Saints go into the Xmas period in a better position than they did a year ago, a measure of the progress that we have made, .

After 17 games last season Saints sat in 9th place with 24 points compared to the 5th and 29 points we have attained from the same number of games this time out and this is pleasing news whichever way you look at it.

Of course Saints now have a tough run of games coming up, but they did as well last year, indeed it would take us another 4 games and 21 in total before we surpassed the points total we already have amassed so far.

But the real difference is the tables themselves and this could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on what way you look at things.

As mentioned we were in 9th only 1 place behind where we eventually finished last term, of the teams above us only Newcastle would fail to stay ahead come May, the pecking order was already in place and would not change.

This season its far different, West Ham and Saints are both in the top five, whilst Liverpool and Everton sit 7 & 8 points behind respectively and with the likes of Swansea, Newcastle and West ham all in the top 10 with Saints there is a great chance for Saints to achieve a high finish.

But I said at the start of the season and I still maintain it, the 7 teams that finished above us last season are the ones to watch and it is them we have to overcome with respect to the likes of West Ham etc, Spurs looked dead a few weeks ago, but a series of last minute winners has propelled them up the table to within two points of us and that shows that the challenge for a top six spot this season involves 11 teams in the mix.

Last season there were far less teams involved, by Xmas the Top 4 was sorted and that basically left 5 teams to contest the top 9 positions and Saints in 9th were 10 points behind Everton in 5th.

The message here is clear, we have a great chance to finish in the top six, but it won't be easy to even replicate last season's 8th place, if we do so that will be a satisfying season and another step forward in establishing ourselves as a year in year out top ten club.

But our progress has to remain focused and measured, sadly the Premier league has the have and have nots and the haves are a lot richer than the bulk of this league, including ourselves, some people might not like to hear it but it is true.

But lets enjoy the rest of this season, it has already exceeded most people expectations, perhaps we might just provide a few more shocks in 2015.

Photo: Action Images

FiscalPrudence added 11:48 - Dec 22 If instead you compare to the same games played last season we're so far exactly level on points with our performance last year (reading newly promoted teams in place of last seasons relegated teams, in order). That's still a great achievement, and an opportunity to kick on. Our last six games this season (from Stoke to Man City) are matches we got only two points from in total last year, so there's a great chance to finish more strongly. Top 4 is still very possible, but anything above 8th place would be progress and an outstanding season.

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SaintNick added 16:34 - Dec 22 Whilst I can see your reasoning about comparing last seasons games to this it is not accurate in that it is using different teams so not like for like, usually at this time a team has played a good mix of other sides so i think comparisons over games is more accurate than against last years teams
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