Southampton remain just three points off the automatic promotion positions in the Championship standings.
Queens Park Rangers were brushed aside with relative ease on Saturday afternoon, as Tonda Eckert's men won 4-1, courtesy of goals from Kuryu Matsuki, Cameron Bragg, Keven Schlotterbeck and Welington.
Unfortunately, Swansea City got back to winning ways in Wales to ensure they remain three points ahead of the Saints, but the South Coast side will be aiming to leapfrog above them this coming mid-week, away at West Bromwich Albion.
Ryan Manning will be aiming to put in another top-drawer performance from defence at the Hawthorns, as the always dependable number three put in a quiet masterclass against the leaky R's.
Manning's quiet masterclass
Manning has been present in all 13 of Southampton's Championship games so far this season as a steady rock Eckert relies on.
He put in an understated and unselfish performance against QPR that only solidifies his status as an ultra-consistent star for his promotion-chasing team, as he collected two assists during the 4-1 win.
He would assist Bragg's vital second strike that helped the Saints seize control of the contest, before then delivering an inch perfect corner kick for Schlotterbeck to connect with to put the game beyond all doubt at 3-0.
Manning 🤝 Kev pic.twitter.com/FI1cu5bJOi
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) October 31, 2026
Manning always has this up his sleeve to be a slick creative force when pushing further up the field, without ever wowing audiences, with eight goals and six assists collected last season in Championship action, when he was a regular under Eckert.
His best assist output for a single second tier season came when he was on the books of Swansea City, as the Irishman accumulated a stunning ten assists during the 2022/23 season, before uprooting to the South Coast.
Now, four seasons down at St. Mary's, he continues to shine with an unassuming strength, with Saints content creator Martin Sanders labelling him a "strong leader" who is "incredibly reliable" when news emerged that a new contract could soon be put on the table for the trustworthy number three.
He continues to be underrated, arguably within his own fanbase, as you would suddenly realise his importance if he were to leave St. Mary's behind in the near future.
He continues to be underrated
This is a potential possibility as well, with his current South Coast deal expiring next summer.
It would be a shame if Manning were to walk away, as he has very rarely put a foot wrong donning Southampton red and white, since joining in the summer of 2023.
Despite being situated at St. Mary's for so long, and the assists and goals that keep coming his way, he doesn't quite get his flowers, as the left-back position on the pitch is somewhat unflashy.
But, he proved his worth yet again versus QPR on Saturday, with his two assists helping Eckert and Co. collect a comprehensive win that could well have been nervier on another day.
Hailed as a "brilliant character" by ex-Saints boss Russell Martin, Manning will be laser-focused on continuing to deliver consistent displays, as promotion is chased after, with the Irishman held in such a positive light by Martin as he was a key part of that squad that soared up to the Premier League under his managerial regime.
Hopefully, if he was to taste promotion, that wouldn't be a swan-song moment for the seasoned full-back, with his performance levels showing no signs of dropping, even as he enters the twilight years of his career at 30.
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