x

Saints V Leicester City The Preview

Saints desperately need to beat the Foxes to restore some confidence both on and off the pitch, can they do it ?

Over the past few weeks there has been something wrong with our team spirit, we have lost confidence, momentum and have looked a little lost.

When this sort of things happen you need a pivotal event that changes the demographics of the situation, something has to break the circle.

This week we have had a couple, firstly we got the last minute scrambled winner against Norwich City in the FA Cup, it wasn't nice and it wasn't pretty, but in football it is this type of slices of luck that can change a season.

It should be remembered that even in our four straight league defeats with three cup games interspersed Saints haven't played badly, what they have done is failed to finish off chances at one end and keep it tight at the other.

That gives hope that we can end this awful run and make this a week to remember.

The second was the departure of Jose Fonte, yes we have lost a leader of men and a great player, but that was the Fonte of previous seasons, this term he has been a pale image of his past self and he has been more of a disruptive influence than a positive one, we would rather have kept the Fonte of yesteryear, but we are better shot of him and this will bring the squad closer and tighter rather than split it down the middle.

A win against Leicester will work wonders for morale and will push us up the League and stop those fans predicting freefall in their tracks.

But the dilemma for Puel is what side to put out, he can put out a decent side but he will be gambling on key players coming through it OK, but he has no choice but to do this, we need the league points and we need to get some sort of momentum going into the semi final.

The solution to our problems is simple, all Puel has to do is stop his random rotation and do it with some sort of reasoning that keeps the core of the team intact.

The key as always is keeping calm both on and off the pitch, a certain percentage of our support seem to panic and rant and rave at the slightest sign of troubled waters, we need a positive atmosphere in the stadium against Leicester, we have to ask to we want to cheer the team on and help them to victory or do we want to bring them down and help them to defeat.

Saints need to put out a strong side, win this game and then look to Wednesday evening, it will be amazing what two straight victories will do for morale, if we make it a third next Saturday the season will really change direction.

What to read next:

Dale Announce Released List
With the season now done and dusted, teams are now announcing their released lists and Dale have decided to go early with theirs.
Refwatch: Southend United v Rochdale
Dale’s final game of the season at Southend United on Saturday will be refereed by PAUL JOHNSON.
Refwatch: Rochdale v Boreham Wood
Boreham Wood’s first visit to Spotland on Tuesday will be refereed by OLIVER MACKEY.
TVOS Preview: Rochdale v Dorking Wanderers
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Saturday’s Vanarama National League fixture against Dorking Wanderers.
Refwatch: Rochdale v Dorking Wanderers
Dale’s penultimate home fixture of the season against Dorking Wanderers on Saturday will be refereed by JOHN MULLIGAN.
Rochdale v Boreham Wood - Game Off
Somewhat predictably, tonight's game at home to Boreham Wood has been postponed.
Refwatch: Rochdale v Boreham Wood
Boreham Wood’s first visit to Spotland on Tuesday will be refereed by OLIVER MACKEY.
Refwatch: Oldham Athletic v Rochdale
Dale’s penultimate away game of the season at Oldham Athletic on Saturday will be refereed by RUEBYN RICARDO.
TVOS Preview: Rochdale v Hartlepool United
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Monday’s Vanarama National League fixture against Hartlepool United.
Refwatch: Rochdale v Hartlepool United
The most played home fixture in Dale’s history will be refereed on Easter Monday by RICHARD ELEY.