Adkins has to stay

[blade too long]

It's not about saving a few quid at all. It's about facing the reality that we have a shitload of contracts up and very few, if any, are worth renewing. That means a huge rebuilding job requiring as much dosh as possible. If the budget for that job is slashed because we have to pay up two years worth of contract for Adkins and his staff, we'll be flooded with more shit players.

get to see then how much the club wants promotion then

 

[Ricky]

I suspect a poll after Sundays result would have looked quite a bit different to the one we recently had. As time goes on though, the want for the required action will start wearing off as poll figures and expectation levels will gradually stoop back to what they were.

The longer time goes on, the more time we waste, the more will be in favour of him staying because making a change and doing what's required in a shorter period of time will be more difficult and less realistic.

 

[JackSUFC]

Regarding paying Adkins off - Wasn't there a rumour going that if we didn't reach the play-offs this season, we could terminate his contract without paying off his last two years?

Maybe wishful thinking.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

cant see why a new manager , whos any good couldnt do anything on the list youve assembled

why use an old broom to sweep the rubbish out when a new broom can do it

contracts dont run out till may 31st
whats the rush weve 3 weeks to sort it

Have you not fucking paid attention to how slow we generally do things over the summer?

"What's the rush"

Well I'll fucking tell you - we have just finished our lowest position in 30 odd years and have a spineless set of mercaneries representing us. I would think the employers would want shut of the cunts as fast as possible !

 

[Sean Thornton]

Regarding paying Adkins off - Wasn't there a rumour going that if we didn't reach the play-offs this season, we could terminate his contract without paying off his last two years?

Maybe wishful thinking.

If getting rid of Adkins and his staff had no effect on the budget whatsoever, who would want him to stay?

 

[Woodwardfan]

This week could see as many as 24 players removed from the wage bill with Long being the only one definitely negotiating a contract.

Surely that is as clean a slate as anyone will get.

It only leaves 19 pros plus the 6 new young ones and of the 19, almost half are young players on modest wages.

It will be a rebuild job of sorts for anyone.

More than ever it is the time for a new guy as he has a clean slate so the issue of the squad probably goes out the window. There are 5 seniors whose futures have question marks then - McNulty, Scougall, Coutts, Woolford, Freeman - but hardly deal breaking in raising a promotion squad.

Adkins oversaw a clearing of the decks. The fact his limited recruitment efforts were poor doesn't put him at the front of the queue to benefit from the squad trimming anymore than the Prince or McCabe thinks a new guy will.

There's no reason Adkins should stay. Just being the incumbent shouldn't make him the front runner. What has he done with the power to mould the squad? Multiple systems and 1 success out of 6 recruits. Even at the end, the defence managed to concede 5 in 2 games against a solitary penalty when we needed them to justify their wages and show their experience.

I really don't think that Sharp has been a success for the team. I am a career long fan of Sharp and wanted him back each time he returned, in fact Warnock' s decision to sell him for 100k was appalling and looked it at the time.

There's no point having a 20 goal striker and finishing eleventh. Sharp has no height or pace but is red hot in the penalty area, good scorer and assister. If you sign him you have to complement him with players who can play to his strengths and cope with his weaknesses, the team system has to provide him with service to his feet in the final third.

Adkins has not done all that. The worst failing has been the lack of bodies in central midfield in the final third. Sharp loves his back to goal and a threaded ball to feet, he's not that keen on speculative crosses. Adams has been a slow learner as his co-striker rookie and its been tough for Sharp.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Have you not fucking paid attention to how slow we generally do things over the summer?

"What's the rush"

Well I'll fucking tell you - we have just finished our lowest position in 30 odd years and have a spineless set of mercaneries representing us. I would think the employers would want shut of the cunts as fast as possible !

We have to pay them to 30th June but need to be calling their taxis now and get them away from the club.

 

[HermitageBlade]

One of my many worrys about Adkins is that because of the poor season and the way his comments have been received should he not have a good start to next season the atmosphere will quickly become heated. If this happened and the board was forced to act early in the season then the new manager will have to work with Adkins newly assembled squad that's low on confidence and he won't have any options to bring new players in, in effect starting the process again.
The counter argument to this would be what happens if he has a great start, and yes he may do. However I still feel he's got a lot of work to do there and let's be fair what evidence do we have that he will get the amazing start he requires to convince me and many others that he's the right man?
I honestly believe it may be better to say goodbye Nigel and bring the new man in to start again whilst be have the opportunity to clear the decks.

