Tonda Eckert will just ignore his Spygate critics as Southampton excitement builds

We are only one day away now from Southampton's Championship season kicking off at Watford.

Saints fans travelling down in their masses to Vicarage Road will be confident their treasured team can pick up a result, as the South Coast outfit haven't actually lost on the road to the Hornets since 2007.

The mood all around Southampton at the moment is one of overwhelming positivity for the season ahead, as - hopefully - all the wrongs of last season from Spygate are put right.

While Tonda Eckert, the fanbase, and the players are all focused on the season to come, the outside noise continues to be loud surrounding Spygate, and the fact the German should have been sacked, instead of being handed a second chance by Dragan Solak.

Bromley manager Andy Woodman has openly come out to state that he thinks the 33-year-old should have been handed his marching orders, and he isn't alone, as the vocal critics of Southampton's unique predicament continue to make themselves heard.

The Spygate critics remain vocal

It is going to be pretty unavoidable this season from a Southampton perspective, as the Watford home fans will no doubt lead chants referencing the Saints' widely-known espionage tactics, with a few pairs of binoculars likely spotted, as well.

It has been inescapable, too, in many season previews, with the Saints docked four points heading into the fresh campaign. Alongside that, ongoing chatter on the debacle generates clicks and views.

EFL pundit Adrian Clarke commented on Spygate on the latest episode of the talkSPORT daily podcast, and he followed down the same path as Woodman in being incredulous that the German hasn't been axed.

He said: "I was staggered that Southampton stuck with Tonda Eckert. He did bring the club into disrepute; it was a serious offence or offences.

"But anyway, it's just, yeah, I personally would have moved on from that manager and tried to just bring in somebody fresh because the hangover is not going to be pretty."

With a touchline ban still to be handed Eckert's way, it is clear that Spygate hangs like a dark cloud over proceedings, with many from the outside looking in surprised that the Saints didn't want to start afresh with a new slate.

Yet, as a Southampton supporter, you will be fully behind the controversial manager, as he seems ready to deliver promotion, even with all this noise continuing to swirl.

Eckert will ignore the noise partly

Eckert was even asked about the potential distraction of Spygate, and a looming ban, on his preparations for Watford during Thursday's press conference.

As always, the German was very matter of fact with his response, bluntly stating: " I don't feel it has been a big distraction for myself personally. On a day like today, it is Watford and only Watford."

The 33-year-old will just simply be taking it game by game, with the outside noise and talk about his position at the helm being quickly dismissed.

While he will ignore this talk, he will want his players out on the pitch to thrive, even if a hostile Watford home atmosphere is present, with the booing and jeering perhaps working in the South Coast side's favour in winning promotion, despite everyone being against them.

It will be interesting to see the level of vitriol chucked at Eckert and Co on Sunday lunchtime, as the ice-cold head coach attempts to steer his slandered team to promotion, with just the right amount of criticism and hate listened to.