saintant

Even allowing for Spygate, Tonda Eckert has been a revelation. A virtually unknown coach in his early 30s with limited experience was bought in to manage our U21s and then quickly found himself in charge of the first team on an interim basis. He did enough to be given a chance to take on the role permanently and has overseen an astonishing set of results over a year. The club stuck by him during everything that was being thrown at us by the press, MSM and pundits. One guy who maybe doesn't get the credit he deserved is Johannes Spors who worked with Tonda in Italy and clearly saw something special in him which led to him bringing him to the club. Spors doesn't get everything right but his judgement on what Eckert might be able to achieve has proved to have been really astute so full credit to him for that.

Can you imagine Russball at Man Utd 🙂

Yeah, add Jason Wilcox to the lengthening list of those who talk a good game.

Another tactical masterclass from Tonda. Both JWP and Jack Stephens commented on how he stressed right at the start of the week that we were going to West Ham to win the game. Then he recognised that West Ham have a tendency to start games slowly so sent the team out to get straight at them and it worked a treat. Yes we rode our luck at times in the second half but lets not forget Dobbin was inches away from putting us 4-1 up. A sign of how well we played was the fact that thousands of their fans were heading for the exits well before the end of the game. Well done Tonda.

Not very bitter are they 🙂

Must be tough to admit you couldn't even beat a shit side at home but there they are admitting to it 🙂

Very chuffed for Breezy today - he'd have been more disappointed than anyone at missing that big chance against Bolton but he made amends today as he lashed in another worldy today to help the side to a brilliant win

I also had high hopes for Tom but he has been a major disappointment. Even when he gets his chance on the pitch he doesn't take it and that is a shame because he has the ability. Unless he finds some motivation from somewhere it might be worth considering moving him on. I thought he'd become one of our most influential players but it just hasn't happened for him and we can't carry passengers in what is a small squad.

Agree with others that Leo needs to raise his game a long way because he is normally our best player and we can't afford to have him putting in these weak performances.

He's been back to his best since the international break.

Any word from James Corden? Wot did you fink of that then Smiffy? Anyone got any pictures of his face looking like a smacked fat arse 🙂

Averaging 2 points a game and this win improves the away stats especially pleasing as it was against the favourites for promotion.

Fantastic result. Peretz, what a 'keeper. Well done Tonda and the lads. Without Larin and Downes shows we can still get great results and lays down a marker.

We'd currently be 2nd without the 4 point deduction.

Boys have risen to the challenge in that first half. I was reluctantly praising Boro last night but now we've matched their 3-1 half time score against far better opposition than they faced. Good that Dobbin scored and is doing well. Leo off it again. Big second half and every player needs to stand up and be counted. A win here would be massive. Well done Saints and Tonda.