Southampton’s 2025/26 season was ultimately frustrating, despite lots of hope along the road as Tonda Eckert took over from Will Still.

Following their relegation from the Premier League the previous season, the Saints appeared to have responded effectively by appointing the exciting Will Still and were well-positioned to contend for an immediate return. However, the Belgian-born English coach produced very disappointing results.

Of course, they ended fourth in the Championship standings. However, they were ranked 21st when he left in November. Tonda Eckert took over as manager from Still, and the season changed dramatically. Southampton weren’t just competitive; they shone from late January onwards, earning a play-off spot.

However, their promotion ambitions were dashed in exceptional circumstances after they were kicked out of the play-offs due to the club’s involvement in the second ‘Spygate’ incident in recent Championship history. Unfortunately for them, with their focus now shifting to the 2026/27 season, Southampton faces a massive reconstruction project.

Jay Robinson’s fluctuating fortunes at Southampton following Will Still’s departure.

The squad will need to be carefully evaluated, with Eckert determining which players can contribute to a successful promotion campaign and which may need to explore other options. Some of it will be out of his hands, as key players will seek higher-level football after demonstrating their ability to perform above the second tier of English football.

However, one of the most intriguing quandaries involves a bright young attacking player whose career appeared to be on track until things altered significantly in the second half of the season. Jay Robinson was a fixture in Still’s Southampton squad but saw little action once the German manager arrived.

The winger or offensive midfielder had an important part early in the season under Still, scoring twice and assisting once in the first 12 league games. In his 14 subsequent Championship appearances, he started only two more games and did not score another goal.

Robinson’s flashes of inventiveness and technical excellence demonstrated his potential to unlock defences in a variety of ways, including direct dribbling and playmaking, and he was featured frequently. There was a genuine feeling that Southampton had one of the Championship’s most promising young playmakers on their hands.

However, the 19-year-old’s fortunes altered, albeit unfairly, following Eckert’s arrival. As opportunities dwindled, Robinson fell further down the pecking order. He started one FA Cup game against Doncaster Rovers, although he was frequently an unused substitute or left out of matchday squads at that period and for the remainder of the season.

While competition for positions remained tough as Leo Scienza and Finn Azaz found form, his lack of consistent game time came at a particularly terrible period in his development. Young attacking players frequently require consistent minutes to hone their decision-making skills and improve their overall product. Robinson’s momentum has arguably stalled during the last six to eight months.

Southampton now has a significant decision this summer. The ideal scenario for the Saints would be Robinson forcing his way into Eckert’s plans and becoming a more prominent figure next season. With Southampton remaining in the Championship, there should theoretically be more opportunities for younger players to contribute across a demanding 46-game campaign.

But it might not be that simple.

Tonda Eckert’s decision in 2026/27 with Jay Robinson

If Eckert believes Robinson is capable of playing a significant role, the club would gain from keeping one of its most promising talents in-house. However, football development is rarely simple. That, along with the likelihood that they will want to contend for automatic promotion once more, means he may not be at St. Mary’s in 2026-27.

That’s because Robinson is approaching the point where potential is no longer sufficient. He requires constant football, not brief cameos from the bench. If Southampton is unable to provide these opportunities, a loan move may be the best option for all parties.

An ambitious League One club aiming for the top of the league could give the right setting. Regular starts, responsibilities within a competitive team, and the opportunity to play through mistakes are likely to accelerate his development considerably more efficiently than another season on the outskirts.

Eckert sees this as an issue that Still has never truly tackled. Robinson was an integral part of the picture when the former manager was in control. Southampton must now decide whether to reintegrate a highly rated talent or allow him to develop elsewhere before stagnation sets in.