Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has heaped praise on his opposite number ahead of a crucial Championship clash, calling Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson "outstanding." The two sides meet in Wales on Tuesday night with vital play-off positions on the line.

While Wrexham's Hollywood narrative often dominates headlines, Eckert was quick to highlight the manager's fundamental role in their success. "I think he's doing an outstanding job," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent. "It does come down to the manager to put those pieces together."

The German coach went on to commend the clear identity Parkinson has instilled at the Racecourse Ground, making them a formidable opponent. "It's so clear what they do, it's a very clear identity, a very clear style of playing and not an easy one to come up against. It's a very tough place to go to."

The match is a classic six-pointer, with Southampton aiming to leapfrog Wrexham into sixth place. The Saints ride in on a wave of momentum from a four-match winning streak, which includes impressive victories over league leaders Coventry City and a famous FA Cup upset against Premier League table-toppers Arsenal.

However, Eckert is keeping his squad grounded, emphasizing that past results won't dictate Tuesday's tense encounter. "The games have nothing to do with each other," he stated. "What you can take is the confidence to win games but that's it. I think the game and the way it unfolds has nothing to do with Coventry because it's a completely different set-up."

This sets the stage for a fascinating tactical battle between two in-form managers, where execution on the pitch will trump all previous storylines.