Eckert points out

The Welsh outfit are unbeaten with three wins from their first five games and visit St Mary's on Tuesday a point clear at the top of the Championship.

Swansea, who are managed by high-press Portuguese boss Vitor Matos, have conceded just one goal and the second-fewest chances this season.

They are the most intense team against the ball, managing a league-high of 5.2 tackles, duels or interceptions per minute of opponent possession.

But they are also one of only two teams who average more of the ball than Saints, and they play the most forward passes and long passes in the league.

"Even last season, they had one of the highest outputs. If you want to compete against them, you need to be able to run a lot," said Eckert.

Swansea City manager Vitor Matos is drawing plaudits (Image: PA)

"They have a high physical output, and they've been quite consistent in the way that they approach games. I remember our game in April.

"It was the same thing in the first half. They keep coming, and then you need to be prepared to find solutions against the high energy and the press.

"We actually played one of our best games last year at Swansea away, so we'll make sure that we connect to what we did last time we played them."

Swansea's impressive defensive record comes despite key centre-back Cameron Burgess rupturing his Achilles a week before the new season.

The energy of their midfield three is crucial, with Canada international Stephen Eustáquio the standout, regularly running more than 12 kilometres.

Two of Jay Fulton, Melker Widell and Marko Stamenic complete the trio, while Swansea also boast several pacey wingers and two big number nines.

"It is a big factor; there are not many midfielders in the league that have the intensity the three boys from Swansea bring to the pitch," added Eckert.

"Then very often they make substitutions after 60-65 to bring legs on again, and that is something that we will need to be prepared for.

"I expect this to be a tough challenge on Tuesday. They have a big injury to deal with in defence, so they recently changed the centre-back.

"But I think that they have so much energy higher up on the pitch that sometimes makes it a little bit easier to defend further down."

Saints have won six of their last seven games against Swansea and boast the Championship’s best home points tally since Eckert took charge last year.