Saints chief plays down pressure

Nigel Adkins does not feel his position is under threat despite Southampton's poor start to the season.

Southampton have found life hard after returning to the top tier of English football, with Adkins' men picking up just four points from their opening eight Premier League games.
The south-coast club's poor form has led to speculation about Adkins' future, but the Saints boss has been buoyed by the reaction of his players to last week's defeat to West Ham, and a local newspaper survey in which 78% of the 5,000 polled said they thought the former Scunthorpe manager should remain in charge.
And having also led Saints to back-to-back promotions, Adkins is confident that he also has the support of the Southampton hierarchy.
When asked whether he felt under he felt any pressure regarding his future at the club, Adkins said: "No, not at all. There is a stability at this club which is vitally important. Everyone here understands and realises there needs to be stability.
"I don't think there is any need for me to (seek assurances from the board)."