 

[Clifford Butler]

Hear me out

I know a lot want him out but just hold your horses. What are the common denominators in our past 5 dreadful yeas in this league? The squad. (And McCabe but that's a story for a different day)

We clearly have a squad with not enough good senior pro's to handle the 'nice guy' approach, and not enough grounded youngsters to respect his style - the complete opposite of Leicester. However, the other approach, the fiery Nigel Clough didn't work either. And if a new manager came in we would be keeping the majority of this squad together, you can bet your bottom dollar on that. So what would we do from there?

At least if Adkins stays he gets rid of the crap, the bad eggs, the piss takers, the wage wasters.
He has as much if not more to lose than we do, if he fails again he won't get another job outside League 1. He won't be putting blind faith in his old mates, and hopefully this time he'll be allowed to sign more than 4 players, and hopefully the technical board will give them a thorough going over before even talking to them.

The work has to start now, we have to start telling the crap we don't want them and start talking to the free agents we do. There are plenty of good free agents about but they'll get snapped up quick. Now's our chance to sign Dan Burn for gods sake!!! And try and negotiate with Boro for another year for Baptiste. (Who would replace Edgar for me, him and Baptiste would be as solid as it gets)

Even if it's not working with Adkins after that the next man won't have to worry about having to do much work to his squad because we SHOULD have a squad of quality over quantity after this farce - that's what the technical board is there to do... right?

 

[Clifford Butler]

Hear me out

I know a lot want him out but just hold your horses. What are the common denominators in our past 5 dreadful yeas in this league? The squad. (And McCabe but that's a story for a different day)

We clearly have a squad with not enough good senior pro's to handle the 'nice guy' approach, and not enough grounded youngsters to respect his style - the complete opposite of Leicester. However, the other approach, the fiery Nigel Clough didn't work either. And if a new manager came in we would be keeping the majority of this squad together, you can bet your bottom dollar on that. So what would we do from there?

At least if Adkins stays he gets rid of the crap, the bad eggs, the piss takers, the wage wasters.
He has as much if not more to lose than we do, if he fails again he won't get another job outside League 1. He won't be putting blind faith in his old mates, and hopefully this time he'll be allowed to sign more than 4 players, and hopefully the technical board will give them a thorough going over before even talking to them.

The work has to start now, we have to start telling the crap we don't want them and start talking to the free agents we do. There are plenty of good free agents about but they'll get snapped up quick. Now's our chance to sign Dan Burn for gods sake!!! And try and negotiate with Boro for another year for Baptiste. (Who would replace Edgar for me, him and Baptiste would be as solid as it gets)

Even if it's not working with Adkins after that the next man won't have to worry about having to do much work to his squad because we SHOULD have a squad of quality over quantity after this farce - that's what the technical board is there to do... right?

One of my many worrys about Adkins is that because of the poor season and the way his comments have been received should he not have a good start to next season the atmosphere will quickly become heated. If this happened and the board was forced to act early in the season then the new manager will have to work with Adkins newly assembled squad that's low on confidence and he won't have any options to bring new players in, in effect starting the process again.
The counter argument to this would be what happens if he has a great start, and yes he may do. However I still feel he's got a lot of work to do there and let's be fair what evidence do we have that he will get the amazing start he requires to convince me and many others that he's the right man?
I honestly believe it may be better to say goodbye Nigel and bring the new man in to start again whilst be have the opportunity to clear the decks.

Are you is dad

 

[Ricky]

Are the club even going to let Adkins do the retained list? Surely they're not going to let him do it and then sack him like they did with Clough? Surely they're more aware of who can't be retained than they were last summer?

Last thing we want is the club allowing Adkins to retain the likes of McEveley and Flynn and send the players off on their holidays with the diet/fitness guidelines/programme before sacking him, leading to the players coming back for pre season in poor shape because they're not answerable to anyone (children that they are). That's what happened last summer.

