Tonda Eckert is only two games away now from hitting a big landmark as Southampton manager.
The German has been situated in the dug-out for 48 clashes, including his caretaker reign before he was officially announced as permanent boss, meaning he is only two clashes short off half a century of Saints matches.
While many neutrals might see this stint as being somewhat tainted by the Spygate drama, Southampton fans are largely in love with their controversial head coach, with three wins from six league matches already secured this season, even with the added setback of a four point deduction being present.
He has very rarely slipped up in the St. Mary's hotseat, with a hefty 30 wins as manager of the South Coast giants potentially falling into his lap against Bristol City on Saturday.
Eckert could clinch his 30th victory as Saints boss
At the time of writing, the 33-year-old has a striking 29 wins next to his name across 48 games in charge of Southampton.
This comes out as being a terrific 60.48% win percentage for Eckert in charge of the promotion chasers, with the German's meticulous nature clearly paying off.
Tonda Eckert's record as #SaintsFC head coach as he approaches his 50th game in charge 🇩🇪📊 pic.twitter.com/nXvsBbaUEG
— SaintsExtra (@SaintsExtra) September 9, 2026
He hasn't lost a single home league since January, too, to continue waxing lyrical about the Berlin-born tactician, but he will be aware that the Robins will be a tricky team to face on Saturday, as they've won their last two Championship encounters on the road.
Pulling the plug on the disastrous stint of Will Still, and handing the young novice the main job has proven to be a masterstroke, and he could hit another eye-catching milestone when Michael Skubala's fearless side come to St. Mary's if all goes swimmingly.
Another milestone could also be hit
While Skubala and Co. will fancy their chances of upsetting the apple cart with an away win, having beaten Preston North End and Burnley on the road in recent times, it's a different kettle of fish altogether outsmarting a unrestrained Saints team, especially on their own patch.
St. Mary's is a terifying fortress, that's for sure, with the hosts scoring goals for fun usually when playing in front of their expectant masses.
The promotion contenders have scored a substantial 14 goals so far this season in the demanding Championship, with 11 of those coming about on home soil, even when facing the likes of Millwall and Swansea City, who are in the promotion conversation alongside the Saints.
If Southampton were to put three past the Robins, Eckert would be able to brag that he has seen his unbridled team score 100 goals from his 49 games in charge.
Southampton's goal-filled games at home this season:
Match | Final score | Southampton goalscorers |
|---|---|---|
Saints vs Stoke | 3-1 | Larin x1, Mubama x1, Manning x1 |
Saints vs Millwall | 5-1 | Larin x2, Azaz x1, Scienza x1, Fellows x1 |
Saints vs Swansea | 3-1 | Larin x1, Azaz x1, Scienza x1 |
This isn't out of the realms of possibility, either, as the likes of Cyle Larin, Finn Azaz and Leo Scienza have combined in devastating fashion at St. Mary's this season to secure 3-1 wins over Stoke City and Swansea City, alongside exposing Millwall all game long in a one-sided 5-1 victory.
It shouldn't be viewed as a walk in the park exercise, however, as Dom Ballard will be intent on ruining the feel-good mood at his former club, having never really been handed consistent first team opportunities on the South Coast.
Moreover, Skubala loves a hard-fought away win, with two goals in the final ten minutes popping the Turf Moor bubble.
Will the rampant home side clinch another convincing victory to reach that special 100-goal landmark? Or, will they finally be frustrated on their home turf this season?
It's a hard match to call on paper, with Eckert keeping his fingers crossed that his team can pick up another straightforward win, before he reaches 50 games in charge - just before the international break - with a trip to Wrexham.
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