It's time for a special edition of The Opposition View ahead of Saturday's South Coast Derby game. These are the views of Saints fans Paul and Jamie as they answered the questions I put to them.
Before we begin, how is life in League One? Still think you can achieve promotion or was stabilising after the points deduction always the aim?
Paul: Personally, it's been good! We've won more games there we've lost, gone to some new grounds and now we're one of the 'bigger' teams in the league! Promotion has always been a big ask and with the start we had it was pretty much near impossible. However I would expect to see a big push next season and Automatic promotion is a must. Mind you, we're only 4 points off the relegation places.....
Jamie: This League One season has actually been pretty decent. We seem a very difficult side to beat, but at the moment we have struggled to recapture the type of form we did before Christmas. If we could get near that type of form again I would think the play-offs are possible.
It has been five long years since we thrashed you 4-1 at
Paul: I have been looking forward to this since the second round when we beat
Jamie: While I was watching the draw for the 5th round I always said I wanted to avoid Pompey, when it came down to the last four balls and we were still in the pot I was very nervous and when Reading came out I was shouting at the tele but I guess it was fate. Since I've bought my ticket though, I've been looking very forward to it.
Having endured a torrid summer full of taunts from Pompey fans after going into administration and suffering another relegation, you must be feeling pretty smug now after the season we've had?
Paul: It's brilliant. I Couldn't have asked for any better really. I don't want to see you guys go bust, but I do want to see you suffer with everything that could possibly go wrong. Relegation from the Premier League is just the first step! Saturday will be a day where I can at least make fun of your position.
Jamie: I like seeing Pompey suffer on the pitch, but off the pitch it isn't as funny as I thought it would have been. I hated everything about administration, waking up each morning with a slight bit of hope that a takeover would happen but being knocked back by the administrator saying 'another 48 hours' etc. It was a painful experience and I wouldn't wish it on any set of football supporters.
Are you happy with the way your club is being run off the pitch now that you have new owners in?
Paul: After the nightmare that was Rupert Lowe, it's like we are being run by God. Our chairman is spending his own money, and we have an executive Chairman who is not messing around and getting the club back into shape. They have come up with a 5 year plan to get back into the Premier League. We also have no debt whatsoever, something which is quite rare these days! It might sound bad, but going into Admin looks like it might be one of the better things that has happened to us!
Jamie: I am very happy with Markus Liebherr at the club and we've made massive strides since he has been the owner. He is the type of owner that isn't made up of pure champion like Lowe was. His right hand man Cortese also seems like a very decent bloke.
What do you think of the job Alan Pardew is doing? This is a man who thought Bobby Zamora and our own Hayden Mullins were better than Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano after all.
Paul: He's doing ok. He has a knack of playing his 'Favourites' which is slightly annoying, and the back 4 changes far too often, but we have had some good results this season. He's spoken a lot of sense after games with his views, only last week did he let himself slip blaming the pitch when we were awful. However I think he's the right man to take us out this league and back into the Premier League.
Jamie: He has made some fantastic signings in his time as Saints boss, but lately he doesn't seem to know what his best side is. We started this season trying to play nice football and when it paid off it really showed but lately we seem to have lost that and this is because we've changed the side too often in my opinion. Pardew needs to keep selecting a settled side.
Are you looking forward to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final or are
Paul: It's a trip out to Wembley, of course I'm looking forward to it! I don't think any team is too big to play at the national stadium and have the chance to win some silverware. It will matter when you're down in League One playing in it!
Jamie: After the last couple of years we have had this will be a very big date for
What would you prefer out of winning the JPT or knocking Pompey out of the FA Cup?
Paul: Knocking you out the cup. It would top off a near perfect season.
Jamie: Beating Pompey, definitely. Winning the JPT would be a nice thing to see but beating our rivals while being two leagues behind would be something else.
Pompey and Saints fans usually disagree about everything but are probably united about one thing. What are your thoughts on Harry Redknapp?
Paul: I hate him more then I hate
Jamie: Words cannot describe how much I hate that man. When he joined Spurs I think a fair amount of my hate for you went onto Spurs. I hate seeing any club with him as manager doing well.
And what do you think of Antti Niemi now that he is a Pompey player?
Paul: Agent Antti has been helping your demise, has he ever played a first team game? I'm sure he enjoys his wages though (When they get paid to him). Keep it up AN. Still a legend.
