Paul Trollope is hoping a good performance in the FA Cup will help to kick start Bristol Rovers' season.
The Pirates have already betean Southamtpon in the League this season, but the manager acknowledges that both teams are now on very different runs of form.
He told bristolrovers.co.uk: "We can take confidence from that game, it was a fantastic game of football, both teams had a really attacking intent on the night, and we managed to come out on top when we finished the game very strongly.
"During that game we saw their quality and the depth of the squad they have got. We know it is a tough challenge, we know that both teams are in vastly different runs of form going into it, and we need to get going again.
"We need to kick start our season, but if we can produce a performance level as we did at MK Dons, and get the details right in both boxes - which is what football is all about - we are confident of winning the game.
"I think the confidence factor is the biggest thing. The players, despite having a few disappointments in recent weeks, showed a real confidence to pass the ball, a confidence in themselves, and a confidence in the group.
"I saw a very good spirit both in that MK Dons game and in training since. Although we have been on a poor run, we are very much looking forward to it.
"We freshened up the system for the MK Dons game, and we tried to look at it as a fresh start after the disappointing home game against Leeds.
"But it is always a special week leading into the FA Cup and it is always a special game. I think having it under the lights at the Mem on a Friday night really adds to that.
"Hopefully the supporters will come out, the support has been fantastic.
"We have had vastly different months over the last two, with such highs and then we have had a few lows, but we need them out in force, and I am sure they will give us the support they always do.
"Hopefully we can get on a run like the one that saw us do so well in the FA Cup two years ago."
And the game will also see the return of Rickie Lambert for the first time since he left the Memorial Stadium for St Marys in the summer.
Trollope believes that the striker will get the reception he deserves from the Rovers fans.
He said: "The fans gave Rickie a fantastic reception down at St Marys, and I am sure he will get the same.
"He gave us some great service and scored some very important goals that helped our progress over the last few years.
"On the pitch we will have to be very careful of him, we know about his ability, vision, awareness and touch. He is still banging the goals in, and also the set pieces in and around the box we have to be very careful of.
"We will be aware of it, but we are not going to fear it in any way. We are not going to fear him or Southampton.
"We are going to go into the game with the intent we went to St Marys with, and that is to attack them, be positive and try and get the first goal."
And as was mentioned earlier in the week, Trolls will be forced to make a number of changes to the side that will face Southampton.
Mikkel Andersen and Chris Dickson are not eligible to play, while Aaron Lescott is missing with a groin injury.
Trolls said: "Mikkel Andersen and Chris Dickson will both be missing, as part of their loan deal their parent club wont allow them to play in the FA Cup.
"It is not ideal for us as both have played big parts for us in the last month or two.
"Aaron Lescott is going to be missing as well, he has been suffering with a niggling, persistent, groin injury that needs to be rested.
"He needs a little period of recovery, so that it doesn't cause any long term issues. At the moment we are talking about weeks, and if that leads into a month, only time will tell. I doubt we will see him in the two League home games after the FA Cup.
"It is disappointing but it is a measure all parties are sure we need to take. Credit to him, he has been playing at 90, 80 and even 75% fit for a number weeks now.
"It has been gradually getting worse, it became almost unbearable, so we have taken this measure and we are hoping it means that when it has settled down, we will get the rest of the season out of him. There is no surgery required, it just needs rest and recovery.
"He has become a vital member of the squad, as he has been for a number of years, and we will be looking forward to getting him back fully fit.
"And although the news is pretty good with Danny Coles, we think he is going to be back in training next week, he is not going to be ready for tomorrow's game.
"We are going to be missing a few, but as always it gives opportunities for others, players who have been patiently waiting in the ways and showing an exemplary attitude in training, will get their chance in a great cup tie."
