Monday 12 November 2018 16:51, UK
Southampton are sticking by Mark Hughes and he will be in charge for their next game against bottom-club Fulham, Sky Sports News understands.
The south-coast club's hierarchy remain happy with Hughes, who signed a three-year contract in the summer, and the squad they assembled in the summer, despite just one victory from their opening 12 games.
Although there is an agreement within the club that they should have picked up at least one more win based on their performances, there is no crisis state yet at Staplewood.
Instead, the club took "constructive action" in parting company with long-term vice-chairman Les Reed last week, with the intention to "make a change that will provide new drive and direction" and "get results back on track".
Hughes is considered a good coach on the south coast and one that can improve players, and the club intend to support him by looking for potential new additions in the January transfer market.
There is a consensus that they still lack the defensive leadership of Virgil van Dijk and the direct attacking pace they had in Sadio Mane - and they will look to address these areas.
Another target is to make St Mary's a fortress, although that will be difficult following the international break with their next home fixtures against Manchester United and Arsenal.
Before Christmas, however, the Saints will target maximum points from trips to Fulham, Cardiff and Huddersfield, while they also travel to Wembley to face Tottenham.
After his side performed well again but drew at home with Watford, Hughes said: "There was a change made in midweek and (chairman) Ralph (Krueger) made a statement. Clearly we have got to change results in terms of getting maximum points out of games.
"They have seen all the games and a lot of people have maybe appeared today and it's the first time they have seen us play and they may go away and think 'actually Southampton aren't a bad side.' That's what we are. We are a good side."
