Jan Poortvliet has to start proving a few things to the fans.

Most Saints supporters have been prepared to give Jan Poorvliet the benefit of the doubt, they realise that he is working under hard conditions and that he hs to find his feet in British football, however on Saturday against Watford the fans patience was severely tested.

Put bluntly Poortvliet has failed to address some glaring problems in recent weeks and whilst there are many who will defend him in some areas, the fact is that the Dutchman does have choices, he has just made the wrong ones in the last two games.

At Sheffield he has brought several players back into the squad including Rudi Skacel and to be frank there is no point in bringing him back into the fold unless he is going to be used, certainly the Czech could do a job at left back where experience is needed, we simply cant expect a back four consisting of three nineteen year olds and a makeshift centre half to do the job.

Personally i would make drastic changes, I would bring Cork into the right back spot and Skacel to the left, Perry back into the centre and then its a question whether to persevere with Lancashire, in truth he is the only genuine height we have in the abscence of Svensson, so perhaps with the aid of this experience he could start to show his mettle.

In the central midfield positions I would restore Wooton into the holding role with Surman and Lallana in front with Robertson and Smith out wide and Pekhart up front, this starting 11 have a balance about them, although I would be a little concerned about pace at the back, hopefully though Smith on the right would offer cover to Cork and Robertson could be talked through the game by Skacel.

On the bench, Bialkowski would be joined by Gillett and Stern John  and then its perm two from several options, McGoldrick, Thomson, James, Mills and even BWP could fill places.

Of course many are predicting a rout before the game starts, however a feature of Saints games this term has been the unpredictability, against Watford it could have so easily have been 3-0 to Saints, if they can defend at crucial moments then thats the key to the game, also whatever anyone says, there is still a spirit about the side, on Saturday they kept going right up till the final whistle and although its going to be tough, they have already been written off on several occasions so far this season and bounced back.

Hopefully United will be battle scarred from their trip and defeat to arch rivals Sheffield Wednesday and they will have had only two days to get over it, it doesnt sound much but that extra day for saints might count in the closing stages.

Im not trying to dress up Saints situation, as i havent at any other time of the season, its desperate both on and off the field, but as i have always said the team need the fans faith in them, if they get it they can pull through the worst.        

Photo: Action Images

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