Dave Merrington's match preview...

POMPEY:

After Watford, Saints needed to bounce back and that is exactly what they did. Over the 90 minutes they had more commitment, they looked prepared mentally and were up for it more than Portsmouth.

It was not a classic, but still a great, great game for the spectators.

No quarter was asked or given by either side, but Saints had the edge.

Unfortunately, what it did highlight is what they had not been doing in the previous games in terms of doing that extra bit.

They have now showed what they are capable of.

MENTAL PREPARATION:

In all sports, the mental side of things are very, very important. As a coach, I certainly found that consistently lifting the same group of players week after week is not easy.

You can get the right side, you can get your tactics right and do all the coaching you want, but you have to get them up for the game and give them targets that are achievable.

They did it under Gordon Strachan and there was a consistent level of performance home and away.

Sometimes this season you just feel they have been lacking that mental toughness and desire to make things go their way.

But to Steve Wigley's credit, they really showed it against Portsmouth and they must show it again at Norwich.

They can't produce a flat performance, it can't be a case of after the Lord Mayor's Show.

They must go with the mentality they had against Arsenal and Portsmouth - if they show that level of commitment consistently, they know they are making progress.

LEAGUE TABLE:

Saints really have an opportunity now to build on what they did last week. They have moved out of the bottom three, they have put the base in, now they must capitalise on it.

If they lose, they are really back to square one.

Points are absolutely crucial when you are coming up to Christmas.

Any team that is around the bottom at Christmas is going to struggle to survive. Between now and Christmas they need to aim to be at least top of the bottom six - that would take the pressure off them.

But they have a great chance and will not be looking for one point tomorrow, but for three. A win would cement everything they did last week. They have a put in one positive building block, but now they have to put in another.

The pressure is still there, but they are the only ones who can relieve that pressure. And they can only do it with the manner of performance.

They did not follow up good performances against Arsenal and Charlton this season so now is the chance to show they are not a Jekyll and Hyde side.

STEVE WIGLEY:

He was desperate to get a win last week - and it was brilliant to see.

It has taken a lot of pressure off him and he deserves credit because his selections worked out well.

You need big game players and he gambled on James Beattie and it paid off. James had done part of the job and Kevin Phillips came on and finished it off.

Jason Dodd and Graeme Le Saux also brought a real added composure to the side. It was an all-round team performance but, for me, they were the two outstanding individuals.

They led by example, they played with determination and skill and brought a calmness to the side.

The last 20 minutes or so would have been a real roller-coaster of emotions for Steve Wigley.

In that situation you are trying to keep control of your own mind tactically. You are thinking 'is there anything I can do that will help the side? Are there changes I can make?'

NORWICH:

Obviously to be playing away to a team that hasn't yet won is an ideal game for Saints. It's become a major problem for Norwich and that was a bad result for them at Charlton.

They will desperately want to redeem themselves.

Saints have to go with the intention of getting three points - they are quite capable if they get the mental approach right.

But if you put yourself on the other side, Norwich will be looking to this as a game they can win.

They will be saying 'look, this side haven't been performing too well'.

They will be trying to turn in a performance like Saints did against Portsmouth. And the players have to be ready for that.

DEXTER BLACKSTOCK:

He has been a real find for Saints. He is a constant threat, he is a handful for defenders and has a maturity above his age.

The goal against Portsmouth was clinical. That is one of the boy's qualities - he is a predator around the box, it was a superb finish.

And remember, he has not gone into a side playing brilliantly and he has had to stand up and be counted.

He has done tremendously and all the staff will be delighted.

Playing with your back to goal as a forward is the hardest job, but Saints have got some good ones right now. Blackstock is up and coming, Phillips is a predator and Beattie is as good as anyone on his day.

With any youngster, it's important how you handle them as they are coming through. You have to channel their energy correctly and handle any problems at an early age.

We were quite tough on the young players when I was at Saints but if you look at people like Alan Shearer, Matt Le Tissier and Francis Benali you can see that is worth it.

You have to protect them from the media, but also encourage them to develop, not only in football ability, but also their personalities in and around the football club.

Young players have to be closely monitored with good guidelines. You want them to be solid people.

Society needs top-class sports-people to be good role models.

There are good role models throughout society, but also some bad ones and we need more good ones.