After equaling their best ever run of consecutive top ten finishes, Saints head into the final day looking to end the season with a few more milestones.

Last season Saints went into the final day of the season with the opportunity of finishing fifth, the reality was that it was too difficult to achieve as we had to beat Manchester City on their own turf, this season at least our side of things will be, on paper at least a bit easier, but like last season we will need to rely on results elsewhere to help us.

The first thing we have to do though is concentrate on doing our stuff at St Mary's, we need to get the game put to bed as soon as possible so that the tension is taken out of the day and we can look elsewhere.

It has to be one step at a time and winning our game and ensuring seventh place is the priority, once we have done that we can concentrate an praying that West Ham fail to win and that Bournemouth beat Manchester United.

The reality of both those results happening is remote, but the chances of one of them going in our favour is a lot better and that is why we have to ensure that we don't fall down ourselves.

Ronald Koeman has a full squad to pick from with the exception of Jordy Clasie who will miss the game with a groin strain, I would expect Romeu to step in to replace him, although Koeman may opt for James Ward Prowse alongside Wanyama to offer a more attacking option.

I would also like to see Soares restored to the right back position, the manager has preferred Martina in recent weeks and although he has done little wrong, going forward although he has pace he can't cross a pools coupon whereas Soares is not only fast but a fr more accurate crosser of the ball.

Apart from that I don't think there will be any other changes, we are a team in full flow and we don't want to upset that.

The real advantage Saints have though is on the bench, assuming the only change is Romeu for Clasie, then most Premier League sides would be very happy to have both Charlie Austin and Graziano Pelle on the bench, plus the likes of James Ward Prowse and Cedric Soares and this is a great get out of jail free card.

So this is perhaps the most important Premier League game we have played since that day against Manchester United on the final day of the season in 2005, the prizes are immense, finishing 7th means that like last year we have to rely on Manchester United to win the FA Cup to put us in Europe and it will also have the distinction of being the first time we have ever finished above Liverpool and that will complete the full set for us.

Sixth will mean we can start looking at the Airline schedules and fifth would mean that we would go into the Europa League at the group stages.

Its a day of destiny for Saints, it's what we go to football for and ong may it continue.

Photo: Action Images

ericofarabia added 19:12 - May 14 It's going to be a nightmare trying to keep an eye on 4 matches at once whilst quaffing a large amount of beer in the high 30's C plus having fit birds walking by in bikinis. Tough job but somebody has to do it ;-) Hopefully everything falls into place for us so that we can happily sit back and roar on Plymouth later on. Could be fun if any skates show up :-)
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aceofthebase added 21:08 - May 14 I hope he doesn't pick Soares. The crosses will be coming in but at the Saints end. The first choice is the best defender and Martina is the better. Enough of that, what a great season, lots of controversy, hugely entertaining performances by Saints and apart from a poor mid season lots to cheer about A final win needed and who knows....
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Dikki_Gutz added 11:29 - May 15 "Koeman may opt for James Ward Prowse alongside Wanyama to offer a more attacking option". This comment you have made is frankly laughable. The last time JWP found himself near the opposition penalty area on his own he filled his pants and lamely side-footed the ball into a defenders leg.
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aceofthebase added 20:54 - May 15 Wonderful cross from Martina that Pelle nodded in. Perhaps he read your disparaging remarks Nick. Martina used to be a weak point but he is growing better every game and now I worrry a little less about our right back position.
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IWOZTHERE added 21:40 - May 15 Martina is getting better but if we're going to 'step up' I'm still not sure. Same with Clasie. Having seen the Palace game, I thought Martina's crossing was excellent.
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