Saints will be heading for sunnier climes to prepare for the trip to Wembley and it brings back memories of 1976.

Of course back in 1976 not many teams went on mid season breaks abroad, Saints destination prior to the 1976 FA Cup final against Manchester United was Frinton On Sea in Essex rather than the sun of Spain as it will be next week.

Claude Puel will give his squad four days off after the win over Sunderland and then the real preparation will begin starting with a four day trip to Spain, in contrast Manchester United have to play three times in the build up to the final including two games against French side St Etienne.

Puel commented.

“We are going to take first of all these days off we deserve and after we got to make a training camp together to prepare this game and to find good condition also with calm and quality.

“We get to prepare this game and we know it’s a fantastic and exciting game.

“We are not the favourite of course but we know in football all is possible and we see this against Liverpool. "

It is ironic that Saints are off to Spain because one of the songs in the Saints supporters repertoire ahead of the 1976 FA Cup final was based on a hit at the time called Y Viva Espana which older supporters will recall with horror.

The song's opening line was changed from "This year we're off to sunny Spain Y Viva Espana" to "This year we're off to Wembley Y Viva Southampton"

So perhaos that Saints are off to sunny Spain ahead of another meeting with Manchester Unexcited at Wembley could be a good omen

Photo: Action Images

ericofarabia added 11:11 - Feb 12 Will it be sunny though, the last pictures I saw from Spain they were knee deep in snow!!
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highfield49 added 11:12 - Feb 12 I trust St Etienne have their own version of Vardy who will inflict the maximum discomfort upon Manure over two matches.
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SonicBoom added 18:26 - Feb 12 Have you been drinking nick?
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SaintBrock added 19:42 - Feb 12 Perhaps he's going with them and getting in the party mood? Will be interesting to see the passenger list for the flight out there and whether Carceras joins them from Uruguay. It seems inevitable that those who do not make the trip and are not injured will be looking elsewhere for employment in the summer. I'd expect the injured guys to travel to support team bonding. This is no time to save the petty cash. If I was manager I'd have them all at Staplewood at carck of dawn tomorrow and every day this week and next, no gloves or Under Armour allowed and a few buckets of iced water chucked over them every ten minutes to make them hate me, everyone around them including Joey Barton!

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SaintNick added 20:41 - Feb 12 I havent been drinking never been to spain either
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saintnige added 14:01 - Feb 14 I'm still reeling from the 'Carck of Dawn' - is this from game of Thrones?
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