The club need to sort the retained list without the manager's input (keep Long, bin the rest) and ensure the players are properly monitored before and after their summer break for body fat etc if we've got rid of the manager and his staff, with consequences in place for any who return in poor condition.

 

[bornablade]

I think Sunday was the pivotal moment for the vast majority of the undecided, or even for some that might have wanted him to stay before then.

Couldn't agree more. I'm still fuming about the events on Sunday. Looking back I can only think of one set of players and management that have come close to this lot and it's those that curled up and died on the BDM in 1979.

If Adkins stays then so be it but it will be with very little respect from the vast majority of the fans.

 

[binstedblades]

The most important person at the club is the manager ask rotherham fans warnock kept them up without spending money next season we need a lot of players for free can adkins sign these players if he stays he has to sign much better than this season if the retained list is large then that answers the question

 

[Esablade]

Contracts run til th end of July so unless players sign for someone else now (which s very unlikely ) we have o pay them until contracts run out .

Mebbe that's what McCabe meant about paying some up..

 

[Roygbiv]

Adkins did himself no favours on Sunday. I never thought a dead rubber game (for us) would make much difference but his team selection and comments have put him under even more pressure. A few bad results early next season and I imagine his position will be untenable. That's the worry of keeping him. Starting all over again but this time already into the season with the window shut

I think the retained list is pretty simple. All out other than Long. Mcceverley and Flynn are the only two that could cause debate but theyve had their chances. For me a clean slate is needed and this a good chance to get rid of a lot of average players that have shown they aren't good enough for a promotion team

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

I think Sunday was the pivotal moment for the vast majority of the undecided, or even for some that might have wanted him to stay before then.

I have argued the toss with Barney and others that wanted Adkins out. Constantly sacking managers is not the answer. Right up until the end of the game on Sunday I was still of the same opinion, let's be honest losing to Scunthorpe was no great shock. One of the oft used excuses for sacking a manager is that he has "lost the dressing room" a convenient one that is difficult to substantiate without being there or directly knowing someone that was. Never agreed with it much, if there is an element causing issues, get rid and bring in those that won't.

Losing the supporters is a whole different scenario. Where do you go from there? Unlike players you can't remove those who are "disagreeable". Having a go at supporters makes things untenable for me, having a go at probably the most loyal, dedicated and patient fans in the world (12,000 season tickets for a 6th season in the 3rd division after that dogshit of a season) means for me he has crossed the line of acceptability and, although I still think constantly changing managers doesn't work, it probably has to happen this time.

 

[Ecco1889]

Tbh,after Sunday,I can't believe he's still here

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Are the club even going to let Adkins do the retained list? Surely they're not going to let him do it and then sack him like they did with Clough? Surely they're more aware of who can't be retained than they were last summer?

If the technical board have criteria on the types of players a manager is allowed to bring in, I assume that also applies to those that will be free agents. It won't be simply down to the manager.

 

[Newbury Blade]

Well done for stating the bleeding obvious! Needed though because the vast silent majority of Blades fans think it without saying it every time our more vociferous and excitable members tap on their keyboards.

Unfortunately for him and us we all have to cross everything and hope he is a big enough man and Turnbull can produce the players. Not the Dan Burns of the world necessarily, more from L1 and 2 please, younger, faster, cheaper; we need quantity and quality, at least players who can run for 90 minutes!

When I say unfortunate for Adkins, maybe he occasionally dreams of the 1m pound pay-off and a release from those noisy fans who expect more, always more, always something in fact!

What evidence is there after a whole season that Turnbull can "produce the players"? Or that he and Adkins will be looking for the kind of players you describe (L1, L2, younger, faster, cheaper) and we'd all like to see?
None whatsoever, I suggest.

 

[Grecian2000]

I really don't think that Sharp has been a success for the team.

We'd have been a sorry mess without him. I don't think we've particularly played to his strengths (right from Chessie at home when I thought he was often chasing balls way out wide because we were dreadfully narrow) but to say hasn't been a success for the team can't be right whatever the context can it?

Losing the supporters is a whole different scenario. Where do you go from there?

You have to point at your impressive CV and hope the "Statute of Limitations" that Clough is at fault for everything doesn't run out for another couple of seasons.

