Make no doubts about it, all the games Saints are now playing are must win games, the only difference being some are more winnable than others.
Saints know the size of their task ahead of them, the reality is in the next 8 days they will know whether they are going to challenge for a Champions league spot, be in pole position for 5th place, whether they are already in the Europa League for next season or whether its going to be a fight to the death to get that Europa league spot.
The trip to Stoke is the next step in this journey, the reality is that Saints need to keep winning games and hope that other results go their way at the same time, in terms of Champions League Saints fate is not in their own hands, in terms of 5th again not in our own hands, but 6th is very much so.
Saints have beaten Stoke City twice this season including the Capital One Cup win at the Brittannia so this game holds no fears for us, but both games were tough and that being the case Saints will not be taking it lightly.
Ronald Koeman knows how badly his side played first half against Hull City, but he will take positives from that game in the fact that despite being dominated by Hull in that first 45 minutes we still controlled the game and didnt look in danger, when we stepped up a gear in the second half we won the game with some to spare.
So Koeman will be telling is troops not to be complacent, but if they face the task with confidence then there is every reason why Saints should come back from the Midlands with all three points and that would set up a nice showdown with Tottenham Hotspur next weekend.
The only real injury issue will be the loss of Victor Wanyama however that is a blow and is not terminal, indeed I feel that in some respect having such a great defensive duo in midfield of Wanyama and Schneiderlin has done us no favours in some games, earlier in the season Koeman would alternate Cork for Wanyama in some games when he felt that we needed to mainly pass the ball rather than win it, perhaps Stoke away is not one of those games, but as we showed in the first half of our trip to Stoke in the cup, perhaps out passing them is a better option than playing them at their own game.
But the later stages of that game showed that we cannot be complacent, Stoke still like a longer ball game and cannot be discounted in the latter stages, it should be noted that Stoke have netted 4 times in the 90th minute or later and only Spurs have scored more in this time period, but overall we have always done well at Stoke and we now need to continue that run.
Ronald Koeman has options available and as always that is key, I expect Nathaniel Clyne to return at right back to give Saints a solid look in defence, in midfield I would expect Steven Davis to partner Morgan Schneiderlin as a holding two with James Ward Prowse sitting in front, out wide Mane and Shane Long with Pelle up front.
That is a solid line up and has a good combination of grit in midfield along with pace and the ability to take the game to the opposition.
On the bench there will also be options, Elia and Tadic have both played their part in winning games this season, Gardos and Yoshida will offer cover at the back and Harrison Reed will perhaps feature as well at some point.
Key for me will be the defence keeping it tight as usual and in midfield for me Davis and Ward Prowse will be key, Davis to move the ball quickly and Ward prowse to start to become the player he has promised he can be by putting his foot on it and creating chances.
At this stage of the season Saints task is as I say very clear, win games and keep winning them, if Saints take four points from the next two fixtures they will be in the driving seat for a top six finish, if they take six points then fifth or higher is a possibility.