NIGEL Adkins takes rejuvenated Saints to Huddersfield this weekend having enjoyed one of the most impressive starts to a managerial career at the club.

In fact, only one post-war manager has enjoyed a better record in their first six games at Saints than Adkins.

Alan Pardew’s replacement has won three, drawn two and lost one of his opening half-a-dozen league matches.

His return of 11 points is better than club legends Ted Bates and Lawrie McMenemy managed in their opening fixtures.

It is also a mirror image of the record that another of Saints’ greatest servants, Alan Ball, produced when he was at the helm in 1994.

The only person who can better it is Paul Sturrock.

The former Plymouth boss won four of his first six league matches after being appointed Gordon Strachan’s successor in March 2004.

Despite that, Sturrock would only take charge of another seven games before he left.

Adkins is undoubtedly helped by walking into a club that boasts many of the division’s best players.

That is a luxury that few of his predecessors could claim to have enjoyed.

And, while it is only a small sample of games, supporters have nonetheless been impressed with what the ex-Scunthorpe manager has brought to Saints in his short time at the club.

Season ticket holder Steve Grant said: “I’ve been fairly impressed overall, although not entirely surprised given his record and reputation at Scunthorpe.

“The way we’ve been keeping possession in the last few games has been excellent and the overall fitness levels seem to be improving as well.

“One concern I had was whether Adkins would be able to manage the bigger egos, but credit where it’s due, he seems to be doing that quite easily, judging by the performances he’s starting to get out of the team.”

Grant, who runs fan website SaintsWeb, added: “Saturday (at Huddersfield) is a key game and a bit of a benchmark for where we are.”

James Mackney, 19, of London, said he had noticed a real difference from how the team had played under Pardew and caretaker boss Dean Wilkins.

“Adkins has installed a vibrancy to our play and a sense of determination within Saints’ first few games under his charge,” he said.

“Lallana returning from injury has helped majorly, but every player is now playing with a level of confidence that just wasn’t there under Pardew or Wilkins this season.

“We’re once again looking as if we can beat anyone in this league if we perform with this level of confidence.”

Southampton University student Barney Langrish, 19, said: “I’m a fan of the fast passing game that Adkins has adopted.

“But the fitness of Adam Lallana is vital if we are to achieve promotion this season.

“We’ve had a shaky start, but I’m optimistic now. I hope we can keep up our winning streak.”

The worst record over a manager’s first six league games at Saints is shared by Stuart Gray, Graeme Souness and Steve Wigley.

Each of them managed just two draws alongside four losses at the start of their reigns.

The only other post-war bosses not to win any of their first half-dozen league matches are Chris Nicholl, Harry Redknapp and Pardew.

Additional reporting by Liam Garrahan