Saints have come through the busy December and festive period still unbeaten and now they have the chance to have a rest and give some of the fringe players a chance to show what they can do when they take on Walsall in the FA Cup 3rd round.
Between 29th November and 1st January Saints played a total of 9 games in 34 days, that is an average of less than 4 days per game.
I said earlier in the season that this period would be one of the toughest of the season, but Saints would be better set for it than most of our rivals given the size and quality of our squad.
That has proved to be the case with Saints winning 6 and drawing 3 of those 9 games for a total of 21 points, an average of 2.33 per game.
Only Leicester in the division can better that and only just, winning 7 and drawing 2 as they seemingly look indestructible in their pursuit of the title.
Ipswich on the other hand are not looking good, I questioned whether they had the squad to see them through a tough winter and that looks like being the case, initially they stated the above period strongly winning 4 on the bounce, but they have not won in their last 5 games, drawing 4 and losing 1, gaining 17 in the process, but that has seen their lead above Saints reduce to just 3 points.
Their squad has just got smaller with Tottenham recalling Dane Scarlett from his season long loan, Scarlett had not been outstanding, but he had made 12 appearances off the bench and had played a part.
Leeds have also faltered, like Ipswich they went into the 34 game period strongly, winning the first 3, but they have only won twice in the next 6 and their total from the 9 game spell we are looking at is just 16 points.
What this period shows us is that as disappointing as the 3 draws in our run felt, that our form compared to the 3 clubs who we now seem to be competing with for the 3 promotion places is almost as good as Leicester's and better than Ipswich & Leeds.
The conclusion drawn is that it looks unlikely that we will catch Leicester of for that matter any of the other Frantic Four automatic promotion contenders will catch them.
But of the chasing trio we are the strongest and for that matter we are getting stronger, if we can repeat the same pattern over the next 9 games then the chances are we will go into the final quarter of the season in the promotion spots.
But we know that this squad is lacking a striker and the next few weeks will be crucial, we know that there will be some departures it is essential that there are replacements and indeed perhaps more.
If we do that then we go forward into 2024 with confidence, back on September 23rd our season was at an all time low after 4 straight defeats, the usual suspects were raising their voices about the manager, the squad and it was all doom and gloom.
Now 18 games later where we have won 12 of them and drawn 6 for a grand total of 42 points at an average of exactly the same ratio of the last 9, which you will recall is 2.33.
Russell Martin is still learning, but he is learning fast, he has earned the right to be given respect and has turned us into automatic promotion contenders in the midst of difficult circumstances.
So we go into the final 20 games in confident form and also strong and getting stronger, Lawrie McMenemy once said that in the North East the fans give the team something and inspire it, in Southampton it is different, the team has to give something and the the fans inspire it !
The Southampton supporters have turned up in big numbers home and away and have given great backing, but it can be better, especially at St Mary's, so the team have now given the Saints support something, now is the time for unity in the supporter base and all members of the squad given unequivocal support and that means ALL members not just some.
If we do then everything is in place for a great ending to the season.