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Southampton manager Nigel Adkins says he is confident he will be given time to turn around his side's fortunes after their latest defeat.

Adkins' side were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham in an entertaining game at St Mary's, their seventh defeat in nine Premier League games this season.

When asked if he felt he would continue to be backed by the Saints board, Adkins told 91�ȱ� Sport: "Yes.

"You need to be confident and positive, we are all working hard."

Jay Rodriguez got Southampton back in the game after first-half goals from Gareth Bale and Clint Dempsey.

"At a staff meeting before the season began I highlighted that so far everything had been plain sailing because we have had back-to-back promotions," continued former Scunthorpe boss Adkins.

"There was always going to be a time when we had to batten down the hatches and battle against the storm.

"This is a great challenge and one we are all enjoying. This is the top division in the world and we are giving a good account of ourselves."

Adkins admitted it was always going to be difficult to get back into the game after his side's poor first-half showing, but still paid tribute to his players.

"We did in the second half what we wanted to do in the first," added Adkins.

"You have to give Tottenham huge credit because they didn't let us play at the tempo we wanted.

"Our movement was far too slow and we didn't penetrate as we wanted. The message before the game was to get up and at them.

"We have young players who are learning and because of who they are playing they are improving all the time."

Goalkeeper Artur Boruc was involved in a incident with supporters during the first half in which he appeared to kick a water bottle in their direction.

Adkins said he did not see the incident but will investigate what happened.