Recent months have seen a number of events and issues divide opinion and split the supporter base but as we head towards the play offs it is time for everyone at Saints to kick in the same direction.

There has been a lot of division amongst Southampton supporters, from the very start of this season there were those who criticised Russell Martin and what they dubbed his Tippy Tappy style of football, there were those who criticised individual players, sometimes with good reason, but other times not.

Then there was Russell Martin himself who built up a squad full of unity, togetherness, character & fight and then by some bizarre team selections and substitutions.

To cap it all we then have the club itself drive through their desire to create a wall of red & white at the Northam End in a way that meant disruption to some Saints supporters forced to move seats and a another split in opinion that was not needed just as we approached a vital part of the season.

But all these things are now done and dusted, at least for the moment, if we are to stand any chance in the play offs we need to be as one, the club itself, the owners and management, Russell Martin his coaching staff and players and perhaps most importantly the Southampton supporters.

It is no use moaning about what has happened or for that instance what we think might happen, the great thing about football is that sometimes games are won by teams in adversity and we are certainly that now.

Back in 1994 & 1999 we fought relegation campaigns that for the most part we were appalling on the field and lost more than we won, but at the end of the season we got behind the team as supporters and they responded and won some vital end of season games that meant we escaped relegation.

Now we are trying to get back into the Premier League rather than stay in it, but the sentiment is the same, we have to get behind our team, our manager and our club and stir up what was called 30 years ago The Spirit Of Southampton.

If we do that we can achieve what our ultimate goal for a club was and that is a return to the Premier League.

That is still very achievable, so why would we not want to get behind our club ?

The Leeds game is not important, but after that we have two play off games that most certainly are, I have no doubt that whoever we play, when we play the away leg, our excellent away support will travel in numbers and be loud.

But we also need to do that in the home leg, it needs to be a sold out St Mary's and full of loud and proud Southampton supporters roaring their team on.

If we do that then hopefully the players will respond and we will get a trip to Wembley, again we need to do that as we did in 2010 when we won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, one half of the stadium that wall of red & white that our CEO wants to see.

Neither of these games are times for sarcasm and cynicism , its just time to enjoy our team challenging for something.

So time for us all to stand up and be counted, it doesn't matter whether you are the type of fan who likes to stand up and sing, or if you are a person who prefers to watch in a more sedate way, we should all have pride in Southampton FC and want to help and not hinder it.

There will be plenty of time for recriminations of this season when it has ended, it can still be one of glory if we all have The Spirit Of Southampton

Photo: Action Images

stmichael added 09:14 - May 2 When you think of the traditional best supported home clubs they have their own end. They don’t park themselves next to the away fans so they can hurl Abuse or have “banter”.. Can you imagine Liverpool supporters deserting the kop so they can hurl abuse at away fans every game.. Think Dortmund or the new Tottenham stadium.. This is a great move by the club - I fear our support is simply Too small time to take advantage…

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Bowlercow added 09:52 - May 2 Nick the team are not in adversity It is just the fickle supporters I doubt SMS will be sold out because the club have chosen to cash in and have over priced tickets Mine in the Itchen Premium will cost £40 with no reduction for pensioners and they Haven't itaken into account that we already pay a premium price
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dirk_doone added 11:27 - May 2 Talking of the spirit of Southampton, it's great to see there are only a few hundred standing places left for next season in Blocks 40-45 of the new Northam Red Wall. Block 46 in the corner looks like being the last to sell out but they should leave a few places for individual matchday sales anyway. Looking forward to seeing the much improved home support next season.

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dirk_doone added 11:32 - May 2 Stmichael, we may not match the home ends in the massive stadiums of Dortmund and Spurs but next season, we'll have the biggest standing home end we've ever had, which should see us have home support to be really proud of. Exciting times.
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SanMarco added 23:47 - May 3 Wise words from Nick. There is no real reason why we can't get our act together and play well in the play-offs. Tomorrow may, of course, be a dress rehearsal for Wembley so let's hope we play well...
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