Eckert calls Swansea midfield a 'big factor' before leaders visit St Mary's | OneFootball

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has flagged Swansea’s midfield as a major factor in the league leaders’ energy ahead of Tuesday’s trip to St Mary’s.

As reported by Daily Echo, he said, "Even last season, they had one of the highest outputs. If you want to compete against them, you need to be able to run a lot".

Vitor Matos’s high-pressing side are unbeaten with three wins from their first five and hold a one-point lead at the top of the Championship. They have conceded just one goal and allowed the second-fewest chances. Out of possession they post a league-high 5.2 tackles, duels or interceptions per minute of opponent possession.

They are also one of only two teams to average more of the ball than Saints, and they attempt the most forward and long passes in the division.

Eckert praised Swansea’s consistency and recalled April’s meeting, stressing Saints must find solutions against their press. He pointed to the energy of their midfield three and the fresh legs they often introduce around 60-65 minutes.

He expects a tough challenge and noted a recent change at centre-back after a major defensive injury. Even so, he thinks their intensity higher up the pitch can sometimes make defending simpler deeper.

Saints have won six of their last seven against Swansea and boast the Championship’s best home points tally since Eckert took charge last year.

Source: Daily Echo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”