Southampton

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Championship clubs spent just over £69.5m on agents fees over the past 12 months according to figures released by the Football Association,, external an increase of £6m on the previous year.

The figures cover the period from February 2025 with Ipswich Town the top spenders, paying £11.7m having spent the first three months of the accounting period in the Premier League.

Southampton (£8.3m) and Leicester (£5.8m), who were relegated alongside Ipswich are the second and third-highest payers on the list.

Troubled Sheffield Wednesday were the most frugal when dealing with agents, spending £534,559.

Wrexham come in sixth on the list with an outlay of £3.6m while current Championship leaders Coventry spent just short of £1.5m.

Championship agents' fee spending, external

• Ipswich - £11,738,920

• Southampton - £8,381,358

• Leicester City - £5,866,587

• Sheffield United - £5,005,498

• Norwich - £4,020,206

• Wrexham - £3,660,584

• Swansea - £3,088,645

• Middlesbrough - £2,900,314

• Bristol City - £2,774,990

• Hull City - £2,450,431

• Stoke City - £2,088,886

• Birmingham City - £1,996,502

• Millwall - £1,982,348

• Preston North End - £1,831,233

• QPR - £1,829,036

• Watford - £1,612,833

• Coventry - £1,497,990

• Derby - £1,409,507

• West Brom - £1,346,030

• Oxford - £1,235,536

• Charlton - £904,698

• Portsmouth - £831,818

• Blackburn - £676,980

• Sheffield Wednesday - £534,559

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Yeovil Town have signed Southampton forward Will Merry on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Saints, but spent a month on loan at National League side Eastleigh in April 2024, where he played three times.

He has also featured regularly for Southampton's academy side in Premier League Two and played twice in the EFL Trophy for the club's academy side in 2022.

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Southampton boss Tonda Eckert said that he's "ready for a couple of days off" after their win over Oxford United in the Championship.

Cyle Larin struck early before Shea Charles launched a shot into the net from range to secure the three points for his side.

Eckert said that after a congested schedule he is looking forward to the international break.

"We've had a couple of very tough away games and we knew that these two games at home now gave us a chance to finish off not just this week but a block of four months," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.

"We've been going straight since November and we just knew that we wanted to finish strong on that block.

"It was a big one for us today going two up, but then you need to keep the attention high because you're still on the ball.

"It's never so easy if the rhythm of the game then slows down, but obviously then the spaces are up on a counter and you need to be ready to defend them.

"I think we've done this quite well over big spells, obviously there's always a couple of moments that we can improve on, but overall yes it's another clean sheet and I'm so happy about today and ready for a couple of days off."

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Southampton boss Tonda Eckert claims there is no change of mood in their dressing room despite the side's rise into the Championship's top six.

Saints moved above Wrexham into sixth place on goal difference with their midweek win over Norwich City.

"We need to focus on the job," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.

"I haven't noticed anything being different. I think the group, the players are so focused on what's coming up. They looked so sharp and focused today in training."

Saints next host Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 GMT), opponents who are trying to avoid relegation and are in good form of late.

Eckert's side lost 2-1 to the U's in a disappointing reverse fixture on Boxing Day and new boss Matt Bloomfield has led them on a four-match undefeated streak.

"We have always faced teams that are full of confidence," Eckert added.

"It was the same on Wednesday (Norwich City), it was the same on the weekend before (Coventry). They do have some weapons so it's important to stay awake."

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Jobi McAnuff believes just five teams are fighting it out for two Championship play-off spots.

In the latest edition of the BBC's 72+ EFL podcast, Aaron Paul and McAnuff were joined by AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson discuss the top stories from the EFL.

Watford's 3-1 win over Wrexham on Tuesday opened the door for Southampton to take over the Welsh side's top-six spot - and they did so, winning 1-0 against Norwich on Wednesday.

Watford are ninth, five points behind the Saints with eight games to go, while Birmingham are a further two points behind in 10th.

McAnuff said: "Watford are still in the mix. I feel like seven points feels a bit too big at this stage of the season. Birmingham feels a little far away.

"Southampton are the ones I believed would come through and get a play-off place.

"A couple of weeks ago I'd have said there's only one place up for grabs (sixth). That's changed now, (fifth-placed) Hull have been really inconsistent so they have been brought into it a lot more.

"You've got Easter coming up, six points can go in a week. You have a quick turnaround. If you can put a run of games together you can really jump up four or five places in the space of a few days. Anyone down to Watford (can make it), Birmingham feels a little too far away at this stage."

Southampton and Oxford United will be fighting for points at either end of the Championship table when they meet at St Mary's on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

A win will guarantee the Saints a longer stay in the top six, with Wrexham keen to take back the spot against Sheffield United.

However Oxford are seeking an escape from their predicament. They are one point adrift in the bottom three and they will want to avoid watching the gap extend.

• This will be the first time Southampton have hosted Oxford in a league match since November 1987, in a 3-0 home victory for Chris Nicholl's side in the top-flight.

• After winning 2-1 in this season's reverse fixture (Boxing Day 2025), Oxford could achieve the league double over Southampton for the first time ever.

• Southampton are unbeaten in their last five league games on a Saturday, winning four of them (D1); as many victories as they had in their previous 25 (W4 D7 L14).

• Oxford are unbeaten in their three away league games on a Saturday under Matt Bloomfield (W1 D2), after losing five of their first six (W1) in the Championship this season.

• Finn Azaz has been directly involved in four goals in three Championship games against Oxford, with all four of those coming in a single game (2 goals, 2 assists in a 6-2 win for Middlesbrough in November 2024).

