Saints might not be playing in this week's midweek fixtures in the Championship, but every game has something vital in it for Saints.

The first game that we will be looking for the result of is taking place at Bloomfield Road as Blackpool take on West Ham, perhaps this is an easy one to call when looking for a preferred result, if the Lancashire club can win it then it stillleaves them trailing us by four points but is a big dent to the Hammers who would still be two points behind with only one game in hand, a draw would also be acceptable whilst even a West ham win isnt the end of the world, but the Hammers taking a hammering would be nice.

Next up is Barnsley V Birmingham, again a home win is most preferable, but Birrmingham dropping any points is great as it makes the gap between us look better, if the Blues win they will see us within catching distance whilst even a draw would see them seven points behind with only one game in hand a big psycological blow to them.

Millwall V Middlesbrough is the lesser of the three games being played tonight, Boro seemed to have dropped back in recent weeks, however they have games in hand and are still well placed to go back into the top six, they look a long way back at the moment, nine points behind in 8th to be exact, however win their two games in hand and they are only three behind, thats why its essential that Millwall take something off them and put a dent in their hopes of a late surge to automatic promotion.

Tomorrow night sees Hull play Brighton, the Humberside club are currently on the same total as Boro, fifty points from 30 games, they are looking to get right back amongst us again, however Brighton could overtake them if they win tonight so the result is far from certain, a draw here would probably be good from our perspective

Thursday night sees Derby host Leicester, both clubs hopes of the play offs are fading fast with both on 52 points from 31 games, from a Saints perspective this doesnt look to have much interest, but I still feel Leicester could put a late run in and with the money they have spent if they got into the play offs they could well win them, from that point of view i would prefer that they didnt, so hopefuully Derby will be the ones a little closer to the top six after this game.

A vital few nights for Saints, in one sense one in which we have nothing to lose, at least one of our rivals in the top six will drop points, lets hope that its a little better than that.

Photo: Action Images

bstokesaint added 16:50 - Feb 21 I'd prefer a draw in Blackpool game. A good home win would also give Blackpool impetus in game against us. I thought they were average at best at St Marys and only got a result because of at least one gift.
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cotswoldsaint added 23:28 - Feb 21 Finally it all went Pete Tong for us tonight - makes you realise how lucky we've been for the last two months. And Watford have signed Kuszack FFS to replace their dodgy goalie. Time for Billy S to repay his seven figure fee methinks...
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bstokesaint added 06:16 - Feb 22 Very disappointed with Blackpool. Goes to prove they're not promotion candidates if they can't beat a 10 man West Ham team with an outfield player in goal! Need to forget everyone else again and just concentrate on Watford now. As long as we keep winning the rest of them can do what they like, but they won't catch us. Need some of the Alex Ferguson mentality.
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iwtwms added 12:25 - Feb 22 At least it keeps Blackpool further away from us. As someone else said on another post - 'How can you consider it lucky to be in the top two all season?' All that's happened is that we've allowed others to close the gap. We had a great start and it looks like we are regaining form. Let's look at the season as it pans out - not just 'two months'.
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BlackRod added 16:18 - Feb 22 Nick has made the point before that promotion will go to the team(s) who can come to the boil now and produce a run of form to the end of the season (like we did last season). West Ham have a cushion at the top (similar to the one we threw away) so if we assume they will make it the other prize could go to us, Birmingham or Reading. All three seem to be hitting form, but the outcome is on a knife edge.

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