Goin' Home: Saints sink the Swans
A new episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home podcast is now available.
Adam Blackmore and Jo Tessem return to break down a statement victory over in-form Swansea, what Tonda Eckert changed and why Saints need to keep being brave.
Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
We asked for your thoughts after Southampton's impressive display to beat previous Championship leaders Swansea City 3-1 on Tuesday.
Here are some of your comments:
Ian: Good win against a decent Swansea side. The crazy thing is I still don't think we have hit top form yet. There were certainly flashes of it in this game though.
Barry: I was not a fan of Wood at the back for Saints but he was superb tonight, his initial pass for our second goal was brilliant.
David: On the whole, Saints did enough for the win. They were a bit sloppy at the back from goal-kicks and got caught a few times but managed to clear their lines.
Image source, Getty ImagesPT: Our new centre-back had another good game, just looks like he loves defending and getting stuck in. But on tonight's evidence Harwood-Bellis' ability on the ball will prove itself to be a big loss when we try to play out from the back. Looked a bit ropey tonight when we did without him.
But when we do beat the press and we get it out to Leo Scienza he looks unplayable at times at this level. Tom Fellows, I thought was a good outlet too.
JWP is a great signing at this level too. And we still have Caspar Jander to come back. With Flynn Downes also playing really well again we do look strong in the middle of the park.
Onwards and upwards, just need to find a formula to win away and we will be right in the mix come the end of the season.
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Tonda Eckert: 'We showed we're Southampton'
Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert is hoping his team can maintain their strong home form at a "special" St Mary's throughout the Championship season.
Saints have started the campaign well at home, winning all three of their league matches on the south coast against Stoke City, Millwall and, on Tuesday night, a Swansea City side who had been top of the table going into the game.
Goals from Finn Azaz, Cyle Larin and Leo Scienza capped an impressive display as Eckert's side ended the Swans' unbeaten start to the season.
"I think St Mary's is special for us and it needs to stay special all season," he told BBC Radio Solent after the game.
"The pitch is in unbelievable condition. It gives us a surface where we can play the football that we are just very good at.
"You play against top of the league. You can respect what they have done in the previous games, but then at the same time we need to show that we are Southampton and this is St Mary's. I think that was important tonight."
Southampton sit 12th in the table with two draws and a loss to go with their three victories.
The Saints would be joint top if not for starting the season on minus four points, a punishment they were handed for the Spygate scandal.
Eckert's team are next in Championship action on Saturday when they host Bristol City at St Mary's.
This is a meeting of two of the in-form sides in the Championship on Tuesday (19:45 BST).
Swansea City head to the south coast at the top of the table and unbeaten from their opening five games while Southampton have not lost in their past four outings after an opening-day defeat by Watford.
Southampton have won six of their past seven meetings with Swansea City in all competitions (D1), and have not lost to the Swans since January 2017 in the Premier League (1-2).
Swansea have won just one of their past 16 league visits to Southampton (D4 L11), a 1-0 Premier League win in February 2015. The Swans have not scored in any of their past four league games at St Mary's.
Since Tonda Eckert's first home league game in charge (8 November 2025), Southampton have more home points in the Championship than any other side (44).
Swansea are hoping to win each of their first three away games of a league season for the very first time in their history.
Southampton have lost only one of their past nine Championship games against Welsh clubs (W6 D2), a 2-1 defeat by Cardiff in April 2024. At home, the Saints are unbeaten in 19 games against Welsh sides in the second tier (W14 D5) since a 5-3 loss to Cardiff in October 1962.
Tonda Eckert: must 'grind out' games better
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert spoke to BBC Radio Solent after their draw with Lincoln City in the Championship.
For a written selection of his quotes, click here.
Image source, Getty ImagesCaspar Jander was injured during a pre-season game against Eastleigh
Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has said midfielder Caspar Jander has suffered a setback that will delay his return to the team.
The 23-year-old is yet to play this season, having struggled with a quad injury he sustained early in their first pre-season game against National League side Eastleigh.
Last season was his first at Saints after signing from German club FC Nuremberg for £10.4m and he made 43 appearances across the campaign, scoring two goals.
"I'm afraid that Caspar had a little bit of a setback," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.
"It'll take a couple more days but we'll do everything that we can to get him back on the pitch as quick as possible.
"I still hope to have him back before the international break, I was hoping to have him back for this game but it will now be a bit later, we're pushing."
Saints face Lincoln away on Saturday (12:30 BST) and will look to get back to winning ways following Tuesday's draw at Birmingham City.
Lincoln won the League One title last season and, after losing their first two league matches, have taken four points from the next two.
"They're definitely a team that knows how to defend after getting two clean sheets in a row now," said Eckert.
"They're always dangerous if they're able to go long to the striker or can catch you on transitional moments.
"They'll play for a lot of territory and a lot of balls are going to come into the box, they'll use every set piece to put the ball into the area and it's our job to make sure that ball stays on the floor as much as possible."
Lincoln City will look for their first home win of the season when they host Southampton on Saturday (12:30 BST).
