Kamis, 23 Agustus 2012

Adkins expects busy week

Adkins: Expects to be busy

The south coast club are back in the Premier League after a seven-year absence and have brought in four new faces so far this summer, including Jay Rodriguez, Steven Davis and Nathaniel Clyne.

Saints are hoping to make more additions before the transfer window closes and it is believed Saints are currently in negotiations with Blackpool and Bologna over wingers Matt Phillips and Gaston Ramirez respectively.

The latter transfer has become rather farcical with claim and counter claim from different parties - something Adkins was keen to stay away from on Thursday.

"The way the summer period has gone, we've been linked with several players," he said when asked about the Uruguay international ahead of Southampton's clash with Wigan.

"I think it is fair to say if and when somebody signs then we'll announce it. Until then, everything is all speculation.

"He said, she said, they said - all that sort of stuff. I think if we can just concentr ate on what we're doing with players, obviously this week is going to be a busy week for everybody."

Asked whether there was any update on Phillips or reported interest in Blackburn's Martin Olsson, Adkins added: "We'll concentrate on the Wigan game.

"It is going to be an intense week next week, I would have thought.

"I'd like to think we are going to be very active in the window because I know how hard people working behind the scenes here at Southampton.

"We want to improve and it is fair to say that now the transfer window is coming a bit of closer [to ending], more decisions are made.

"I have gone public saying we need to bring in another centre-half, if not two, so we'll see what the week brings."

Adkins would not give anything away in terms of the immediacy of any arrivals, smiling and saying "who knows?" when asked whether any would arrive in time for Saturday's clash with his former club Wigan.

The Saints boss played f or the club as a goalkeeper and faces the Latics fresh from his side's spirited performance at champions Manchester City, where on Sunday they lost 3-2 after going ahead.

"We can take confidence and belief from that," Adkins said.

"We're back at St Mary's now and we do well here. We have done very well over the past two seasons.

"But like Sun Tzu in the Art of War, you never ever, ever underestimate your opposition.

"Wigan have done magnificently over the years.

"Roberto Martinez is a very intelligent manager, they play a very good way and they have survived in the Premier League against all the odds.

"It is a club I was at myself as a player so to see them in the Premier League consistently over the last several years is amazing and great credit should go to them.

"We're under no illusions. It will be a tough, tough game for us.

"Probably the Manchester City game you're not expecting us to get anything from.

"Th e game against Wigan Athletic, we've got to look to get the three points from."

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