The one Nathan Jones trend we’re seeing at Southampton FC right now | OneFootball

James Bree's return to Southampton is mirroring the start of his short-term loan spell at Charlton Athletic

Southampton have been the form team in the Championship over the last six games, and are banging on the door of the top six as a result.

The side who were fourth-bottom at the time Will Still was dismissed 13 games into the campaign are now four points behind Wrexham, who occupy the final play-off spot with 11 games to go.

It's been a miraculous turnaround at St Mary's this season under Tonda Eckert, but it's not all been plain sailing, and their position has been built on two strong winning runs, rather than just consistently being good from November up until now.

Let's not forget — at the turn of the year, there were some murmurs around the young German boss being given the boot himself, after the Saints went on a seven-game winless run between mid-December and mid-January.

A big win over Sheffield United on January 21 has buoyed Southampton back up the table, and one main fixture of this run has been the return of James Bree from his loan spell at Charlton Athletic.

The right wing-back played some of his best football under Nathan Jones while at Luton Town, and after a few poor years at Southampton, he turned to Jones once more to revitalise his career.

James Bree's return to Southampton mirrors his start at Charlton Athletic

Bree was brought to St Mary's by Nathan Jones during his short reign as Southampton manager in 2023. Unfortunately, the Welsh boss was sacked a mere 17 days later, and the full-back got lost in the shuffle on the south coast as a result.

The 28-year-old made just 41 league appearances in the following two-and-a-half seasons and, entering the final year of his contract this season, seemed destined to be departing Southampton at the end of it, especially given he was allowed to go out on loan in the summer.

Nathan Jones brought him to Charlton, and under the former Luton boss, fans started to see more of the player who was one of the top full-backs in the second tier.

In his first start, Bree would assist Tanto Olaofe's winner against Sheffield United, and he'd follow that up with two goals and another two assists in the following four games, helping the Addicks maintain their strong start and a place in the top six, too.

Ultimately, the 28-year-old's goal involvements would decrease as Charlton slipped down the table, but he was still performing exceptionally, and when the loan move ended in January, Southampton, now managed by Eckert, opted to keep him, and it's working out brilliantly.

With Bree in the side, the Saints are yet to lose, having won five and drawn two of their seven games. And, like in the opening stages of his loan at the Valley, the right wing-back is popping up with goal involvements.

An assist in a 1-0 win over Watford, paired with goals in the FA Cup win over Leicester City, and in his last two league games against QPR and Sheffield Wednesday, have contributed to a fifth-round tie and a surge up the table to where they are now in seventh.

Charlton must be looking on with envy, but Southampton are relishing his quality and will be desperate for him to sign long-term at St Mary's at the end of the season.

Southampton will hope that the extended run in the side will lead to a James Bree contract extension

Evidently, Tonda Eckert is a fan of Bree, having started him in every Championship game since he made his return from Charlton, and with him enjoying his best stint in a Saints shirt since he arrived at the club a little over three years ago, there may be signs of him staying.

The 28-year-old has stated that he would "love" to sign a contract extension at Southampton, which will be music to the ears of those at St Mary's, given his contributions in the last couple of months.

Saints fans will have noticed the parallels between Bree's first month at Charlton compared to his first month back at his parent club, and they'll be hoping that there isn't a similar drop-off in goal contributions and overall team results.

If there isn't, there could be a real possibility of a Premier League return under Tonda Eckert for Southampton.