Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has made no attempt to manage expectations when it comes to Cyle Larin, declaring the 31-year-old Canadian striker the best in the Championship. The comments, made to BBC Radio Solent, arrive at a moment when Saints are already under pressure: the club sits on minus four points following a 2-1 defeat at Watford on the opening day of the season.

Larin's credentials

Larin joined Southampton on a permanent basis from Mallorca in June, having spent the second half of last season on loan at St Mary's. He wasted little time making an impression then, scoring eight goals in 16 Championship appearances. That tally included a winner against Watford scored with his very first touch for the club. He followed it up on Sunday by netting the consolation in the same fixture, now a reverse of fortunes for Saints as the hosts.

Between those two Watford appearances, Larin also represented Canada at a home World Cup, making four appearances and scoring twice as the host nation reached the last 16. Eckert clearly feels the tournament has done his striker no harm.

"He looks amazing," Eckert said. "It's good to know we have the best striker in the league, full of confidence, in very good shape. He's made great progress since January. Now it feels like home, completely. He's dedicated himself to Southampton and the project."

That is press-release language in places, and any manager would say something similar of a striker who scored on his return to action. But the underlying numbers from last season do lend the claim a degree of credibility. Eight goals from 16 appearances is a return that will attract attention across the division.

Minus four and needing points

The context, however, is a difficult one. Southampton's points deduction means they began the campaign in the red before a ball was kicked, and the loss at Watford has done nothing to improve the situation. Eckert was forthright about what is required.

"We need to make sure we put points on the board," he said. "If you lose a game it needs to hurt, but you have to shake it off; it's time to perform. We had two moments last week where we gave it away, and you'll be punished in this league."

The head coach also acknowledged the sheer difficulty of the division: "It's probably the strongest second division in any country. There are no easy games. They don't exist, home or away." That is the kind of thing every Championship manager says at some point, but starting on minus four gives it a particular weight for Southampton.

Mubama, Stoke, and the road ahead

Saturday's home fixture against Stoke City offers an early opportunity to bank three points. Manchester City loanee Divin Mubama is also available and Eckert spoke warmly of his attitude. "He's hungry, very ambitious, trains very well, I'm sure he'll have a big impact on the game," the head coach said.

Stoke themselves opened with a home defeat to Swansea, so neither side arrives at St Mary's in ideal form. Eckert paid genuine-sounding respect to Stoke's manager: "I have big respect for Mark Robins. He's a great manager. It's a club with big ambitions. It's not easy to break them down. It's going to be a challenge for us."

On the injury front, midfielder Caspar Jander remains sidelined, though Eckert suggested he could return to full training within the coming week.

Whether Larin truly is the division's best striker will be tested over the coming months rather than proved by one manager's quote. What is not in doubt is that Southampton need him to perform consistently if they are to climb out of negative points territory and mount any sort of challenge in a fiercely competitive second tier.

Frequently asked

Why are Southampton on minus four points in the Championship?
Southampton received a points deduction before the current Championship season began, meaning they started the campaign already in negative figures before their opening-day defeat at Watford.
How many goals did Cyle Larin score for Southampton last season?
Larin scored eight goals in 16 Championship appearances during the second half of last season while on loan at Southampton from Mallorca, before his move was made permanent in June.
Who is Divin Mubama and why is he at Southampton?
Divin Mubama is a striker on loan at Southampton from Manchester City. He is expected to feature in the home fixture against Stoke City, according to head coach Tonda Eckert.