Southampton

Image source, Opta

Southampton and QPR will seek to showcase their Championship promotion credentials as they meet at St Mary's on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Saints are sixth, three points outside the automatic promotion places after their 3-2 win at West Ham last Saturday, though their five game home winning streak was ended by a goalless draw against Bolton last time out at St Mary's.

QPR are level on points, two places back, after thrashing Swansea 5-0 last weekend, however the R's are winless in their past four on the road in the league.

• Southampton have won each of their past six league games against QPR, as many victories as across their prior 21 meetings with the Hoops combined.

• QPR have lost their past three away league games against Southampton, only once have they lost four in succession, doing so between 1957 and 1969.

• Southampton are unbeaten in their past 16 home league games (W12 D4), their longest since a run of 24 between December 2010 and December 2011.

• QPR have netted nine goals from set piece situations in the Championship so far this season – the joint-most of any side in the division alongside West Ham.

• Southampton have been in winning positions for 43.2% of their Championship matches so far this season – the highest percentage of any side in the competition.

Marc Webber
Final Score reporter

Image source, Press Association

This will not come as a surprise to the Southampton fans reading this, but one thing became very clear to me after supporters and players celebrated their win against West Ham on Saturday.

The supportive bond between fans and the team has been strengthened by Spygate, not weakened. To the point where it genuinely felt like the team had a twelfth and thirteenth man at times.

In a way, the scandal has just emboldened the club. It felt like a siege mentality which could be a real asset to the side as they rise from their points deduction to the play-off position they currently hold.

I have reported on many Southampton games away and at home and I have not felt a connection so empowering on performance to my recollection.

In fact, it has felt quite the reverse at times, such as the reaction of fans at Saints 0-6 Chelsea a few seasons ago.

Sure, away fans can sound loud when the London Stadium's local fans are silenced.

But it was more the energy which pulled Southampton to a fast start and through a tricky end that made me believe this could be a problem which other opponents will need to factor in as the season continues.

A new episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home podcast is now available.

A jubilant Adam Blackmore and Jo Tessem discuss superstar James Bree and James Ward-Prowse's delight after a statement win for Southampton against West Ham United.

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Championship match between West Ham United and Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Philip: Perhaps I'm losing faith in Nuno. We have the talent, but we're not keeping any shape. Too many instances of players clustered, unable to navigate each other and control the ball. We're also arriving in the box too early, making the pass too late. We need some discipline. Southampton were always in position, playing as a collective, and that will best a side of individuals all the time.

Hugh: Terrible defensive display standing off and watching for most of the first half. There is no development in tactics, it's one dimensional and teams have worked out how to counter it from the start as it doesn't change. Because the defence does not work, the team lacks confidence and it shows on the pitch.

Spencer: Another poor start to a game, more defensive mistakes and our midfield is a problem. It's unbalanced, no ball winners and was continually dissected with one simple straight ball. Far too much of a gap between the defence and the midfield. We don't play as a unit. You have to question the manager as we don't look like a well coached team and have been getting through with individual performances. I hope Nuno learns from this because more performances like that and I can see the fans turning.

Image source, Shutterstock

Southampton fans

Pablo: Much more clinical finishing from the Saints, having no offsides in the game for us which obviously they have been working on. Peretz was the man of the match with some outstanding saves.

Stephen: Intense, rugged, composed. Despite defensive pressures they stayed calm allowing purposeful attacks which carried them forward with clear attempts on goal being rewarded. The players, including the bench, did not let anything distract them from winning.

Geoff: A very professional performance without two of our best players. The spirit shown by the whole squad is a big confidence boost for the rest of the season.

Listen to Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert speaking to BBC Radio Solent after winning at West Ham United.

For a written selection of his quotes click here.

Image source, Opta

West Ham will hope to strengthen their grip on an automatic promotion spot in the Championship when they host Southampton on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 15:00 BST).

The Hammers won 1-0 at Swansea last time out to move within one point of the league leaders and extend their unbeaten run to nine games (W6 D3).

