SAINTS have to forget their draw with Arsenal right now.

That may sound harsh after such a fabulous result, but they have to.

They shouldn't forget the feeling and confidence it should rightly breed.

They shouldn't forget how well they played to earn the result.

They shouldn't forget the excellent shape the team displayed.

But they should forget the result.

Going to Highbury and getting a point was a magnificent effort but they have to view the point as a bonus.

But the only way the point WILL prove a bonus is if they beat West Brom.

Everybody expected Saints to lose to Arsenal but then defeat West Brom.

Well, they got a point against Arsenal but if they only get one point - or, unthinkably, none - against the Baggies they will have actually dropped points from what everybody expected them to get.

Conversely, though, if they beat the Baggies then the full enormity of the point at Highbury can be enjoyed and savoured.

It's now stating the obvious but November is a massive month, a campaign-defining four weeks.

Take ten points from four games and the only way is up.

Seven would mean Saints' hopes of getting out of the relegation area would still be in the balance.

Six or less points would be a pretty poor return that would more than likely equal a struggle for survival right through until May.

To do that, though they are going to have to show very different values to the ones they showed at Highbury. You couldn't detect any fear in the Saints camp ahead of Saturday's game - though there was a slight feeling of apprehension about the side in the run-up to the Colchester cup tie.

Against the U's Saints had little to gain and everything to lose.

In the run-up to the Arsenal game the players almost seemed confident - as if THEY were on an amazing run.

That's because THEY had nothing to lose. If they got something, anything, from the game then they are rightly heroes for the day.

On this occasion Saints played the role of Colchester if you like.

Now, against West Brom on Saturday, it's going to be roles reversed again. Saints are expected to beat the Baggies. They should beat them. They need to beat them.

West Brom, currently manageress, will approach their trip to the south coast with a similar underdog spirit that Saints showed at Highbury.

That pressure on Saints is something they haven't coped particularly well with so far this season - hence 0-0 home draws with Birmingham and Man City and the struggle against Colchester.

But on Saturday they NEED to cope with it, they NEED to be the aggressors and they NEED to win to make the wonderful draw at Arsenal worth all the effort.