Adkins Takes Heart Despite Scoreline

Nigel Adkins has called the game against Udinese a great test and overall he's pleased, despite what the scoreline may suggest.

Speaking to saintsfc following the 4-0 loss, he said.

'What a great game of football, no we didn't want to be on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline, but I don't think it was a 4-0 game, because I thought it was cracking.'

Adkins goes on to say he thought we were improving and on the ascendency before they got their first, and ultimately we lost to 'outstanding goals' but it's a great learning curve for the team, and next time they'll be better prepared mentally to deal with that type of quality opposition.

'The reality is sometimes people will stick one in the top corner like they have today and on those occasions you have to stand back and say 'what a strike that was.' We have taken a lot from this game, which is positive.'

Adkins continues talking about the extra demands he has put on players in terms of tactics, formations, the way he has switched things around, and he's pleased with their response and how they have taken that on board and implemented it, even though tonight at least, our main failure in the game was putting the ball in the back of the net ourselves.

As for the future, he says the club are still actively trying to bring players in, and of course there's today's news that Blackpool are allegedly reporting us for an illegal approach for Phillips, but ignoring that for a minute, Adkins said.

'We are still actively working to bring players in, I know that we are working very hard and having spoken to the chairman I am very excited because I know how hard he is working to make things happen. We will do all that privately because until they sign that piece of paper they aren't you player.'

As for Blackpool's claims, he did however comment.

'It's a shame that Blackpool have had to go and do things via the media in the way that they have done. I don't think there is any hiding from the fact that Matt is a player that we have been an admirer of for the past few years. I know that from the chairman's point of view he has been in contact with the Blackpool chairman and that we have had a conversation with their Chief Executive, and I have spoken to Ian Holloway myself, so it's not as if there has not been an interest demonstrated from Southampton. We like to think we do everything properly, by the book and we will continue to do our matters privately and behind the scenes.'

Finishing with.

'Obviously this situation has now arisen and we will take action on that and respond in the appropriate manner.'

Not much else the club can say really is there. If Saints can prove contact has been had over the player, ergo a discussion with his representative is understandable, Holloway's claims that we approached him illegally, shouldn't be an issue.

Newboys to the league, so you wonder about some comments, and how much the press might stir things especially following the Davis troubles, and the Clyne issues over the compensation fee - the truth will out as it always does.

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