Benali feels for Will Still as Saints surge under Eckert | OneFootball

Benali says he feels for former Southampton manager Will Still, with the club resurgent since his dismissal. According to Daily Echo, the Saints great reflected on a turnaround that has followed the change in the dugout.

Still arrived in the summer and lasted 16 competitive games. Three successive defeats, the last a 2-0 loss to Preston North End, ended his short stint.

It was his first managerial job in English football after spells with RC Lens and Stade de Reims. He managed only two wins in 13 Championship fixtures before leaving in November.

Since then, Tonda Eckert has won six of his seven matches in charge and has now been appointed permanently as head coach.

Saints have played more direct, attacking football under him, scoring 21 times. They trail only leaders Coventry City for goals this season.

Adam Armstrong is averaging a goal a game under Eckert and leads the Championship golden boot race on 11. Benali also pointed to contributions from Finn Azaz and Leo Scienza and praised the side’s positivity and belief.

Scienza struck first in Tuesday’s win over West Bromwich Albion, with Armstrong adding two to make it 3-0 at half-time. Saints conceded twice after the break but held on at St Mary’s, and Benali felt tightening up at the back and on set-pieces could help them climb the table.

Avoiding defeat at Norwich City on Saturday could see Southampton end the weekend in the top six.

Source: Daily Echo