When Southampton signed Finn Azaz from Middlesbrough at the end of the summer transfer window, one thing that the fans could expect was quality.
What they actually got was a player who became increasingly low on confidence who was feeding off scrappy balls from the back amidst hurried possession. As a result, Azaz cut a dejected figure and saw less and less of the ball.
In 93 appearances at this level, Azaz has 46 goal contributions to his name for Boro and Plymouth Argyle. At the Riverside last season, he scored 12 times and assisted 11 times.
However, Azaz did not enjoy playing in Will Still's system and hadn't registered a single goal or assist under the former Saints boss.
Azaz is better under Eckert, here's why
Under Tonda Eckert things are already beginning to look a little different. Azaz has registered a goal and an assist in the two matches he has played under the German interim manager. He is playing with a smile on his face and it looks like the weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
To be perfectly honest, the assist recorded at QPR can hardly be called an assist. Azaz was the player who gave Léo Scienza the ball on half-way; it was Scienza who did the rest.
Azaz's finish against Sheffield Wednesday emphasised the class that the Irishman has in front of goal and the ability he has to find space in crowded areas. When Tom Fellows cut in towards goal on one of his trademark dribbles, Azaz made the run into the space that fellows had left behind. When Fellows slid Azaz in, the 25-year-old struck an unerring shot low and hard into the far corner.
Against Sheffield Wednesday, Azaz was confident enough to have five shots, two of which were on target. He had 46 touches and made one key pass. Only Adam Armstrong registered a higher rating that Azaz on whoscored.com and that was probably only due to Armstrong having a better shots on target ratio.
Three players who must be on every team sheet
Southampton fans will hope that Azaz's form continues after the international break when the Saints travel to Charlton Athletic for an early kick-off. Azaz in this sort of form will almost certainly help his new club climb the table.
Whoever is in charge of the team by the time Saints travel to the Valley, they should understand that Azaz and Scienza should be the first two names on the teamsheet. With Tom Fellows playing in a more advanced position, Southampton could develop a lethal trio of attacking midfielders behind a central striker.
It hasn't taken Tonda Eckert very long to work out that a team containing Azaz, Scienza and Fellows is a very scary proposition indeed.