Southampton must tune out the noise of Tonda Eckert's looming punishment
Tonda Eckert is spending the international break with his impending punishment for Spygate looming over him, but Southampton must tune out the noise of their manager's expected sanction.
The German is awaiting his verdict after authorising his staff to spy on opposing teams' training sessions, which was uncovered after an analyst was spotted filming Middlesbrough's preparations ahead of their play-off semi-final first leg meeting.
Saints were punished harshly by the EFL with expulsion from the play-off final, which would have seen them play eventual winners Hull City, but the FA since opened its own investigation into Eckert's conduct and after the hearing took place last Thursday, there is still no confirmation of how he will be sanctioned.
Despite uncertainty over Eckert's punishment, Southampton must tune out the noise and focus fully on making their return to action and continuing their positive start to the Championship season following the international break.
Southampton must tune out the noise of Tonda Eckert's looming punishment
Midway through the September-October extended international break, Southampton sit 13th in the Championship with 10 points after winning four, drawing two and losing two of their opening eight games.
Given the four-point deduction they were handed during the initial Spygate fallout, Saints had a small mountain to climb at the start of the campaign and overcame the challenge to rise to mid-table, but they would currently be in fourth place had they not been given the points deficit.
Despite losing 2-1 to Wrexham due to an 89th minute own goal by Keven Schlotterbeck in their final game before the break, things are looking good on the pitch for Southampton with four wins to their name so far, all of which came in convincing fashion.
Their morale will have been boosted by James Ward-Prowse finding the back of the net at the Racecourse Ground to score his first goal in Saints colours since a strike in a final day 4-4 draw with Liverpool at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Ward-Prowse and others finding form, as well Southampton's general start to the season, gives fans plenty of reason to be excited regardless of what could happen with Eckert. The fear of a long-term suspension or fine will be very worrying for Saints supporters, but that has to be put to one side if the team are to kick on and achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
Next up for the St Mary's outfit is a home clash with arch-rivals Portsmouth in the notorious South Coast derby, and with Pompey having a worse start to the season, Southampton should fancy their chances of securing a big win.
What's done is done and nothing can be changed now so whatever punishment Eckert faces will be set in stone for Saints and their fanbase. The wait to find out what will happen to the German is agonising, but the team can't allow that to distract them if they are to continue their good form.
Bouncing back following the defeat to Wrexham is key and Southampton can only do that if they tune out the noise around Eckert's looming punishment, whether it is known or not by the time the derby comes around.
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