Tonda Eckert sack talk increases as Southampton suffer Middlesbrough horror show | OneFootball

Southampton's 4-0 loss to Middlesbrough has increased the pressure on Tonda Eckert

Pressure is mounting for Tonda Eckert among Southampton supporters following their 4-0 hammering to Middlesbrough.

A brace from Morgan Whittaker, as well as goals from Samuel Silvera and Alan Browne saw Kim Hellberg’s side earn an emphatic three points on Sunday afternoon.

The defeat stretches the Saints’ winless run to six games, having also suffered defeats to Norwich City and Oxford United.

Draws against Millwall, Birmingham City and Coventry City in that run mean that Eckert’s side are now 15th in the Championship table after 25 games played.

Southampton’s aim at the start of the campaign was to fight for automatic promotion, but they could now be staring down the barrel of a second managerial sacking of the season instead.

Southampton supporters put pressure on Tonda Eckert

Eckert has overseen 13 games in the Championship since replacing Will Still as manager, initially on an interim basis, back in November.

The 32-year-old was appointed as the permanent replacement on 5 December after overseeing four wins from his first five games, and he followed that up with two more victories.

But the Saints have now gone six without a win, leaving them in danger of failing to even earn a top six finish in the table.

Supporters have voiced their frustration regarding the current run of form, with a potential change in the dugout again being discussed.

Some fans are losing their patience with the formation being used by Eckert, suggesting he must make a change or else he’ll have to go.

While others are pointing to the players as the problem, claiming that somebody like Russell Martin should be brought back to the club in order to get them back on track.

Some fans have also lost patience with the ownership, believing that a change in manager won’t matter when Sport Republic remain in charge.

Supporters have lost faith in their ability to run the club, which could take some of the pressure off Eckert in the short-term.

Next up for Southampton is an FA Cup third round clash away to Doncaster Rovers on 10 January in a 3pm kick-off.

Tonda Eckert appointment backfiring already at Southampton

Eckert was appointed off the back of a tiny sample size of five games, and it’s not entirely surprising that it’s started to go awry already.

This is someone with no experience of management prior to becoming caretaker boss at St. Mary’s, so it was always going to be a very risky appointment.

It was a strange decision to make such a rash decision regarding Still without a proper plan on who could replace him long-term.

Sport Republic are now facing the wrath of supporters, as it was ultimately their decision to make this managerial appointment.

It would be pointless to sack Eckert after the 4-0 loss to Middlesbrough if there is no idea who could replace him, as he can’t exactly become the caretaker again.

The Hampshire outfit have been left in a bad situation due to their poor decision-making, and it could now cost them a chance at promotion this season.