quickly

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tiptop added 11:37 - Feb 17 Agreed. We have to approach it like that points total is the minimum we want to get. Its going to be so close. As you say lets get on a roll. Now. Poss Scenario 1. Cork at RB. Schniedelin and Chaplow in the centre. Chaplow needs some game time and we need him fit and ready aswell as ability to shoot/score. If he doesnt make it the whole way through Cork can switch back and Harding can go RB. Possibly Puncheon to start on the right as Guly is better in tandom with Frazer. Another day off for Bart? I think so. Bench: Lee, Punch/Guly, Harding,Connolly,Hammond Scenario 2. Harding RB Keep the midfield as they were (with poss Punch instead of Guly). Bench: Lee, Punch/Guly, Chaplow, Martin, de Ridder

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nobby added 12:17 - Feb 17 Nick, I think you're spot on and looking at the remaining fixtures I think what you predict is achievable especially as the teams around us are due to play each other therefore someone is going to be dropping points. More likely that Harding will come in at RB, but then again we're back with the 'square pegs' scenario although I wouldn't think the Derby attack would not cause him too many problems. After all the moaning West Ham fans did after the game on Tuesday, I would love to finish above them now.

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saintstowin added 13:47 - Feb 17 the no sub keeper is a nice addition just to make us fans even more nervous, i like it! i am really looking forward to tomorrow and given our little run of form i am actually glad we've got a league game to continue this, no matter how disappointing going out of the cup was. and when we look back at how comparable us and derby were when we played them it's testament to our staying power that we look down on their position at this stage of the season. well played!

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Zambucco added 23:18 - Feb 17 let's start striking fear into the hearts of our opponents again, let's go out to win every game! We all know we can do it, so let's start playing like we can COYR!
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