Exclusive: Will Still facing 'worrying concern' at Southampton as sack talk intensifies | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Lee Hendrie has been discussing Will Still's position as Saints boss.

Southampton manager Will Still's St Mary's seat is only burning hotter after his side fell to their fourth defeat of the season away at Blackburn Rovers over the weekend.

Saints are not following the script upon their return to the Championship following their Premier League relegation.

Despite parachute payments, a playing squad laden with proven second tier stars, and a hugely exciting appointment of one of the most promising young coaches in the game, it was almost unthinkable for Southampton to be entwined in a relegation battle this season.

However, unless results, performances - and if some Saints supporters had their way, the manager - doesn't change, then that's very much what they're in and will continue to be in this term.

"Worrying times" - Lee Hendrie makes Will Still, Southampton sack claim

With Southampton sitting 20th in the Championship after 12 games played, and just three points above the relegation zone, Still may be running out of time and chances to get things moving in the right direction at St Mary's.

Speaking exclusively with Football League World, we asked Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie: 'Do you fear for Will Still's job at Southampton? They lost away to lowly Blackburn Rovers at the weekend, and Southampton fans are really getting onto him. Is he now on borrowed time in your view?'

Hendrie said: "Yes, it's starting to get worrying times for Will Still and Southampton.

"Another defeat which goes against him. I was at the Bristol City game, and when they went 1-0 up, you thought that they were going to go and win the game, but it wasn't to be.

"I mean, listen, we've seen how short-fused some owners and the board are at most football clubs - they want success. The problem is that this league is still wide, wide open.

"I think everyone is expecting Southampton, Ipswich Town, the likes of Leicester City and Sheffield United to go on big runs that can see them in a potential promotion race.

"It hasn't happened really, to be quite honest. Ipswich and Leicester are probably the ones that are sort of in the mix at the moment.

"But, you would've said that Southampton were one of the favourites to get promoted, and that's the worrying concern for Will Still."

Southampton blame can't just lie at Will Still's door - It's time for Saints stars to help him out

In times of footballing struggle, it can be very easy for supporters to grab a pitchfork and a burning torch, and march in protest of the manager.

This isn't to say that Still is without fault, as evidently due to their league position in the Championship, there are things he must improve and codes he must crack as one of the most reputable young coaches in world football.

However, it can't simply be all on him, as it's also fair to say that a number of Southampton's biggest players aren't making the level of impact they can, and maybe should've done so far this season.

The likes of Tom Fellows, Finn Azaz, Cameron Archer, Flynn Downes, Nathan Wood, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jack Stephens and Gavin Bazunu are all experienced Championship performers, and all of whom are yet to reach the levels they, and Saints supporters alike know they can operate at this season.

Southampton, as per FotMob, are currently top of the Championship for the highest average possession per game (59.1 per cent), and are second only to Coventry City in both expected goals (xG - 22.5) and shots on target per match (5.0).

That proves that Still's tactical decisions and system are working in those two vital aspects of his approach, but his team also rank third in the division for big chances missed (21), suggesting that his system is putting his players in positions to score goals and win games, but that those on the pitch aren't perhaps holding up their end of the bargain in this regard.

At the other end, Southampton are 17th for goals conceded per game (1.4), and have kept just two clean sheets all season, which would perhaps point towards where Still's possible tactical shortcomings largely lie.

However, Saints' goalkeepers are also making the second-lowest amount of saves per game (1.8), which would in turn suggest that the Southampton boss isn't getting enough from his keepers either.

Overall, it's a tough situation for everyone involved, with fault and blame perhaps fairly shared amongst everyone in the Southampton dressing room.

But, there is certainly enough evidence on show that would give Still reason to feel hard done by if he was to be relieved of his duties, as there are clearly elements of his tactics that are being executed better than any other Championship team.