SAINTS are ignoring speculation regarding the future of head coach Steve Wigley.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Norwich has provoked fresh reports claiming that Saints must win Saturday's home clash against Crystal Palace to save Wigley.

But Saints chairman Rupert Lowe is keeping tight-lipped about the whole situation and maintaining a low profile.

Last week, Wigley admitted he had asked players and officials of the club not to comment on his future for fear of diverting yet more attention on himself rather than football issues.

Lowe has previously repeated that the current coaching structure will remain in place until the end of the season, with Wigley at the helm backed up by first-team coaches Christian Damiano and Dennis Rofe.

Last week, Wigley also restated his desire to see the job through in the long term.

He said: "I've said all along I would be here, and I mean a lot longer than until the end of the season.

"I speak to the chairman all the time but, last week, I asked people not to talk about me and my future.

"Every game is big for us at the minute with the position we're in. Every three points is absolutely vital."

Wigley has picked up only eight points - one win and five draws - from 12 games at the helm and many fans are of the view that yet another managerial change, the third of 2004, is becoming necessary.

The Saints head coach had guided the team to four unbeaten in the league, but the defeat at Carrow Road brought to a crashing halt a feeling of momentum which had briefly returned following the derby win over Pompey.

Saints Reserves, meanwhile, travel to Coventry City tonight.

Manager Stewart Henderson will field a blend of youth and experience with the likes of David Prutton, Yoann Folly and Danny Higginbotham likely to maintain their match sharpness alongside some of Saints' young prospects.

Henderson said: "Last week against Chelsea it must have been the most experienced team we have put out and there will be one or two experienced players again.

"We have some good young players and they have proved they can cope very well.

"If they are playing alongside good pros it is a help to the youngsters."

Saints reserves' game with Derby County, which was due to be played next Tuesday, November 30, has been postponed as opponents Derby have an FA Youth Cup game on the same night. The match will now be played on Monday, April 18 at Staplewood (7pm).

Saints reserves' game at Leicester City has been brought forward to Wednesday, December 1 from next March. It takes place at Kettering Town and will kick-off at 7pm.