Bolton stalemate adds another chapter to this unusual Southampton record

Southampton very rarely draw 0-0 under Tonda Eckert.

Saturday's stalemate versus Bolton Wanderers was only the third 0-0 draw Eckert has had to stomach in the dug-out from 52 matches, as plenty of missed chances left the Saints cursing their luck in front of goal.

Amazingly, this 0-0 draw also added another chapter to this unusual Saints record, with the South Coast club very rarely on the winning side, when this certain referee is overseeing their matches.

The unusual record involving this ref

Matthew Donohue was the man in the middle for the clash between Southampton and Bolton on Saturday.

Amazingly, this was his first ever time refereeing the Trotters, as he dished out four yellow cards to the visitors.

He has a lot more history when it comes to Eckert and Co, that's for sure, as he has only ever refereed one Southampton win, from the eight times over the years he has officiated the Saints.

Donohue's record as referee (when reffing Saints):

That win was a memorable 2-1 away victory at Leeds United right at the climax of the 2023/24 season that ended in promotion, but other than that, the Saints seem to be slightly cursed when Donohue is handed refereeing duties.

He was the man in the middle for the rude awakening back to the Championship when Southampton lost 2-1 to Watford on the opening day, and last season, he oversaw the Saints losing to Preston North End 2-0 at home, when Will Still resided in the dug-out.

Not even changing to Eckert has managed to break this strange record, and he certainly wasn't in the good books - away from this jinx being humourously mentioned - as he somehow waved away appeals for a stonewall Saints penalty.

He wasn't in the good books with this call

Southampton do have themselves to blame for an unsatisfactory 0-0 draw being the end result.

Indeed, they spurned a number of golden opportunities, with James Bree missing one glorious opportunity, just a matter of games on from his heroic moment in the spotlight in the South Coast Derby.

Still, the wasteful hosts should have been handed a penalty so they could finally break the deadlock, as Leo Scienza's cross - mid-way through the second 45 minutes - was blocked by the hand of Ruben Rodrigues.

At the full-time whistle, even Schumacher in the opposite dug-out would state that this incident was "probably" worth of a penalty being awarded, but Donohue clearly saw the moment in a different light, as he didn't point to the spot, to the dismay of the home faithful watching on.

It's incredible that Donohue has such a streak with the Saints, but Southampton won't want to dwell too much on the official and the controversial call he made, as they prepare for the toughest match of their season so far against West Ham United.

They just need to let their football do the talking, but that will be easier said than done against a team of West Ham's incredible quality, with the Hammers scoring 30 goals already this season in Championship action to be firmly in the automatic promotion fight.

That's where the Saints want to be, so they'll need to hope the shooting boots have been packed this time around, so they can clinch a statement victory.

That will be their sole focus, with a hope, too, that the referee for the match isn't at the centre of a questionable call that sees Eckert and Co. go another league contest winless.

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