Saints need resolve against Pompey to restore faith

Despite Wednesday's win against Sheffield United, the Saints fanbase is still very much 'jury out' on Tonda Eckert and technical director Johannes Spors.

They have also already decided - with some justification - that owners Sport Republic aren't doing a good job at the helm of their club.

So this derby has a lot hinging on it for everyone at Saints at all levels, from fans to players to manager and to boardroom.

The lack of faith supporters already have will only deepen if they lose at Pompey, especially if they have one of those spells where they fold like a pack of cards.

They did that in the recent second halves at Middlesbrough and Doncaster.

If there is any game where the pressure on them might see them crumble, it's this one - an early Pompey goal and it could be a long lunchtime!

The good news is that Saints have good players in their squad, a number of whom think they should or could be in the Premier League.

So if they play to their ability, wrestle control of the of the game and the tempo off Pompey, then they might use their undoubted talent to win the game comfortably.

But it's the "wrestling" bit I worry about, the resolve to overcome any adversity, that is likely to be the deciding factor in this game.