x

Carlisle Just Another Game......

Roberto Martinez talks down the importance of the Swans clash with Carlisle

Victory for the Swans will put them within touching distance of the Championship - arguably it will be enough based on their superior goal difference - with a reality of just one point from four games needed.   It will also put potentially enough breathing space between them and Carlisle for the title which would be the icing on the cake on what looks set to be a record breaking season.

But despite that incentive, Roberto was not talking the game up any more than had already been done, telling the Evening Post "People on the outside will see the top two meeting and the rest of the division will be watching to see what happens.

"It's a special game in that sense, but it's only three points we are playing for out of the 15 that are still available to us.

"It's a game the players should look forward to because it's special when the team in first faces the team in second, but we have to be realistic about what it is worth.

"I'm looking at it as an opportunity to get the frustration of losing to Bournemouth out of our system.

"I realise that games do become a bit more significant at this stage of the season, but this isn't the final for us, it's the first of five.

"Whatever happens we will carry on trying to maintain our level of performance at Gillingham on Saturday," Martinez added.

"We have been trying to achieve our dream for 24 years and I can sense people on the outside getting a bit anxious, wanting to get promoted against Bournemouth and now against Carlisle.

"But on the inside we just try to maintain our standards. If we do that, we'll be where we deserve to be on May 3."

What to read next:

Southampton 0 - 1 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures 2
In the second part of our pictorial look back at some of our games against Stoke City from the past, here we look back at more recent games, so most of you would have been at them.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures
We have looked through our photo archives for a look back as some games against Stoke City over the years, what are your memories of these games ?
Southampton V Stoke City The Preview
Saints go into the last two games of the season with their hopes of automatic promotion ended, even the hope of finishing 3rd is only a point away from being ended, but they do have something to play for and that is getting back the togetherness, character & fight Russell Martin has recently be moaned.
No Togetherness No Character No Fight
Not my words, but those of Southampton manager Russell Martin, who should ask himself the question why two months ago we had all those attributes and now we don't !
Southampton At Leicester The Debacle
The big question is how can a side that was so tight at the back, so clinical up front and who could pass the ball around almost with their eyes closed, become the disorganised rabble that they were at the Leicester City this evening.
Southampton Side Announced For Leicester Game
Russell Martin has revealed his side for the game against Leicester City, find out what surprises he has for Saints supporters this time out.
Southampton At Leicester City The Preview
Saints travel up to Leicester knowing that it is almost certain that they will just be in the play offs come the end of the season, however there is still the feint hope of 3rd place to play for, however the Foxes are playing for a bigger prize.
A Rough Guide To Leicester City FC
Saints head up to Leicester City this evening with their automatic promotion hopes just about over, so for the 3,000 fans who bought their tickets when there was hope here are the details.
Southampton At Cardiff City The Verdict
There can be no excuses for this defeat, a loss that effectively means that it will be a play off spot and not an automatic promotion place for Southampton, so where did it all go wrong.