Pundit issues warning to Will Still at Southampton - 'tense' St Mary's expected v Middlesbrough | OneFootball

Southampton have earned just six points from their opening six league fixtures

Sam Parkin has warned Will Still that he will quickly lose the Southampton supporters if results and performances don’t improve.

The Saints lost 3-1 to Hull City last weekend, meaning they have earned just six points from their opening six games.

The Hampshire outfit will be aiming to earn promotion to the Premier League this season having been relegated from the top flight last year.

However, a poor run of form has left them already adrift of the play-off places, with just one win to their name in the Championship so far.

Still’s side haven’t won since their comeback victory over Wrexham on the opening day of the term in which they bagged two late goals to overcome a first half Josh Windass penalty.

Sam Parkin issues warning about Southampton’s form

Parkin has highlighted the defensive pairing at Southampton, suggesting it needs to improve for the team’s form to turn around.

He’s also claimed the late signings of Finn Azaz and Tom Fellows are likely playing a role in Still’s struggles as manager at St. Mary’s so far.

“At the moment two stories are developing: amongst other things, Norwich and their home form and early pressure on Liam Manning and Will Still has not won since opening day at Wrexham, where they scored two goals in additional time,” said Parkin, via the What the EFL?! podcast.

“That could easily be a different outcome.

“Defensively, the centre-back pairing is not good enough.

“Yes, I think mitigating circumstances going forward are that he has not nailed down his favourite permutation, and he has added Fellows and Azaz in the last knockings of the window, but that goodwill, if there is goodwill, here is another pun for you, is not going to last long.”

Parkin believes that Hull were deserving of their 3-1 victory over Southampton last weekend, even if things might’ve been different had Damion Downs converted his one on one chance: “Maybe it could have been different. Damien Downs, when in one v one, just missed the far post from his left foot, but it was a limp performance.

“Hull very much deserved the victory.

“Now all of a sudden they come up against the current league leaders, the best side in the division, next up at St Mary’s, where the atmosphere will be tense.”

Southampton finished 20th in the Premier League table last season, which led to the appointment of Still during the summer in place of Ivan Juric.

The Saints will be aiming to gain promotion straight back to the top flight, as they look to re-establish the club at that level again long-term.

However, six points from six games has left them already four points behind the play-off places, and a further two adrift of the automatic promotion spots.

Next up for Still’s side in the league is a home clash against league leaders Middlesbrough on 27 September in a 3pm kick-off.

Southampton supporters have to be patient with Will Still

Still has a good track record from his time in France, so should be afforded some patience when adapting to English football.

The squad underwent a lot of changes in the summer as well, which will take time to come together, particularly with key signings made late in August.

It’s still early days in the season, and Southampton have time on their side to turn these frustrating draws into consistent victories.

It’s too soon to suggest that Still is under pressure for results just yet, but if they perform like against Hull on a regular basis then fans will turn on the manager.