The FA Cup represents a chance to escape the endless run of matches in the Championship and to blood new players outside of the pressure of the league. Against Mansfield, Redknapp went too far fielding an understrength team of youngsters and fringe first team players, seemingly just to prove a point about who knows best when it comes to team selection.
The prestige of the FA Cup means that this is a competition that Saints will be taking more seriously and Saints will be playing to win.
As the cup draw went on it seemed inevitable that we would be drawn against Pompey, but Saints will have to overcome MK Dons first and take our chances once more.
The tie takes place on January 7th.