Southampton posted a statement win at Coventry, beating the league leaders in their own backyard and are now unbeaten in 10 matches and bearing down on the play-off positions. And manager Tonda Eckert’s tactical flexibility has been a key feature of that run.
Parkin: “I have seen Southampton a few times in recent weeks and I am not overly surprised that they went to Coventry and got something, as they are a really good side. Yes, they’ve got momentum, and yes they have got good players, but it is the manager Tonda Eckert who is impressing with his tactical flexibility.
“I actually compared them a little bit in their build-up play to Chelsea a few weeks ago. They really like to involve the right-back higher up the pitch. They like building from a back three, but then in the Portsmouth game, for example, they were very direct.
“So, I don’t think that he has a philosophy that he wants to stick to in every game. It basically depends on who the opponents are.
“Yes, there are a lot of kind of nice patterns with the ball, different shapes, depending on whether they’re in possession or out of possession. But when it’s a game to roll up your sleeves they can be a bit more direct.
“They are just a really well coached team with good players and may get promoted if they can get themselves in that sixth position.”