Saints, who have lost just one of their past 10 matches (W6 D3), start the weekend in eighth but could cut the gap to West Ham to just two points with victory.

• West Ham have lost just one of their past 13 league games against Southampton (W8 D4), a 3-2 home defeat in December 2021.

• Southampton have lost five of their previous seven away league games against West Ham (D1 L1), conceding 16 goals in that time (2.3 per game).

• West Ham have scored a league-leading 30 goals in the Championship so far this season, their joint-most after their opening 11 games of a league campaign along with 1930-31.

• Only Swansea City (8) have conceded fewer goals in the Championship this season than Southampton (10), with the Saints looking to keep four successive league clean sheets for the first time since February 2016 (run of six).

• West Ham (15.9) and Southampton (15.4) are two of the top three sides in the Championship this season for xG from open play, with Middlesbrough second (15.8).

We asked for your thoughts after Southampton and Bolton played out a goalless draw at St Mary's on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

Saints fans

Rod: We need a creative midfielder and a clever striker. We cannot aim for the play-offs. Top two must be our mission. January window will be our last chance to put things right.

Tony: Saints squandered too many chances in front of goal. Yes, there was a good penalty shout. Saints played good football, with long spells in total control, but they need to look at how many off-sides they gave away. They must be disappointed not to get all three points.

Anthony: There is always one game like this in a season. Apart from the awful finishing everything else was OK.

Bolton fans

Phil: It's all about staying up this season so a point away at Southampton is a great result.

Chris: Always hated going to clubs where managers and fans patted us on the head saying we deserved something when walking off with three points, far rather they were upset with the officials for not giving them the win. Bolton are putting noses out of joint and long may it continue.

John: Brilliant defensive display, the team is improving every week. Four points from the last two away games against Wolves and Southampton.

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Southapton head coach Tonda Eckert gives his reaction after Southampton's 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers.

Click here for a written selection of his quotes.

Southampton and Bolton Wanderers meet in a league game on Saturday (15:00 BST) for the first time since April 2005 when both clubs were in the Premier League.

Since then Saints have been down to League One and back to the top flight while Bolton dropped into League Two for a season in 2020-21.

• Southampton are winless in seven league meetings with Bolton (D5 L2), with this their first since a 1-1 draw in the Premier League in April 2005.

• Bolton have won both of their past two league visits to Southampton (most recently 2-1 in August 2004), the only time they have won two in a row away to the Saints.

• Southampton have spent 41.9% of their Championship matches this season in the lead – the highest percentage in the competition at present.

• Bolton have won three of their past four league games (L1), as many victories as across their prior 16 matches beforehand combined.

• Of the 645 players across the EFL this season to contest 50+ duels, Bolton's Chris Forino-Joseph currently possesses the strongest duel success rate among them all (79.3%).

A new episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home podcast is now available.

The boys celebrate and break down the win at Norwich after tinkering Tonda returns, Jander impresses and Saints win on the road at long last.

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Aaron Paul, Jobi McAnuff and Tommy Smith are joined by former Hornets midfielder Tom Ince to chat about Watford, with the club in the Championship relegation zone after 10 games.

What's it like amid the constant turnover of managers in the dugout? Will they buck the trend and stick with Alessio Dionisi?

Plus, hear from Jon Rudkin, Leicester City's chief football officer, on the situation the club currently finds itself in. Will Leicester stick with Russell Martin, or do they need to make a change to ensure success?

And Tommy gives his opinion on Spygate after Southampton boss Tonda Eckert was handed a suspended six-week ban for his part in the spying scandal.

Listen to the full episode above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Southampton moved into the Championship play-off places with a 1-0 win at Norwich City on Wednesday night.

For the Canaries it was a fourth successive defeat and leaves them outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

Here is what some of the fans of both sides made of the game and their team's performance:

Norwich City fans

Peter - Looks like it is going to be a relegation battle. Far too many players walking around the field out of position. The players look lost and it's only going to get worse.

