Adam Armstrong has moved to within one goal of the Championship's joint top scorers. His brace against Birmingham City on Saturday took his tally for the season to nine.
During Will Still's spell as Head Coach at St Mary's, Southampton's Number Nine chalked up just four goals in thirteen games. Playing largely on the shoulder of the last man, Armstrong scored at Bristol City, Derby County, Sheffield United, and Hull City.
But since Tonda Eckert has taken over at the wheel, the 28-year-old has racked up five goals in just six games. His output in terms of assists has gone up too.
The fox-in-the-box who's playing like Harry Kane right now
His two assists at Charlton Athletic were sublime. Seeing him drop deep and play in first Caspar Jander, and then Finn Azaz with precision passes goes to show what a class act Southampton have. It's like watching Harry Kane at his best.
However, Armstrong may live to regret that through ball for Azaz. The Geordie lad was quick to point out that the Republic of Ireland international is gaining on him in the scoring charts.
Azaz has racked-up six goals in the last five games under the young Saints Head Coach which takes his tally for the season to seven, just two behind Armstrong.
As the push for promotion intensifies, Armstrong is confident that Southampton have the right man in charge. Armstrong told the Daily Echo that,
"He has a real attention to detail, and the performances are matching the results. I think that [counter-attacking football] is what suits us best.
Armstrong just said what he loves about playing for Eckert
Armstrong certainly enjoys the counter-attacking style of play where he can drop deep, as he did against Charlton at the Valley, or find space to benefit from the strong runs of Léo Scienza as he did against both Birmingham and Charlton.
Armstrong is finding far more space to operate in than he did under Still. He is becoming more of an influence in games as a direct result.
His spatial awareness and understanding of where his teammates are makes Armstrong dangerous when he drops into those deep positions. Couple that with his technical ability and finishing prowess, and it's easy to see why Armstrong has been among the goals and assists lately.
Eckert has signed a deal until June 2027, and Armstrong will be delighted by the continuity that will offer for the front three.
"The front three have been spot on in the last five or six games. It's about keeping that up,“ Armstrong told the Daily Echo.
Alongside Finn Azaz and Léo Scienza, Armstrong could help steer Southampton back into the promotion hunt and who cares about which of them finishes higher up the top goalscorer table?!