Tonda Eckert must bring this Southampton star back into the lineup against Millwall
Tonda Eckert will be hoping his Southampton troops can immediately bounce back from their demoralising 4-1 setback to West Ham United in the EFL Cup with a win in the Championship on Saturday.
Easier said than done, of course, as the Saints face off against Millwall, who are two wins from two in the second tier, without leaking a single goal, and they have just won 1-0 in the EFL Cup against Cambridge United.
Looking at the recent head-to-head numbers, too, the South Coast side usually struggle to pick up a result against the Lions, even when they're not sitting pretty at the top of pile, with Millwall winning an action-packed encounter at the Den last campaign 3-2.
Moreover, Alex Neil's men haven't actually lost on their last three visits to St. Mary's, either.
But, these strange statistics won't have much bearing over the contest at hand, as Eckert will desperately want a win, regardless, as three points would mean the Saints were firmly out the other side of their minus four point penalty.
He has several big calls to make when it comes to his starting XI, with the German no doubt scratching his head over who to select.
Who could start against Millwall?
Both Keven Schlotterbeck and James Ward-Prowse have been signed just in the nick of time that they could both feature against the Lions on Saturday.
The new centre-back stands more of a chance of a debut than his midfield counterpart, you imagine, with Eckert unlikely to stick by Jack Stephens in the heart of his defence, after he put in another ropey early season showing against the youthful Hammers.
It does feel far more likely that Ryan Manning will return to the starting XI, when moving away from the talk of the new signings, as reserve left-back Welington was selected against West Ham.
Moving further up the pitch, Lewis Dobbin could be at risk of dropping out of the side, after putting in another lacklustre performance in attack mid-week, with the £9m price-tag above his head potentially weighing him down.
Up top, you would anticipate that Cyle Larin would be reinstated to lead the line, as if any player is going to catch out a stern Lions defence, it would be the clinical Canadian, who has three goals in three Championship matches this season so far.
There is also another attacker who should be thrust back into the first-team spotlight, so a second league win of the campaign can be secured, who enjoys playing against Neil and Co...
He must bring this attacker back in
With Eckert having the likes of the aforementioned Dobbin and Larin at his disposal in his star-studded attack, alongside Leo Scienza, Finn Azaz has begun to slide under the radar in terms of his importance arguably.
He didn't start against West Ham mid-week, and it was noticeable, as the Saints lacked a creative force from the middle of the park.
He should come back in, having been largely rested during that 4-1 defeat, as he was fantastic during the 3-1 league victory over Stoke City.
He also loves playing against Millwall, with a goal coming his way during that eventful 3-2 loss at the Den last season.
Looking past that clash, he also has two career assists next to his name playing the Lions, when he was on the books of Middlesbrough, with another incisive pass from the Irishman on Saturday - like the one that teed up Mubama - potentially unlocking the Millwall defence on the way to a statement win coming Eckert and Co's way.
It will need to be a much-improved team performance, though, away from star individuals dazzling, if thee three points are to fall into their lap, as Millwall will be wanting to keep their 100% win record intact with a gutsy display.
