Fulham manager Marco Silva has been impressed by the early career of his Southampton counterpart Tonda Eckert ahead of the clubs’ upcoming Emirates FA Cup tie.
The Saints head coach role is 33-year-old Eckert’s first senior position, and he currently has them sitting just outside the top-six following a nine match unbeaten run across all competitions.
“They have been reacting very, very well, definitely,” Silva said. “You see their recent form – not so recent, because it's been already, I think, nine games unbeaten – most of them getting the three points, game by game.
“And, of course, where they came from, in a bad position in the table, right now to be around the Play-Off positions, shows they are in a good moment, definitely.
“They are in a moment that they can win football matches in a row. That is important, for sure gives them the confidence that they are going in the right direction.
“Coming to the end of the season, important moment of the Championship season, another competition definitely that if they are in the position they are right now, they want to come to Craven Cottage to show their quality.
“It’s up to us, to be at our best level and to prove our quality, and to prove why we want to be in the next round of the FA Cup.”