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Southampton boss Tonda Eckert said his team needed to show resilience to secure victory over Norwich on Wednesday night.

Finn Azaz's 10th goal of the season, midway through the first half, gave the Saints a lead they didn't relinquish - but they were indebted to their defence, and late saves by goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, for the match-clinching clean sheet.

Eckert told BBC Radio Solent: "You will have some games in the season when it comes down to the sacrifice of the players, the desire to win a game of football.

"We had some quality moments up the pitch and just needed to be resilient at the other end - I'm very happy.

"Double figures for Finn [Azaz] now, he's been working for that and now he has to make sure to keep going.

"Southampton has not been known for being a team that suffers and accepts not having the ball for a couple of moments, but being resilient and we are making some good steps in that direction."

Southampton are at home to Oxford United on Saturday.

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There have been plenty of contentious decisions in the 2025-26 Championship season so far.

Offside goals given, perfectly good goals ruled out, red card offences missed, penalties not given, dubious spot-kicks awarded. You name it.

With the video assistant referee (VAR) only used for the play-off final, the outcome of every second-tier game in the regular season can hinge on how on-field officials see incidents in real time.

• Would you want VAR introduced for every league game in the Championship?

• If so, why?

• And if not, let us know your reasons.

You can share your thoughts on VAR here or comment below, and we will publish a follow-up article soon with a selection of your responses.

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Southampton midfielder Leo Scienza and striker Ross Stewart have returned to training and may be available for Wednesday's game against Norwich City (19:45 GMT).

Both players missed out on the 2-1 win against Coventry on Saturday, with Scienza sidelined with a groin injury sustained in their 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion while Stewart was substituted at half-time in the same match.

A late decision will be made on both players, while forward Jay Robinson has also returned to training following a seven-game absence with a quad issue.

"It's very nice to have him [Robinson] back on the pitch," head coach Tonda Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.

"Generally [it] has been quite positive with a run of game after game after game, especially with the travelling and playing away from home.

"We might pick up something every now and then, that's what the games sometimes bring, but in general I think availability has been key."

Brazilian left-back Welington is due to return to training on Thursday.

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Southampton midfielder Barnaby Williams has signed a new contract with the Championship club until the summer of 2029.

The 19-year-old was out of action for several months after being involved in a car crash in 2024, but he recovered from his injuries and was handed a first senior appearance as a half-time substitute in Saints' 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday in November.

Williams also appeared in the FA Cup fourth-round win over Leicester City last month.

Saints' director of group talent strategy Andy Goldie said: , external"After an incredibly challenging season, Barnaby has bounced back even stronger, regularly impressing with the Under-21s and grabbing his opportunities with the first team."

Southampton could book a place in the play-offs when they host Norwich City on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

Should Wrexham fail to take any points away at Watford on Tuesday, the door will open for the Saints to take their sixth placed spot thanks to a superior goal difference.

However, Norwich's form under boss Philippe Clement has seen them rise from the relegation zone to just nine points under the Red Dragons and with a four-match winning streak to extend, beating the Canaries will be no easy task.

• Southampton are winless in their last three league meetings with Norwich City (D2 L1), since a 2-0 victory in the Premier League in February 2022.

• After a 1-0 victory in January 2008, Norwich City are winless in their eight league visits to Southampton since (D3 L5), conceding 20 goals in that run (2.5 per game).

• Southampton have lost only one of their 11 home league games under Tonda Eckert (W7 D3), winning three of their last four matches since a 1-2 loss to Hull City in January. Indeed, only Ipswich Town (0) have lost fewer home games in the Championship in that time.

• Norwich City have won five of their last six away league games (L1), as many as in their previous 33 matches (D12 L16), while they could record three successive away league clean sheets for the first time since January 2018 (4).

• Southampton's Finn Azaz has four goal involvements in six previous league appearances against Norwich City (3 goals, 1 assist)

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert spoke to BBC Radio Solent.

"It's not easy to come here, they have lost only once at home all season. We knew it would be tough, especially as it was the fourth game away from home on the bounce," he said.

"Away from home you have some moments to overcome, but credit to the boys because they dug very deep and we had an excellent goalkeeper today.

"It should have been a clean sheet as well. As a club we are moving in the right direction and we need to keep our heads down and keep working as there are so many more steps to go still."

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Southampton will host Arsenal in their FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday 4 April at 20:00 BST.

Saints beat Premier League side Fulham 1-0 with an added-time penalty on Sunday and now have the chance to reach their first semi-final in the competition since 2021.

Southampton are the only Championship team left in the competition, with Arsenal knocking out Mansfield to progress to the last eight.

The game will be available to watch live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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Southampton's Tonda Eckert and Millwall's Femi Azeez have won the Championship's manager and player of the month awards for February.

Saints took 13 points from a possible 15 as they went unbeaten last month, finishing with successive wins over QPR and Sheffield Wednesday to move into play-off contention.

Eckert was appointed Southampton's permanent head coach in December having been in interim charge when Will Still was sacked at the start of November.

He has won 12 of his 23 league games, taking the south coast club from 21st place to the race for a top-six finish.

Coventry City's Frank Lampard, Philippe Clement of Norwich City and Millwall boss Alex Neil were also nominated for the manager of the month award.

Though the Lions did win through winger Femi Azeez, who took home the player award after helping the side to win four of their five games in February.

The 24-year-old made five goal contributions, striking a superb volley to open the scoring against Birmingham in their 3-0 win at the Den.

Saints midfielder Leo Scienza was also up for the player award, alongside Sheffield United midfielder Sydie Peck and Sky Blues striker Haji Wright.