Southampton manager Tonda Eckert took an incredible unbeaten run and turned it into an unbelievable win streak across all competitions.
It has now been a whopping 18 games since the Saints’ last defeat in either the Championship or FA Cup, since Hull City beat them in January.
They did once go 25 matches without a loss under Russell Martin, between September 2023 and February 2024. But the current run feels more impressive given the level of performances and opponents beaten.
At no point in that span did Southampton win more than four consecutive games. Now, they have won each of their last seven across all competitions.
And it includes a 2-1 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal of all teams. Of course, Mikel Arteta’s men were facing a tough spell when that loss came, but their poor form isn’t as large as the gap in squad quality and investment between both sides.
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It was an incredible feat and Eckert’s Saints will now play Manchester City in the semi final at Wembley.
Not only that, but automatic promotion now feels like a possibility for the fans. This was unthinkable back in early November, when Southampton were 20th, just three points clear of the relegation zone with two wins from 13 games.
Or even in mid-January, following a four-match losing streak that left them in 16th — closer to the bottom three (four points) than the play-off spots (10 points).
And yet, it might happen. It’s still a long shot, since they are fourth and second-placed Ipswich Town have a game in hand. But Kieran McKenna’s men did just lose to Portsmouth and their match to play is precisely against Southampton. It could get interesting.
| # | Team | MP | W-D-L | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry | 42 | 25-10-7 | 85 |
| 2 | Ipswich | 41 | 21-12-8 | 75 |
| 3 | Millwall | 42 | 21-10-11 | 73 |
| 4 | Southampton | 42 | 20-12-10 | 72 |
| 5 | Middlesbrough | 42 | 20-12-10 | 72 |
| 6 | Hull | 42 | 20-8-14 | 68 |
How has Tonda Eckert improved an already in-form Southampton side?
Strength in numbers
Just over a month ago, Squawka published an analysis on the tactical adjustments that Tonda Eckert made to his Southampton side which saw them start picking up more points.
They are still a ball-dominant team but have found much more comfort in going long and play direct from time to time.
- READ MORE: Southampton analysis: Why promotion to the Premier League is a real possibility for the Saints
Since then, they reverted back to a more patient approach, having the lowest long-ball percentage in the division (10%, behind only Middlesbrough’s 8.1%).
Their goals have come from all sorts of different ways, leading the league both in open-play (nine) and set-piece (six) goals in this run.
Now, nearly 20 games unbeaten with seven wins on the trot, Saints are at that Football Manager point when you have got the tactics just right that you can rotate the squad and the style and results remain the same.
During the current six-match win streak in the league, Southampton have used a total of 22 different players, which is the fourth-most of any Championship team.
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Additionally, Eckert’s 15 changes to his starting XIs is the second most in the league in this span. Only John Mousinho has made more (17 for Portsmouth).
But the German manager has a perfect hold on this squad. Not only have they mantained the level even with different players starting alongside each other, but the players themselves have responded well.
Ten different players have scored their 15 goals during this run. No other side has had more than six different goalscorers.
Goalkeeper and striker help
Goalscoring and goal preventing has also turned Southampton’s fortunes around. Eckert might be riding high right now, but he struggled mightily immediately after getting the full-time job. It was a classic case of great interim work to steady the ship followed by dip in performances and results when becoming permanent.
Squawka took a close look when this happened. Adam Armstrong, now at Wolverhampton Wanderers, had gone six games without a goal following a six-match span in which he found the net seven times. And he missed great chances along the way. Finn Azaz had gone from seven straight games with a goal or an assist to seven straight with none.
- READ MORE: Southampton analysis: What has gone wrong for Saints under Tonda Eckert as permanent manager
Now, however, goals have been rather easy to come by at St Mary’s. Striker Ross Stewart has come alive over the last three months, picking up six goals and two assists in 14 games — most of them coming off the bench.
First-option Cyle Larin, who joined in February from Mallorca, has finally adjusted to English football. The Canada international scored on his debut, but managed to find the net just two times in his first seven matches for the club across all competitions. Now, he has scored four goals and dished out one assist in his last seven league games.
Another point of concern was between the sticks. Gavin Bazunu and Alex McCarthy both failed to hold their own in goal. It prompted the Saints board to look for another shot-stopper in the market in the winter transfer window.
They got Daniel Peretz on loan from Bayern Munich, interrupting his unimpressive spell at Hamburg. He struggled at first, though part of it was due to rhythm. The 25-year-old moved to Volksparkstadion looking for more playing time but couldn’t take Daniel Fernandes’ spot in the starting XI.
After a few small mistakes which led the Southampton faithful to question his signing, he has turned things around massively over the past weeks.
Since the start of Matchweek 33, Peretz ranks first in save percentage (83%) and second in goals prevented (+4.6) of any Championship goalkeeper.
This is how two winter signings to address specific issues in the squad turned what were weaknesses into strengths.
Now, not only would they be heavy favourites in the play-offs – barring a stunning drop-off from now until the end of the season – but could also end up in the automatics come final day.