BLOG: Why Saints and Pompey need each other

It's hard to know which big club will be the next to struggle to balance the books.

Last month, Glasgow Rangers chairman Sir David Murray angered rivals Celtic after claiming the Hoops would struggle if Rangers were to go bust.

However, there is a lot to be said for local rivalries which set British football above other European leagues.

Across the continent and the world, derby games are the biggest games of the season. However, the Southampton-Portsmouth rivalry is rarely discussed outside of Hampshire.

This weekend's Solent derby showed both red and blue supporters in Hampshire the importance of the fixture.

The game had everything you would expect from a gritty derby game, with both clubs fighting for their lives. Southampton would be favourites against any opposition in the Championship, but form really does fly out the window when local pride is at stake.

Saturday's exhausting game had brilliant goals, late drama, controversial decisions, a potential red card and more passion than a honeymoon.

Portsmouth and Southampton are clearly heading in different directions. The red half of Hampshire are on the cusp on promotion to the Premier League. Meanwhile, Pompey look set for the drop to the third tier of English football.

It is still unclear what the future holds for Pompey. Financial heartache has troubled Portsmouth for several years, and has culminated in administration and a ten-point deduction.

It Portsmouth are to remain in existence after the summer, they should take inspiration from an unlikely source.

Three years ago, Southampton were relegated to League One after entering administration. It has been a long journey, but the Saints have sorted themselves out financially, and are on the verge of rejoining the promised land. It has been a real role reversal in Hampshire. During Southampton's slump to League One, Pompey will finishing comfortably in the Premier League and were still holders of the FA Cup.

A passionate rivalry gives fans and players extra motivation when it is really needed. Had Portsmouth been playing another top team on Saturday, it is likely they would have faltered and come away empty handed.

Only against the Saints would the current Portsmouth team be able to hit a stunning strike, not once but twice - with the last gasp equaliser coming four minutes into injury time.

It looks like the two teams will not meet for a long time, particularly in the league. However, the potential being there for another Solent derby will mean an awful lot to both sets of fans and players.

Southampton have still not beaten Portsmouth in the league since 2004, and it looks set to remain that way for some time. The most passionate of Southampton fans will not want Pompey to go out of business, solely for the selfish reason of wanting to see their side beat their bitter rivals once again.

Match Report Crystal Palace 0-2 Saints

Crystal Palace 0-2 Southampton

Two goals from Rickie Lambert gave the Saints some breathing space at the top of the Championship - as they easily dispatched of Crystal Palace.

Fellow promotion-chasers West Ham were held at home by Birmingham City, meaning Southampton would all but seal promotion to the Premier League with a win over Reading on Friday.

There may have been some doubts about Lambert's fitness during the 2-2 draw against Portsmouth, but the striker showed why he is the Championship's top scorer by adding his 25th and 26th league goals of the season.

Lambert thought he had opened the scoring from a corner, but the striker's header was ruled out after Jose Fonte fouled a Palace defender.

Five minutes before the break the visitors did take the lead. Once again, Palace failed to deal with a good ball in from Danny Butterfield and Lambert was on hand to easily head his side in front.

Dean Hammond's long-range drive narrowly missed the target as Saints looked for a second goal before the break. However, a good counter-attack from the hosts nearly produced an equaliser, when Chris Martin blazed over after a good move from Wilfried Zaha and Sean Scannell.

Southampton had all but tied up three points ten minutes into the second half. Jack Cork laid on the ball for Lambert who turned outside a Palace defender before lashing a powerful shot home.

Palace came more into the game as Southampton sat back. However, the best chance of the closing stages fell to the away side. Some absent defending from the hosts allowed both Fonte and substitute Guly do Prado headed chances at goal, but both could not beat Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

In the end, Southampton cruised to victory in which could have been a banana skin for Nigel Adkins' side. Southampton need seven points from their remaining four fixtures to win promotion to the Premier League. The toughest game of their run-in comes on Friday against second-placed Reading at St Mary's.

