Heading into the international break, Southampton have a clear dilemma.
While the Saints would sit in the play-off spots without their points deduction, their season start has been wobbly at times.
Away form has been a clear issue. In four games on the road from St Mary’s, they’ve lost twice and drawn the other two. It’s an unwanted stat for a promotion-chasing team.
The Saints look leggy in late stages of games, partly down to head coach Tonda Eckert’s reluctancy to make substitutions. It raises questions as the club heads into a critical period.
A lacking squad
Sam Edozie was an enforced change at the halfway point against Wrexham for Southampton, with Leo Scienza forced off through injury. The substitute, who told fans he was “ready” for the new season before handing in a transfer request and posting his frustrations on deadline day, was an ineffective replacement.
Heading into the late stages of the game with the occasion tied at 1-1, Tonda Eckert looked to his bench for inspiration. New signings Divin Mubama and Lewis Dobbin were only handed few-minute runouts before Wrexham won the match through a counter-attack.
The combined 12 minutes and three touches the duo made after entering the field of play sum up the trust Saints head coach Tonda Eckert currently has in them.
Coming out of a transfer window that saw Cameron Archer and Jay Robinson depart on loans, Southampton may now be regretting those two exits - players who proved impactful off the bench.
Bigger issues for now
The Saints will be hoping to understand why their away form has been so poor during the international break.
No doubt Tonda Eckert will be going back and reviewing each performance, but the 33-year-old German head coach has bigger issues to face right now.
With a hearing with the FA coming up on Thursday over his future, Eckert will be fighting for his job. In a week’s time, the club could be facing a much bigger dilemma over who takes charge of upcoming matches.
Whoever the boss is come the south coast derby in October will potentially have issues with attacking options off the bench. The right flank of Tom Fellows and Kuryu Matsuki rotates well, but Leo Scienza and Finn Azaz are assets they currently cannot afford to have not starting.
The same goes for league top goalscorer Cyle Larin, who lit the division alight in August, winning the Player of the Month award.
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