The big question will be whether Nigel Adkins has run out of patience
Saints take on Brentford at St Mary's in their firsst game in a fortnight, but for the bees its been even longer in that they havent played since the 23rd November, Saints fans will hope that with the injury problems that we have had, that the break will have benefitted Saints more than the visitors.
Definately out is Jose Fonte serving his suspension, its likely that the manager will go for Dan Seaborne ahead of Arron Martin, in that whislt Seaborne has played a number of games under Adkins, Martin has yet to get off the bench.
Hopefully Richard Chaplow is now recovered from his knock and if so the midfield is likely to be Lallana, Chaplow, Hammond, Chamberlain and that looks strong, add to that it could be augumented by Schneiderlin, Butterfield & Gobern off the bench and we dont look to have any weakness in that area
But its up front that Adkins dilemma lies, does he keep faith with Rickie Lambert for another game ? assuming that lee Barnard is fit to play then their are several options open to Adkins to play alongside him including Guly & David Connolly.
What will probably be in Adkins mind is the failure of Lambert to hit the net with anything other than a penalty, but its not just that its the fact that Guly, Connolly & even Gobern seem to be able to do it when they get on the pitch, the pressure is on Lambert to score goals and to be blunt he is just not doing it, Adkins now has to consider that the policy of trying to get him to play through his dry spell hasnt worked and that other options now need to be tried, just when !
Brentford though should not be underestimated, they sit only three points behind us in the league and of their 25 points, 14 have been won on their travels, losing only three games out of nine, they know where the net is as well hitting 12 goals, more than Saints on the road and conceding only 8, as mentioned they are a force to be reckoned with away from Griffin Park.
But Saints should have more than enough to go into this game confident of winning, this is the first of a ten match spell in a little over six weeks that will sort the wheat from the chafe, in this run 20 points should be considered a bare minimum and 3 on Saturday will make a grand start.