Match Report: Saints 2-2 Portsmouth

Southampton 2-2 Portsmouth

A late, late strike from David Norris salvaged an important point for Portsmouth as Southampton returned to the top of the Championship in a thrilling Solent derby.

In what was a hugely entertaining match at St Mary's, Southampton took the lead when Billy Sharp scrambled the ball home just before the half hour mark.

The home side were by no means in control as Portsmouth frustrated the Saints and had their own opportunities.

The visitors did find an equaliser before the break. Chris Maguire stunned St Mary's as he drilled a perfect shot form the edge of the area into the top corner to tie up the scores.

Southampton piled on the pressure, and had several chances to go back in front before the break. However, a string of great stops from Portsmouth goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown kept the scores level after 45 minutes.

Portsmouth should have gone ahead within the first minutes of the second period. Maguire couldn't control his shot and blazed wide from close range.

The second half couldn't quite live up to the intensity of the first 45 minutes. The impressive Adam Lallana creates some great opportunities, but Ashdown was on top form.

Fonte found Lallana in the area and a great turn put him through on goal. Lallana tried to turn past the oncoming Portsmouth goalkeeper, but lost control of the ball.

With time running out, Southampton piled the pressure on the uneasy Portsmouth defence. A great ball in was headed on and Sharp was on hand to side foot the ball home for his second goal of the game.

Initially referee Neil Swarbrick had ruled out the goal for offside, but after consulting with his assistant - the ball has adjudged to have come off a Portsmouth player and Sharp's goal stood.

It looked like Sharp had won the game for Southampton, all but condemning Pompey to the drop. However, deep into four minutes of injury time, Norris unleashed a perfect volley past Kelvin Davis to secure a dramatic point for the visitors.

The points were shared in the Solent derby for the second time this season. The St Mary's clash lived up to all the hype that the teams' first meeting at Fratton Park failed to do. Southampton were the better team, but a Saints win would have been harsh on Portsmouth, who still have a lifeline in escaping relegation to League One.

Southampton return to the top of the Championship table on goal difference against Reading, who Saints face next Friday. Before the crunch game, Southampton face Crystal Palace on Monday as they look for their first win in three attempts.

REPORT: Saints ease past ten-man Posh

Southampton 2-1 Peterborough

Two early goals from Richard Chaplow and Jos Hooiveld allowed Saints to saunter past Peterborough, who had Lee Frecklington sent off before the break.

The home side had more chances to extend their lead in the second half, but Paul Jones made some good saves to deny Rickie Lambert on several occasions.

Southampton got off to a flying start when Chaplow took advantage of some questionable Peterborough defending and beat Jones with a low drive.

Three minutes later, a quick free kick caught the visitors off guard and Hooiveld finished from close range. Posh were stunned and it got even worse when Frecklington was given his second yellow card, reducing the visitors to ten men before half time.

Southampton kept the pressure on Posh after the break. However, they couldn't find a way to extend their lead. Lambert could have had a second-half hat-trick but spurned several good opportunities.

A good move from Peterborough allowed Emile Sinclair to pull a goal back, but the home side didn't panic. Substitute Steve De Ridder turned the screw late on, and was unlucky not to score - but shot wide of the mark.

BLOG: Saints Still Cruising

Saints hardly broke sweat as they brushed aside Middlesborough.

Before Saturday's big clash between two of the best teams in the league, no-one could have predicted Saints winning so comfortably.

However, it was one of Southampton's most accomplished and confident displays of the season, and Boro were lucky they only lost by three goals.

Three factors seemed to produce the 3-0 win. Firstly, Southampton are incredibly comfortable at St Mary's. The last team to beat Southampton at home were Manchester United - who defeated Saints in the FA Cup in January.

It has been years since Saints had a belief that they can win every game. Even last season's promising campaign in League One didn't produce this sort of feeling throughout the whole squad.

That aside, the decision to play Guly Do Prado up front with Rickie Lambert worked wonders. The Brazilian is best used down the middle, and was effective in the air, scoring with two headers.

