On Tuesday, we asked for your thoughts on Southampton's automatic promotion hopes and if you would be happy with a play-off spot after a slow start to the season.
The Saints are unbeaten in their past 15 Championship games and have won seven on the bounce to climb from 15th in mid-January to fourth, just three points behind second-placed Ipswich, who have a game in hand.
However, Tonda Eckert's side face the Tractor Boys in the penultimate game of the season on 28 April, three days after their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley.
Here are some of your responses:
JP: After such a poor start, finishing anywhere in the top six is a colossal achievement. And to be two victories away from claiming the FA Cup? Total dreamland! Tonda and the team have brought smiles to fans’ faces and put hope in our hearts. I’m proud to be a Saint!
Michael: I don’t think we should sacrifice the FA Cup for the dubious privilege of a return to the Premier League, but I don’t believe we will. We have enough strength in depth and confidence to give it a right go against City. And we only conceded one goal against them in two league fixtures last season! The Wembley experience will be a great rehearsal for any play-off final that may result if we don’t catch Ipswich (and get through the play-off semi).
Pete: Saints have done brilliantly but personally I would rather see them win the FA Cup than win promotion. I think the vast majority of fans would agree that unless you support a “top six” team, the rest of the teams are just vying for survival. I think the Championship is much more interesting than the Premier League.
Nigel: A play-off position would be a great outcome given where we were earlier in the season. Second place is probably unlikely, though I am sure they will give it a good shot.
Charlie: Considering the situation when Still was sacked and after losing to Hull in January, play-offs are a brilliant result. Promotion has to be the goal now, however, whether automatically or not.
Clive: It’s been quite a journey over the last three months or so. Absolutely unbelievable to be where we are now after the horror of last season and the start of this. To get to Wembley (more than once) this season would be the icing on the cake, it really would, but we have achieved so much already.
Sean: Sadly I fear the semi-final, in which we have very little chance of success, will be a big distraction and add to those tired legs just ahead of the vital game against Ipswich.
Roy: Who would have ever thought we would be considering promotion back in early January when we lost to Boro and Hull? We’ve not lost a game since, we are winning games and scoring goals. Goal difference could yet be important. I would be surprised if Ipswich don’t get enough points for second but we will be there or thereabouts and will get a play-off semi at least with a home second-leg.
Ryan: Considering our form until January, I’d have bitten your hand off for a play-off place come the end of the season. My hope with only four games left is to keep pushing for that automatic promotion place and we will see where we end up once the 46 games are done! The team is gelling and working well, and Eckert deserves all the praise for getting a tune out of the squad and making the right additions in January.
Brian: I have supported Southampton for too long to get carried away with hope that we can clinch second place. At the moment Tonda and his team have made it easier to join in the football banter at work. Ipswich in my opinion will gain automatic promotion with Coventry. Let’s keep our feet on the ground and hope we have another Wembley date for the play-off final. Either way I like the way we are playing at the moment and long may it continue.
