When the Saints go marching down? Maybe not for much longer..

Reversing the slide in Southampton's fortunes is not going to be easy. The Saints were well beaten at Swindon on Tuesday (losing 1-0) despite the manager's protestations to the contrary, and forums are jammed packed full of demands for new defenders in particular.

Well the worst might be over, judging by three signings in the past 10 days or so. The first, Rickie Lambert, is already settling in and scoring goals as you would expect at League One level after 29 last time round at Bristol Rovers.

The two midweek signings though, I think, will propser. Dean Hammond from Colchester is an unfussy midfielder who will work hard without catching the eye enormously. He'll add some extra height and chip in with goals if given licence to go into the opposition penalty area. He's a good player at this level and will perform a valuable role, if not one to send the crowd into a frenzy. The second signing, defender Neal Trotman, is a good bruising centre-back, who should be strong in the air and on the ground and very effective at League One level.

These two new additions should help significantly - both will be needed on Saturday too, as Southampton have an awkward looking game with long throw and pressure specialists Brentford.