I have to admit there is a lot to admire about Nigel Adkins and his Southampton side.

The men from the South Coast try to play attractive, attacking football. Unfortunately their defensive naivety has cost them this season.

Defeat

Last night’s 2-0 defeat at West Brom summed their season up. They looked dangerous going forward on occasions but conceded two very sloppy goals.

West Brom did have an element of luck in their first goal as goal scorer Peter Odemwingie appeared to handle the ball in the build-up.

Defence

However, again the Southampton defence were poor. All four of the Saints backline are Championship defenders and don’t look good enough for the top flight. Young Nathaniel Clyne has to be excused from the criticism slightly, as he is just learning his trade, but the other three have no excuse.

Japanese centre-back Maya Yoshida is looking more and more like a player that shouldn’t be playing in the top flight with every game.

Scotland international full-back Danny Fox is better at going forward than defending. Jose Fonte has made some terrible individuals errors this season that have cost his team. However, it’s unfair to single out Fonte because every Saints defender has made poor errors this season.

Manager

Manager Nigel Adkins has done an incredible job at St Marys guiding the club from League One back to the Premier League. He is now under-pressure and according to reports he is on the verge of getting the sack.

This would be very harsh on the former-Scunthorpe physio. Without him who knows where the Saints would be now. The fans don’t seem to have lost faith in Adkins, as the Saints fans sang his name at the Hawthorns, despite the teams defeat.

Southampton are a very decent team going forward. Unfortunately their leaky defence could cost the Saints their place in the top flight and Adkins his job.

Should Nigel Adkins keep his job at Southampton?