Saints fans' expectations have always been high, and with the club just a couple of points behind the top six, momentum is growing, and expectations are rising.
Cyle Larin's debut goal arrived like a shot in the arm for Southampton fans who were still getting over the departure of Adam Armstrong to Wolverhampton in the January window.
Then, Shea Charles capped an incredible fightback at the King Power Stadium, from 3-0 down, with the winning goal deep in injury time to instil belief. Saints fans now believe that anything is possible.
How Tonda Eckert is not holding back
Sometimes, in football, fans' expectations are not met by the club's leadership. Clichés such as 'taking it one game at a time' are bandied about as if they were common sense. That is why it is refreshing to hear Tonda Eckert talk about rising expectations without being afraid to do so.
Although his side is still some way off where it needs to be, Eckert acknowledges that the hard work is beginning to translate into positive momentum on the pitch. Results have been steadily improving, and the Saints have gone six matches unbeaten across all competitions.
Asked if he feels that expectations are slowly rising in a recent Daily Echo interview, the first team Head Coach emphasised the need to keep the momentum going.
“ It always does, and it does quickly, but that's what we work for. That's what we work for every single day. To give space for expectations to arrive.
“We are still far away from where we want to be. Now is not the moment to reflect or take a step back, but to stay on the gas and keep pushing.“
What every Saints fan wanted to hear
That response will be music to the ears of Southampton fans who, for too long, have been told to manage their expectations by previous managers.
The Saints have a squad that is more than capable of making the top six. If it does, Eckert has the depth of squad to get promoted through the play-offs.
Nothing is easy in the Championship, but Southampton's remaining games are all winnable. Only the difficult trip to Coventry City in March should be approached with any degree of caution.
If Southampton can 'stay on the gas' they could climb as high as fourth and that might give them an easier route through to a potential play-off final.
The fact that Saints fans are even thinking about promotion after the start to the season that they had is a testament to the quality of the work going on behind the scenes at the club. Eckert has raised the bar and learned quickly on the job. Johannes Spors has got the recruitment spot on, and Southampton are finally moving in the right direction.