Southampton and the English Championship

Could it be? Could Burley have turned around the ship at St. Mary's and have it the Siants going in the right direction? He seemed to do it last year as the season wound down. But Southampton had some up and downs earlier this season. But unlike the last couple of years, there are not one or two teams that are running away with the Championship. Southampton are 4 points off the top of the table and 3 from an automatic promotion spot. Southampton very well could be at top by the new year. They have 5 games coming up. They face Southend and Wednesday away from home. But they they really should win those especially given how well they've been playing lately. The same with Leicester at home. Palace and Norwich won't be easy but they'll be at St. Mary's. Southampton hasn't lost in 7 league games. Could they be on the verge of closing out 2006 without losing in their 12 games of the year?