It's 8th V 9th in the Premier League this afternoon at St Mary's, some would say a game that could be decisive in the direction the season will take.

This afternoon's game will mark the half way spot in the season and for many Saints fans the jury is out, it is a season of contradictions, on one hand we sit 8th and total disasters aside can't be below 11th after today, but on the other hand the exit from Europa seems to have put a cloud over a large majority of our supporters that they just can't seem to shake off even with a League Cup semi final to look forward to.

That is why today's game is so important to win, the team and the fans need to look to the second half of the season and not back to the first and a win over the team breathing down our necks is just the way to do it.

Saints are not a bad side, that is proved by the league position, but the fact is we have struggled to find consistency so far this season, but I still contend that if we can achieve what we have without really clicking, then when we do click we can surprise a few people, including some of our own supporters.

Therefore what we need to do today is put out a team to win the game, of course there will need to be a little rotation due to the hectic run of games, but the supporters are a little sick of vital games lost because of rotation, sometimes you just have to go with your best side and take every game as it comes and this is one of those occasions.

We need our best back four, we need a combative central midfield, so with what is available that means Romeu, Davs and Hojbjerg and we need a bit of sparkle up front.

For me that means Boufal for the spark, Rodriguez for the mobility and Shane Long for work rate.

West Brom's record away from home reads almost identically to ours, won 2 drawn 3 lost 4, the goal difference is identical, the only difference is we have conceded 2 goals more bt conversely scored 2 more.

That is telling us that they are going to keep it tight an look for what they can get, surprise surprise from a Tony Pulis side, so it probably isn't going to be pretty, but if we can score then we can open them out.

It is the result that matters this afternoon then the performance, of course it would be nice to see us dominate a side and put away all of our chances, but in this game I would take 1-0.

But that doesn't mean that the supporters dont want to see entertainment, the last two games have been just that, the reality is though that in this game if we score twice then we have a very good chance of winning it.

So the New Year message to all Saints supporters is that today they need to get behind the team and stay behind it and they need to look at what we have achieved so far this season and appreciate it, any manager has to be given time to get things right and that is no different to Claude Puel, he is doing a good job so far, surely that is shown by the League position and the semi final place, yes there are still things that need to be got right, but sometimes things take time and need a little pain along the way.

Photo: Action Images

steve73 added 12:34 - Dec 31 I can see them shutting us out without too much trouble unfortunately. They're unlikely to offer much of a threat though. Maybe a Boufal cracker or clinical Virgil finish from a corner could nick it. Important game, I'm desperate for a convincing win after a dour 2016. Some people seem to have warmed to Redmond a little since the spurs game (sympathy?) but I'm delighted he can't play this one. Once the best compliment you can pay someone is 'but he tries hard....' you have a problem. He's just not up to it and I don't like his attitude either. I don't boo him of course, I've haven't booed one of ours since Rasiak in 09 (?) against Preston he managed to play an entire half without running once. Maybe things aren't so bad after all...

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highfield49 added 13:01 - Dec 31 I would have thought that today was the ideal opportunity to get Tadic in the starting line up. Personally I'd also like to see McQueen given another run out, maybe even in midfield, to provide a bit of energy which seems to be lacking at present. Whatever team is selected we need to give the players full support and certainly not get on their backs. I've often wondered why some people turn up to the match sit like lemons and then find the vocal ability to shout abuse, why not make a noise when the team plays well? I guess they just lead negative lives.

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DPeps added 14:22 - Dec 31 0-0 written all over it
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