Saints 'will be at top end' under Still - Manning

Fifa World Cup qualifier: Republic of Ireland v Hungary

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 6 September Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Ryan Manning is confident Southampton will be "there or thereabouts" at the top of the Championship by the end of the season despite claiming just four points from as many games to start the season.

The Republic of Ireland international was part of the Saints' squad that suffered relegation from the Premier League last season with Ivan Juric departing as manager towards the end of the campaign.

Will Still was appointed as the Croatian's permanent replacement in May after leaving his post with Lens in Ligue 1 and Manning is impressed with what he has seen from his new club boss.

"He's spent a lot of time in European football but has been brilliant since he's come in," said the 29-year-old native.

"The way he gets his messages across and the staff who have come in have been really good for us. The club was in a difficult place after a tough year in the Premier League.

"He's been brilliant with such a clear message so everyone knows on match day what we're trying to do.

"We've had a tough start with some results, but over the course of the season we'll be there or thereabouts at the top end because you can see already he's a top manager."

Manning has already found the net twice from free-kicks this season, scoring against Wrexham and then in Saturday's draw against Watford.

He is hopeful he can replicate that for the Republic of Ireland in their opening World Cup qualifier in Dublin against Hungary on Saturday (19:45 BST).

"I had a good start to the season, a couple of free-kicks and some good performances," said the Galway man.

"I've been fortunate to score a couple over the past few weeks. Confidence is pretty high at the minute, so hopefully we get something within shooting range on Saturday."

Manning was just six years old when the Republic of Ireland past appeared at the World Cup in 2002.

He can recall the penalty shootout exit to Spain in the last 16, but memories of the European Championships' appearances in 2012 and 2016 are more vivid and he believes it's time they "step up" and return to a major tournament.

"We've had a tough few years with qualification campaigns, but the squad now had four or five club captains.

"You've people with a lot of caps, experienced Premier League players, Championship players, so the squad's in as good a place as it has been in a few years. Now is the time we need to step up as a group and put in the performances to get to a tournament."