EVERY word Saints interim manager Tonda Eckert said in his press conference after his side’s first Championship defeat at Millwall…
What made the difference in your team’s first defeat?
TE: Every game in the end consists of small moments. We had chances to go ahead in the first half but did not take them.
We did score in the second half and even though we defended a little deeper, I felt we controlled them quite well.
When you come here, concede a goal and the stadium gets on top, you have to put a lot of energy on the pitch to go against that.
We conceded the second one, but I want to compliment the boys for getting back into the game because that is very difficult.
After that, you need to bring the game over the line.
Were Millwall as tough as you expected before the match?
TE: Yes, they are a very good side. They locked on man-to-man in some moments and came on top. We struggled to find our last line then.
I think that was the key in the second half when they started to build momentum. compliments to them and congratulations on the win.
Was it one too many matches in a week for your squad?
TE: No, I would not say so. Most of them are used to playing back-to-back games. I do not see that as an excuse.
Do you accept that you can’t win every game in this league?
TE: You cannot win every game, but if you do not win, you should not lose. It hurts, of course. A late goal always hurts, and it needs to.
But we have to grow from those moments, learn, and make sure we bring those games over the line.
Were Leo Scienza and Flynn Downes big misses for you?
TE: In the end, it is always about the team. We have an excellent squad, so that is not an excuse.
Was Leo ever likely to play through his illness today?
TE: We tried everything. It was open until this morning. He just did not feel right, so we made a late call together.
How good is it to have Romeu back and available?
TE: Definitely. It has been a long time for him, I think more than six months since he has been involved in a matchday squad.
We will need to give him time to find his rhythm, but we are all very happy to have him back.
Could substitute Romeu have played more minutes?
TE: No, he was maxed out today.
Is Aribo fully fit and fully sharp having had no pre-season?
TE: I am very happy with Joe. He has been excellent every time he has come on, and he is in very good shape.
Was Archer left out for selection reasons or other reasons?
TE: Finn is one of the most intelligent players we have. He recognises moments in the game very well. We try to create those moments for him.
Today, he scored from a set piece, so that is a little different, but we aim to find him in certain situations, and his quality comes out.
How important is Azaz’s defensive work as well?
TE: We need to be humble as a team and know we have to defend together if we want results. He is a very good example of how that should look.
Has the run as interim boss been exhausting for you?
TE: I think it takes more of a toll if you lose games. Winning four in a row gives you energy rather than taking it away.
Do you expect any hangover from losing after recent hype?
TE: That noise is created more by you than by me. I focus on my job. I am at Staplewood every day preparing the team.
The outside noise does not bother me much.
What have you learned from top coaches you worked with?
TE: It is nice that you put Marco Rose in the same bracket as the others. Credit to him. It has been an honour to work with them.
I tried to take from their experience. They were always open to share and it was a pleasure.
What can you say about a rise in young German coaches?
TE: I am not sure I am the right one to ask because I have not worked in Germany for a long time. I started there, yes, but then moved to different countries.
TE: Looking at the game today, we tried to defend higher and force the game more into their half because they are very good from crosses.
Unfortunately, we did not manage that enough in the last half hour. Even if you defend well in your box, a ball can always come through at the far post.
We need to stop those situations earlier. We will look at the detail of how early we press and how we defend the far post, but for me it is more about not allowing those situations at all.
Away from home, with the stadium behind them, they can build momentum. We need to stop that earlier, not after the cross.
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