Adkins still eyes promotion

Nigel Adkins remains confident Southampton are capable of winning promotion this season despite overseeing a defeat in his first game in charge. Second-half goals from Angelo Balanta and Peter Leven secured a 2-0 win for MK Dons and condemned Saints to a fourth straight defeat. "It was good that very quickly I was thrust into a game so we can see how the players respond once put under pressure. So that gives me a good idea about the group of players I've got," said Adkins. "We've got to make sure we all stick together because the football team is on the back of four poor results. "There were a lot of lessons I've already learnt and it's given me a good idea of where we need to be going. "Come the end of the season we want to be the best team in the division - we want to be promoted, let's not hide away from that. I'm very disappointed I lost the game but we'll make sure we work hard to put it right."

Source: PA