FORMER Dell star Gordon Watson is tipping George Burley to lead Saints back into the top flight this season - as champions!

Watson is convinced that Saints can cope without the likes of Gareth Bale, Chris Baird and Kenwyne Jones, three regulars from last season's ultimately unsuccessful promotion bid.

Ahead of a "massive" eight days for Saints, Watson said: "I really believe Saints can win the league - they won't have to be as good as they were last season to do it!"

Watson saw all Saints' games in the second half of last season as a commentator for The Saint radio station, and still hosts two talk-in shows.

Burley takes his players to high-flying Watford this Sunday for a Sky-televised clash.

The Hornets have yet to concede a home goal in 2007/08 but Watson insists: "I fancy us to win that one.

"Then we've got Colchester and Barnsley at home in the space of a few days.

"Even if we get just seven points from those three games, I can see the team growing and growing.

"I believe in them - they just have to believe in themselves."

Watson added: "They should have gone up last season but their home form cost them.

"Away from home, every time I saw them I thought they would win.

"But they were a bit jittery at home, and games like the Colchester one they lost eventually cost them the chance of going up automatically."

Watson believes the loss of attacking full-back Bale was not the massive blow it first appeared.

"Gareth was a luxury player," he said.

"Perhaps we won't concede so many goals if we have a more flat back four, and let the other six outfield players go forward.

"We didn't really need Gareth going forward all the time - now he's gone it will give the likes of Andrew Surman more chance to get forward.

"Surman can create and he can score goals.

"Safri can put his foot on the ball and he can put his foot in - and he's got the energy of someone like Viafara around him.

"Nathan Dyer was like a rabbit stuck in the headlights at times last season, but now it seems he's been invited to the top table.

"Having someone like him with new-found confidence is like having a new signing.

"And the players up front need no introduction.

"This is the first time I've felt this good about Saints.

"Though we have lost players from last season, I don't think Saints will have to be as good as they were last season to win the league."