Southampton

Nigel Adkins unfazed by sack rumours

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 20 September 2012

Nigel Adkins dismisses reports claiming that his Southampton job is in jeopardy after losing their four opening Premier League games.

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has insisted that he is unconcerned about speculation suggesting that his job is under threat.

Despite pushing title-chasing Manchester United and Manchester City all the way during their opening games, the South Coast club have lost all four of their matches since regaining promotion to the Premier League.

The latest of those defeats came in the shape of a 6-1 thrashing by Arsenal, which resulted in reports claiming that chairman Nicola Cortese is looking to bring in a new boss at St. Mary's.

Rafael Benitez and former Saints boss Harry Redknapp have been linked with the position, but Adkins has claimed that he is unfazed by the rumours and stressed the importance of maintaining stability at a football club.

He said: "It doesn't affect me. I don't read the newspapers. I've got a great working relationship with the chairman here at Southampton and we share a common goal. We've had a great couple of seasons and there is stability here at Southampton so we don't even think about things like that.

"I have got my own desire to keep winning games of football because we have that winning mentality here at Southampton. There is a desire that we keep being strong and improving. I think if you're looking over your shoulder thinking 'Well, if I don't win this one' your mind is going to be affected in different ways so I don't even think about that.

"At some stage in the future, like in every job, there will be a parting of ways a long way down the line. All we are doing [right now] is concentrating on what we're doing."

Southampton will go in search of their first win of the season when they host Aston Villa on Saturday.