Saints have come through the busy December and festive period still unbeaten and now they have the chance to have a rest and give some of the fringe players a chance to show what they can do when they take on Walsall in the FA Cup 3rd round.

Between 29th November and 1st January Saints played a total of 9 games in 34 days, that is an average of less than 4 days per game.

I said earlier in the season that this period would be one of the toughest of the season, but Saints would be better set for it than most of our rivals given the size and quality of our squad.

That has proved to be the case with Saints winning 6 and drawing 3 of those 9 games for a total of 21 points, an average of 2.33 per game.

Only Leicester in the division can better that and only just, winning 7 and drawing 2 as they seemingly look indestructible in their pursuit of the title.

Ipswich on the other hand are not looking good, I questioned whether they had the squad to see them through a tough winter and that looks like being the case, initially they stated the above period strongly winning 4 on the bounce, but they have not won in their last 5 games, drawing 4 and losing 1, gaining 17 in the process, but that has seen their lead above Saints reduce to just 3 points.

Their squad has just got smaller with Tottenham recalling Dane Scarlett from his season long loan, Scarlett had not been outstanding, but he had made 12 appearances off the bench and had played a part.

Leeds have also faltered, like Ipswich they went into the 34 game period strongly, winning the first 3, but they have only won twice in the next 6 and their total from the 9 game spell we are looking at is just 16 points.

What this period shows us is that as disappointing as the 3 draws in our run felt, that our form compared to the 3 clubs who we now seem to be competing with for the 3 promotion places is almost as good as Leicester's and better than Ipswich & Leeds.

The conclusion drawn is that it looks unlikely that we will catch Leicester of for that matter any of the other Frantic Four automatic promotion contenders will catch them.

But of the chasing trio we are the strongest and for that matter we are getting stronger, if we can repeat the same pattern over the next 9 games then the chances are we will go into the final quarter of the season in the promotion spots.

But we know that this squad is lacking a striker and the next few weeks will be crucial, we know that there will be some departures it is essential that there are replacements and indeed perhaps more.

If we do that then we go forward into 2024 with confidence, back on September 23rd our season was at an all time low after 4 straight defeats, the usual suspects were raising their voices about the manager, the squad and it was all doom and gloom.

Now 18 games later where we have won 12 of them and drawn 6 for a grand total of 42 points at an average of exactly the same ratio of the last 9, which you will recall is 2.33.

Russell Martin is still learning, but he is learning fast, he has earned the right to be given respect and has turned us into automatic promotion contenders in the midst of difficult circumstances.

So we go into the final 20 games in confident form and also strong and getting stronger, Lawrie McMenemy once said that in the North East the fans give the team something and inspire it, in Southampton it is different, the team has to give something and the the fans inspire it !

The Southampton supporters have turned up in big numbers home and away and have given great backing, but it can be better, especially at St Mary's, so the team have now given the Saints support something, now is the time for unity in the supporter base and all members of the squad given unequivocal support and that means ALL members not just some.

If we do then everything is in place for a great ending to the season.

Photo: Action Images

underweststand added 11:27 - Jan 2 Won't argue your stats. (Nick) but considering the huge number of chances that we have failed to convert we really need to get another proven goalscorer. Thankfully the Plymouth scoreline helped us to a better goal difference, and I was reminded that with the name of Billy Sharp re-appearing in the headlines - it was 12 years ago when we signed Billy (after New Year,) and he helped ensure our promotion with vital goals in the final run-in, at a time was Rickie Lambert was struggling to score. I don't see Mara or Alcarez contributing enough and with the possible departure of Che Adams (before his contract ends) we really need "another Billy Sharp" and quite possibly TWO new strikers. Having come this far after our " fiasco September ", we cannot let the chance of a quick return to the Prem. go begging for the lack of more goals.