When Guly is confident, he is a completely different player - and hopefully he can go from strength to strength. His partnership with Lambert isn't an obvious one at first glance. Although Lambert couldn't find the net against Boro, he did everything but score. He played very important roles in two of his side's goals - and is looking hungry.

Boro's defending at St Mary's was almost laughable. I'm all for attacking football, but Boro neither looked solid at the back or produced much to trouble Kelvin Davis. When West Ham visited St Mary's a couple of weeks ago, they were playing for a draw.

OK, it didn't work as Saints scored before half time. However, they at least had a plan, and understood the threat Saints pose at St Mary's. Southampton will have to get used to teams sitting back against them at home, and will have to be at their best in every game.

It is still very early days, but Southampton are looking incredibly strong at home. The next team to try their luck at St Mary's is Peterborough. Posh shouldn't be under-estimated, though, and don't find goals hard to come-by themselves.

REPORT: Saints Thrash Boro

Southampton 3-0 Middlesborough

Saints eased to victory over fellow promotion candidates Middlesborough with an accomplished performance at St Mary's.

Two early goals from Guly Do Prado and a late strike from substitute David Connolly helped maintain Nigel Adkins' side's impressive home form.

Boro were expected to give Saints a stiff test, but in truth - the home side dominated from start to finish. It look only 15 minutes for Southampton to open the scoring. Do Prado, playing up front alongside Rickie Lambert - headed home after a pinpoint cross from Danny Butterfield.

It didn't take long for the Brazilian to double his tally as some questionable Boro defending allowed Lambert to head the ball across goal, and Do Prado was waiting to nod home to give the hosts a healthy lead.

Do Prado had a glorious opportunity to seal his hat-trick but his scuffed shot came back off the post and away to safety.

Saints continued their dominance with Boro's best chance falling to Scott McDonald but he shot wide of the mark. Jack Cork forced a good save from Boro keeper Jason Steele before good work from Ricard Chaplow set up Jose Fonte, but again Steele saved well.

A patient passing move and brilliant fake by Lambert set up Connolly in acres of space, who lashed a powerful shot into the net to end any chance of a Boro fightback.

BLOG: Is It Time To Start Thinking Of Promotion?

Last night reminded me of the good old days at St Mary's.

A sell-out for a big game on a Tuesday evening brought much of the city's roads to a standstill. The passion at the club hasn't been stronger in years, and with Saints sitting five points clear at the top of the table, is it time we start forgetting about survival and turn our heads towards promotion to the Premier League?

The Saints have made a perfect start to their return to the second tier of English football. Southampton's form isn't utterly surprising, given the financial situation and the stature of the club. However, the Championship is one of the toughest leagues in Europe - and Saints are certainly turning some heads. With six straight home wins, and another eight points on the road - things are looking bright for the Saints.

However, we shouldn't get carried away. It is only October. It is great to see Saints topping the league, but we're only a quarter of the way through a very demanding season.

Southampton are likely to pick up a few injuries along the way. Although Saints lead the league in goals scored, there is a notable lack of depth up front. Rickie Lambert looked tired against West Ham, as did David Connolly. Saints have a lot of games before Christmas, and it is only going to get tougher for the front two.

Nigel Adkins tried to sign a striker before the transfer window shut, and he will surely look to add some fire power in December. Southampton's midfield is fairly strong. Although Adam Lallana has missed the last two games, Saints continued to dominate in midfield with Richard Chaplow and Jack Cork stepping up. Lallana is injury-prone, and with Saints' depth in midfield, Adkins will not have to overuse the 23-year-old.

Saints have a tough fixture list up until the Christmas break. Games against in-form Crystal Palace, Middlesborough and Peterborough are mixed with big games against Reading and Brighton. The next few weeks will be a big test for Saints.

It is far too early to be even thinking about promotion. However, if Southampton can weather a harsh run up to Christmas, they can maybe start thinking about promotion. Just maybe.