Southampton fans had been crying out for a manager of Tonda Eckert’s uplifting nature for some time.
Indeed, before the much-loved German was handed the permanent reins, the Saints failed miserably with the short-lived experiments of both Ivan Juric and Will Still, as relegation from the Premier League was then quickly followed by a freefall down the Championship.
Now, the South Coast giants look to have a stablising presence in the dug-out they can depend on for some time, with Eckert collecting a sturdy 15 wins from 26 games in the St Mary’s hot seat.
Of course, the worry will always be there that the 33-year-old could be poached, as the rookie head coach already has supposed admirers from the Bundesliga and Serie A.
But, he has a mission still on his hands to guide the Saints back up to the promised land of the Premier League at the first time of asking, which will surely mean he doesn’t ditch the South Coast at this vital stage in the season.
He certainly sounded confident in his post-match comments after the 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion, that his current employers would secure a last-minute spot in the top six, even if a win would have been more ideal at the Hawthorns.
Eckert’s confident comments after the 1-1 draw
Heading into this showdown against James Morrison’s Baggies, Southampton would have been viewed as the clear favourites.
After all, the two fortunes of the former Premier League clubs couldn’t be at further ends of the spectrum at the time of writing, as West Brom are engulfed in a relegation scrap, while the positivity coming out of proceedings at St. Mary’s at the moment is infectious, as they believe they can upset the playoff party.
In the end, though, the playoff-aspiring away side had to make do with a 1-1 draw, which I suppose is better than no points at all.
Eckert’s visitors did look as if they would be travelling back to the Hawthorns empty-handed, but the lofty Cyle Larin thankfully popped up with a crucial equaliser.
West Brom vs Southampton stats:
Statistic
West Brom
Southampton
Goals
1
1
Possession
34%
66%
Total shots
13
12
Shots on target
6
4
Big chances created
3
1
Total passes
311
618
Pass accuracy
73%
87%
On the balance of play, that was likely the fairest result, despite the differences of the two sides in league position, with Eckert insistent at the full-time whistle that this draw was a point gained, rather than two slipping through their fingers.
He said, rather optimistically, after the dust had settled on the well-fought contest: “I think that point can be very important towards the end of the season. It’s quite nice to see that now it’s in our hands. It wasn’t before that matchday, now it is.
We still have to play against Wrexham. There are three points up for grabs in that one. I think that point can be very important at one point.”
Southampton do still have Wrexham to face in league action at Racehorse Ground, which will no doubt be viewed as far more of a must-win contest that the gritty match-up versus the Baggies.
Every game between now and the end of the season seems to have an added importance attached to it, with Eckert desperate to become a manager of Russell Martin’s ilk at St. Mary’s by successfully clinching promotion at a memorable playoff final at Wembley.
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