On the first day of Xmas its a Six Pointer

No one can deny that this is probabaly the most important game of Saints season so far, a fact that has been recognised by the expected crowd of around 28,000 aided by the reduced prices.

Forest are embarking upon a series of four games against the teams around them, after the vist to St Mary's they host Doncaster and then travel to Norwich and Charlton, in truth they will aim to pick up a point from the games on the road and beat Donny.

This being the case Saints can expect to face a Forest side who will dig in and go on the break, sadly this is just the type of formation that Saints usually struggle against.

The key to the game will be Saints getting an early goal and forcing Forest to come forward, if thats the case and Saints can do what they failed to against Sheff Weds, that is get a second, then they could just put Forest to the sword, Saints havent failed to make chances this season they have merely failed to conveert them, someone is due to get a beating from Saints and  it could be Forest.

The big crowd should be a boost to the youngsters, however it could be a hindrance, those of us who have been going to the away games know that Saints are a side that never lie down and die, even when the odds are stacked against them, however perhaps as many as 35% of Saturday's crowd might not have been to a game all season, these people have to stay behind Saints no matter what, often as was the case last season, although the crowd didnt turn on the team, audible groans could often be heard and in some respect this is as bad as open hostility.

Saints can win this and win this well and if they do they will give themselves a massive boost going into a tricky Xmas period, but it needs all  elements to be on top of their game, Jan Poortvliet has to select the right side, every player needs to be on the top of his game and finally the fans need to be the Twelth Man, staying behind the team no matter what.

Photo: Action Images

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