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Why It Has To Be 20 Games Undefeated Rather Than 21 !

The celebrations at Swansea on Saturday rang out of 21 games undefeated, referring to 20 League games and 1 in the FA Cup mirroring that of the 1921/22 season, but for me it is all about the League and not the cup and it is the 20 game League record we have now set that counts.

If Saints go to Watford on Sunday and get beaten, then for some our undefeated record will be over, but not in my opinion, this season is all about the League and the cup is an aside and indeed one that could get in the way of our ultimate goal if we are not careful.

So for me the ultimate record is that of League games unbeaten, we have the ability to stretch that one a little further, but the FA Cup could halt the record dead in it's tracks at any moment, especially if we get drawn away to Liverpool or Manchester City should we beat Watford, who given the weakened team we are likely to field on Sunday will fancy their chances themselves.

Should they do just that and knock us out then we will be in the bizarre position of celebrating 21 games undefeated before the game, then having to amend the lyrics of the song at the final whistle to celebrate only 20.

The chances of us singing 44(+ with replays) at Wembley in May are fairly slim, indeed slimmer than actually reaching the 39 undefeated league total that we could potentially reach, if we carry on as we do.

That is why I would prefer the song to be about the 20 Championship games only and don't get our party being pooped by an FA Cup defeat.

However we do have to be very careful that this doesn't become a millstone around our neck, each game being more about staying undefeated rather than winning.

It has to be used as a spur to keep us on track, in recent weeks as we approached the record we have got to within a point of Ipswich, indeed we would have stayed above them on goal difference had they not snatched a last minute equaliser at Leicester, we have to stay focused on our task and that is the League.

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