Southampton long-term form shows FA Cup heroics no fluke as Saints refocus attention on league for West Brom trip
Southampton's FA Cup heroics against Fulham were no fluke.
The marching Saints are among the form teams in the Championship and fresh from booking their place in the Cup quarter-final return to the bread and butter of the Championship looking to continue a charge towards the top six.
Tonda Eckert's side created national headlines as they saw off Premier League Fulham at Craven Cottage over the weekend. Their reward is a last-eight tie with Premier League leaders Arsenal next month.
But for now they have a trip to The Hawthorns to contend with, where the Hampshire visitors will look to heap more relegation concern on the out-of-form Baggies.
The Saints started the week two places and four points off the top six in the second tier though with a game in hand on some above them.
Eckert's side are unbeaten since January 17, a run of 10 matches including two in the FA Cup.
No side, including leaders Coventry who have rediscovered excellent form, have a better league record over the last six games if you factor in goal difference. Southampton have taken 16 points from a possible 18 in that period.
Central to that form has been goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, the Israeli signed on loan from German giants Bayern Munich in January.
Goals have flown in, with five against QPR, three against Sheffield Wednesday and four at Leicester.
They have been shared around, too, with defenders James Bree, Ryan Manning and Taylor Harwood-Bellis chipping in. Striker Ross Stewart, always a threat at this level, has come to the party with three goals in four games after former Albion loanee Adam Armstrong was sold to Wolves in January.
Ex-Baggies winger Tom Fellows, the homegrown star sold to St Mary's for £10million last summer, remains in Eckert's plans and in the reckoning of late.
Incredibly he is still awaiting a first Southampton goal after 32 appearances in all competitions - including 20 league starts - but has five assists.
Saints have no new injury fears, with key duo defender Jack Stephens and midfielder Shea Charles back after being rested in the FA Cup.