Rob - Not going to name names but some players aren't putting in a shift each game. Defenders ball watching, forwards lacking quality and we miss Kenny McLean. If every player put in the same shift as Pelle Mattson we'd be OK.

Edd - It's just tiny margins, that's all, and we keep slipping the wrong side at the moment but, give Philippe Clement time as we will regret letting him go. Just give it time, still very early in the season right now.

Andy - Clement needs to get the team back to how they played last season. They are far better than they are playing now.

Rob R - It's happening again like last season.

Jas - Not sure what's happened to Norwich. Obviously the injury to Mohamed Toure is bad news, but I don't understand why Jovon Makama doesn't start, unless he's still unfit. Desperately need a win and some confidence back. Not feeling too optimistic.

Image source, Shutterstock

Southampton fans

Stuart - Great win for Saints. We needed to improve our away performances and start picking up points to stay in contention for promotion.

Jon - Not pretty with key players rested but what a great squad the club has assembled with hopefully still some young talent to come through. Daniel Peretz in goal and the defence look assured.

Jeremy - Southampton are clearly outright promotion candidates. But for their four-point deduction they would be sitting in third place just three points off the current leaders.

Rob B - An excellent three points earned with determination and hard work while maybe not hitting the heights this team is capable of. Tonda Eckert was brave in his team selection and the players responded. He really is very good at the wheel!

Pete - We have a good blend of experienced and younger players and now look like a side that knows what it takes to be successful. Dreading promotion back to the Premier League, last time was easily the most demoralising season I can remember and my first game at The Dell was in 1967.

Lee - Thought Zach Abbott, on loan from Nottingham Forest, made an excellent debut for Saints. Slotted right in to our back four, made some intelligent runs, looking entirely at home. Based on that performance I'd snap him up in a heartbeat.

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert hopes midfielder Flynn Downes will recover quickly from an ankle injury suffered in Wednesday's win at Norwich City.

The 27-year-old picked up a knock in the early stages at Carrow Road, but briefly played on before being replaced by Caspar Jander on 22 minutes.

"He said 'strap me up and I'll play on Saturday'," Eckert said when asked about Downes.

"Let's see. I hope it's not too serious. I think it's the outside ligament on the ankle. I'm hoping to have him back quickly.

"Medical team is not happy with me, because [Jander's] minutes were capped today and I put him on after 20 minutes. He almost scored towards the end, had cramps. I don't know how he does that."

Eckert made four changes to the team that beat Portsmouth on Sunday as Zach Abbott, on loan from Nottingham Forest, made his first start and Kuryu Matsuki, Lewis Dobbin and Sam Edozie also came in.

And the German coach was full of praise for his squad after Matsuki's goal sealed their first away win in the league this season .

"It's not the first time we have made changes," he said. "It's 46 games in the league and the reality is we need every single [player].

"There's been reasons why we haven't picked up a win on the road so far, so there were a couple of considerations for the game today.

"Energy from the start was very good and then we had an early substitution. We made another two substitutions at half-time and that leaves you with only two slots.

"It's good to know that you can trust every single one who comes on and every single one who starts because that's the only way for us to go for the ambitions we have this year. A couple of players have stepped up today and that's very important."

Norwich City will look to stem a three-match losing streak and create some distance from the bottom three when they host Southampton on Wednesday (19:45 BST).

It won't be an easy task though, with Southampton jubilant following a 1-0 derby day victory over Portsmouth on Sunday despite going down to 10 men when Cam Bragg was sent off at the end of the first half.

It leaves the Saints just one point short of the play-off positions going into the midweek games but they still have five to make up on the automatic promotion spots.

• Norwich have only lost one of their last seven home league games against Southampton (W4 D2), going down 0-3 in the Premier League in June 2020.

• Southampton have only lost two of their last eight league matches against Norwich (W4 D2), winning 1-0 most recently in March.

• Norwich lost their last Championship game at Carrow Road 3-4 to Bolton, but are yet to lose two in a row at home in 2026.

• Southampton have failed to win their first four away games of a season outside of the Premier League for the first time since 2009-10 in League One (first 5).

