Benali on impact of Preston postponement & Saints Foundation matchday

Firstly, I am crossing my fingers that nobody has been hurt or severely affected by the blaze. For the players there would have been a lot of uncertainty on Wednesday afternoon, especially given the unusual circumstances.

Unlike when games are called off at the last minute because of weather, they would not have had any inkling that the game would not go ahead.

By the time the fire had started, the players would have been in game mode. But all of a sudden they would have probably found themselves glued to their phones trying to work out if they would be playing against Preston a few hours later.

A fire opposite St Mary's caused their game against Preston to be postponed (Image: PA)

It would not have been as bad for the Southampton players as it would have been for the Preston players and supporters. They had all travelled down just for the game to be called off at late notice.

The incident got me thinking if I ever experienced any instances where games were called off for unexpected reasons. The most frustrating postponement I ever dealt with was when we rocked up to Newcastle one year and the game was snowed off.

Knowing that we would have to travel that distance again was the most frustrating part. We just wanted to get the game done. I can also remember a game at Reading when the conditions were not the best.

The referee deemed that we could start the game even though we all expected it to be called off. The game went ahead, but, personally, I wish that was not the case because I got sent off during the game and we lost.

One positive is that the postponement will allow the squad to be a little bit sharper for Saturday’s game against Sunderland, who lost to Leicester in midweek before having to travel the length of the country.

In terms of Southampton’s season and push for promotion, postponing a game was far from ideal. They now must rearrange the fixture in an already jam-packed run-in.

The extended international break will help in some regard because it will help the core of players who are not going away with their country prepare for the final 10 games of the season.

But the downside is knowing that they will have to squeeze those games into such a small amount of time. I know that Russell and the coaching staff will be diligently planning to ensure the players do not get burned out.

As we have seen throughout the course of the season, players can pick up injuries at any time. If another key player goes down through injury it could be a factor in the results.

While it is a cliche to dub games six-pointers, the fact we still have to visit Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds is massive. I know from my experience how big games against the teams around you can impact a relegation fight, but it is no different at the top of the table.

But you also have to ensure you do not come undone against the teams lower down in the table, otherwise beating a Leicester or Ipswich will have less impact come the end of the season.

Saturday’s game is to be dedicated to the Saints Foundation. To have such a spotlight on the great work they do will be huge.

Saturday's game against Sunderland has been dedicated to the Saints Foundation (Image: Saints Foundation)

It is not always about the monetary side of the foundation, although they do need money to continue the great work they do in the local community, it is also about the foundation’s awareness.

Having their name as the front-of-shirt sponsor is a massive thing. It gives the club and people like me an opportunity to raise awareness about the work they do.

I will be at the game on Saturday to watch the match and go around some of the suites talking to people about why this is a match day for the foundation. I am really looking forward to getting to do that.