Tonda Eckert: Southampton boss says side face ‘test of maturity’ against Ipswich

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert says the vital game against promotion rivals Ipswich is a “big test of maturity” for his side following their FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester City.

The Saints led 1-0 at Wembley before late goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez took City through to the final.

The focus now shifts to Tuesday, when a win against second-placed Ipswich would mean Southampton would go into the final day of the regular season – when they visit Preston – with a chance of automatic promotion.

“The reality of football is that you get some praise for a performance but (by) tomorrow no-one cares. We wanted to go to the final and we didn’t make it,” Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.

“It’s a big, big test test of maturity for us on Tuesday, because we need to be ready again.”