Adkins' sacking was a major shock as he had guided the club to two successive promotions since taking over and this year the club were playing good football whilst competing well to survive.

"The fans were 100% behind Nigel," said Mike O'Callaghan, chairman of the Southampton Independent Supporters' Association. "He's got us two automatic promotions, we're 15th in the Premier League, so what has he done wrong? It's farcical what's going on."