Eckert: No selection headaches at "prime time" in promotion race
Tonda Eckert insisted he does not suffer from selection headaches with Southampton’s squad depth coming to the fore at “prime time” in the Sky Bet Championship promotion race.
The head coach made five changes to his side for Tuesday night’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Blackburn at St Mary’s, having continually shuffled his pack during Saints’ seven-match winning run.
It means Eckert now has dilemmas in almost every position, but is delighted to see so many of his players ready to produce when called upon.
“I don’t have any headaches – it’s prime time now, the boys need to be ready to perform, that’s what it is,” he said.
“At this part of the season you step on the pitch and you know you need to perform. There are no more moments when you can crumble, it’s all in now – I think the boys know and feel that. Obviously that’s always combined with confidence and humility.
“It doesn’t give me a headache, but I think it is the most important thing at this part of the season that you are able to put whoever on the pitch and everyone is ready to go.”
One of those players whose performance against Blackburn made his case for a more regular starting berth was Cameron Archer, who earned the Player of the Match award after scoring and assisting from the left wing.
“He’s done that brilliantly, given us so much energy,” Eckert said of Archer’s impact from an unfamiliar position.
“If you watch him in training, the way he finishes is just outstanding – it is not so easy to find a player who can finish right foot, left foot.
“That was the only thing before the game – to reemphasise when he gets in those situations that he just needs to shoot.
“Luckily he didn’t do that on the first one but just played it square for Cyle [Larin] to finish, but he was very, very good today.”
Saints' next home match sees us take on Bristol City at St Mary's on Tuesday 21st April (7.45pm BST). Tickets are on general sale now, starting from £25 for Adults and £15 for Juniors.
