Puncheon backing Adkins

Nigel Adkins is the man who can help Southampton enjoy a successful Premier League season, according to Jason Puncheon.

The Saints boss has come under pressure of late as the side have only won one of their opening eight Premier League matches, while last week's 4-1 mauling at West Ham left them in the relegation places with the leakiest defence in the division having already conceded 24 goals. Chairman Nicola Cortese is believed to be looking around for a more experienced top-flight manager to replace Adkins, who has guided the club to successive promotions from League One to the Premier League since taking over at St Mary's. However, Puncheon is the latest player to speak out in defence of his manager and he insists Adkins can turn things around this season. He told the Mail: "Of course, there's always going to be speculation when you've started the season a little slowly but this is a manager who has guided the club back to the Premier League and he's focused on the job he needs to do. "The players feel the same and we all support him. We've got to get on with the games, work hard and start picking up the points."