Tonda Eckert got his permanent spell as Southampton's First Team Head Coach off to a flying start at home to Birmingham City today.
Despite giving up almost 60% of possession to the visitors, the Saints were lethal on the counter attack and dogged in defence.
Adam Armstrong's brace of goals and Léo Scienza's direct attacking play quite rightly stole the headlines on a great day for the new Saints boss.
But, it's another player in the squad who has really turned things around for Southampton under Eckert and he has been doing it rather quietly.
Few Southampton fans would have expected this player to shine
When Finn Azaz notched his first goal for Southampton in the 17th minute against Sheffield Wednesday, few in the stadium would have expected what followed.
At Charlton Athletic, Azaz bagged himself a brace. The first was a sublime finish, after Adam Armstrong had slid him in on goal. Azaz composed himself and took the ball around the keeper before slipping the ball into an empty net. The second was a tap in at the far post.
The Republic of Ireland international made it four in three matches when he scored the second against Leicester City at St Mary's. Another swift counter attack resulted in Scienza putting him in on goal where he controlled the ball with his right before smashing the ball past former Pompey keeper Asmir Begovic.
At Millwall, Azaz looked like he had salvaged a point for his team when he ghosted in at the far post to guide a right footed shot in from a tight angle in the 87th minute. Sadly a ridiculous Millwall goal claimed all three points for the home side.
Today, in Eckert's first game as Head Coach, the Irishman made it six goals in five matches when he fired in a low shot from the edge of the area to open the scoring against Birmingham City. He could even have made it seven when Ryan Manning found Azaz in acres of space inside the box. But his side footed first-time effort drifted wide of the far post.
What Azaz has done for Eckert is underestimated
Azaz has blossomed under Tonda Eckert and his goals have certainly contributed to Southampton's winning run. Within the manager's structured system, Azaz is able to drift into pockets of space when Southampton have possession.
Blessed with a great touch, excellent finishing and spatial intelligence, Azaz lends quality to Southampton's play in the final third. That quality, alongside Scienza and Armstrong makes the Saints' trio possibly the most potent front three in the Championship.
Azaz is a quiet maverick whose goals have changed everything for the new boss. Of the 18 goals that Southampton have scored in the six games since the German took on the interim role, Azaz has scored a third of them and added a couple of assists.
So while Scienza, Armstrong, and Harwood-Bellis monopolise the man-of-the-match awards, don't forget the unassuming Irishman who's chipping in with more than his fair share of goals.