I was a bit disappointed for Saints to only pick up another point on Wednesday, after conceding so late on at Watford last weekend. 

Coventry City were good and you have to give them some credit, they were well organised and you can see how they will cause a lot of teams problems.

It makes this afternoon's match even more important as we need to keep ourselves in the race. At the moment, the top two are running away with it.

Clearly, you are focused on your own performances first but as a player, you always have one eye on what your rivals are doing.

We have had a fair few weeks this year where we have got good results but Leicester City and Ipswich Town then go and do the same.

It's great to win at those times but you still haven't closed the gap at all, which is clearly the target this season.

Now Saints have drawn a couple of games and the others have won, that gap is 12 points from the automatic promotion places. 

The season is racing by but we just have to keep focusing on what we're doing, and I know Russell Martin has been happy with a lot of stuff he's seen.

I think it's just about converting the games where we have total dominance and possession into killing teams off and getting the three points. 

From a points perspective, you would be better off losing one or two games here and there and winning some of the others you might have drawn. 

However, at the same time, there is a feeling of confidence and belief when you don't walk off a pitch following defeat at all. 

It has been some time now since the team have lost and, although all of us would like a few more wins, it is important in a real slog in the Championship. 

The games are relentless and I think a lot of clubs look at playing us as a bit of a trophy, and I'm not trying to put us on a pedestal.

It's a big club in the Championship and I'm sure teams are eager. I know what it was like when we faced certain clubs in the Premiership and Premier League. 

You would think, 'This could be a bit of a scalp if we can get a win against these'. I think that's something else to contend with. 

However, it's up to us to find a way of winning these games and I am sure it will come. We're a little way off the top two but they have set a relentless pace. 

The way Russell protects his players in the press is a positive, too. There is nothing worse than when somebody says something about an individual publicly.

Even if you have said it behind closed doors, you still don't want it made public. I like the way he operates in the media. 

I am sure he has had stern words with the group and perhaps one or two individuals as well, but that is the sort of thing that stays in the dressing room. 

Hopefully, Saints can get back to winning ways in front of their own fans this afternoon. The support this season has been so good.

In particular, the number of travelling supporters is absolutely fantastic. Selling out these away ends on midweek nights is no mean feat.

You want to do it in front of your home fans too, though. I will be at St Mary's today and hope you enjoy the game if you are too. 

Earlier in the week, I went along to the pantomime with my wife Karen and daughter Kenzie at the Mayflower Theatre and had a brilliant night, getting into the Christmas mood. 

The set, the stage and all the performers were all fantastic. Diversity doing their bit was great and Kev Orkian was hilarious, he was a real star. 

It's a beautiful theatre and certainly what we saw on Tuesday was an incredible production right the way through. 

Anyone from Southampton knows too well all the history of the building and Michael Ockwell, the CEO, has worked really hard to put the theatre on the city's map. 

I hope everyone is gearing up for all the festivities and, of course, all the football that comes with this time of year.