Gus Poyet is the Championship’s master of mind games – and you can be sure he will continue to play plenty more ahead of Brighton’s meeting with Saints this weekend.

It was Brighton’s actions last season that turned this friendly south coast rivalry into a feud like that which exists between Pompey and Saints.

That might not apply to the fans, who are more interested in getting one over their nearest neighbours, but it certainly applies to the squad and management teams at both clubs.

Read More

You can read all of Adam Leitch's thoughts on the Adkins-Poyet mind games in his special feature in today's Daily Echo.

Make no mistake, this weekend’s match is one of the biggest of the season for both Saints and Brighton.

There might still be just three points to put on the board, but there is a lot more than that at stake after the water that passed under the bridge last season.

This meeting will be fiercely contested because it is about pride and desire, about settling scores, amongst the managers and the players.

Full article only in today's Daily Echo

The Southern Daily Echo will not tolerate comments posted on this message board which are deemed to be distasteful or offensive in any way. This includes homophobic and racist remarks. Anyone posting inappropriate comments risks having their account banned from using this site. The Echo will also fully co-operate with police by providing details, when requested, in relation to such incidents, which may lead to prosecution.