Adam Lallana says Southampton's players have to take some blame

Adam Lallana: Southampton midfielder says Nigel Adkins shouldn't take all the blame

Adam Lallana is adamant Southampton's players must take their share of blame for the team's disappointing start to the season after defending manager Nigel Adkins.

Saints have lost six of their eight games since winning promotion back to the Premier League and have conceded 24 goals during that period.

A 4-1 defeat at fellow promoted side West Ham United on Saturday prompted fresh rumours concerning the future of Adkins, but Lallana feels the responsibility must be shared.

"We're all under pressure," said Lallana in the Daily Echo. "We're under pressure to get results, so is the manager.

"You can't just look in his direction when we get a couple of bad results. We're the players that are out there, so we've got to take responsibility."

Lallana also refused to be drawn on Adkins' decision to drop top scorer Rickie Lambert to the bench for the heavy defeat at Upton Park.

He added: "Listen, Rickie's one of the biggest reasons we're here in the Premier League, on the back of his goals.

"I honestly can't comment. It's not my decision who plays, or whether he plays. I just get on with my job, as Rickie did when he came on the pitch.

"He's a professional guy, he's a top man, and it's been a pleasure playing with him and it will continue to be a pleasure playing with him throughout my career. I've learnt a lot off him, and I look up to him massively."