The future of Southampton boss Nigel Adkins could be decided against Swansea City.

And Arsenal legend Paul Merson wrote in the Daily Star: "I hope he doesn't get sacked. He's a lovely bloke but he took them up too quickly and if he gets through this he will learn.

"He should have bought from the back when they went up and he should have bought proven quality.

"The players he signed were risky. Jay Rodriguez is a good player but he had never played in the Premier League.

"Neither had Gaston Ramirez, who would probably do better in a better team. Southampton are too naive and they simply don't have enough players who have done it all before.

"The Premier League is ruthless, and it has already ruined managers like Gareth Southgate and Paul Ince.

"Adkins could be next - but you have to ask questions about the chairman there too."