It wasn't pretty, but it was effective and that is Bassett's hallmark. While Saints were not as fluid as they have been this season, they did look and play like a team. Much of this can be attributed to the new management duo. St. Mary's has had a much happier feel this week, with players and fans alike relieved that the media circus of the last month has started to quieten down and we can start to concentrate on the football again.
Norwich themselves are in stuttering form of late suffering from the Premiership hangover that affected Saints. Last season's encounters with Norwich were both memorable for different reasons.
Saints, ability to end even the worst opposition run were confirmed as Norwich got their first home win in the Premiership. The return fixture was the ultimate 6-pointer, resulting in a thrilling 4-3 win, with probably the best atmosphere St. Mary's has ever witnessed. Even thinking about Camara's dramatic winner still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Saints are short of numbers with injuries and suspensions starting to bite. Captain invincible Nigel Quashie serves the last of his four match ban and Rory Delap is missing after his late red card against Luton. Delap's suspension creates an opportunity for either Cranie or Baird.
Baird was a surprise addition to the squad against Luton and made his first appearance of the season coming on as sub, although he had little time to impress. Martin Cranie is fit again and should get the nod at right back after his performances earlier in the season.
This is another big opportunity for him to secure a starting position. A good performance against Norwich and he can make the right back position his own, with Rory Delap better suited to midfield.
Bassett's squad against Luton also suggests that he will again opt for youth, a canny way to catch the eye of the Chairman. Leon Best's eye-catching performance as sub should see him keep his place on the bench, with Kenwyne Jones getting another chance to impress.
The big question is why Blackstock and Dyer have still not been recalled. Walcott aside, Saints strikers have still not found the net since Millwall back in October. Blackstock deserves an opportunity to provide the answer to who is Theo Walcott's best striker partner.
Dyer's absence continues to baffle with Saints looking short of pace and inspiration in midfield. If management feels he is not ready to start, then he would be the ideal substitute to bring on to run at tiring defences and show his eye for goal.
Injuries continue to deny Saints the services of 3 of Saints' potential first eleven, with Lundekvam, Svensson and Pahars all absent. Fit-again Wise may promote himself to the bench, with Prutton and Oakley continuing in central midfield.
The signs are that Kenton and Powell will continue their partnership at the back, with Kenton slowly regaining his form after so long out of the side.
On the Cross had little luck in predicting Redknapp's sometimes bizarre line-ups, but hopes that the change of management has improved our crystal ball, meaning that Saints should see the following line-up tomorrow.
Niemi
Cranie, Powell, Kenton, Higginbotham
Kosowski, Oakley, Prutton, McCann
Walcott, Jones
Subs: Smith, Baird, Wise, Best, Ormerod