The cheeky message Leo Scienza said to Tom Fellows after Southampton's win v West Brom | OneFootball

Tom Fellows assisted Leo Scienza's 12th minute opener in Southampton's 3-2 win over West Brom

Leo Scienza has offered to clean Tom Fellows’ boots following his assist for the Brazilian’s goal in Southampton’s 3-2 win over West Brom on Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a right-footed finish into the bottom left corner.

The move began when the Saints played out from the back, with Fellows picking the ball up inside his own half with a nice turn to beat Chris Mepham, before he dribbled up to the Baggies’ area and played in the 27-year-old to finish.

This was the Hampshire outfit’s fifth win in six games, moving them into the top half of the Championship table ahead of tonight’s remaining fixtures in the round.

Tonda Eckert will be hoping this rich run of form will help him seal the permanent manager’s position at Southampton, with the 32-year-old coming in as a temporary replacement for Will Still at the start of this winning run.

Leo Scienza teases Tom Fellows after West Brom win

Scienza has revealed that he had been joking with Fellows that he was owed an assist for a good chance after the forward missed an opportunity to score in their 3-1 win over Birmingham City at the weekend in which he struck the post from a shot that was set up by the Brazilian.

Because Fellows lived up to his end of the bargain, the 27-year-old has offered to clean his teammate’s boots following the 3-2 win over West Brom at St. Mary’s.

“90 per cent was his goal,” said Scienza, via Southampton’s X account.

“I joke with him, this was very funny — I didn’t even realise until now — that last game I gave him an assist and it was a bit unlucky because he did everything good and he shot the ball against the post.

“And I told him ‘Tom, it doesn’t matter if you scored or not, you owe me an assist!’

“And today, he gave me an assist and I score my goal, so I’m very thankful for him.

“Tom, you’re the best.

“Tom, if you’re watching, if you want me to clean your boots in the next week, just send me, I will do it for you.”

Southampton have temporarily moved up to eighth as a result of the three points earned against the Baggies.

Eckert’s side have 30 points from their opening 20 fixtures this season, leaving them just one point outside of the play-off places.

Next up for the Saints is a trip to face Norwich City on 13 December in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Morale at Southampton is improved massively under Tonda Eckert

Spirits are high at Southampton amid this winning run, as evidenced by the fun Scienza and Fellows are having.

The team have finally started putting away some of their chances since the change in coach, and their results are starting to reflect their level of performance at last.

The Saints were unlucky to be so far down the Championship table under Still, and Scienza’s form has been key to their rise back up to within a point of the play-offs.

The summer signing has now contributed three goals and two assists from 14 appearances, proving a key part of the side.