Cameron Archer is playing an important role in Southampton’s rise as Boro look to reset their promotion bid
Stuart Jamieson Football Content Editor
07:00, 17 Apr 2026
Goalscorer Cameron Archer of Southampton celebrates with team-mates
Former Middlesbrough loanee Cameron Archer is helping to inspire Southampton’s impressive march up the Championship table – at the expense of his former club.
The forward impressed during a loan spell on Teesside in 2023, as Michael Carrick’s side were denied in the play-offs by Coventry City.
Archer was part of an attacking Boro side three years ago, but the class of 2026 are hoping to go one better and secure promotion under Kim Hellberg.
However, a loss of form has seen them slip to fifth in the table, although they are one of four sides in contention for the second automatic place behind Coventry.
By contrast, Southampton have marched up the table thanks to an 18-game unbeaten run, with Tuesday night’s 3-0 win over Blackburn moving the Saints ahead of Boro on goal difference.
Archer, who moved to St Mary’s from Aston Villa in 2024, was on target in that win, and manager Tonda Eckert has been impressed with the ex-Boro star.
“He’s done that brilliantly, given us so much energy,” Eckert said of Archer. “If you watch him in training, the way he finishes is just outstanding – it is not so easy to find a player who can finish right foot, left foot.
“That was the only thing before the game – to reemphasise when he gets in those situations that he just needs to shoot.
“Luckily he didn’t do that on the first one but just played it square for Cyle Larin to finish, but he was very, very good today.”
Like Boro, Southampton still have Ipswich to face in what will be a dramatic end to the season, although the Saints also have an FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City to contend with.
It has meant somke selection changes for Eckert, but he insists he’s not fazed by any dilemmas when it comes to naming his starting XIs.
“I don’t have any headaches – it’s prime time now, the boys need to be ready to perform, that’s what it is,” he added.
“At this part of the season you step on the pitch and you know you need to perform. There are no more moments when you can crumble, it’s all in now – I think the boys know and feel that. Obviously that’s always combined with confidence and humility.
“It doesn’t give me a headache, but I think it is the most important thing at this part of the season that you are able to put whoever on the pitch and everyone is ready to go.”