Jamie: He is still a hero in my eyes he's by far one of the best goalkeepers to grace the Premier League. He only really had one bad game for us (yeah.. that game) and it would be very interesting to see how many points he earned us. The triple save in the 3-2 win against Arsenal is always something that comes into my mind.
Moving on to the match, I assume the visiting Pompey fans will be given a nice, friendly welcome to St. Mary's?
Paul: Little bit of added spice with it being the first in five seasons, and obviously your situation will give us a laugh or five. I'm sure everyone will behave. It's a sell out so have a good look around, I don't suspect you've seen one of those in a while!
Jamie: A nice welcome? Yeah I think you're in for that....
Honestly though, as it is our first game for a while I reckon St Marys will be rocking. We can still create a special atmosphere in a 'bowl'.
You must surely fancy your chances despite being two leagues below us given the turmoil we have suffered this season?
Paul: Too right. I'm expecting a loss, and we should lose. Despite being in the mire, you are a Premier League team with a few quality players. However, it's a local Derby Cup game, and we have a good record at home against you.
Jamie: At first I didn't, but now I think why not. We've not got a whole lot to lose, your fans can rub it in if you win but you would have only beaten a League One side!
Once upon a time I could name the majority of your squad through gritted teeth. Nowadays I barely recognise any names in the Saints squad.
Kelvin Davis, Radhi Jaidi and Rickie Lambert stand out but care to fill us in on some of the other notable players in the team?
Adam Lallana
Paul: One of the brightest youngsters coming through, now a regular in the team. Very skilful and will hopefully give your full backs a problem on Saturday.
Jamie: Quick young player who seems to be producing the goods under Pardew.
Papa Waigo
Paul: On loan from Fiorentina for the season, scored a few goals. Very quick and unpredictable! Improving all the time and I think he'll score on Saturday.
Jamie: Fiorentina swapped Anthony Vanden Borre for him, shows who they rated more! But he is full of pace, he links up with Rickie well but will sometimes get stupid offsides and miss the odd sitter.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Paul: A French U-21 international, is a class act above any other midfielder in the division. His passing and touch is sublime, touted to be signed by Arsenal at some point.
Jamie: Rejected you to join us, his passing is very good and on his day he could easily cut it as a higher Championship player. I can see why you wanted him last season, this kid will be amazing in a couple of years.
Others
Jamie: Dean Hammond is our captain on the pitch, he seems like a real leader and isn't afraid to put his foot in and get a little dirty. Dan Harding is a quality left back at this level, from his better performances he should be playing in the Championship.
Paul: You've mentioned him, but Rickie Lambert has been our player of the season. 24 goals already, I hope he makes it 25 on Saturday.
On the flip side, do the Scummers know much about the current Pompey team? Are there any players in our squad that you particularly fear?
Paul: Jamie O'Hara and Kevin-Prince Boateng obviously carry some class with them and if we let them get into the game, will cause us problems. I think you've got an oldie
Jamie: Jamie O'Hara is a quality player and one I've rated for ages. I suspect him vs
What are the main strengths of this current
Paul: Scoring. We are pretty free scoring and with Lambert heading the attack, Lee Barnard who has scored 13 goals this season, Lallana has 11/12, Waigo has 9, so I'm confident we will score.
Jamie: Like Paul said, scoring. We've got plenty of players who can put the ball in the back of the net, Lambert being the main one. The midfield will have to push hard to give him chances though. We also have Lee Barnard who scored a decent amount for Southend this season but he is still finding his feet.
What are the weaknesses in your team that Pompey may be able to exploit come Saturday?
Paul: We can't keep a clean sheet for love nor money at the moment. Right Back has been a problem area, but Wayne Thomas is now there doing his thing.
Jamie: We struggle against players with pace. Jaidi and Thomas are not the quickest defenders about. I suspect Perry might even play, but Jaidi and Thomas are two very strong defenders so I just hope they can read the game well.
This is something that our new signing Jose Fonte would help to solve, shame he is cup-tied as I reckon he could get into your current side.
How do you see the game going? Are you brave enough to predict the result?
Paul: I think we'll see
Jamie: My brain says away win, my heart says home win. I think it will be a good game, tackles will be flying in I hope and it will be like a proper derby.