Whilst all Saints fans would have been prayiing that Reading slipped up down at the Amex Stadium, the fact is that this result changes nothing in our promotion push.

Its always a boost to see your rivals slip up in a promotion push, or a relegation dogfight for that matter, but Reading's win at Brighton is not a blow to Saints in any way shape or form, in fact quite the opposite, although it doesnt change Saints points target overall, the win for the Royals could actually be good for Saints for Friday's game at St Mary's

There is no doubt that Reading are the form team going into this game, but their win down in Sussex might just change their mentality as they arrive at St Mary's, if they had lost then they would have come here knowing that a second defeat in a row could see West Ham breathing down their necks, however the three points at Brighton, gives them, like us a six point lead over the Hammers, sometimes in football you put in a big effort and the next game is a game too far, hopefully this will be the case for Reading, who might just relax their guard a bit.

Certainly the Easter Fixtures have sorted the trio of automatic promotion challengers a litte and its Reading that have most benefitted, however our target doesnt change one iota after this result, it remains securing promotion and we can take a big step towards that by beating Reading on Friday evening, on this Wednesday morning nothing has changed over the last 24 hours for us, the task is clear and we have to make sure that we are up to it

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Dublin_Saint added 09:58 - Apr 11 There will be no relaxing from Reading in any way. They will come here full of confidence of a result. That in itself could play into our hands with an open and attacking game. If brighton recover and take something off the hammers then we're just there even if the points are shared on friday.
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SaintNick added 10:03 - Apr 11 I am sure that they will come full of confidence, but in football sometimes when you have achieved a great result, menatlly you switch off a little, you cant measure this in any way, but its the reason why there are so many upsets when teams after a great result lose in the next game
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stmichael added 10:16 - Apr 11 With you on this one Nick. They dont need to win. A draw is a good result for them , a win a bonus, a defeat not a disaster especially with their 2 very winnable home games immediately after.
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AdkinsBabies added 10:17 - Apr 11 For once I agree with you Nick ;-). Reading now come to us on level points and they'd probably take a draw. If they had lost last night, then the need for points on Friday would have been greater. In terms of us getting promoted, last night's result wasn't that bad, if anything it was better than Reading losing in my opinion. I'm not bothered about the title until promotion is sealed.

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sidsaint added 10:28 - Apr 11 Spot on Nick. Also agree with stmichael. Forest and Palace at home should give them the 6 points and the logic of AdkinsBabies. Saints fans as 12th man on Friday just like at Palace will be great encouragement to the team. We are needed, as the man said together and forward as one.
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SaintNick added 10:30 - Apr 11 if this game isnt sold out then some people have to look at themselves
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BlackRod added 10:31 - Apr 11 Hope as many as possible can make it to the game. Friday evening is not the best time and TV cameras won't provide the same motivation to the players as a full house at St Mary's.
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Whatsforpud added 10:48 - Apr 11 Listening to the game on 5 Live Extra, Reading seemed content to sit back and let Brighton do most of the attacking. Mind you, it helped scoring an early deflected goal. Our performances have generally been poor in front of the cameras - lets hope it's our turn to play well on Friday (the 13th!)
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daib0 added 10:59 - Apr 11 Yep, I think we'd be happy at a draw considering Saints marvellous home form - having said that, we've clawed back so many points off the 'old' top two since November that there's loads of quiet confidence there - and McDermott will be going for the win no doubt as that would almost seal promotion, and avoid the play-off tears we've suffered twice in last three seasons. Our motto: WNG

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bstokesaint added 12:47 - Apr 11 I listened to Radio Berkshire last night. There was no doubt a very large slice of luck dished up to Reading and they could easily have thrown it away. Friday could end up being a very tight affair with neither team wanting to lose. I would love to see us win the league, but promotion is always going to be the primary concern and I won't complain given that I predicted play-off spots at best at the beginning of the season. And I was one of the optimistic ones.

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