How Southampton FC players feel about Tonda Eckert - Ryan Manning has revealed it | OneFootball

Southampton defender Ryan Manning has spoken about the change in dressing room mood at his club after two wins before the international break.

Southampton star Ryan Manning has spoken about interim manager Tonda Eckert, confirming the players' attitude towards the man in temporary charge of the team following the sacking of Will Still.

Returning from an international break with the Republic of Ireland which went beyond his wildest dreams, Southampton defender Ryan Manning has spoken about interim manager Tonda Eckert and how the players are reacting to his time in charge of the club.

Southampton went into the international break with the feeling growing that they have turned a corner following a disastrous start to their return to the Championship.

The Saints dismissed Will Still at the start of November following a dismal run of results which left them in 21st place in the table, only just above the relegation places. Eckert was placed in temporary charge of the team while the club began their search for a replacement, and the players reacted positively with two successive wins.

"We're enjoying working with him" - Ryan Manning positive about Tonda Eckert influence at St Mary's

In a wide-ranging interview with George Rees-Julian of the Southampton Daily Echo, defender Ryan Manning has spoken about Eckert as the club's interim head coach, telling Rees-Julian that, "As far as we're concerned, we're enjoying working with him."

Manning went on to add that Eckert's influence on the training ground has been reflected in Southampton's improved performances on the pitch since he took control of the team: "I think you see that a lot of the stuff we did at the training ground sort of came to fruition on the pitch."

Speaking about the attitude within the dressing room as Saints players returned from the international break, Manning was optimistic about the change in mood since their two consecutive wins: "During the week before we went away, the two results had naturally given everyone a lift. Everyone comes in eager and is excited to kick-start our season."

There was plenty of good cause for Ryan Manning to be in an optimistic state of mind as he headed back after the international break. Having missed the Republic of Ireland's sensational 2-0 win against Portugal through suspension, he was introduced as a substitute in the dramatic 3-2 win in Budapest against Hungary which secured their place in the play-offs for a place in the World Cup finals next summer.

The mood around St Mary's Stadium might not yet be quite that excited, but Manning's club side have also had reason to feel a little more optimistic about the rest of the season since the departure of Will Still on the 2nd November.

With Eckert installed as interim manager as Southampton began their search for a permanent replacement, the team seemed to respond with two successive wins, 2-1 at Queens Park Rangers and 3-1 at home to Sheffield Wednesday, before the international break stepped in to allow everyone to pause for a breather.

Manning's comments speak volumes about the extent to which momentum matters when it comes to building a winning team. Prior to Still's departure, the Saints had only won two league games all season, and one of those had come on the opening weekend of the season. They doubled that tally in the space of just four days under Tonda Eckert.

There has been considerable speculation that his excellent start in the hot seat could be enough to persuade the Southampton owners to give the interim head coach the job on a permanent basis.