A WIN against Tottenham would be the perfect way for Saints to go into their three-week break.

With two-thirds of the season already gone things are becoming rather more serious at both ends of the Premier League table.

Normally we would be looking to get to the top of the ‘middle-eight league’ as I call it but unfortunately it is all about trying to get to the top of the ‘bottom six’ for Saints this season

Huddersfield and Fulham look doomed and after last month’s win at St Mary’s Cardiff are back in the bottom three, having conceded ten goals in losing their last three games.

If we can get something against Spurs today it will stand us in good stead ahead of the trip to Brighton in three weeks’ time.

That is more or less a derby, when anything can happen.

But no manager likes going into a long break without winning the last game beforehand, especially when his team is only two points above the relegation zone.

Which makes today’s game a crucial one for Ralph Hasenhuttl and his players.

Tottenham are following on from an excellent away win against one of the top teams in Europe in Borussia Dortmund.

Harry Kane has been knocking in the goals since coming back from injury and Spurs will desperately want to get back in the running after a couple of poor league results.

But Saints’ excellent performance at Old Trafford bodes well.

Even the Manchester United supporters could not argue with the television replays, which proved we should have had at least one and possibly two penalties.

We deserved at least a point but Mr Hasenhuttl will have been encouraged by the effort on the day and will hope that continues this afternoon.

IT was a privilege to be at St Mary’s last week for the launch of Franny Benali’s latest fundraiser for Cancer Research UK.

Having already raised more than £600,000 running and cycling up and down the country it was unbelievable to hear that he is doing seven Ironman-distance triathlons.

He’ll be swimming, cycling and running up to 18 hours a day for a week in different parts of the country.

I remember signing Franny as a schoolboy.

Many supporters may not know he was a centre-forward in those days, when he played for England schoolboys.

He went on to make 311 appearances for his home club.

He only scored the one goal which shows what sort of a judge of a player I was!

Of course we turned him into a full-back, a tough player who I always said would kick his granny if required.

The supporters loved him for his 100 per cent effort.

His passes sometimes finished in back of the stand but opposition wingers never enjoyed a minute of playing against him.

He was a terrific team player on and off the field as well as being a perfect gentleman and family man.

He received a wonderful reception on the night from the crowded room.

I’m sure he’ll put just as much effort into his seven-day challenge as he did on the pitch.

Hopefully he’ll complete it successfully and receive the biggest welcome ever when he crosses the finish line on May 5.

Franny’s aiming to hit his £1m target which would be unbelievable.

The money he raises will help many families, maybe even yours, so the more they get the better.

I’m sure we’ll all be behind him and wish him well in his efforts. Well done Franny.

THE Welsh Male Voice Choir performed for another cancer charity, the Teenage Cancer Trust, in Hampshire last week.

I have to say they were fantastic. The 60 retired gentlemen who make up the choir have been performing in nine European countries as well as America, Canada and even Australia.

I was amazed to hear they paid their own way as their combine their love of music with a desire to help others.

Fittingly, they performed on St David’s Day, which made for a memorable night, all in aid of a charity which needs more help than most.

THE Potters Heron hotel in Romsey is famous for being the venue for my unveiling of Kevin Keegan as a Southampton player in 1982, so it was a privilege to reopen it this week.

It had to close after a fire last year, but it is back in business with its roof wonderfully re-thatched.

Those who were there will never forget the moment Keegan walked through the door, including the owners of the Potters Heron.