Its the first six pointer of the season.

Saints take on Barnsley at St Mary's in the seasons first six pointer, knowing that a win will almost certainly take them out of the bottom three and give the kids a real confidence boost ahead of the double header in Yorkshire next week.

In midweek the crowd played a big part in that it didnt turn on the team as a whole meaning that although the youngsters were enjoying a torrid time, they kept battling and earned a point against one of the better sides in the division, however their were instances of individuals getting abuse and this helps no one.

Jan Poortvliet will hopefully have learnt a few lessons from the last two games and one of those lessons will be that in certain positions there needs to be changes and another that he has to utilise what little experience there is in the squad.

The Dutchman will be hoping that Michael Svensson reports back fit and well from his check up, but sadly I suspect that there is more to Svensson's trip than meets the eye and therefore I would be surprised if he plays tomorrow.

However if he does pass muster than this will be a big boost, personally I would then play him in the centre with Cork and move Perry to right back to replace Lloyd James who was appalling on Wednesday, so much so I have severe doubts as to his ability to play in the position, however if Killer doesnt return we have little choice but to persevere with the back four we played on Wednesday.    

One move I would like to see is the return of Rudi Skacel, we are paying him so we should play him, Skacel has always given his all and I believe he would offer us a genuine option on the left and some experience ang guile that we are sorely missing.

In the centre there is scope to recall Schneiderlin at the expense of Gillett, this will bring steel into the centre for what will be a physical game.

Up front there would be only one choice for Saints supporters and that is Pekhart, the Czech scored a great goal and to be blunt offered a genuine threat up front that we havent had all season whether it has been McGoldrick or John playing 

But perhaps the biggest factor will be the crowd, they need to get behind the team and stay behind it, the Northam End need to stop singing silly songs about Pompey fans on a string aand start backing the team as they did in the second half on Wednesday, it would be nice to see a few more thousand in St Mary's than there was on Wednesday, but I seem to be in a minority that feel that football teams should be supported through thick and thin

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