x

Saints V Everton The Preview

If Saints beat Everton there will be no champagne corks popping as most of the squad will be too young to drink.

Saints take on Everton looking to avoid their worst run since 1957 with the added obstacle of an injury and suspension list as long as you arm.

However the team and indeed the supporters need to put this to one side and concentrate on beating an Everton side with problems of their own to contend with.

But Saints can win this game, yes the bench will be a bit lacking in experience, but we can still put out a side that can compete and put us in a position to win the game.

If Graziano Pelle and Steven Davis can pass muster then that will make our task a little simpler, indeed just getting them on the bench might be a boost.

What we now need though is a couple of players to really step up to the plate and show the St Mary's crowd what they can do.

Sadio Mane is key here, he hasn't exactly set the world light so far and there are some supporters already proclaiming him public scapegoat number 1, however they might just be a little premature, yes he has struggled to make an impact, but he has never given up or stopped trying and that is why he scored the winner against Stoke and might just come good when the luck starts o go with him.

To write him off just yet might be a bit short-sighted, after all just two years ago there were not many who were rating Jay Rodriguez.

But perhaps what Saints really need this week is the luck to go with them and that is something that hasn't happened a lot lately, we need to keep our belief and the confidence will come back, but perhaps first we need that lucky break and those can change seasons.

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going and we are now going to find out who has that mental attitude to break us out of this terrible run

What to read next:

Saints Announce Ticket Pricing Information For Play Off Semi Final
The opponents won't be known until Saturday afternoon, but Southampton FC have announced their ticket pricing structure and how the tickets will be sold to give supporters plenty of time to sort their tickets out.
Time For The Spirit Of Southampton Football Club
Recent months have seen a number of events and issues divide opinion and split the supporter base but as we head towards the play offs it is time for everyone at Saints to kick in the same direction.
Should Russell Martin Put Out Another Reserve Side For Leeds United Trip
Against Stoke City Russell martin selected a side that was very much a second string line up, with the play offs looming should the manager repeat this for the trip to take on Leeds on Saturday.
A Rough Guide To Leeds United
A big big game for just Leeds now, although by Saturday the odds on them going up automatically might have changed slightly so here is all the info for those travelling Saints fans who are still going,
Southampton Should Not Fear Anyone In The Play Offs.
The hope of getting back into the Premier League automatically has long gone, but the season is not yet over and we now have a good chance of getting to Wembley and going up through the play offs, here we look at who we could meet.
Southampton V Stoke City The Verdict
This should have been a celebratory day for Saints fans, there should have been a feeling of positivity, but the truth is that the fight has been knocked out of the supporter base and we go into the play offs with confidence both on and off the pitch at a low ebb.
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.