Southampton will head into their FA Cup semi-final encounter with Manchester City on Saturday afternoon, with their confidence somewhat dented.
Ideally, the Saints would have headed into this clash at Wembley, off the back of another win in Championship action.
Instead, they’ll be facing Pep Guardiola’s men off the back of a 2-2 draw with Bristol City, which isn’t a horrible misfire by any means, as it means the South Coast side are still 20 games unbeaten.
But, everyone associated with the South Coast giants will know they need to be far better in attempting to upset the odds against the heavily fancied Premier League side at Wembley, with Southampton already having to make do without Ryan Manning for the semi-final showdown.
Potential Saints changes versus City
Manning will be out of the team that takes to the field to do battle with the top-flight hosts, owing to suspension.
Indeed, his yellow card for a foul on Max Dowman, during the famous 2-1 victory over Arsenal, means he will be absent, which will be a gutting blow, as he has been a calm head throughout the season, away from going into the referee’s book.
Tonda Eckert will likely have to put his faith in Wellington in the left-back spot, instead, with it a slight shock that the German didn’t start ex-Sao Paulo defender against the Robins, knowing he would have to do without the dependable Irishman, when travelling down to London.
Alongside having to throw Wellington in from the start, Eckert could also tinker at the back by potentially dropping Nathan Wood, who he won’t be confident about selecting against the ten-time Premier League winners.
The 33-year-old had no choice but to select him mid-week, as Jack Stephens pulled up with a late knock in the warm-up, meaning the ex-Swansea City centre-back was shoved into the deep-end.
Eckert will hope he can have Stephens back, as the 32-year-old’s last six Championship starts for the promotion candidates have seen him only give up a slim three goals.
There is also a striker dilemma to sort out, as both Cyle Larin and Ross Stewart keep scoring, but there is another controversial selection decision that will be bugging the young head coach, too, as he possibly ditches an ex-City midfielder, for the clash on the weekend.
Eckert could make this surprise selection call
Shea Charles might well feel the surprise wrath of his manager for the FA Cup showdown to come, with the former City youth product way off his usual high standards against the visitors from Bristol.
Usually calm with the ball at his feet, the Northern Ireland international was, instead, rather haphazard with his passing against the Robins, with possession squandered a high 15 times.
Moreover, he went from being heroic in front of goal against Swansea City, when he bagged the Saints’ crucial equaliser, to a villain as he fluffed his lines late on against Roy Hodgson’s men.
Ultimately, the hot-and-cold number 24 might just be a better option for Eckert and Co, when utilised as a late, impact substitute.
After all, his last two goals for his South Coast employers have come when he’s been introduced into games, when opposition legs are tiring, with Charles’ winner against Arsenal in the last dramatic FA Cup round coming about when he had been exposed to only 14 minutes of action.
When he’s at his very best, Charles is one of the silikest midfield performers out there in the division.
But, after failing to deliver the goods against Robins, the 22-year-old could be dropped for the trip to Wembley, as he potentially misses out against his boyhood side.
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