Steve Wigley has warned his Saints stars he will make changes if results don't start to improve.

Since taking over as head coach, Wigley has developed a settled line-up with nine players having started all five of Wigley's Premiership games in charge - in which time they have taken only one point from 15.

The starting midfield four and two strikers have not changed while Antti Niemi has been ever present in goal, as have Graeme Le Saux and Claus Lundekvam in defence.

The only changes have been Andreas Jakobsson taking over from Danny Higginbotham at centre back and Paul Telfer, Darren Kenton and Mikael Nilsson sharing the right back duties.

But Wigley now knows the players must repay his faith by turning their improved performances into points.

He said: "I accept I've got to get results and I believe in doing it a certain way, where I give people opportunities.

"But if I don't get a result very quickly, then I will have to look to make changes.

"I have been patient with people and I will be because I believe in giving people opportunities.

"In the same respect, if somebody comes out of the team, then whoever comes in will be given the chance to stake his claim and we've got to make sure we find the right formula.

"I feel we're very close and have been in the games but that does start to wear thin when you keep repeating yourself, so I'm well aware of the fact a result would settle everything down and remove a lot of questions. But that would be the case for anybody in my shoes."

He added: "We've had to make one or two changes defensively, like when Darren Kenton came in and got injured and when Andreas came in, but I feel the performances have been improving.

"I was happy with the performance last week and whether or not I make a change tomorrow will be for people to wait and see.

"But I am well aware now of people who are knocking on the door to get into the team."

Wigley is under more pressure than ever to deliver a win against Manchester City at St Mary's tomorrow while the furore over his coaching qualifications shows little sign of dying down.

"Winning the game is the only thing on my mind," insisted the Saints boss. "We've got a good quality team coming up against us with a top quality manager who has certainly brought a lot of good players into the league.

"I expect a very good game. We're at home and we've got to take the game to City and get a result."

Wigley had to endure chants of 'you don't know what you're doing' after taking off Anders Svensson at Fulham last week while the players also got some stick at the end of the game.

But Wigley said: "Supporters pay their money and are entitled to vent their feelings but I'd rather they did it at me, because I felt the players did alright.

"It's important that they come and get behind the team tomor- row and, if they are frustrated at the end of the game, it's important that it comes my way and not the team.

"I don't think the players deserved that kind of reaction last week."

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