Southampton boss Tonda Eckert hailed the way new boy Cyle Larin has fit in on and off the field after scoring the winner in the 1-0 victory over Watford.
The Canada international netted with his first touch after arriving on loan from Mallorca on deadline day, to replace the outgoing Adam Armstrong.
The 30-year-old has had a nomadic career, playing in Canada, USA, Turkey, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands, before arriving on the south coast.
Eckert said: “We knew with Cyle we would have the physical presence we need. He scored the goal but it was also the way he defended at the other end.
“I think it couldn’t go any better than it did for him. Strikers live off those moments.
“The nice thing with Cyle is that he has three kids and has lived in a lot of different countries, so it has made it easier for him to come into the group.
“He has a proper presence. He is a proper family man and a father, with the experience he has collected over the years.
“It has been very easy for him to find his spot in the changing room and combining that with a nice performance has made it even easier.”
Larin boomed in a header to convert a James Bree corner less than three minutes after coming off the bench.
It meant Saints won back-to-back matches for the first time since the beginning of December, made it four games without defeat and kept a clean sheet for the third time during that run.
“Over the last couple of weeks, we have taken a huge step forward,” added Eckert. “We have conceded a set-piece in an away game, otherwise we have four clean sheets.
“It is very important going forward that we are very solid as a team, especially with the quality higher up the pitch, we feel like we will always be able to put one in the back of the net.”
Saints’ goal came from a corner, just after Watford had to make a defensive change.
Interim Hornets boss Charlie Daniels said: “It is something we never want to do.
“It was an unfortunate thing. Stephen [Mfuni] said he couldn’t continue five minutes before and there wasn’t a stoppage in play.
“But we expect whoever comes on the pitch knows their role and does it. Everyone should be accountable.”
Watford haven’t won since New Year’s Day and haven’t scored in their last three matches.
Daniels added: “I thought it was another good performance, especially in the first half.
“Our levels dropped in the second half which allowed Southampton to come back into it, but we created loads of chances but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.
“Goals are the main thing in the game. We created a load of chances but we didn’t work the goalkeeper enough.
“The players know that, I told them after the game. We talk about accountability. That doesn’t just mean out of possession and doing the dirty work, but also being accountable when you get a chance.
“We have to keep working hard to change that and repetition. Hopefully the next moment they get they will score.
“A goal would help, I think it would bring a lot of confidence to the whole squad. We are still playing well, it is just getting the ball over the line.
“Once a win does happen we can do from there.”
