This South coast derby hero has scored in two of Southampton’s last four games
Saints Marching reported before the derby that Tonda Eckert planned to push his full-backs forward, and James Bree has taken the instruction as a licence to shoot at will.
Southampton’s right-back scored the only goal against Portsmouth in the derby at St Mary's, then hit a spectacular strike at West Ham last weekend.
Two goals, two different finishes
The derby goal came after 20 minutes. Finn Azaz clipped a ball over the Portsmouth defence, Bree took it down on his right foot and finished with his left, guiding the ball in off the far post, as Saints Marching described in their derby folklore piece.
FotMob named Bree its Player of the Match that day, and the club’s own report put him alongside Danny Ings and James Beattie in derby folklore. It was Southampton’s first league derby win since November 2004, so the company was fair.
At West Ham he was the second scorer inside 11 minutes, a goal the club called spectacular and others described as a long-range effort into the top corner after a Mads Hermansen save and a poor clearance. Whichever way you describe it, it was a goal very few full-backs in this division would score.
What Eckert sees in him
Eckert’s attitude is typically blunt. According to Saints Marching’s West Ham report, he told BBC Radio Solent that he trusts Bree to do everything, and that list runs from defending to attacking to set pieces.
The same piece noted that Bree kept Manor Solomon quiet at the London Stadium, winning every tackle and duel he contested.
It is a long way from January, when Bree was on loan at Charlton and his future looked uncertain. He signed a new three-year deal in June, and Saints Marching recorded that Eckert recalled him for the last derby at Fratton Park, a 1-1 draw. He has started regularly since.
Both goals came from arriving late. The first needed Azaz’s pass over the top and a finish at the far post, the second came after a loose clearance, and in each case Bree was in the box at exactly the right moment.
QPR visit St Mary’s on Saturday at 3pm, and Bree is expected to keep his place. Julien Stephan’s side have lost only twice in twelve league games, so there will be little space in behind them. A goal from the right-back would be his third in five games, and Eckert would have every reason to enjoy it.
