Saints are enjoying a two week break whilst their rivals are still battling in Cup competitions, but will this be a help for Saints or a hindrance.

The first reaction from most Saints supporters would probably be that this is a help, the Saints squad has time to get over injury issues as well as to re charge their batteries. what is there not to be pleased about, certainly with some managers calling for a mid winter break from the rigours of Premier League football, Saints and other teams already knocked out of the FA Cup get an extended break and there will be another one along in four weeks time.

When you look at Saints rivals for a top six position, they are all battling away on at least one other front, some of them more, looking into the top four, Manchester City who are seven points above us and are still catchable are still in three other competitions, not only do they have the Capital One Cup final next week, but they still have the FA Cup and Europe, even as we speak that is at least four more games than Saints have to play.

Likewise Manchester United only a point above us, they have had to play in Denmark on Thursday and then follow that up with a trip to Shrewsbury on Monday night in the FA Cup and then the return against Midtjylland only three days later on Thursday in the Europa League, whilst Saints have enjoyed a two week break, United have had to squeeze three extra games in.

Directly below us are West Ham United, they have only the FA Cup to distract them from the League and face a tough trip to Blackburn, if they progress then they face more games, they will not want a replay that is for sure.

Liverpool are trying to get a run together that will propel them up the League and they are only two points behind us, but they face distractions , they will have an extended break from the Premier League as they have a date at Wembley with Manchester City in the Capital One Cup, in between 14th February when they beat Aston Villa they will have faced Augsburg twice in the Europa League and the aforementioned cup final, before they host Manchester City at Anfield only three days after Wembley.

So if we look at it from a tiredness point of view then Saints have a definite advantage over their rivals for a European spot and this break will have done us the world of good.

But there is an alternative viewpoint and that is for a team like Saints who were on a roll, then you do not want a break, you want to keep rolling and gaining momentum, there is a danger that this break could work against Saints in this respect.

But overall Saints will probably benefit from the break they will hopefully return to action with their batteries re charged and raring to go.

Photo: Action Images

Mushty added 10:40 - Feb 20 Relaxing in the Dubai sunshine will hopefully recharge the batteries, I trust Eric and Co have an eye out and keeping them out of trouble.
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1970 added 10:47 - Feb 20 If we were to have a fully fit squad to choose from then we could be in for a good run in but we haven't, I think we would need a friendly with a decent side before we face chelski, they are more than capable of winning a game in the first ten minutes so if we are slow starting it will be difficult, but I feel this game will be won by tactics not fitness, if we turn up with Yoshida we are in trouble and equally Pelle up top would be too easy to defend but have a front four of Long, Davis, Mane, (if he turns up) and Tadic could cause all sorts of problems for there shakey back four but we will see I cant wait coyr.

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Chesham_Saint added 10:54 - Feb 20 So they've gone to Dubai? Good move, better than kicking their heals in this miserable weather we're having. I like to think the management won't allow them to get lethargic in this off period though....
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Bettwsresident added 11:02 - Feb 20 agree that I can't wait. The team were on one hell of a run and I hope that this doesn't break it. I have had a flutter on top 4..20's seemed a good bet with both Manchester clubs imploding. Chelski looked back to their best against PSG. It is going to take one hell of a performance to get the 3 pts we want, but it is a performance the team can deliver and chelski's back line is their weakness which gives some hope. Break in the 6 nations and the prem..a weekend beckons of getting ahead with work and building mosaic welsh flags (their home work!) with the kids.

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Consigliere added 15:38 - Feb 20 Off thread but I couldn't resist sharing this picture of a Chinese biscuit product (cut and paste into your browser); https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cblkdj4UEAA1JYG.jpg:large
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Consigliere added 15:39 - Feb 20 Sorry, tea product!
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ericofarabia added 17:21 - Feb 20 This break isn't too bad, although I'd much rather be in The FA Cup still! Qualifying for Europe by winning the cup would feel a million times better!! The break in April is more of a concern, presumably an International Friendly with players scattered all over the show and potentially picking up injuries and jet lag and missing team training ahead of important games in the run in. Just like the stupid idea of having friendlies after about 2 games into the season.

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legod7 added 11:56 - Feb 21 1970. Is that the same Yoshida that scored the only goal of the game against West Ham. This gave us 3 points instead of 1. If we weren't up 1-0 when Wanyama was sent off we would probably lost that game.
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1970 added 23:17 - Feb 21 Legod yep same guy, so you telling me we are better off with Yoshida in our starting line up?
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SaintBrock added 10:24 - Feb 22 Presumably they will still be training together during the break so it won't really matter one way or the other. If we are still concerned about which Saints will turn up on Saturday then the team has not progressed as far as most would like. My real concern is that fans and the media are getting this whole thing so completely out of proportion that one goal may shatter players morale and lead to a rout. The way Chelsea are playing we could be on the end of a hiding if that happens. Sorry chaps but this one looks dodgy and for me a 3-0 defeat is looming.

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IWOZTHERE added 14:16 - Feb 23 Strewth Brock, I'm a bit twitchy over this one but I wouldn't go as far as to predict a hammering! I agree about some getting our good run out of proportion though.
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