Southampton fans are hoping that after the postponement of Wednesday's game against Preston due to a fire next to the ground, that the same fate won't befall Saturday's fixture against Sunderland, but there will be an inspection first.

The general assumption amongst Saints supporters after the fire last night, is that the game against Sunderland on Saturday will now be played because with the fire now out and the site secured, there would be no reason why it should not be.

However with the club itself saying little about the situation. The Daily Echo is speculating that the fixture being played is still not a foregone conclusion.

They claim that the extent of the damage to St Mary's stadium and the anticipated presence of emergency services in the area is not known and as on Thursday there are still some roads closed in the area.

Saints fans have been taking to social media asking whether the game will take place, but so far there is nothing from Saints themselves, although in fairness they are reliant on the Emergency services giving the all clear and indeed St Mary's itself being checked for any damage, although from pictures from yesterday, it appears that the main bulk of the smoke blew away towards the City Centre and didn't touch the stadium too much.

My own personal opinion is that there should be no reason why the game should not go ahead, the pedestrian access routes into the Stadium can be managed so that fans do not go too near the burnt out warehouse and it can be isolated so that no one can actually try to enter it.

The game against Sunderland itself is completely sold out, however the club has opened the ticket exchange enabling season ticket holders unable to go to sell their tickets on, so that is an encouraging sign.

So for the moment we have to assume that with 48 hours still to go before the game that what needs to be done in the area to make things safe, can be done and the game will go ahead, certainly Southampton FC seem confident by continuing to sell tickets.

Photo: Action Images

saintmark1976 added 18:46 - Mar 7 Surely S F C would not be daft enough to sell tickets on the ticket exchange a mere 48 hours before the game and then postpone ? Even those running the ticketing office must see that there will be some very disgruntled fans should that be the case.
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SanMarco added 08:25 - Mar 8 They appointed Nathan Jones saintmark...
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