Adkins: Saints are ambitious

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins insists his side will punch their weight as they return to the Premier League after seven seasons away. Three years ago the south coast side faced going out of business as they fell into the third tier of English football, but two straight promotions have them back in the top flight and Adkins says they fully intend to stay there, even if their opening game is a tough visit to champions Manchester City. "We want to be very ambitious and have said that from the start," said Adkins. "The important thing, having just got back-to-back promotions and the football club having been out of the Premier League for so long, is now we're back we don't want to go 'ah, we're back there now' and take your foot off the pedal. "In a bid to stay there we worked very hard through the course of the summer to identify players." Adkins forecast "one, two or three more additions into the group" before the transfer window closes. Bologna's Gaston Ramirez and Blackpool's Matt Phillips are two players Adkins is chasing. "I'd like to get one in to start off but if we can get two, even better," Adkins said. "Sometimes you can get the players, sometimes you can't. I know Southampton works very hard in the different departments to make things happen."