Drawing a comparison between Leeds United's greatest ever manager and Tonda Eckert might be a difficult thing to justify at this stage in the Southampton manager's fledgling career. However, Eckert's approach to managing his players does feel somewhat familiar.
Eckert has described placing great emphasis on opposition analysis and on making presentations to his players ahead of every match. In the world of modern football, this is not new. But placing such great emphasis on his own role in the presentations sets the young German coach apart from other managers in the league.
How Eckert is similar to Revie
Just as the great Revie used to do, Eckert exploits the available information to offer tactical advice to his players. Whereas Revie used to send scouts out to watch the opposition, from which he would famously provide dossiers on each player, Eckert analyses the data and video footage available to him.
Eckert has placed a premium on two things since becoming Southampton's Head Coach. The first is recovery: ensuring that his players heal mentally and physically after each match. With games coming thick and fast in the Championship, rotation plays a big part.
The Saints boss has been openly mocked on the Total Saints Podcast for allegedly being a “spreadsheet manager“ who rotates and substitutes his players based on minutes played and fatigue, regardless of in-game circumstances.
Sixteen games unbeaten is proof, if any were needed, that Tonda knew what he was doing. Southampton have one of the best injury records in the Championship and have shown that they can win against a range of different teams playing in a variety of styles.
Eckert is focused on two things ahead of Derby encounter
Eckert put it simply in an interview after the Saints hammered Wrexham in their own backyard last night. The focus for his players is recovery; for himself, it's preparing a good presentation on Derby County ahead of Saturday's match.
“My job is just to make sure I prepare them in the best way possible for the games coming up.
“I think we need to focus on the recovery. I think it's quite well, because we play Saturday and Tuesday from now until the end of the season. We have the Tuesday games at home.
“I think that helps always if you have the late games at home, because as we travel now we'll be back home at 3am, I think those days are always a little bit tough.
“I have lots of work tomorrow to look into Derby County and make sure I give them a good presentation on Friday.“
Just like Revie in the 70's, Eckert shoulders the responsibility himself for presenting the analysis on how to expose the opposition's weaknesses and deal with their attacking threats. Around Eckert is a team of analysts at the club, just like Revie had a team of scouts. Things have changed in how technology is used, but the game, in essence, is still the same.
Eckert taking responsibility for the presentation builds respect and trust. With Tonda at the wheel, all roads lead to Wembley! Saints fans will be drooling over the prospect of beating Derby County and continuing their charge towards promotion.
NB: Don Revie and the then Derby manager Brian Clough were very bitter rivals.