FA CUP final captain Chris Marsden looked back on the last two rollercoaster years at St Mary's and said: "It's amazing."

It's hard to believe, but next Tuesday is only the second anniversary of that memorable day in Cardiff that Marsden and his fellow FA Cup heroes took on Arsenal.

A week earlier they had finished eighth in the Premiership.

Now, with the spine of that team either gone (Beattie, Bridge, Marsden) or injured (Michael Svensson) - and the manager long gone - Saints face a desperate battle to try to preserve their 27-year top-flight status.

Marsden said: "It's amazing how quickly it changes.

"It doesn't seem that long ago at all that we were all getting ready for the Cup final ourselves.

"Now 18 months later there are perhaps only four or five players left around the whole squad that were there for that.

"I get asked what it's going to come down to, and it's just go out and win.

"There's no point worrying about other results because you have to focus on what you're doing.

"It's down to character."

Marsden is currently enjoying life outside of football after injury forced him into retirement at the age of 36 earlier this year.

The lifelong Sheffield Wednesday fan retired as captain of his hometown team but will probably be best remembered for his time with Saints, where he reached iconic status with the fans.

Many have been hoping for Harry Redknapp's men to show Marsden-like desire in recent weeks.

He added: "It's going to come down to character and attitude.

"Gordon Strachan used to say in these situations that players revert to what they naturally are, and that's true. A lot of them have been through this before and know what to expect and that will help.

"But this is the first time ever they have been going into the final game of the season without their fate in their own hands.

"They just need to go out and win.

"It couldn't be any harder than playing against Manchester United.

"They can't afford to get beat, though a draw might be enough.

"They don't need me or anybody else to tell them what they have to do.

"They know they have to win."

Marsden was involved in a great escape with Saints after he joined in February 1999 for £800,000 from Birmingham.

He endeared himself to the Dell faithful by popping up with vital goals against Blackburn and Leicester that helped kick-start Saints' run-in and pulled them clear of danger.

He added: "We knew if we beat Everton (on the last day) we would stay up and Marian scored two goals.

"But no disrespect, if you had to pick who you had to play in this position Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United would be the ones you'd avoid.

"The season is never over for them because every game is massive.

"And they are playing for their Cup final places which makes it even harder. You can only do what you can do, and if everything goes to plan it will be an 'I was there' day for the fans.

"If they stay up, things will be very different next year.

"If Harry stays then there will be changes and the squad will come back looking refreshed. He will get the confidence back and you will see a completely different team in the Premiership next season."