It has been a very eventful season for Southampton, but one that could end with plenty of success. When Will Still was sacked as manager on 2 November, the Saints were languishing down in 21st place, and promotion appeared to be a complete pipe-dream. Now though, they are very much in the mix for a top six finish, and are also one win away from an FA Cup semi-final date at Wembley, with Daniel Peretz a pivotal figure in their form.
The goalkeeper arrived on loan from Bayern Munich in January, instantaneously instated as number one, after neither Gavin Bazunu nor Alex McCarthy had impressed during the first half of the campaign. Peretz began his career at Maccabi Tel Aviv, impressing in both the Europa League and Conference League, so much so that the serial Bundesliga champions paid €5 million to secure his signature almost three years ago.
However, he has made just seven appearances for Bayern, thereby loaned out to Hamburger SV for the first half of this season. This though did not go to plan, given that his only two outings for die Rothosen came in the DFB-Pokal. Thus, he was recalled and loaned to Southampton in the winter window, and this transfer has panned out much better.
Daniel Peretz's EFL Championship statistics
Statistics | Daniel Peretz | EFL Championship rank |
|---|---|---|
Minutes | 1,080 | 29th |
Saves per 90 | 2,75 | 23rd |
Save % | 78.6% | 2nd |
Clean sheet % | 41.7% | 1st |
Punches per 90 | 0.92 | 3rd |
Errors leading to a goal | Zero | 28th |
Errors leading to a shot | 1 | 25th |
Average match rating | 7.18 | 5th |
Of course, considering he has made only 12 EFL Championship appearances, Peretz has a small sample size, but his numbers are still impressive. His save percentage of 78.6% is freakishly high, the second-highest in the division of any goalkeeper to have pulled off 10+ saves, behind only Richard O'Donnell of Derby County (92.9%).
Peretz has certainly made himself a popular figure by the South Coast, with fans calling for the club to pay the reported €8 million option to make the deal permanent. Even if that does not happen, he will be a crucial player as Tonda Eckert's team enter a decisive period of the season.
Southampton's remaining fixtures
- Saturday 21 March. Oxford United - St Mary's. Kick off 3pm.
- Saturday 4 April. Arsenal - St Mary's. FA Cup quarter-final. Kick off 8pm.
- Tuesday 7 April. Wrexham - STōK Cae Ras. Kick off 8pm.
- Saturday 11 April. Derby County - St Mary's. Kick off 3pm.
- Saturday 18 April. Swansea City - Liberty Stadium. Kick off 3pm.
- Tuesday 21 April. Bristol City - St Mary's. Kick off 7:45pm.
- Saturday 25 April. Blackbrun Rovers - St Mary's. Kick off 3pm.
- Tuesday 28 April. Ipswich Town - St Mary's. Kick off 7:45pm.
- Saturday 2 May. Preston North End - Deepdale. Kick off 12:30pm.
Six of the Saints' remaining nine fixtures are at St Mary's, including the eagerly anticipated FA Cup semi-final against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Easter Saturday night. Of course, a surprise victory in that would mean Eckert's team are heading to Wembley three weeks later.
Meantime, in the EFL Championship, the Saints are currently sixth, thereby occupying the final play-off position. Clashes with fellow promotion chasers Ipswich and Wrexham will be key, next up hosting relegation threatened Oxford on Saturday. If Southampton to go up this season, Peretz is likely to be a key reason why.