Tonda Eckert will be looking to make it an unbelievable eight wins on the spin as Southampton boss, as his determined troops travel to face Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.
Depending on how results go for the promotion chasers on the weekend, they could actually end up level on points with Ipswich Town in second spot.
It's a crazy narrative currently unfolding for the Saints, with Will Still once having this same side all the way down in 21st spot in the division, before he was rightly handed his marching orders.
Eckert must be commended for how he's managed to overcome most of the hurdles that he has faced, with Finn Azaz's absence not felt one bit, as the South Coast outfit convincingly got the better of Blackburn Rovers 3-0 last time out.
Southampton just keep winning, even with setbacks in their way
Another more fragile team would have potentially crumbled if their star-man was out injured, but Eckert and Co. are made of stern stuff.
Azaz is, arguably, in with a very compelling shout to be crowned Southampton's player of the season, when the drama of the 2025/26 campaign is eventually wrapped up, with a sublime 11 goals and nine assists next to his name.
It's a testament to how strong the collective is at St. Mary's that Southampton still managed to breeze to that 3-0 win over the Riversiders, with the Irishman sidelined, as the likes of Cameron Archer came in from the cold to collect a goal and assist.
Of course, while it is encouraging that Southampton still put on such a vibrant showing, with Azaz out, Eckert will want the tricky 25-year-old back as soon as possible, as his silky performances alone could propel the Saints into the top two by the close of the 46-game marathon.
Eckert has come out to say that he is "quite positive" that the 14-time Republic of Ireland international will feature against the Swans, but if he's deemed not ready at the last minute, the German is known to tweak unexpectedly, and he could throw this unlikely star into a number ten role in Wales.
The star who could become an unlikely number ten
Eckert has proven to be very fluid with who he selects in attack this season, with Leo Scienza even dropped last time out, despite collecting a sturdy eight goals and nine assists for the campaign.
It wouldn't be the wildest shout in the world, therefore, to say that the 33-year-old might be tempted to chuck Kuryu Matsuki in a number ten role for the trip to Vitor Matos' hosts, as the Japanese livewire is more than a capable performer in a central position.
He has predominantly set the Championship alight this season from the right flank, with four of his six goals for the red-hot side coming from this channel.
"There's NO stopping that!!"
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 26, 2025
Kuryu Matsuki scores a stunning goal for Southampton 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Anm3KrjGZM
But, the ex-FC Tokyo man has shone in the past from a more central position for his former employers, with 93 career appearances as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, and even as a defensive anchor, resulting in 24 goal contributions flooding his way.
Even capable as a striker if needed, with five goals put away from 18 appearances, it's clear that Matsuki is an extremely flexible figure, and a presence Eckert might have to lean on down the line, if he begins to be troubled by more untimely knocks.
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