Saints are expecting a large crowd for Saturday’s six-pointer against Nottingham Forest at St Mary’s.

With 23,500 tickets already sold for the game at the time of writing, Saturday’s attendance is already guaranteed to smash the 18,925 who saw the first home game of the season against Birmingham City, and the ticket office are bracing themselves for a large “walk-up” boost on the day of the game as well.

Prices for this game were reduced to just £15 for adults and £5 for concessions anywhere in the ground to compete with the last Saturday before Christmas shopping crowd, and fans have responded in their droves. Of course, it’s also the case that any of the 5000 members can guarantee themselves a ticket for the Manchester United FA Cup match by also buying a ticket for the Forest game, with tickets for that game due to go on a restricted general sale from Monday.

Either way, it’s a big boost to the club financially and should also act as a morale boost to the players ahead of what is going to be a crucial game for both sides. Reports have been circulating in the last few days that the game could be Forest boss Colin Calderwood’s last in charge if the result doesn’t go their way, and of course we sit only one place and four points above the drop zone with the worst home record in the Championship.

The Itchen South corner of the ground has already been re-opened for this game, and - if the demand is there - the Kingsland North corner will be the next to re-open. The ticket office are currently projecting a 27,000-strong attendance.