Eckert reveals "very honest conversations"
Tonda Eckert has revealed “some very honest conversations” have been held between himself, his staff and the Southampton players.
Goalscorer Ross Stewart previously said “a good chat” took place in the dressing room following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Hull, with open discussions clearly a theme as Saints look to turn around a run of seven league games without victory ahead of tonight’s St Mary’s showdown against Sheffield United (7.45pm GMT).
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Eckert was asked about the importance of him making his players accountable for their performances.
“Not me, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “Not me, but everyone himself. I think it doesn’t take you anywhere if I am the one who holds somebody accountable – that needs to come from inside.
“We are all in the same situation, all in the same boat together. It’s not about pointing fingers, it’s not about saying ‘you’ or ‘you’. That doesn’t take us anywhere.
“We’ve had some very honest conversations, and, importantly, the players between themselves, and I think that’s where we move forward as a group.
“You can moderate this, obviously, yes, and we are as a staff, us as a football club; some people we bring in externally that give a view on what happens, yes, but in the end it comes from very deep inside.
“Accountability is something that always starts with me, for myself, first. Not [from] me for somebody else.”
Staying on the same topic, the head coach was asked whether his players need to be “more angry with each other” on the pitch, visibly holding each other to account in the heat of battle, which could be a welcome sight for the Saints fans.
“It creates a little bit of an edge, and I think you need this every now and then,” Eckert agreed. “Obviously it is for us to promote an environment where that can happen, but in the end it needs to come out from inside.
“We are talking about this quite a bit, and it needs to be done.”
For a limited time only, Saints Memberships are half price. Enjoy early ticket access and discounts across the club for just £15 for Adults and £7.50 for Juniors.
