I understand why some would prefer Tonda Eckert to focus solely on gaining a spot in the Championship play-offs, but we stand to gain more by giving this game a good go.
Saints are currently nine games unbeaten, and that is not a habit you want to throw away by naming a weakened side against tough opposition.
That is not to say we should not have an eye on our upcoming Championship games against West Brom and Coventry, but we also should not look past this one.
I have always been an advocate of doing your best to win any cup competition, but I feel especially strong about winning the FA Cup.
This is, of course, a poignant season for the club as we mark 50 years since we won the competition in 1976. This game will be a good marker to see where we are.
Saints beat Leicester 2-1 in the last round to set up a tie against Fulham. (Image: Stuart Martin)
We are not at the point of choosing between winning the FA Cup and gaining promotion to the Premier League. Our squad is good enough to handle both battles.
Confidence in the group seems to have grown significantly during our recent run, and beating a Premier League side would give us another timely boost.
At the business end of the season, momentum matters. When you turn up with confidence, winning a game becomes that bit easier.
And with crucial league games against Coventry, Ipswich and Wrexham on the horizon, we need the players to be feeling good about themselves.
A win over Fulham – or at the very least a very strong performance – will aid our chances of cutting the four-point gap to Wrexham and gaining a spot in the play-offs.
Marco Silva’s charges sit 10th in the Premier League. You don’t get there without being a good side, and even if they make changes, they will still name a strong lineup.
This game is a good measuring stick for us. Win here, and there is no reason why we cannot beat those above us in the Championship.
Our form against top-half Championship clubs is worrying. Our only victory against a top-six team came against Wrexham on the opening day – and that was a fortunate 2-1 win.
I do not want to say we head into this game against Fulham with nothing to lose – a spot in the quarter-finals is up for grabs – but we should go to London without any fear.
Saints boss Tonda Eckert suggested he will name a strong side against Fulham. (Image: Stuart Martin)
The FA Cup will give us a break from the race to reach the play-off places, which can be mentally draining at times.
And if we compare the feeling around the club now to when we last visited Craven Cottage, not long after Russell Martin was sacked, I feel more confident that we can win this time around.
If we come up short, then the club will place 100 per cent focus on winning promotion back to the Premier League.
We have put ourselves in a good place to do that – a win on Sunday would just improve our position.
Finally, it was great to be at the Saints Foundation charity dinner last night, where we raised lots of money that will fund crucial work in our city.
I always appreciate the chance to hear inspirational stories from those who have worked closely with the Foundation, for whom I am forever proud to be an ambassador and trustee.