RUPERT LOWE has issued a rallying call to worried Saints fans - and stated his backing for Steve Wigley.

Despite picking up just one point from five games, the Southampton chairman believes head coach Wigley, right, is doing a good job and said he was happy with the team's performance on Saturday after the 1-0 defeat at Fulham.

Saints have also made it clear that:

Wigley will be given a good run as head coach!

there is no one lined up to come in above Wigley!

it is planned to bring in an assistant of Wigley's choice shortly!

they are confident results will improve!

Speaking for the first time about Wigley's position since the departure of Paul Sturrock as manager, Saints chairman Lowe said: "Steve Wigley is our coach. He is doing a good job and that is all there is to say.

"We have already said we'll be strengthening the coaching side and we hope to bring someone in to work alongside Steve in the near future. But it will not be above him and it will be his choice.

"The club has come a long way and will continue to move forward and we will not allow ourselves to be destabilised by what other people are saying.

"I was happy with the performance on Saturday. We had more possession and better chances and but for better finishing we would have won the game."

The team were booed from the field by disappointed fans at Craven Cottage following their fifth defeat in seven league matches this season.

Saints yesterday urged supporters to unify rather than panic ahead of what they describe as a "huge" game against Manchester City at St Mary's on Saturday.

Many supporters are still confused as to why Sturrock and his assistant Kevin Summerfield left immediately after the club's only Premiership win of the season.

That was more than five weeks ago and there have still been no new personnel brought in at any level of the coaching or managerial structure, with doubt also now hanging over Wigley's long-term eligibility in his new head coach role.

The Premier League have told Saints he cannot continue for more than three months because he does hold the UEFA pro-licence - something which takes a year to obtain.

Saints can either appeal to the Premier League for special dispensation or else persuade 13 other clubs to support a rule change. Lowe is understood to be working behind the scenes to find a solution.