These days there is little point to pre season friendlies from a supporters point of view, clubs use them as warm up games played with little urgency and with multiple substitutions and with no real competitiveness.

Saints take on Monaco at St Mary's this evening with a pretty poor crowd expected due to the cost of two pre season games in the space of 4 days, although initially season ticket holders could buy a ticket for either game at £10 each, the price soon increased to £15 and let's be frank with a £20 price for a ticket on the day of the game there is going to be little chance of a walk up.

Of course it costs money to put on, but the costs could be covered by a minimal price, perhaps free for season ticket holders and £5 for other adults including paying on the day.

So sadly I am not holding out much for the game tonight in terms of the size of the crowd or the entertainment value, that is unless you like to look at the more tactical side of things and find like to try and see what Ralph has up his sleeve formation and tactically for the coming season.

The problem is that our early season opponents will certainly be interested in the above, so just how much will Ralph reveal this evening.

From the three earlier friendlies we can surmise that this evening will probably see a back three utilised along with two wingbacks, three central midfield players and finally two forwards, although due to squad constraints and the need to rest one of Che Adams & Adam Armstrong in each half, we may seen a lone striker with someone else playing alongside him occasionally.

All of this being said I think we have a stronger squad than last year, or at least will have if we bring in another striker and hopefully a central defender.

Tonight is a good opportunity for the kids to be taken along to a game, that is why it is so strange that for a family of four walking up on the night it will cost £60, £20 each adult and £10 each child.

In truth not that much less than it would cost for the same family of four to go to watch the opening home game against Leeds United where the same family could get in for £90 in total.

Hopefully there will be a bigger crowd for the final pre season fixture on Saturday, then we might see something near the starting line up Ralph will employ at Tottenham Hotspur.

Photo: Action Images

Monksway added 15:14 - Jul 27 Be interesting to see who are the wingbacks tonight. We are really over reliant on KWP at the moment with Tino and Perraud out. Wouldn't be surprised to see Redmond or Tella given a go.
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Toussaint added 17:14 - Jul 27 Where`s Vokins ??
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