Make no doubt about it, Tonda Eckert is walking on very thin ice at Southampton, and his post-match interview on Sunday didn't help his cause at all.
Whilst Eckert's Saints side may have battled and fought over every square yard of Fratton Park, they could not defend a simple corner kick. It's an affliction that could spell the end for the young German Head Coach sooner rather than later.
After the derby stalemate against Portsmouth on Sunday, Eckert identified the key issue in a video interview with the Southampton FC media. “It's just one set piece that we need to defend better.“
It's not just one set-piece, Tonda!
A scoreline as predictable as the Solent tide timetable
Southampton had gone deservedly ahead through Léo Scienza's cool finish in front of the Portsmouth fans in the Fratton End of the ground. Cupping his hands to his ears, Scienza ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Saints fans behind the goal at the other end.
What followed was as predictable as the drizzle that dampened the playing surface. Saints dropped ever deeper and were undone by a set-piece which they failed to defend properly. If that sounds familiar, it's because it has been a common problem since Eckert took on the role.
Against Hull, nine days ago, the Saints gifted Charlie Hughes a free header from a corner. That goal put Hull two up, a lead Southampton could not recover from.
Even Doncaster Rovers were able to take advantage of Southampton's weakness in the FA Cup win. Three-nil down at half-time, Rovers got back into the match early in the second half when Matthew Pearson headed home unchallenged from a Robbie Gotts corner. That precipitated a full-on collapse, and only a couple of late saves from debutant Daniel Peretz spared the Saints' blushes.
Defending set-pieces is Tonda Eckert's achilles heel
Away at Birmingham, Eckert's trio of centre-backs couldn't deal with a free-kick that was flighted deep to the far post. What followed was a scrambled game of head tennis, which ended with Phil Neumann looping a header over Gavin Bazunu and into the net.
Another corner kick proved Southampton's undoing away at Oxford United on New Year's Day. Although the Saints looked to have dealt with a ball headed high back across the goal when Taylor Harwood-Bellis leapt highest to clear, they failed to close down the ball quickly enough, and it dropped just outside the penalty area.
And, as Caspar Jander realised he was too far away to block the shot, Oxford's Tyler Goodrham smashed the ball home, and Saints fell behind in a match that they would go on to lose 2-1.
The signs were even there during Eckert's run of wins, particularly in the home win against West Bromwich Albion in December. Nat Phillips gave the Albion hope when he was able to head in unchallenged with the Baggies 3-0 down.
Loan-signing has made little difference on set-pieces
The loan signing of Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz was supposed to make a big difference, but he has not so far been able to command his area as expected.
Perhaps the reintroduction of James Bree, Shea Charles, and Ross Stewart could add some presence, but given that all three were on the pitch when Pompey equalised on Sunday, perhaps not.
Returning to Tonda Eckert's post-match interview, it's not just one set-piece that Southampton have needed to defend better; it's loads of them. The Saints' boss will need to address the problem immediately if he wants to avoid this weakness costing him his job.