Saints v Brighton-Preview

Saints start the new year with a home derby against Brighton. Lets hope we can start a fresh today and get 2006 off to a winning start.

Speaking to Saintsfc.co.uk:

'The Brighton game is a massive game - make no mistake about it. It is a home game and we really need to win it'

'It is a must-win game. Four defeats in a row is not good and we have conceded quite a few goals, which we have not done before. We really need to turn things around'

Saints extensive injury list means they will still be without Danny Higginbotham, Michael Svensson, Claus Lundekvam, Darren Powell, Kamil Kosowski, Mathew Oakley, Tomasz Hajto and Marian Pahars. Nathan Dyer could also possible miss out with a dead leg.

Nigel Quashie should return from a knee injury.

Infact we'd only need another striker and a keeper out and we'd have have a whole first team missing!

Dyer impressed in his last outing and if he can recover from his dead leg and play today, it will be a great chance for him to follow the lead of Theo Walcott and force his way into Burley's first team plans.

Colin Kazim-Richards, Paul Reid and Dean Hammond are all suspended while Charlie Oatway and striker Federico Turienzo are injured.

The 23 year old striker has scored 5 times already this season, twice against Crystal Palace.

Saints have rarely met their south coast neighbours in competitive competition, though they were our first and last opponents at The Dell.

Our last competitive meeting was an away game in the League Cup in 2001. Saints won 3-0.

Head-to-head in all competitions Saints have won 18 times, Brighton 6 times, and 8 have been drawn.

2-0. Hopefully our makeshift defence will have settled and gained some understanding now. The return of Quashie should also sure up the midfield.

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