Southampton should have held onto this striker who keeps impressing
Cyle Larin struggled throughout Southampton's 2-1 defeat to Wrexham on Saturday.
Going into the clash at the Racecourse Ground, the potent Canadian had seven Championship goals next to his name from seven league outings.
He would draw an unfortunate blank in Wales, though, as Kieffer Moore stole the striker limelight by heading the Red Dragons into the lead during the first 45 minutes.
While Moore beat Daniel Peretz, Larin squandered numerous chances, himself, with two big chances missed by the Brampton Bagsman across his below-par 86-minute outing.
When Larin is misfiring, it usually means the Saints are about to lose the game in front of them, and that occurred this time around, with Divin Mubama unable the change the complexion of the contest, from his minimal nine minute cameo, when replacing the stuttering number nine.
Losing Ross Stewart has hurt the Saints, that's for sure, as he could well have come on during the game in Wales, and caused all sorts of havoc as an impact presence.
To add context, he would score nine Championship strikes last season, from only 12 starts, which is a ridiculous return.
The dangerous Scotsman is on the books of Swansea City right now, though, with the South Coast side perhaps filled with a similar regret that they've got rid of this reserve attacker, who could have offered some more depth up top.
The Saints must regret this sale
The mood all summer long swung in the direction of Cameron Archer being sold.
He would only make 11 league appearances last season as a back-up option, and while he did manage four goals, which isn't to be sniffed at, he didn't set the world alight in his supporting role.
Archer would eventually seal a loan move to Auxerre to link up with former Saints boss Will Still right at the death of the transfer window and he has immediately hit the ground running in his new French location.
The one-time Aston Villa youngster has a red-hot three goals from three Ligue 1 clashes, with his latest effort for Still and Co. seeing him superbly finish off a fast-paced counter-attacking move versus Brest.
From eight appearances back on the South Coast, the aforementioned Mubama only has one goal, with the Saints arguably dropping a clanger getting rid of Archer, who is scoring goals for fun in the French top-flight, to then replace him with an inexperienced Manchester City loanee.
Indeed, he also has 32 goal contributions next to his name in the second tier, so he would've been a competent in-house reserve option to fall back on, in the wake of Stewart disappearing, if the promotion chasers hadn't snapped up Mubama.
Archer was deadset on a move away, you imagine, so he could be the main starter for someone, and he's loving life in France so far.
Eckert and Co. will just have to make do with what they have right now, with Mubama needing to step up to the mark more when selected.
They'll have to just make do
Currently, it feels as if Eckert is too scared to get rid of Larin mid-match.
He took far too long to bring him off against Wrexham, meaning Mubama had such little gametime to make a meaningful impact.
He has delivered on occasion since joining, with a late assist against Bristol City kiling the contest, while he also bagged facing his ex-loan side Stoke City back in August.
But, these bright spurts have been far too irregular, which has left the St. Mary's masses wondering whether getting rid of Archer was the right call or not, considering his explosive start in Auxerre.
The door hasn't been closed completely on the 24-year-old's future in England, but right now, he's giving his all for his loan side, while Eckert will be worried that a fatigued Larin, who can drop an off-performance here and there, and an unconvincing second in command in Mubama could cost his team dear in picking up wins.
