Southampton fans are beginning to understand what it must feel like to be one of the Manchester United faithful based on the similarities between Ruben Amorim and Saints' new boss Tonda Eckert.
Amorim has been heavily criticised over the rigidity of his 3-4-3 formation and how religiously he continues to play the system despite changing scenarios.
Since taking the wheel at St Mary's, even as interim, Eckert has refused to deviate from that same formation: the system that he inherited from Will Still.
Results have improved because of two simple things
Good results have come as the result of better finishing and the commitment that the players have made to the system under Eckert.
Predominantly a counter-attacking team, Southampton have become extremely predictable under the young German Head Coach and opposing managers are beginning to figure out a way to beat them.
On Saturday, Frank Lampard closed down hard on Taylor Harwood-Bellis throughout the first half and Saints struggled to get the ball out of their half and to their attacking players as a result.
That all changed in the second half when Jay Dasilva was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Welington shortly into the second period.
Two bad Eckert calls cost Southampton all 3 points
Having numerical superiority should have led to a change in formation and approach. It didn't come. Instead, Tom Fellows replaced Welington for the last half an hour and Finn Azaz dropped into midfield when Cameron Archer replaced Caspar Jander.
Sticking with the 3-4-3 formation meant that Taylor Harwood-Bellis had the freedom of the right-hand side in Dasilva's absence. Dutifully, like a well trained workhorse, he repeatedly brought the ball out to the half-way line and passed it a few yards to Fellows to run at the Coventry defence.
Coventry, in the meantime had adapted to the situation. They had dug the trenches, refreshed the rear-guard and parked a few tanks in the way for good measure.
It's little wonder that Southampton struggled to break Lampard's willing troops down. Against a low block, Cameron Archer could find no room to run in behind, which is about the only thing that he does well. That was a wasted substitution.
Finn Azaz dropped deeper into midfield but his strengths are feeding balls through into attacking space and getting on the end of things in the opposing box. Due to Coventry's crowded midfield and Azaz dropping so deep, he could achieve neither.
This match was crying out for one player
This match was crying out for a change in formation and personnel. Why Jay Robinson wasn't used is anybody's guess. He has the ability to run at defences and unlock spaces in crowded areas. Instead, Eckert perservered with the idea that Fellows could get down the wing and get crosses in. How that has suddenly become a useful tactic with Southampton's shorter than average forwards is difficult to fathom too.
Tonda Eckert made it clear early on in his short tenure that he would play a particular system and improve the quality of play within that system. It has become the very example of the often repeated cliché: if Plan A isn't working, do Plan A better.
It's the lack of an alternative plan which has got the United fans so riled up. Ruben Amorim's refusal to change the system, even if they are chasing a match or the opposition have changed their shape, has contributed to points lost. United fans are convinced about that.
Saints fans should get used to this. Eckert shows no signs of changing any time soon. Perhaps, if Sport Republic can bring an experienced number two to support Eckert with his in-game management, there could be more reason to be optimistic.