Biggest game of the season so far at St Mary's.

Saints take on Brizzle Rovers tonight in the most important game of the season in what has been a mixed bag so far.

Saints main problems have been scoring goals and winning games, yet since the two back to back defeats at Huddersfield and Swindon, we have looked comfortable in every game and really should have more than just the one win to our credit.

Tonight though there can be no excuses as Alan Pardew goes into the game with virtually a full squad to choose from, in fact the only missing members will be long term casualty Graeme Murty and Wayne Thomas, who could be fit to play, leaving Pardew with the dilemma whether to leave out Lloyd James who was given a torrid time at Carlisle.

Worrying for Saints is that sides are starting to notice our lack of pace at the back and are targetting it.

Supporters will hope that Pardew opts for an atttacking formation, whilst both the official site and the Echo try to put the spin on that Saints played 4-4-2 at Carlisle with Lallana up front, thats not what it looked like to me and Rickie Lambert spent too log isolated.

For me I would go with Saganowski alongside Lambert, whatever your thoughts on the pole he is a proven striker and proven goalscorer and certainly not lightweight.

In midfield I would go with Hammond and Lallana in the centre with Holmes on the left and Waigo on the right, a trifle harsh on Scheiderlin, but to be blunt he is a luxury at the moment and unless we play two up front and get them playing to a system, his through balls are wasted.

Saints like every game are capable of winning and winning well, but they have to start proving it, if they can win their two home games this week then the table will look a lot better and daylight  will come into view, but failure to win either will not only be a cuase for concern, but could turn some of the supporters who so far have remained very loyal and patient.     

Photo: Action Images

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