As must win games go this is a big one but won't be the last we see this season, nothing less than three points will do in what will NOT be the most watched match of the season either at St Mary's or on TV,

Saints have improved since the defeat to Leicester and have regained their pride and spirit, but we all know that the underlying problem is still there and not much can change between now and January, in our last three games defensive errors have cost us vital points if we had defended better just one in the games against City, Everton & Arsenal then we would be four points better off and the League would look much different.

Those four points would now see us out of the bottom four, level on points with West Ham and within two points of four other clubs.

Of course we aren't but it does show that we are not a bad team, but we are a terrible defence and we are paying the price for it.

At Arsena we defended like trojans for most of the game, but we still gifted them both goals, how many times do people score against us completely unmarked, ut happens time after time game after game and it has to change.

Watford arrive as the only team below us and that has to stay the same by 7.30pm this evening, they are almost as bad as us in defence, indeed they are the worst in the division away from home and second worst in terms of goals scores.

So if we can't defend against them then we can't defend against anyone, we know we can score goals so we have to outscore them end of.

The good news is that their injury list is almost as long as their team list this afternoon and they will be missing some vital players and the likes of Troy Deeney perhaps their best player who have returned from injury are lacking match fitness.

For Saints I can't see much change from the starting line up at Arsenal, perhaps the only change will be Stuart Armstrong who is likely to miss the game with a hamstring injury, but there are plenty of options to replace him.

But other than that and assuming that Kevin Danso is now out of the picture, I don't think there should be much other change to the starting line up.

The key as always may be who is on the bench, we tend to start badly and get better, so the options off the bench are the key.

What is definitely needed is a rocking St Mary's, people keep harping back to how good it was back in League One etc, most games then where played in front of a stadium only 2/3 full with plenty of empty seats yet the atmosphere was superb, tonight is likely to be the lowest Premier League attendance at the ground since our return to the Premier League, but hopefully it will be the die hards who will get behind the team who will be the ones there and not missing.

Saints fans at Arsenal were magnificent and we have a hardcore of supporters who are superb, the cynics are always the first to be noticeable by their absence when the going gets tough, but that is not always a bad thing.

Since I have supported Saints we have always had that trait of getting behind our team when it truly needs it and that is tonight.

Victory is what matters tonight not entertainment, we need eveyone to be the 12th to the 26,000th man.

Photo: Action Images

1970 added 10:01 - Nov 30 I think this game and its outcome will be down a lot to luck and no doubt its a big one but our home form is really poor so I wouldn't say were doomed if we lose because I fully expect to get 3 points from them at there place as I do against Bournemouth it will be devastating for the confidence though so fingers crossed coyr On another note I see the Charlton fans managed to get rid of there owner, it took them a couple of years but they did it by them selves and it looks like they have a rich sugar daddy now but only time will tell of course,

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saintnik added 12:40 - Nov 30 Troy Deeney to score a hat trick then!
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saint66 added 12:44 - Nov 30 This article states the defence is terrible and we know we can score goals. Excuse me if the forwards had taken all the chances they had against Arsenal we would have been out of sight before the pressure was placed on the defence in the 96th minute when they buckled. Nick you bad mouth the team on this site and then expect the "fans" to really get behind a team who you have put down. Let's hope they do the business and we enjoy a 3-0 victory.

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TimSaint added 12:46 - Nov 30 Why have a little dig at fans not turning out ? We need to stay positive and get behind the team. We all know it is not the most attractive of fixtures, the KO time is late, it is on TV, it is nearly Christmas, Watford returned a block of tickets and our home form has been dire for a few seasons !! The club has done it's best to get people in with reduced prices and free drinks - but let's face it, on the pitch, we have been shocking, so is it any wonder this won't sell out ? Our group will all be there, cheering them on though. Hopefully we can put in a performance that gets that much needed win and attracts more fans for the next Must Win game v Norwich on Wednesday night !!

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St_Gats added 13:45 - Nov 30 It's funny how we focus so much on the defence and the forwards, yet the midfield doesn't get much attention. Week in, week out, our midfield is a massive void at the heart of the team. Romeu, JWP, PEH are all chasing lost causes, failing to protect the back line, whilst also failing to create much going forward. As a result, we spend far too much time defending, the back line tires and eventually leaks. The midfield is the engine room of any team and ours lacks any sort of spark or cohesion. It also lacks and sort of discipline when it comes to holding shape, which is why we often fall victim to the counter attack. Massive game today and one that could ultimately decide Ralph's fate. Let's hope for a positive and more confident performance that leads to a much needed three points.

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