Nigel Adkins baptism of fire as Saints’ boss may have not yielded the solaces of improvement in terms of points collected during his swift tenure in charge thus far, but the ex-Scunthorpe manager looks from the outset, more than capable of the daunting challenge awaiting him.

The multitude of pressure and expectation can so often be difficult to over look when as Southampton are, stuck in a turgid patch of form, but Adkins determined attitude and footballing realism are two key personal sentiments which are critical to ensue in his new squad if they are too escape the shackles of a tumultuous start in more ways than one this season.

Saturday’s positive, but non clinical showing at home to Colchester underlined there is much work to do on the horizon. Nonetheless the basis of an experienced band of players blessed with a deft notion of quality in some quarters need to stand up and be counted at face value, by firstly disregarding the club’s rather fruitful tag of promotion certainties, or at least now it appears, instead focusing on the immediate.

Perhaps the employment of the old footballing premise consisting of concentrating on one game at a time will be a worthwhile ritual in Adkins repertoire, as there’s no doubting he and his coaching team will be working overtime to depict a successful formula reminiscent of the ones he developed at his former employers offering a turnaround of distinction for Saints’ followers.

After all the resources Adkins now has clutched within his grasp are literally and metaphorically in a different league to previous ventures in his biggest managerial career outing to date.

The task in hand is not one which necessarily needs lingering cracks in Saints’ armoury painted over, but rebuilt. Adkins looks unfazed by the clubs incumbent plight, indeed his mannerisms in media calls speak of a man whom is realistic about what he has to do to lift his players but now with the opportunity to analyse and explore the characteristics of his team with a first full week in charge, Adkins commitment to an exciting brand of winning football fully starts.

It’s a long, difficult, toil of a season ahead but in Adkins you feel Saints’ have the right man whose attention to detail can set off his confidence stricken player’s level to ones of harmonious optimism. But, as always there is only so long you can chalk off stuttering results and performances as early season sluggishness, especially if a successful surge of well being isn’t on hand to suitably follow.