MAURICIO Pellegrino has compared managing Saints to going to the gym.

The 46-year-old boss doesn’t want to ask for patience over his management of the team, following a frustrating run of one win in seven games.

But wants people to realise that the results of his work will take time to reveal themselves, like going to the gym.

“I don’t ask for patience, but I know how my job is,” he said. “It’s a transition and a journey, and a long way.

“When you go to the gym, the first two months you don’t see anything in the mirror, but you know you’re doing exactly the right things.

“This is the same. You know you’re doing the right things, but maybe in one year’s time, two years’ time, maybe your shape will be better, no?

“But you have to keep going to the gym.”