Adkins maintains Southampton's morale
October 27, 2012 12:29:35 UK
Manager Nigel Adkins is confident he has managed to keep the atmosphere at Southampton positive ahead of a home clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
A 4-1 drubbing at West Ham last weekend left the Saints down in the Premier League dropzone, but Adkins is expecting to see a big reaction when Spurs visit St Mary's on Sunday.
We just need to baton down the hatches, stick together, ride out the waves.
Nigel Adkins
Adkins told reporters: "I let a bit of negativity creep in for the first time last week, but I had to quickly dispel that. Training has been good. The lads have responded in the appropriate manner.
"I said at the start of the season that there would be stormy weather ahead. We just need to baton down the hatches, stick together, ride out the waves."
The Saints will be without record signing Gaston Ramirez due to a leg injury, while Jack Cork (knee) and Tadanari Lee (wrist) are also still sidelined.
Spurs hope to have Gareth Bale back after compassionate leave to face his former club, but Moussa Dembele (hip) is still absent.
The two sides last met in the 2004/05 season, when the Saints won the corresponding fixture 1-0 thanks to a Nigel Quashie strike.
Southampton are 15.00 to repeat that scoreline on Sunday, with the draw 3.50, while Spurs are 2.00 to take all three points on the South Coast.
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