Southampton caretaker keen to step aside

Last updated : 12 September 2010 By Luke Thornhill

The South Coast club were defeated 1-0 at Swindon Town on Saturday. They had hoped to appoint Nigel Adkins before the game, but were unable to agree financial compensation with Scunthorpe to secure release from his contract.

"We were on top in the first half, but we're just finding it hard to get our noses in front. I know everyone says we have got a big squad, but you have only got to look at the options on the bench when we go a goal behind, it becomes difficult then," he said.

"We started the game brightly, a lot of the work we did this week you saw in the first 45 minutes, but we can't score and that's been our biggest problem.

"The situation at the club needs to be sorted out as soon as possible regards a new manager.

"It would lift the club, it would help everyone at the club concentrate on their job and stop all the talking that is going on the at the club at the moment."

Adkins said after Scunthorpe's loss to Bristol City on Saturday that he hoped to have a resolution sorted before Monday. 

He has agreed personal terms, along with assistant Andy Crosby, to move to St Mary's. An announcement seems likely on Monday morning.

Should that happen, Ian Baraclough is likely to be appointed caretaker manager ahead of Tuesday's trip to Sheffield United.