Former Southampton defender Francis Benali has urged the club to stick with current manager Nigel Adkins.

Saints are currently bottom of the Premier League table, and Adkins admitted on Monday that he is the favourite to be the first manager to receive the sack this season.

However, Benali is adamant that Adkins deserves the time to turn the side's fortunes around having taken them from League One to the top flight.

"The club have got to stick with him, given his track record," Benali told talkSPORT. "I think he will be the first to admit that he's made mistakes so far, whether it be team selection or substitutions. But, having seen a few games so far this year, you just can't account for individual mistakes, an error out on the pitch, or refereeing decisions that might possibly go against you.

"I think they should certainly stick with him and, given the chance, I think he will be able to turn things around. I think we would all agree that a manager given a good opportunity to prove his worth and get things right on the field is much better than wielding the axe.

"If Nigel Adkins were to be sacked, who are we going to bring in? They are going to come in with their own ideas and beliefs and players they like and don't like and you are in that vicious cycle of uncertainty. I would love them to stick with him, given the record he has over the last few years."

Southampton host Swansea City in their next Premier League match on Saturday.