--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-11-05T07:18:05.049Z last_updated: 2026-11-04T12:34:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/southampton/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFpbHllY2hvLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0L3NhaW50cy9vcGluaW9uLzI2Njk3ODQyLnNvdXRoYW1wdG9uLWdvdC1hd2F5LW9uZS13ZXN0LWJyb20tcmVzcG9uc2UtaW1wcmVzc2l2ZS8_cmVmPXJzcw --- # Verdict: Saints got away with one at West Brom – but the response was impressive - **Source:** - **Published:** 4 Nov - **Club:** Southampton - **Original URL:** https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/opinion/26697842.southampton-got-away-one-west-brom-response-impressive/?ref=rss But Tonda Eckert's half-time bug fixes sparked a remarkable turnaround, with the 1-1 draw at West Brom offering plenty to reflect on. While it was a cliché game of two halves, it was also a classic Championship match-up with two teams effectively playing 4-4-2 against each other. However, the Baggies were better in almost every position in the first period, causing Eckert's side problems that harked back to Middlesbrough in May. Saints went into the break with just 34 per cent possession and 221 passes, their lowest for both statistics since that play-off first leg at Riverside. Between Jimmy Jay Morgan and Isaac Price, the home side probably should have netted a second and could well have ended the tie as a contest with it. West Brom set the tone early with a wave of attacks down the Saints left, as Sam Edozie and Ryan Manning struggled even more than everyone else. But Saints also failed to deal with Albion attacks right through the middle of the pitch, as Ousmane Diakité in particular crashed past his counterparts. Eckert believes his tactical decisions are to blame for the difficulties, namely the choice not to engage in the press until West Brom played into midfield. Tonda Eckert took responsibility for the faults (Image: Matt Watson / Southampton FC) Saints just did not deal well enough with it there, as Flynn Downes and James Ward-Prowse were reactive and struggled to shut the gates once prised open. Ahead of the match, Eckert placed emphasis on Albion's evolution into a ball-playing team this season, referencing their high back-pass percentage. But they caught Saints flat-footed by going direct into the final third, on two or three occasions being the first to reach looping balls from midfield. In the end, it is a mistake that undoes them, with a trailing leg from Jack Stephens penalised. The contact was soft, but there was contact. The approach also led to issues retaining the ball and sustaining attacks. Edozie, Divin Mubama and Finn Azaz all found themselves dropping deep. Edozie, in particular, spent too long dragged further back than Manning and was tasked with following adventurous full-back Brayann Pereira. "They have very good movements on the top line that are not easy to control. It's the question of how many to commit in the first line," said Eckert. Eckert was quick to assume full responsibility for that after the match. Noble though that is, the truth, of course, is that everyone shares the blame. But the second half could not have been any more different, as Eckert's side made an immediate improvement and drew level by the 53rd minute. James Ward-Prowse's engine was key (Image: Matt Watson / Southampton FC) Their intensity on and off the ball took a sharp upturn, and Saints switched the direction of play four times in 20 seconds before Edozie drilled home. It was a complete reverse of every passing statistic, as Saints went from 221 to West Brom's 385 before the break, to 288 to their 196 afterwards. That alone does not mean a team is on top in a game, but given that Saints were all but absent prior to the interval, it illustrates the turnaround. West Brom looked more likely to strike next for a period of around 10 minutes directly after the goal, but otherwise it was all Saints. James Bree and Downes both won possession high up the pitch to create chances, while Lewis Dobbin's came from two simple, vertical passes. Had any of Downes, Azaz or Dobbin taken their opportunities - and all three should have - Saints would have moved up to second in the Championship. Without the points deduction, they would be top, ahead of Middlesbrough playing tonight. It at least highlights the level Saints are operating at. The travelling supporters gave their players and staff a warm reception at full-time at the Hawthorns, in return for their second-half fightback. It was a properly entertaining Championship humdinger, with Eckert admitting a point was probably a fair result, given the two differing halves. Saints earned a positive reception (Image: Matt Watson / Southampton FC) West Brom have only lost one of their last 14 games at home, and they will likely still be in and around the top eight when they visit St Mary's in January. Follow that draw with a win at Preston on Saturday, and it is a good result. That would make it 17 points from a possible 21 since the defeat at Wrexham. However, it did again highlight potential depth concerns for Saints. Edozie, although he scored and works hard, is coming to the end of his time here. Tom Fellows looked lacking in confidence when he came on, albeit with limited time. A winger should probably be the club's January priority. Mubama did alright with appalling service; his movement is good, and link-up play tidy, but he seemingly cannot extract hope from hopeful long balls. He probably would have taken Dobbin's chance, but is he just unlucky that he has not had that kind of opening, or is there a deeper, underlying cause? With all that being said, any Championship team would miss Cyle Larin, Leo Scienza and Caspar Jander. Especially one with such a small squad. Saints can learn plenty from their visit to the Hawthorns, but they should also take lots of encouragement for Saturday's trip to the league's basement boys.