Although some might say that the Arsenal game last week was Saints biggest test, I would say that the visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday will be a far greater barometer of where we stand this season.

Of course with the Gunners being the League Leaders when we visited them last weekend it was a big test, but I feel that Chelsea will be a far better gauge of just how far we have progressed since last season, firstly the defeat at Arsenal was not only an expected result historically, but in some respects hard to actually compare due to the nature of the defeat being down to a goalkeeping error as well as a late penalty.

But its not only that, last season we took a point at Stamford Bridge and followed that up with a great home victory against the Blues, on Sunday we need to show we can at last replicate the result last term, so far this season, most game we have played have achieved at least the same result or better than last term, the only exception to that rule being the setback at Norwich where we lost this season as opposed to a draw last, our ability to better last season's results has been a big factor in our meteoric rise this term.

However now we are coming to the big acid test, a feature of last season was some great results in the second half of the season against the big boys, having done that back then, we now need to do it again, otherwise a lot of the good work done so far will be undone and our critics will claim our high standing as of the end of November was more to do with playing the poorer sides than the actual quality of the team.

Although I dont agree with this, I feel that we have a decent and well balanced side, perhaps still a bit short in some areas, but where we are is due to the way we have played, however the stark reality is that having set a benchmark last season and in the coming weeks we have to live up to that benchmark and it will be a very hard task.

Can Saints do it ?

Photo: Action Images

BaselSaint added 11:12 - Nov 28 I was at the Basel v Chelsea game and for long periods especially in the first half Basel pressed high with bags of energy and Chelsea just didnt know how to handle it. You can imagine was I was thinking! More alarming was the Special One`s inability to change tactics. Here`s hoping for the same on the weekend! COYR.
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SaintNick added 11:14 - Nov 28 True but for all the criticism Chelsea have been getting they are still 3rd in the league only 4 points behind leaders Arsenal, if they can do that whilst not gelling, what will they do when they get their act together
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Fordy added 11:27 - Nov 28 I think we should be able to get something on Sunday. Hopefully Morgan and Vic will be able to pick off Hazard and Oscar and starve Torres of any service. If Poch has any sense he will get Lovren to try and ping some long balls over Ivanovic onto JRod after this was his undoing on Tuesday. Then get him on the back foot and start playing in front of him.
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1962saint added 11:31 - Nov 28 If Saints do lose I hope there won't be any thoughts that we are in decline. Successive fixtures of Arsenal away and Chelsea away would not guarantee any points for other top sides e.g. Man U, Man C, or Liverpool. Saints in defeat at the Emirates still looked impressive and strong for periods of the game. I don't think we will lose many games this season. I just wish Osvaldo would start scoring to give us that extra cutting edge up front.

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