RUPERT Lowe wants Saints to be the fittest team in the Championship next season.

The Saints chairman appeared alongside manager George Burley in a show of unity this morning and declared the transfer market war chest and training facilities are in now place to achieve promotion back to the Premiership.

In what was his first media appearance since the date for the EGM was set, Lowe went on the charm offensive to persuade fans that stability and continuity are in the best interests of Southampton Football Club.

"It's been pretty tough on all of us, all our staff here," said Lowe who, while retaining his typical statesman-like aura, was a little more candid than usual.

"Myself, Andrew Cowen, the people who managed that process of relegation where a very large percentage of one's turnover is removed at the swipe of a pen.

"That requires strong management, we've managed that, we are still solvent and we've got a war chest. We know what we want to do and George and I have been actively pursuing that despite the fact we've got all this nonsense going on in the background."

And, having brought in a new head of sports science in Paul Balsom, performance analyst Scott McLachlan and physio Andy Barr, Lowe believes fitness will be key to promotion.

"We've spent £2m on our training ground," he said.

"Fitness is going to be a very key part. We want to be the fittest team in the league. I think the action we've taken in the summer in changing the backroom staff will ensure George has the staff to get the team fit.

"If we are going to be promoted we need to be the fittest team.

There have been one or two casualties we obviously regret those but progress isn't made without a few casualties along the way. It's the way life goes."

With the threat of the upcoming EGM hanging over him Lowe was in rumbustious mood as he went on the offensive against major shareholder Michael Wilde.

"My job is not just to work with George but to get the club re-promoted next season, build the academy and make sure the stadium operates properly and all the things I have to do in an executive capacity. My job also is to look after the interests of the shareholders, Michael Wilde has only himself to think of. He's not on the board and he doesn't have the huge responsibilities that I have."

And when pressed for a figure on how much he would let Burley spend, Lowe said: "We don't make a habit of discussing what funds we have available. We lost somewhere in the order of £23m a year as a result of relegation.

"We feel we've got funds sufficient for purpose."

For a full analysis of today's press conference see tomorrow's Daily Echo.