Tonda Eckert will have several team selection headaches to address ahead of Southampton's second Championship clash of the season against Stoke City.
Indeed, it was clear from the 2-1 defeat to Watford that the German had shoehorned Leo Scienza into his starting XI as a number ten, with the ex-Heidenheim attacker largely ineffective, as the Hornets players consistently clattered into the lightweight Brazilian.
It will be interesting to see how Eckert changes up his attacking lineup when the Potters come to town, with Lewis Dobbin potentially dropping out for Scienza to take up a more comfortable spot on the left flank.
This would then open up a position on the pitch for Finn Azaz to fill, with Azaz loving a goal against Mark Robins' men, having bagged the last two times he's played against Stoke for the Saints and Middlesbrough.
There also some issues to solve defensively, with it being touch-and-go as to whether Eckert will decide to axe Jack Stephens, after his shambolic showing at Vicarage Road, or stick by him.
Will Eckert drop Stephens?
Ideally, Southampton would be close to welcoming in Anel Ahmedhodzic to their camp as an upgrade on a error-prone Stephens, as the game with Stoke looms on the horizon.
Unfortunately, the Bosnian beast looks as if he will be moving to Burnley, over calling St. Mary's his next home, with the 32-year-old in line for another start against the Potters, despite costing his team dear in that previously mentioned 2-1 defeat.
Still, the logic in keeping him rooted in the starting XI will be that Stephens hasn't just turned into a calamitous defender overnight, with the captain a promotion winner before with the Saints under Russell Martin.
Moreover, he kept nine clean sheets last season in league action when regularly utilised by Eckert, without errors constantly popping up in his game.
On the other hand, with the deal for Ahmedhodzic now dead in the water, it might be a smart decision by the German to see what other options he has in the heart of defence, and with Stephens' display against Watford worthy of many groans, he could be dropped.
If he is axed for the showdown with Stoke, this forgotten defender would be desperate to impress in his place.
This forgotten Saints defender will be desperate to impress if chosen
The forgotten centre-back in question here is Nathan Wood, with the number 15 not used regularly by Eckert, since his arrival into the dug-out.
When Will Still was in charge, the former England U21 international was a mainstay at the back, with eight of his 12 appearances under the disastrous reign of the Belgian being starts.
Since then, he has rarely been a starter under the German, with only seven starts handed to him in 2026.
He could be handed a rare outing from the get-go against Stoke, however, and with no further centre-back reinforcements coming for the time being, this potential starting opportunity is one Wood would have to grab with both hands.
Wood has all the right traits in his locker to be a success under the 33-year-old manager, with a 93% pass accuracy average registered last season in the Championship showing off a defender who can play out effortlessly from the back, which is what Eckert looks for from his defensive personnel.
The previously mentioned Martin, who brought him along to the South Coast after managing him at Swansea City, once noted that Wood could "go to the very top".
If he shines against the Potters, he suddenly goes from being an option that was once neglected to a body who could now be frequently chosen, with the agony of Ahmedhodzic's rejection becoming less of a stinging pain, in the process.
Southampton supporters will still want an eye-catching signing to arrive at the back, as one of their promotion rivals closes in on a deal for a Championship-proven colossus.
But, if Wood were to come into the team and impress on Saturday, the clamour for a fresh purchase might die down, as the overlooked number 15 potentially reminds everyone of his ignored qualities.
Add us as a preferred source on Google