Saints take the road to North London tonight in their next steps towards the season proper and the preparation now steps up a notch.

Its only Barnet i hear you shout, but in truth this represents the toughest test for Saints so far, yes Sochaux & Thun are top flight clubs in their respective countries, but the teams like Saints were in the middle of their training camps and therefore building up rather than all systems go.

Now after Farnborough and Sutton comes the first real test against an English league side and dont forget Barnet are only one division below us.

Alan Pardew of course still has a few injury problems meaning that he wont be able to put out his strongest side, however it does give the opportunity for a few youngsters to show what they can do and perhaps persuade the manager to keep his cheque book in his pocket.

At this stage of the season Pardew will be looking to start formulating his side for the Plymouth game, although he will of course make some changes from the bench, this should be the first real glimpse of just what is in his mind with regards to starting line ups, although as I mention, due to injuries it wont be completely conclusive.

This will also be the first game where the result will start to matter, not a lot, but whereas in the previous games its allbeen about fitness and blowing off the cobwebs, this is the first real test and the result will give AP some inkling of just how well the pre season programme has gone, Yes its still not all completely about scorelines, but Pardew will be looking for Saints to start showing their class in this one and of course the Reading game.

It is these two games that will shape his thinking in his starting line up, those who have looked good so far will have the chance to show that they are up for it and conversely those that have been out of sorts will have the chance to put that right as well.

With no league points at stake in the grand sceme of things its still not about the result, but tonight is the first real barometer of how the squad is shaping up and although publicly the manager will stick to the script after the game, behind closed doors the first real roastings will be handed out if players arent performing. 

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