From the opinions I heard walking away from St Mary's yesterday you would have thought that we were in the bottom five not the top.

Football is a funny old game as a football pundit back in the 80's used to say and he was right, if Saints had beaten Liverpool yesterday to leapfrog them into fifth place then we would all have been buzzing, so why are so many so downcast about losing and being in exactly the same position.

Of course we are on a bit of a downward slope at the moment but as we have shown before we can come back from that and start winning again, yes the Liverpool game was a setback, but it is not a terminal one and there is still a lot more to play for this season.

Perhaps we had started to believe our own hype that we could finish in the top four and now the reality that we might not is starting to hit home, but the real reality is that we still have a very good chance of making the top four and an excellent chance of making the top six and a Europa League place.

So lets not get downhearted, it does the team no good to scream abuse at Pelle as some around me did yesterday, we all need to keep focused and kick in the same direction, if we do so then perhaps after the 38th game of the season we might have a pleasant surprise.

This season is far from over yet, it has been good so far and can get better, but lets enjoy the ride.

Photo: Action Images

SanMarco added 10:38 - Feb 23 Well said - we will be back to full strength next week and we only need one more (very) good run...
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Santos added 11:01 - Feb 23 If anything this weekend proved there will be plenty of twists and turns until the season ends with Man U and Spurs results. Liverpool have the worst run in of everyone and UEFA and FA games to contend with. Likewise the rest have otherthings on thier plates to contend with, so this may well catch up with a few as time goes on. I agree with SanMarco's comments in the other story hostilities to the oppo not helping us. With Spurs game in mind are we ot better off now than before ?? probably no one can answer but seems to me we are certainly not worse off. I get the bit of banter and no red carpet but lets get behind the team get the win and save the real banter until after the game, otherwise it is only us that look stupid.

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mgprobert added 11:09 - Feb 23 Yes, well said, a bit of perspective needed really. We've just had a bit of a bad run, not scored in our last 3 home games ....and were still sitting above Spurs and Liverpool, and 3 points off third place! Time for a final push, a few goals, and it will have been a great season, potentially our best ever in the EPL
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SanMarco added 14:04 - Feb 23 Yes Santos - I had the Tottenham game in mind! Let's hammer them and THEN we can mock and deride as much as we want....
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TimSaint added 14:46 - Feb 23 I'm just hoping that our 2nd blip is now over and we can push on. Our squad has been stretched to its limits recently, so much so, that we have on occasion, only named 6 subs. We have come such a long way, so to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory, would be a tad disappointing. We have some very winnable games coming up, so I'm sure we can march on. It is just that as the season comes to a close, the need for points changes between the teams we play. Form has a tendency to go out of the window, so let's hope that we can get on another good run and continue it through to the end. We can do it !!

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SaintGerard added 15:06 - Feb 23 I appreciate that we are still 5th but it is not as if the 'blip' games could not have been won. Despite the weakened teams through the injuries and the poor runs, Saints have lost games they could have and should have won (e.g. Swansea). It is not as if they haven't had chances in front of goal; they have had plenty. The lack of finishing skills and the standard of putting in a decent cross has been poor. Having said this, Saints are still good for their fifth place, and sixth or seventh come the end of the season. However, for me it will be a disappointment knowing what might have been had our players been able to put the ball away properly in front of goal, especially as we are as good if not better than Liverpool, Man U and Spurs. Of the players who left in the summer, it is Ricky I have missed the most. So let's not settle for fifth. I believe Saints, if they start to re-get their act together can end the season higher than fifth and if they do, this could kick start a whole new mentality at the club when at last we begin to punch above our weight and win (instead of remaining a mediocre one where relegation is always an issue). Come on you Saints!

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Jesus_02 added 16:08 - Feb 23 Its all about context, according to the Beeb Liverpool are homing in on a champions league place. We are still a point better off than them and we have a better run in. Although my heart says we will finnish above Spurs and Liverpool my head says that one of them is likely to spoil the party. Having said that I can see us finnishing above United as they have been woeful. My prediction is 5th Chelsea City Arsenal Liverpool SAINTS Spurs United

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Jesus_02 added 16:19 - Feb 23 Our last three fixtures could ALL be dead rubbers buy the time we play them: Leicester Villa City where as there are some big games Chelsea v Liverpool & Arsenal v Man U Worryingly spuds seem to have an easy run in so maybe switch them and L'pool round in my prediction!
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SanMarco added 19:25 - Feb 23 I think you have the top three right Jesus. A four-way battle royal for fourth is on the cards - and having watched Spurs, Man Utd and Liverpool over the w/e I would definitely say that back to our best we can put in a pretty good challenge.
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IanRC added 19:54 - Feb 23 Whilst I agree with the basic premise Our inability to shoot on target is now a serious concern. Would love to know how much Brenda paid for that result.
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