It's folly to criticise a coach who has managed his team through 18 matches unbeaten in the Championship. But Saints fans being Saints fans, that's exactly what is starting to happen.
One of Tonda Eckert's strengths throughout his team's unbeaten run has been the quality of the substitutions that he has made during matches. Although some have felt pre-determined, to manage players' minutes and reduce the risk of fatigue and injury, others have felt more tactical.
Inspired substitutions have been Tonda's strength
The decision to bring on Samuel Edozie and Cyle Larin at West Bromwich Albion was a game-changer, as were the three subs he made away at Leicester City with the Saints 3-0 down and the two more he made when his side had pulled a goal back.
Criticism has come on social media, with fans suggesting that two substitutions against Ipswich were not enough to get the Saints over the line.
Sam Edozie came on for Tom Fellows in the 69th minute and built on a decent performance by Fellows. When Cyle Larin prodded the Saints ahead with ten minutes left, it felt for all the world that Eckert would reinforce his midfield, tie up the flanks and drop a striker deeper.
Had Cameron Bragg, Joshua Quarshie, or Elias Jelert been brought on for the last ten minutes, it's possible to envisage that Ipswich would not have got a sniff of a chance.
Two players needlessly flogged for 180 minutes
Instead, Eckert persisted in flogging Léo Scienza and Caspar Jander into the ground. Both the irresistible Brazilian and the tireless German gave fantastic accounts of themselves despite playing a fundamental part in Southampton's FA Cup defeat on Saturday.
Both should have been replaced before Cyle Larin had finished his kneeslide across the St Mary's turf in celebration of his goal.
In the "what do we do if we get a goal up with ten minutes to go in this crucial match" conversation, there are only a handful of fans who wouldn't be in the shut-up shop camp.
Eckert can be forgiven his error of judgment on Tuesday, and he's earned the right to make a few more blunders yet. But, as the stakes ramp up over the coming weeks, his in-game management will need to be better than it was against Ipswich.
The young German may still be learning the ropes, and he must be given full credit for getting the club into this position at all. The unofficial 'Championship manager of the year' has to back his cool words with cool actions now. Anything less than promotion could initiate an exodus of talent and a rebuilding project bigger than the HS2 rail link.
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