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landsdownsaint added 11:35 - Jan 2 I sit next to few people who I’m sure they’re hoping the team screws it ip , I do wonder about some of our supporter’s sometimes
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SaintNick added 11:39 - Jan 2 I have a few around me whose only verbal support of the team seems to come in abusing certain individual players. They seem to think screaming "You are f***** S*** Manning* or "That is F***** S*** Saints" is a positive way to support your team and will encourage it to better levels.
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dirk_doone added 12:06 - Jan 2 And as our home results have improved so much, they are obviously right.
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SaintNick added 12:11 - Jan 2 Dirk this is in the last 7 games since our results have improved
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Bowlercow added 12:22 - Jan 2 I don't normally do predictions but here goes We will be in second spot at the end of Jan We will be third at the end of Feb We will be seond from the end of March to the end of the season and go up in an auto spot Just seen that tackle on SamI hópe the ref is reprimanded and suspended
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NYC_Saint added 13:30 - Jan 2 My sense is as long as we stay above Leeds we'll go up. Ipswich are running out of steam so I think we are more concerned about Leeds. A new striker or two should see us over the line.
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Staycalm added 13:42 - Jan 2 I agree with underweststand. Listened to the Radio Solent coverage of the Norwich game. By early in thye scond half, so many chances had been wasted that I thought I would check the BBc stats. We had had 12 attempts on goal but only 1 on target!! All that effort and energy in the build up gone to waste. Great that we can create chances but until we get a striker or two that worry the opposition, Saints are making themselves relatively easy to play against, which in spite of our impressive record, is why so many games have felt like they are needlessly on a knife edge!!

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JoeEgg added 14:31 - Jan 2 "an all time low after 4 straight defeats, the usual suspects were raising their voices about the manager, the squad and it was all doom and gloom." The 'usual suspects'were none too happy with the enormous waste of money pre-season. They protested quite rightly at the appointments and performances of Selles and Jones. They didn't shout for joy at four consecutive defeats and the shambles that night at Gillingham. I, like many, did not enjoy the possession football and tippy tappy Russell Martin style and we made our opinions heard, while Saint Nick, apparently, and his robots chose to cheer like mad! Martin has in fact done 'brilliantly' - to use his own favourite word - to guide Saints through the current unbeaten run and it remains to be seen how he well he adapts his style further to make the most effective use of the new strikers we so desperately need. After that - even greater challenges for the manager particularly if we get promotion. Most supporters get fully behind their teams when they see their players giving everything for the Club and entertaining in the process. We are now beginning to see this whereas earlier in the season all we were served up was 'doom and gloom'! As for your McMenemy quote - I wonder how long the Geordies will remain 'inspired' and give their full support to Eddie Howe if Newcastle continue to lose matches?!!!

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robhythe added 15:04 - Jan 2 Bit over rated the supporters in the north east from my experience! Loud at the moment but can hear a pin drop when not so good ! Saints fans have suffered lately and there is nerves still in th ground , but they do get behind the team ( apart from a few usual negative people that seem to disappear of social media until a bad day lol)
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felly1 added 17:25 - Jan 2 Nothing wrong with fans voicing their concerns or being critical of players on forums like this. In the stadium it's a different matter. You back the players 100% during games, if not then you cannot describe yourself as a fan as it doesn't make sense to me to make the very people you are hoping to deliver a win feel bad about themselves. They sadly do exist though... Normally arms folded and awaiting the first mistake or sideways pass to set them off. I appreciate tension at a game can bring out the worst in people. It just amazing to me that some long time fans in particular dont realize that you can't have it all your own way in a game of football. Sometimes the pesky opponents want to try and stop us and win the game as well!!

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Monksway added 18:01 - Jan 2 Interesting to compare this year's squad with last year. Martin has a smaller squad and ensures virtually everybody gets some game time. This seems really positive with many of the regular substitutions and small rotations keeping levels of match fitness up amongst all the players. However, we will need to replace those that are injured or leave with another utility defender/ defensive midfielder, a wide attacker and a centre forward the minimum if Holgate and Che leave and Larios, Kamaldeen and Stewart are long term absentees. Otherwise the optimism might evaporate with more injuries or suspensions to key players like KWP and Downes.

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