The Imps have registered a loss and a draw on home soil so far this season.
Meanwhile, Saints are seeking their first away win this Championship campaign after also claiming just one point away from St Mary's.
This will be the first league meeting between Lincoln City and Southampton since March 1961, won 3-0 by the Saints in the second tier.
In all competitions, Southampton have lost just one of their last 16 meetings with Lincoln City (W10 D5), going down 3-2 in December 1960.
In 2026, no side has kept more clean sheets in England's top four tiers than Lincoln City (13), who have kept a shutout in their last two Championship games.
Southampton have both scored (19 goals) and conceded (11) in each of their last eight league games, last having a longer such run in November 2009 (10 in a row in League One).
No player has scored more Championship goals this season than Southampton's Cyle Larin (4), who has also scored seven goals in his last seven league appearances for Saints.
Image source, Getty ImagesSaints fan Nick Illingsworth believes there is more left for new Southampton signing Lewis Dobbin to show as he tries to find his place in the team.
Southampton brought the 23-year-old for close to £9m from Aston Villa this summer but he has only started one Championship match so far.
"I think he can still come good, he's versatile and he's finding the right position," Illingsworth said.
"He played the number 10 at Preston and did well, but we've got Finn Azaz. He played out wide on the left for Preston and did well, but we've got Leo Scienza.
"It was a bit of a strange signing in that who was he going to replace? I think they bought him on the premise they were going to lose Scienza in the transfer window."
Listen to the full analysis below or on BBC Sounds here.
Transfer reaction: 'Promotion is very achievable'
Nick Mashiter
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesNottingham Forest defender Zach Abbott has signed a new contract and joined Southampton on a season-long loan.
He has signed a four-year deal at the City Ground after a breakthrough season, which saw him make his Premier League debut and play seven times in the Europa League.
The 20-year-old made his senior debut against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup in 2024 and has made 12 appearances in all competitions.
Abbott, who has come through the club's academy, said: "I had memorable experiences last year that have given me even more hunger to improve and continue my development.
"This club has been my home for nearly 10 years, and I have a big sense of pride every time I pull on the shirt.
"It's a great feeling to extend my contract further and now it's about continuing to work hard every day and gaining as much experience as possible to put me in the best position to represent this club for the years ahead."
BBC Radio Solent discuss the transfer business done by Southampton and Portsmouth.
The show, which runs from 22:00-00:00 BST, will offer the latest updates and analysis.
Image source, Getty ImagesNottingham Forest academy graduate Zach Abbott is set to sign a new deal at the City Ground, BBC Radio Nottingham has reported.
The details of the contract are currently unknown, but the 20-year-old is expected to put pen to paper before heading out on loan to Championship side Southampton.
Abbott made 10 first-team appearances last season, including seven run-outs in the Reds' journey to the Europa League semi-finals.
He is expected to return to Forest at the end of any loan spell.
Image source, Getty ImagesSam Edozie has started 29 matches for Saints in four years since his move from Manchester City
Southampton winger Sam Edozie says he has handed in a transfer request ahead of Tuesday night's deadline.
The 23-year-old published a statement on Instagram, external which said he has had "multiple offers" from European clubs.
"Last summer I had the opportunity to move elsewhere, but the club did not allow me to leave," Edozie said.
"The same happened again in January. This summer, there have once again been multiple offers from clubs across Europe".
Edozie claimed that Southampton have "requested as much as 50% of any future transfer fee, which has made those opportunities extremely difficult to pursue".
BBC Sport have approached Southampton for comment.
Edozie joined Southampton from Manchester City in September 2022 and has made 29 starts and another 57 appearances from the bench.
The former England Under-20 international went on loan to Belgium side Anderlect for the 2024-2025 season.
He added he was not getting "the minutes I need" at Southampton.
"A football career is short, and I believe it is important I now have the opportunity to go somewhere I can play regularly, continue to develop and make the most of my career as a player," he said.
Image source, Getty ImagesTransfer deadline day is upon us and today is the final chance for your EFL club to finalise any business until January.
The transfer window closes at 23:00 BST, so we might have some late night scrambles to get deals over the line.
There has already been plenty of movement this summer and whether it's a busy or quiet day for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.
Follow our EFL deadline day live text coverage throughout the day here
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Goin Home: Five-star Saints
A new episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home podcast is now available.
Adam Blackmore and former Saints midfielder Jo Tessem analyse a resounding 5-1 win for Saints against Millwall.
Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Do fans need to 'trust' Southampton more? Audio, 5 minutes
Dan Hargraves & Jono Holmes discuss if fans should trust Saints' brave style of play more
Goin' Home: Saints Sink the Swans. Audio, 36 minutes
The boys return to break down a confidence-boosting victory over in-form Swansea.
Finn Azaz: 'near-complete performance' Audio, 4 minutes
The Saints attacker scored the opener in the 3-1 win over Swansea City.
Tonda Eckert: 'We showed we're Southampton' Audio, 3 minutes
Saints boss lauds his team after the Swansea win and a special home crowd atmosphere.
