That Gareth Bale goal in Coventry's last visit seems a century ago.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Coventry City's last visit to St Mary's in August 2006, back then we were buoyant with the change of Chairman and with a plethora of new signings looked forward to what would surely be a promotion winning campaign, the following 19 months have been somewhat different than anticipated.

This time Coventry arrive in what no body can argue to the contary, is a six pointer relegation battle, defeat for Saints would be disastrous.

On first glance at the table, Saints would appear to have the advantage, but both Coventry and Sheffiled Wednesday have games in hand.

The midweek defeat for both Scunthorpe and Colchester must be just about the final nail in their coffins, certainly for the latter who are 11 points of safety with only 8 to play, so that means that several teams are trying to avoid that final place.

Favourites have to be one from four of Sheff Weds, Coventry, Leicester and of course Saints, but it isnt quite that simple, Blackpool, Preston, Barnsley and Norwich are all within three points of Saints, a win against Coventry would not only put a big chunk of space between Saints and the Sky Blues, but could drag any of those four into the fray.

The solution to Saints problem is quite simple, they have to go and do what several of their rivals have done in recent weeks meaning they have draggud us into the melee and that solution is Saints merely need to win a couple of games, if not in a row, certainly in quick succession.

Two wins out of the next three would propel Saints over the 50 point mark and approaching the finishing line.

But of course there are obstacles everywhere, we barely have a fit centre back at the club and the goalkeeping crisis has deepended with Michael Poke now being sidelined for a month, the arrival of Richard Wright should be a big plus point, an experienced keeper with over 300 games under his belt and two England caps hopefully he will get a grip of the defence and command the area in a way we have lacked since the departure of Antti Niemi.

The one good omen for Saturday is that Saints always seem to perform better under adversity, the win over Leicester was a case in point and on the two previous occasions we have had five put past us this season we have bounced back with a win, ho badly we need to make this a hat trick.

The supporters can play their part, it needs everyone to get down to the ground and play their part if they possibly can, I dont want to hear excuses, the fact is the Club neeeds its supporters at this time a lot more than it needed them five years ago, someone said to me this week "Its not my fault that the Club is in such a mess so why should I go" my reply was " In that case it wasnt anything to do with you, that the Club got to the Cup Final in 2003, but you still went to that one"

Harsh, but as Saints fans do we want to see the Club we love relegated, a few consciences need to be pricked.

A vital weekend for Saints, a result either way wont make them safe, nor relegate them , but it will go a long way to deciding whichever fate it is.          

Photo: Action Images

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