The Saints boss has insisted his newly-promoted team will remain positive despite being handed a tough set of fixtures on their return to the top flight after seven years
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Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has spoken of his excitement at the prospect of facing Manchester City on the first day of the new Premier League season.
The Saints ended the 2011-12 Championship season as runners-up to league winners Reading, not falling out of the top-two place all campaign and winning promotion after seven years out of the top flight.
The newly-promoted side will also have to face Manchester United and Arsenal within their first four games as they look to settle into life back in the Premier League.
Adkins told the club's official website: "It's great for us, absolutely.
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"It's been a long summer already and we've been working very hard behind the scenes. Now we've got the fixtures, the reality is here and we can all look forward to it.
"Man City away is our first game, and Man United, Wigan, Everton, Arsenal great fixtures aren't they?"
Despite facing a tough introduction back to the league versus Roberto Mancini's men, the former Scunthorpe United coach has insisted his side have nothing to lose and will remain positive.
He added: "We go to Manchester City and I don't think we'll be expected to win up there so it's all to gain, isn't it? We'll go and be positive."
