'YOU CAN only work out if it was a turning point at the end of the season.'

Those were the words of Gordon Strachan when Saints defeated Tranmere 6-1 in the second round of the League Cup two seasons ago.

Looking back over his most successful season at Saints this week, Strachan did indeed conclude that the victory over lower league opposition was the turning point.

Saints had endured a similarly sluggish start to the season but all of a sudden one win and confidence was running high and before you knew it they were climbing the league, reaching the FA Cup final and all was well at St Mary's.

This win was not as encouraging as the victory over Tranmere but at least it was a triumph and not the disaster that any sort of an upset would have been.

Wigley adopted a similar approach to Strachan - namely put out your first team on the basis they are the ones in need of a lift.

Of course no players carrying knocks were risked but otherwise it was all first teamers. They need confidence, and what better way to get it than playing in a winning team again?

Northampton put up a creditable fight and, from a Saints point of view, it wasn't as convincing as the scoreline suggests.

But it was a win, a base to build on, a launchpad.

Another encouraging thing for Wigley is the form of Mikael Nilsson.

It took the Swedish international a little while to adjust to the pace of English football but he's not far off now and is looking a class act at right-back. His experience at the top level also tells you he will be ready to push into midfield if needed.

Jelle van Damme also impressed at left-back. He's still naive in parts of his game but he does add a physical presence and pace down the left wing, as well as an eagerness to get forward and join in the attacks.

The win itself was tidy enough and at least a welcome distraction from the coaching badges saga for one evening.

Fabrice Fernandes hit the post with a vicious first-time effort and Neil McCann skied the re-bound after five minutes in what was otherwise a nervy start for Saints.

Northampton pressured the ball and worked hard. It was rather predictable, though, that they would fall down in front of goal where they didn't quite have the quality to finish off any of their good work.

Eric Sabin did have the ball in the Saints net after nine minutes but was pulled back for a foul, while six minutes later Scott McGleish steered a header just wide of the post.

After Peter Crouch had gone close from a header, McGleish again threatened before Van Damme dragged a good opening wide of the post.

Saints looked as though they would be caught out after 27 minutes when Nilsson produced a superb last-ditch sliding tackle to block an effort from Tom Youngs, who was through on goal.

But by that stage Saints had managed to settle and were retaining the ball in midfield.

It seemed only a matter of time before a goal came and then they bagged two in three minutes.

Firstly, some good work down the right saw Nilsson get the ball in for Kevin Phillips to sweep home first time for a well-taken opener.

Just three minutes later Saints bagged another.

The ball came out to David Prutton, who had a heavy first touch, on the edge of the area. It span up in the air so he volleyed towards goal and it turned out to be an absolute screamer that flew into the top corner of the net.

Saints' advantage going into the half-time break always looked likely to be enough and so it proved.

But they didn't have it all their own way. Though Northampton found chances hard to come by they certainly were not dominated by Saints, who had few genuine openings in the second half.

The two of note saw Van Damme shoot powerfully at goal, but only at the keeper, and the other resulted in a goal.

With 65 minutes gone Neil McCann was played in and the Scottish international, with a point to prove, produced a fine finish to grab his maiden Saints goal and round off a win.

Will this be a turning point in Saints' season?

Only time will tell.

We'll get a better idea after Saturday.

Saints will need to up their game to get a result at Fulham but at least they have a starting point now.

Sometimes that's all that matters.