Gradi MBE is one of only three managers to have managed over a thousand games along with Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby. Relegation Redknapp is somehow closing in, but somehow Sir 'Arry doesn't have quite the same ring to it.
Normally a side at the bottom would be on the verge of losing their manager, but Gradi will still be there next season and probably many more besides. Perhaps most importantly they play good passing football no matter what the league position.
Saints travel to Crewe with Ostlund and Jones out injured, meaning George Burley will once again have to reshuffle his line-up. Chris Baird will have another chance to impress at right back, although Ostlund has become such a fans favourite in such a short space of time it is difficult to see Baird securing the right back berth long term.
Up front Jones' absence will mean a chance for one of Pahars, Madsen or Blackstock. With Jones in the starting line-up, Blackstock has been the first choice sub, a little harsh on Madsen who has looked a quality player just short of match fitness.
Time is running out for Marian Pahars who has failed to impress for first team or reserves of late as he makes yet another tentative return from injury. He looks a long way from the player that made such an impact in the Premiership when he joined to keep us up.
Nathan Dyer looks set to lose his starting place to the returning Kamil Kosowski after some uncertain displays of late. However, he will be quickly forgiven for the naive defending that conceded the 'penalty' against Coventry.
In truth there is no better time for the youngster to gain experience that now with Saints effectively in limbo waiting for the summer to develop the squad and push for promotion next season. There is plenty more to come from him and there are few better sights than watching him charging down the wing at pace.
In midfield, Burley will mix and match to try and find the right combination to get us playing at a higher tempo and passing the ball more effectively. Wright will go back into the holding midfield postion with the energetic Chaplow alongside him. Surman and Kosowski should occupy the flanks as Saints look for goals from our midfield.
Likely line-up:
Smith
Baird, Lundekvam, Higginbotham, Brennan
Kosowski, Chaplow, Wright, Surman
Rasiak, Madsen
Subs: Miller, Blackstock, Dyer, Powell, Pahars