The last time Saints won more than one game in a row was three months ago, if they can put together another three game winning streak then promotion will be very close

With 15 games to go, Saints need to be looking at another 30 points for automatic promotion, of course its not an exact science, but with many teams starting to group into a top eight with realisitc hopes of a play off spot, not to mention a few lurkers who fancy their chances of a late run, the chances are that with everyone taking points off each other, it will be be a lower total than usual needed for second spot, therefore 86on the board is a good target to aim for and coincidentally is exactly that 2 point average i have long spouted on about as being the benchmark.

After the last three months im just amazed and thankful to still be in second position, but all of those six teams right behind us are breathing down our necks, the task is now to once again put breathing space between us and third and get the finishing line in site, nine league victories will just about push us over the line.

That being the case we need to put together another winning run, of course our rivals havent really managed it to any great level, hence we are still second, but someone will do so and storm to a top two finish, we have to make sure that team is us.

What we need to do now is win three games in a row, preferably four and we have a spell of games now when we have the chance to do that, in our position we should be looking to beat Derby at home and then go to Watford away, out of those nine wins needed we should be targeting at least four to be on the road and then follow it up with perhaps the trickiest game in the next trio that is the trip to Leeds, they are an up and down side and may yet be buoyed by a new manager by the time we get there in just over a fortnight so it wont be easy.

So three wins in a row is the real key, we do that and we will have taken our first big step towards promotion in many a month, if we cand then follow that up with a couple of home wins against Ipswich & Barnsley then we could be within reaching distance of promotion.

As I said back in November, every game is a must win game until we pass the finish line, we have rested on our laurels once, the time now is to put that winning streak in place and show the likes of Birmingham and Cardiff a clean pair of heels

Photo: Action Images

1962saint added 10:52 - Feb 15 Looking at our remaining fixtures, i would predict our final total to be in the region of 84 points and, historically, that would mean a play off position. However there are so many teams in this league that are of a similar standard that 82 or 83 points could be enough for second place. I think the Championship is a brilliant league - I sometimes have a bet predicting 4 or 5 results and have lost my money every time.

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SaintNick added 10:54 - Feb 15 I agree it could be as low as 82 this season, but we need to aim higher and get there as quickly as possible
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bstokesaint added 12:38 - Feb 15 Yes, it's a very tough league with everyone taking points off each other. I think the actual target will be one of the lowest we have ever seen because there will be so many clubs on or around the 80 mark. It's good to get another tough away fixture ticked off. There's no real reason we can't win our home games and take a point away from here on in if the team stays fit and free from suspensions.

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Stephen added 13:02 - Feb 15 Come on guys, think big. Out of our next six games we might even win 5 of them. That'll do the trick.
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st_bangkok added 06:05 - Feb 16 If you look at the team now in 6th and work out their points per game rate it is suggesting just to get 6th spot will need 78 points. I think 2nd will be late 80's. I think like the year we finished 7th in league one that this year will be one of the highest totals in recent years if not of all years to achieve a play off spot and or second spot.
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CostaBaz added 17:59 - Feb 16 Hi guys, first time on here. Agree with the thought that 86 points will secure 2nd place. The 3rd place team hasn't achieved 86 points, in this league, since 2001-02, so to score 86 and miss out would be very unlucky. I think I read that West Ham still have to play most of the teams in the top half of the table, so plenty of time for them to come unstuck. Birmingham have dropped 4 points out of their last 3 home games, would have been 6 if our friends to the east had held on. Cardiff usually falter, although they have kept going longer than I thought they would. Must be Malky Mackay's influence. Blackpool are getting up a head of steam, so "respect" where it's due to 'Olly. Think Hull will falter and Reading may be the dark horses. Would be good for at least one of our new boys to get off the mark on Saturday, to settle them in.

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Whatsforpud added 19:38 - Feb 16 Perhaps the worse thing about the fixtures to come is the curse of live TV. We have Blackpool away and now Reading at home so far, and probable one or two more later. Surprisingly the Portsmouth game is not on TV (yet)! We played actually won the opener against Leeds, but over the years our record has been poor.
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