Its the FA Cup 3rd round tomorrow and a special campaign as it is the 50th anniversary season of our win against against Manchester united in the final at Wembley, if you were too young to remember that though, don't worry the club will sell you a commemorative shirt for £120.

Saints will run out at Doncaster in a special FA Cup 50th anniversary away kit, the yellow & blue shirt being a take on that worn at Wembley on 1st May 1976 when Bobby Stokes scored that 83rd minute goal that sent Southampton fans at Wembley & indeed the whole City into a frenzy for 3 days.

But who will be pulling on the strip up in Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon is anyone's guess, will Tonda Eckert rest players or will he take the view that with no game due for 7 days after he can play his strongest side.

But just what that is, is anyone's guess, I am pretty sure that new Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz won't figure, not just for the reason he has barely played in a year, but for the fact that he has yet to get a work permit and that could take a week or two.

Another missing is likely to be Ryan Manning who I am told has been given time off to clear his head for the week, whatever that means, but Dubai is hotter than Southampton.

This might well have been a game that Ronnie Edwards could have staked a claim for a place in a back free that has not impressed in any way shape or form of late, but he will most likely be a QPR player by the time this game kicks off.

The hope is that Tonda Eckert puts out a strong side, that he makes a statement to certain players that they are not running this squad, that he is and that he also gives an opportunity for some of the fringe players to show what they can do.

One player whom I would like to see feature is Joachim Kayi Sanda who has been recalled from his loan spell at French Club Red Star.

He showed promise in a couple of appearances at the end of last season and an ability to read the game and pass the ball, it is possible that he will go out on loan again, but he could surely be no worse than some of those in the back line this season.

Ross Stewart made his return from injury last week, so I would hope that he will feature at some point, but that he won't be rushed back and suffer a relapse.

Likewise Shea Charles, a bit of game time would be good to see for the man who was the standout player under Will Still.

Saints need to get back to winning ways, they need to cast out the losing mentality, they need to get that confidence back that they had only a month ago, that confidence stems from having a back line that can be trusted, if we get that right, then I feel it will be surprising how quicky we get back to form.

Cleary there are a few players going through the motions, perhaps because they know they are not good enough to do what is needed, sort this problem out and you will see an improvement in the goalkeeping area and in the midfield, get the ball moving forward quicker and we will show what we can really do.

We have a big squad, we can cope with the extra games, lets use the cup to spur us on to better things in the League.

All Photos Via Reuters