Southampton's promotion charge is in full swing, and midfielder Tom Fellows has pinpointed the arrival of head coach Tonda Eckert as the catalyst for their stunning turnaround. Speaking to BBC Radio Solent ahead of a crucial Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers, Fellows hailed Eckert as a "breath of fresh air" whose tactical detail and man-management have transformed the squad's fortunes.

The Saints were languishing in 21st place when Eckert took over in November, but they now sit fifth and are riding a formidable 17-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. This remarkable run has firmly placed them in the playoff picture, with an eye on automatic promotion.

Fellows, who has been a consistent presence during this surge with three assists, is focused on contributing more. "It's always on your mind," he said of adding goals, "but sometimes I'm more interested in the general performance. We've got a lot of competition, so I've just got to try and play a little bit better and help the team more."

He credits the new manager's balanced approach for the team's success. "[Eckert]'s very tactical, very detailed, obsessed with the game. He's also a very good man-manager... It's that balance which is why we've done so well," Fellows explained.

The challenge now is to maintain that momentum against a Blackburn side fighting for survival. Fellows knows the threat a desperate team can pose. "They are obviously in a relegation battle, that always brings a little bit extra out... We've got to match that and we're fighting for something; we have our own goals," he stated, acknowledging a tough, physical contest awaits.

With a win tonight, Southampton could edge closer to the top two, making every match a high-stakes opportunity as they push for an immediate return to the Premier League.