• Against no side has Southampton's Finn Azaz scored more goals in his English league career than against Norwich (4).

We asked for your thoughts after Southampton's 1-0 south coast derby win over Portsmouth in the Championship on Sunday.

Here are some of your comments:

Southampton fans

Robert: Gritty not pretty. Great to get a clean sheet. It's a long season in the EFL so don't want to get carried away. Pompey sliced through our right side with ease. Still got work to do to tighten up defensively.

Bob: Why do we never do things the easy way? We had the first half under control yet seemed to ride our luck a bit in the second. Flynn Downes had a solid game and Azaz was class.

Ian: Excellent, gutsy performance from Saints. Finn Azaz well-deserved man of the match.

Saint John: True gritty performance from the boys as it had to be... bitter experience tells us that one goal conceded when down to 10 is swiftly followed by a second. No complaints regarding referee decisions against us but I thought the ref was extraordinarily lenient at times against Pompey.

John: Hard battle, lucky to win. Portsmouth need to learn where the net is. But I will take any win over our rivals any day.

Jim83: As a Southampton fan I thought it was a poor choice to have Bragg on ahead of better players in a game like this. His inexperience cost him. The referee was genuinely poor for both teams. Portsmouth should have had more cards dished out. Azaz was lucky to not have been sent off for his retaliation tackle but how many times was he, Larin and Scienza pulled back by their shirts!

Richard: Saints coped with the 10-man disadvantage very adequately. They looked well organised, which may be a credit to manager Tonda Eckert.

Image source, Shutterstock

Portsmouth fans

Andy: Pompey were disappointing in the opposition box. Always seemed to want too much time or another touch or made the wrong decision. Feel we are going to struggle if we don't fix this quickly. Played some decent football though at times.

Paulo: We never looked like scoring. Even if we had been there all day we wouldn't have scored. Same problem we have had for two seasons. Yet another long season ahead battling against relegation. Not good enough Mous…

Grant: The team looked weak across the park. Not capitalising on the extra man will cost the team. Relegation fodder this year!

Graham: Far too slow. Lucky Saints only had 10 men.

Glenn: Always in with a chance but poor decision-making and lack of confidence in attack ultimately cost us. Never really looked like scoring.

Gary: I thought we played very well in the first half, especially down the left side and looked good in the final third. Adams covered so much ground but I can't see why we insist on playing too much football at the back. For me our keeper sees far too much of the ball. It's too risky in my opinion. There's still a lot of positives about the season going forward. PUP.

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton defender James Bree said that he had "a feeling" he would score in Sunday's South Coast derby win against Portsmouth.

Saints took the lead in the first half thanks to the full-back's darting run into the box that was spotted by Finn Azaz.

Bree then took a touch from a looping pass before using the instep of his left boot to slot the ball into the back of the net, running off in celebration.

It was his first goal of the season and sixth since joining Southampton in 2023 from Luton Town.

"We were joking about it earlier in the week as to who was going to score," Bree told BBC Radio Solent.

"I stuck my name into the hat and sometimes you just get a little feeling and I was in the right place at the right time.

"I'm buzzing to get the goal but it was a massive win and huge to get a clean sheet which is something that we've been speaking about this week."

After Bree's goal, Southampton were able to hold on for victory despite being reduced to 10 men when Cameron Bragg was shown a second yellow card just before the break.

The victory moved Tonda Eckert's side up to 11th in the Championship table having started the season on minus four points.

The derby was Saints' first match since finding out head coach Eckert had been handed a suspended six-week ban and fined £28,000 by the FA for his role in the Spygate scandal.

Bree added it was a relief to him and his team-mates that the German coach was not handed a more severe punishment that could have threatened his job.

"The news about the gaffer was so positive for all of us," he added.

"We had a meeting as a team after and said that we've started the season okay but we have so many levels to now go up.

"Today (Sunday) is a good start and if we can keep growing and building momentum, especially away from home then it'll be massive for all of us."

Saints, who are yet to win away from home in the Championship this season, travel to Norwich City on Wednesday.