Reports that Tom Fellows' form is in decline are just plain ridiculous. Bitter reports from the Midlands have claimed that Fellows was a better player at West Bromwich Albion than he has been since arriving at St Mary's.
The truth is a little more complex than merely looking at assists and goals.
It's fair to say that Fellows took a while to settle on the South Coast. His mazy dribbling rarely produced a decent cross or through ball, and when it did, there was nobody to get on the end of it.
Fellows has matured under Eckert, here's why...
Under Tonda Eckert, Fellows was initially required to play a different role. He was deployed as a right wing-back in a 3-4-3 system. It was not unusual to see him in the right-back position defending crosses, and he would spend long periods of games in his own half.
In a counter-attacking side, Fellows was brilliant. His ability to travel with the ball, ease pressure, and start attacks showed the maturity and responsibility that he had developed at Southampton.
That was a necessary role, needed when the Saints were short on genuine right-backs. Now they have two, James Bree and Elias Jelert, Fellows has been deployed further forward.
Eckert has finally switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Fellows on the right of the three attacking midfielders. Without a target man to cross to, Fellows has been unable to have the output that his general play has deserved. With Ross Stewart back in the side, that could be about to change.
Saints fans can expect Fellows' stats to climb
Stewart's presence in the side will give Fellows an additional point of attack. So far, two of his four assists for Southampton have been through balls, and two have been genuine crosses from the by-line.
The chief beneficiary of Fellows' assists has been Finn Azaz. The two players have excellent vision, and Fellows can certainly spot a run in-behind. Azaz's goal against Sheffield Wednesday is a case in point. Fellows cut in from the right before sliding the ball through to Azaz to finish.
Fellows will be an important player as Southampton's promotion challenge gains momentum. Eckert manages the former England under-21 well, keeping him fresh and injury-free.
It's easy to look at the stats and say that Fellows' form has dipped, but Saints fans don't see it that way at all. Whilst the former Baggie is taking on defenders and creating chances for fun, nobody will be complaining.
Had Finn Azaz, Léo Scienza, or Adam Armstrong had a better conversion rate, Fellows' numbers (as far as assists go) would be off the charts.
Perhaps West Brom fans have short memories? In December, it was Fellows who sliced through the Albion midfield with a 40-yard dribble that ended with an inch-perfect pass for Léo Scienza's opener.
Had he stayed at West Brom, they might not be in the relegation trouble that they are currently in.
Boing, boing!