And just as I write that, there is the first sniff at goal for Southampton.

A lovely cross is stood up for Che Adams, but he fails to make the most of the chance as he tries to tee up a team-mate.

He rises for the header and knocks it down for Plymouth's defence to clear.

Adam Blackmore
BBC Radio Solent sports editor

Stoke are a poor, struggling Championship side, I was very surprised to see Steven Schumacher leave Argyle go to Stoke.

Plymouth have become somewhat accustomed to ending the calendar year on a good note in recent times.

They have won their final league match in five of the past eight years, including each of the past two.

Can they keep that impressive statistic going by upstaging Southampton tonight?

So far the first few minutes at St Mary's are being played a calm tempo with both sides just getting a feel for the early action.

And we are up and running at St Mary's.

There is a bit of smoke from the pre-match fireworks still hanging in the air. That adds to the atmosphere nicely.

Alan Seabrook
BBC Radio Devon commentator

I spoke to a few Argyle fans and one of them put forward a very interesting name: Scott Parker.

I thought that may not be a bad call, big name and a nice cardi.

He has Dorset links too - not that far away - but would he be looking for a side just looking to stay in the Championship?

Someone else suggested David Beckham for the job.

Becks in Plymouth?! I am not sure about that one...

We have a lot of Championship action to come tonight, so there is tons to chat about.

But let's start on the rumour mill and who might be up for the vacant Plymouth job.

Gus Poyet and Paul Cook are two names linked in the past few hours alone - and there have been a couple of interesting names mentioned on BBC Radio Devon too...

What do you think?

BBC local radio

You can stay in touch with all the developments at St Mary's tonight by staying with us right here.

And while online restrictions means we can't bring you the excellent radio coverage from BBC Radio Solent or BBC Radio Devon, it doesn't mean you can't listen in.

If you are in the local radio frequency area of either one of those stations, then tune in and get your ears on the action.

The same will go for the games later tonight, which will go out live on local frequencies across the land.

Hosts Southampton bring Scotland striker Che Adams back into the starting XI as one of four changes following the Boxing Day thrashing of Swansea.

Argentine Carlos Alcaraz, Will Smallbone and Shea Charles all come into the midfield.

Image source, .

Substitutes: Stephens, Holgate, Aribo, Lumley, S Armstrong, Mara, Fraser, Amo-Ameyaw, Dibling.

Meanwhile, managerless Plymouth have made five changes for their trip to St Mary's.

Among them sees a return for captain Joe Edwards, Bali Mumba, Finn Azaz, Jordan Houghton and Brendan Galloway.

Strikers Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu are back on the bench after stint out injured

Image source, .

Substitutes: Scarr, Butcher, Hardie, Wright, Miller, Bundu, Burton, Cundle, Kesler-Hayden.

Image source, Rex Features

Plymouth have spent the festive period without a boss since Steven Schumacher upped and left for fellow Championship side Stoke.

Despite the undoubted pre-Christmas blow to the Pilgrims, they have managed to remain unbeaten as they await a managerial appointment.

A thrilling 3-3 draw with Birmingham City was then followed by a Boxing Day point picked up at Cardiff City, thanks to Morgan Whittaker's double.

Back-to-back draws has Plymouth parked 16th in the table after 24 games.

Image source, PA Media

Looking for a mover and shaker this Christmas? Then look no further than Southampton.

Three successive wins from 16 December has edged the Saints up to third in the table and to within five points of second-placed Ipswich.

Russell Martin's side haven't suffered a defeat for a few months now. They are unbeaten in 16 games dating way back to September when 2024 still seemed a long way away.

It's little wonder that Martin has spoken about how good the team spirit is at Saints these days.

• Southampton v Plymouth Argyle (18:00 GMT)
• Birmingham City v Bristol City
• Cardiff City v Leicester City
• Coventry City v Swansea City
• Huddersfield Town v Middlesbrough
• Hull City v Blackburn Rovers
• Ipswich Town v Queens Park Rangers
• Millwall v Norwich City
• Preston North End v Sheffield Wednesday
• Rotherham United v Sunderland
• Watford v Stoke City
• West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United (20:15 GMT)

Image source, Rex Features

Here we are... right in the middle of those post-Christmas and pre-New Year days when it is all a bit of a muddle.

While I, like many, might struggle to name the day (it's Friday, I've had to check) you could hazard a guess that football is being played.

And on this grey winter's night we are spoiled for Championship action, with a full fixture list of 12... yes TWELVE matches under the Friday night lights..

It all gets under way at St Mary's shortly, so stick with us for the next few hours.