History could repeat itself if Southampton learn from this early-season setback
New seasons usually begin with all sides on a level playing field.
Southampton’s started with them four points behind everybody else, before a loss against Watford on the opening weekend of the Championship meant there were seven between them and the automatic spots - their goal for next season.
A chaotic episode of spying, court cases, appeals and public scrutiny meant the Saints’ summer was marred by uncertainty, and despite the season being underway, they are still in a situation of not knowing whether their manager, Tonda Eckert, will be allowed by the FA to see the season through.
The loss at Watford and a four-point penalty mean Southampton already have a mountain to scale - but it’s nothing they haven’t faced before.
History could repeat
When Tonda Eckert took over from Will Still at Southampton last season at the start of November, they sat in 21st place in the Championship - 13 points behind second-placed Middlesbrough.
By the end of the campaign, they had bridged that gap, rising to 4th place, above Middlesbrough, before beating the North East side in the play-off semi-final. While the club feel aggrieved that they never got to finish their business at Wembley, the precedent set will inspire them this season.
With 45 games to go, they have just seven points to make up with their manager. In 2025/26 they had just 33 matches to close a gap twice as big.
It’s not an unreasonable target, and the summer transfer window isn’t shut yet, meaning the Saints could yet be strengthened.
Two big weeks to set a course
Southampton still have work to do if they are to become favourites for automatic promotion, and that starts in the transfer window, which shuts on September 1.
Work on signing a replacement for Shea Charles is underway, with Tonda Eckert admitting, with the simple one-word answer “Yes”, that a midfielder will be signed, leaving scope for speculation as to who comes in.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been linked away, and Southampton have pushed back an offer from Benfica but will undoubtedly face further interest - and are looking for a defender of their own, with reports that Feyenoord’s Anel Ahmedhodžić is high up on their list.
There is plenty of time for movement to happen, but keeping the core of the side that performed so well under Tonda Eckert at the back end of last season, then making smart additions where needed, should be the way to approach things.
If they can do that, Southampton should be confident that history can repeat itself, and that promotion this season can be a realistic target.
