Eckert tips Southampton star for ten goals this season, and QPR is next
Matsuki should have more goals already
Tonda Eckert has reportedly predicted that Kuryu Matsuki will reach ten Championship goals this season. Saints Marching carried the line this week, and it is worth testing against what the Japan international winger has actually done.
He has three. The Norwich City goal on the 14th October was the only one in a 1-0 win, and the opener at West Ham came in the second minute of a 3-2 win. Both goals changed the afternoon, and Saints Marching listed the West Ham one as integral to the win.
Getting from three to ten means seven more in what is left of a 46-game season, so Eckert's forecast is a bet on the winter as much as the autumn.
FotMob's season page gives the forecast some support. Matsuki has missed two big chances, which means the openings are arriving, and his goals are not coming from a lucky streak.
Why QPR should be worried
His best day in a Saints shirt came against this opponent. He scored twice in last season's 5-0 win at St Mary's over QPR, according to Saints Marching, who built their own preview around the idea that he can repeat it.
QPR sit eighth on 20 points, with the joint-best defence in the league. Julien Stephan's side give little away, so a repeat of the early goal that Matsuki scored at West Ham could be worth more against a stubborn side. A quick strike changes how the rest of the match unfolds.
The selection picture is open. Larin is the club's top scorer, and Eckert said he was "quite positive" he and Flynn Downes would be available. If Larin starts, Matsuki's job is to provide the ammunition from wide positions.
If he is not fit, Lewis Dobbin will lead the line and Matsuki will have more freedom along the front line.
Matsuki was replaced by Welington in the 73rd minute in London, so Eckert is resting his team well as he did through the winter last season.
What is a sensible target? One goal on Saturday would put him on four with 33 games left, and Eckert's forecast would then need roughly one every five games. That is a demanding rate for a winger but not an outrageous one.
Eckert may have said ten to push him. The best way to prove it is to score against sides like QPR, in the matches the table says are close, and Saturday is the first of those.
