SOUTHAMPTON Football Club stand at a cross-roads in their future.

Over the course of the next two fixture-less weeks there is much to be sorted out. And it's of vital importance that the right decisions are made.

Forgetting the whys, wherefores and inadequate explanations of Paul Sturrock's departure, the club must now look forward.

To say Saints are a club in turmoil sounds strong but is currently a fair assessment of the situation.

However, what happens in the next 14 days will either galvanise everybody connected with Saints or will tear the club apart. It really is that serious.

Everywhere you look you come to the conclusion that a strong figure needs to be brought in - someone that inspires faith and confidence. A leader to drag Saints out of their current mess.

First and foremost there is the team to sort out. Desperately missing Michael Svensson and Matthew Oakley, their first four performances of the season have suggested a relegation battle is in order.

The new man needs to fix that.

The fans are also in disarray. They need to be given confidence and belief that things will be good again and in return they will get behind the club as they always have.

The new man needs to fix that.

And then there's Rupert Lowe. Perhaps he didn't expect the kind of reaction and berating he has received from all quarters this week.

Saints supporters are a loyal bunch but when they turn your days are numbered. Just ask Ian Branfoot.

If the fans don't think Lowe has got in the right man then his position could come under even more intense pressure.

The new man, if he is the right appointment, can fix it all. Just the presence of some people is enough. Just their aura, their personality.

But how good a person you attract of course depends on the role they play. Will they be an assistant to Steve Wigley, a director of football or even a new team manager? Right now it's as clear as mud.

It almost sounds melodramatic to say Saints are at a cross-roads but that really is how itfeels.

If they go the right way, the positive way, then it's not too late for all this furore to go down in the history books as a blip.

But the wrong appointment now could send the club spiralling downwards and who knows where.

The next two weeks are so important.

And as if any proof was needed as to how much ground Saints have to make up on the pitch then the past week has proved that too.

Just three points from four games, when a minimum of six would have been expected, is not a great start.

Nobody expected them to get a result at Chelsea but they were so far behind both the Blues and Bolton at St Mary's it is worrying.

James Beattie fired home a

dramatic opener from 25 yards after only 12 seconds of the game at Stamford Bridge but it then seemed a case of Saints having 89 minutes to defend.

And when you drop deep against Chelsea and invite them on and when you fail to keep possession, a trademark of the season so far, you have problems.

Chelsea are a top drawer side this year under Jose Mourinho and in the first half it could have been a lot worse than 2-1.

Saints twice had to hack the ball off their own goal line while there were numerous near misses and several saves from Antti Niemi to boot.

In the end, despite their dominance and great play, Chelsea's goals were rather fortunate.

The first saw unlucky Beattie turn the ball into his own net after Eidur Gudjohnsen had flicked on Frank Lampard's corner. Anders Svensson tried to clear on the line but it was already over.

Then, just before half time, Steve Bennett awarded a penalty for handball against Claus Lundekvam despite suggestions he might have got a push. Lampard dispatched the kick but in slipping in his run-up seemed to hit the ball twice which is not allowed.

Saints improved in the second half but Chelsea played out the game to take the win.

What has been most concerning about the start on the pitch has been the lack of creativity from midfield. Particularly against Villa, Bolton and Chelsea itseems Saints' best hope is to stick big guys up front, pump the ball long and hope for a lucky bounce.

If that's the way ahead then it won't work.

There's still so much potential with Wigley, the players and the club. But Southampton FC need to make sure they don't self-destruct.