Who could succeed Will Still following Southampton sacking?

Whoever the next appointment may be, Saints have already given plenty of reason for optimism after the past week.

They spent significant money on Azaz and Fellows over the summer – two players who at the time were proven at Championship level, and have now started to show signs of kicking on.

Midfielder Shea Charles was excellent in the second tier last season while on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, Scienza has displayed his qualities after arriving late in the window, while Harwood-Bellis and Nathan Wood have the ability to be among the Championship’s best centre-backs.

While there is undoubted talent throughout the squad, it will probably require the right coach to unearth it.

“While every appointment is a risk, I would like to see Saints mitigate some of that risk by choosing a manager who has delivered the Championship, who has good knowledge of the English game and market, and as importantly, can command a dressing room because of what they’ve achieved in the game,” Blackmore said.

“Whether it’s Michael Carrick or Carlos Corberan or anyone else who may be available soon, they will need to get a guarantee that they’ll get money for a proven goalscorer in January to give them a shot at recovering the season.

“Maybe, though, Eckert will get the job. If so, he better hope he gets the backing of the board and the players quickly because taking the easy cheap option rarely works and Sport Republic are better off backing him in the transfer market to give him a chance.

“If they appoint him and find themselves sacking him a few months later, then the oft-prescribed definition of insanity will be in full view for all to see.”