Saints boss won’t press panic button in promotion hunt

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins chose to see his side’s 3-0 weekend defeat at Blackpool as a mere blip as they continue their hunt for promotion.

The npower Championship leaders missed an early penalty through Billy Sharp, but after that it was all Blackpool, with Stephen Dobbie scoring from the spot and grabbing a second before Ian Evatt wrapped things up.

Southampton remained six points clear of third-placed West Ham after the Hammers were beaten by Reading, but the Royals are now just two points off top spot.