Make no bones about it, this is a vital week for Saints, by this time next week we could be well out of the relegation zone or deeply in it, it needs a big effort from not only the team but the fans as well.
If you read social media you would think that Southampton fans have deserted the club in droves or are protesting like mad at the games, the reality on Saturday was far different when a late burst of ticket sales saw a very respectable 25,195 in attendance.
They were rewarded with not only the first win at St Mary's in two months, but a decent performance, yes Watford may have been weakened, but you an only beat what is in front of you and what mattered in this game was winning, not only to progress in the FA Cup, but to boost confidence aead of a vital two games.
On Saturday the Saints fans got behind the team and stuck with it, perhaps proving that these days it is very easy for those that don't attend games to give the impression that things are a lot different than they seem, read social media and you would think the team has been deserted in droves, those at the game would say the hardcore is sticking with it.
Having said all this, that does not mean that those that went on Saturday are happy clappers and blindly following their club, it perhaps signifies that most present had realised that Saints are in a sticky situation and what they need is the support of the fans, not their ridicule and this could be crucial in the coming weeks.
Saints supporters on Saturday go behind the side and it was made even more difficult to do so given that some of the most vocal fans usually in the Northam had to be moved to accomodate Watford who had a bigger allocation than normal.
This is what is needed at St Mary's on Wednesday evening and I am sure that Saints supporters, the emphasis here is on the word "SUPPORTER" will respond.
Sadly it looks like being far from a sell out at present, although tickets seem to have moved a little faster after the win on Saturday, there are still plenty of seats left.
A look at the online ticketing system suggests that there are still about 1,800 tickets left for Wednesday evening, to be blunt I am a little disappointed, this is a big big game, it is the hour of need for Saints, we are struggling to sell this one out, yet in under two weeks time the Liverpool game is just about sold out with only single seats available.
I think some have to have a little think and consider whether they should be looking to head along to St Mary's on Wednesday night, yes i am sure the usual excuses will be trotted out about entertainement, lack of goal, the manager, Les Reed etc etc, but we are supporters of Southampton Football Club, not anyone individual connected to it, sometimes as asupporter of a club you have to put everything to one side and just back the club you love, this is one of those occasions.
So for those who have not yet got a ticket, have a think and consider buying one, but only do so if you are prepared to back the side, to the final whistle at least, not turn on it and bring it down.
If we are to get out of trouble and live to fight another day we need to create a positive atmosphere not a toxic one.
We have had 8 seasons of relative success, we were due a bad one, show me a club that hasn't experienced a blip every now and then ? I am not denying that this season is bad, what I am saying is that the club deserve backing now, rather than the first sign of crisis fans turning their back on it.
So if you think Ralph Krueger was wrong to refer to us as small club, then you need to prove him wrong, big clubs do not have empty seats for vital games, big clubs are that because of their supporters, actions speak louder than words !