Eckert on “solutions” needed for Man City task
Tonda Eckert admitted "solutions" will be needed to replace some absentees in his squad ahead of Saturday's Emirates FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Southampton's Head Coach remained steadfast in the belief in his entire squad as he revealed that captain Jack Stephens will need to be assessed ahead of the game, whilst defensive duo of Flynn Downes and Ryan Manning will miss out through suspensions.
On Stephens, who pulled out of the starting line-up moments before kick-off against Bristol City on Tuesday evening, Eckert said:
“We need to asses him over the next few days, he also felt a little something before the Swansea game but he was fine to give us some minutes towards the end so we just need to see where he's at.”
Elsewhere, the task of replacing two key members of the recent unbeaten run - the suspended Flynn Downes and Ryan Manning - is one that Eckert explained he will approach with full confidence.
“I think that we’ve shown in many parts of the season that we're able to find ways to play football games without key players.
“It might change the approach a little bit on how we go about the games we have coming up now, but we've had this over different spells with important players missing.
“We just need to make sure we adapt in some moments, maybe in the way we press or the way we build with him but I'm sure we'll find a way. I'm sure we'll have a solution on Saturday.”
