Southampton’s decision to sack Will Still and give Tonda Eckert the top job was a very brave one.
By parting company with Still at the start of November, just months into his first season at the club, the hierarchy were admitting they had made a major mistake.
With the fans understandably furious, turning to Eckert, who was in charge of the U21s and hadn’t managed a senior game in his career, was seen as a reckless roll of the dice.
However, the German impressed in temporary charge, and those positive results and performances convinced Southampton to give him the job on a long-term basis.
Tonda Eckert has got Southampton’s big players back to their best
Fast-forward almost six months, and Saints are not just the form team in the Championship, but only Lincoln City boasted a longer unbeaten run in the whole country heading into the weekend.
The 5-1 thrashing of Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground in midweek made it 16 games without defeat in all competition for Eckert’s men, and it moved them into the play-offs at the expense of the Welsh side.
The manner of the victory felt like a real statement, and the fact it came just days after Southampton had deservedly knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup shows the mentality and quality in the group.
Whilst Saints fans will love the way the team are playing, they will also know the additional attention the team is getting could come back to bite them.
Simply put, the victory over Arsenal in particular, was proof that Southampton have plenty of players who belong at a higher level.
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Taylor Harwood-Bellis has blossomed into a real leader in central defence, and the way he restricted the Gunners’ attacking unit was hugely impressive, whilst his ability on the ball is also clear to see.
Further up the pitch, Finn Azaz is justifying the fee Southampton paid for him. The Irish international is intelligent with his movement, he has superb technique, and he relishes the responsibility of knitting things together in the final third.
Finally, Leo Scienza ran Arsenal ragged in a way that few have done this season, with Ben White unable to live with his pace and skill at times – and anyone who has seen the Brazilian will tell you it wasn’t a one-off.
Southampton need to win promotion to keep their star men
In truth, we could list several more players, as it has been a real team effort from Eckert’s group, and the January additions of Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin have had a transformative impact.
However, most observers would agree that Harwood-Bellis, Azaz and Scienza are three standouts, and, given their performances, you get the feeling they will be playing Premier League football one way or another next season.
Sport Republic have made some questionable calls over the years, but they are ambitious, and they want to establish Southampton back among the elite.
But, you have to be realistic, and the harsh reality is that they are going to struggle to retain their best players if they don’t win promotion.
Harwood-Bellis has been on West Ham’s radar, Leeds and Brighton are tracking Azaz, and Scienza is subject of interest from Spurs, Everton and Aston Villa among other clubs.
This is modern football, and it’s a consequence of having such an exciting team – as Southampton have experienced in the past.
Everyone connected to the club knows the importance of promotion from a financial perspective, and there will be a belief that they have hit their stride at just the right time.
So, if they do fall short now, it will be heartbreaking for Southampton, because as well as failing to reach the Premier League, they also know Eckert’s squad could be ripped apart.
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