 

[Newbury Blade]

I have argued the toss with Barney and others that wanted Adkins out. Constantly sacking managers is not the answer. Right up until the end of the game on Sunday I was still of the same opinion, let's be honest losing to Scunthorpe was no great shock. One of the oft used excuses for sacking a manager is that he has "lost the dressing room" a convenient one that is difficult to substantiate without being there or directly knowing someone that was. Never agreed with it much, if there is an element causing issues, get rid and bring in those that won't.

Losing the supporters is a whole different scenario. Where do you go from there? Unlike players you can't remove those who are "disagreeable". Having a go at supporters makes things untenable for me, having a go at probably the most loyal, dedicated and patient fans in the world (12,000 season tickets for a 6th season in the 3rd division after that dogshit of a season) means for me he has crossed the line of acceptability and, although I still think constantly changing managers doesn't work, it probably has to happen this time.

Agreed. The crowd was bigger than nine in the Championship and we got served up that and then he criticises the fans. He lost me at that point.

 

[bornablade]

Those words on Sunday were not just a spur of the moment comment. They'd been festering inside the guy ever since the Gillingham game. In fact his comment about his time at Scunthorpe seems to indicate he's had an opinion of us well before that.

There was a great call on RS last night. A Blade (can't remember his name) said that after Sunday's game there was a great opportunity for Adkins to associate himself with the fans and lay it down quite clearly that the performances by those players was totally unacceptable and there would be wholesale changes. Unfortunately he didn't have the balls.

Earlier in the season I expressed a concern that his 'bigging up' of the players after each disappointing game may well have not been just good man management but he truly believed they were performing well.

I just cannot predict how these one-to-ones will turn out.

 

[zablade]

They will sack him....

....In November when we are mid table again with no hope of promotion.

It's the Blades way.

 

[originaltrueblade]

He has to go

 

[Maidenhead]

Have you not fucking paid attention to how slow we generally do things over the summer?

"What's the rush"

Well I'll fucking tell you - we have just finished our lowest position in 30 odd years and have a spineless set of mercaneries representing us. I would think the employers would want shut of the cunts as fast as possible !

Come on mate, get off the fence and tell us what you really think

 

[Maidenhead]

Agreed. The crowd was bigger than nine in the Championship and we got served up that and then he criticises the fans. He lost me at that point.

I never heard him criticise the fans.

I heard him say "you know what you're going to get at Bramall Lane, it's always been the same, even when I've come as a visiting manager"

No criticism of the fans there.

He's just telling it like it is. I rarely miss a home game and I'm not going to disagree with him, certainly not over the last 8 yrs or so.



Some of the precious, lovies that had their feelings hurt by the truth need to grow up, stop feeling like the victims in all of this, and get behind the club and the team.

It's amazing how far a bit of positivity can take you, even with an average team.


<Stands back, awaits the firing squad but dunt give a monkey's cos is fed up with all the negative whinging and whining>

 

[cmuk]

Still like him, shows great endeavour in the face of adversity.

His management style is just to not be publicly critical of players and to try and build confidence within the team. While there were performances that would have induced the ire of any teams fans. There have been several games where we have not played badly, been unlucky to be a goal down at half time and still have had a chorus of boo's when the players have gone down the tunnel.

...because as everyone know's booing your'e own players helps motivate the team to better things.

And yes everyone pay's for their seat and has the right to complain, but isn't it self defeating?

 

[Bartyblade]

I never heard him criticise the fans.

I heard him say "you know what you're going to get at Bramall Lane, it's always been the same, even when I've come as a visiting manager"

No criticism of the fans there.

He's just telling it like it is. I rarely miss a home game and I'm not going to disagree with him, certainly not over the last 8 yrs or so.



Some of the precious, lovies that had their feelings hurt by the truth need to grow up, stop feeling like the victims in all of this, and get behind the club and the team.

It's amazing how far a bit of positivity can take you, even with an average team.


<Stands back, awaits the firing squad but dunt give a monkey's cos is fed up with all the negative whinging and whining>

What does it matter what he actually said?
As the song says - "we hear what we want to hear and disregard the rest"

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I think Sunday was the pivotal moment for the vast majority of the undecided, or even for some that might have wanted him to stay before then.

I don't think there was anything substantially new on Sunday frankly that would change opinion much compared to barely over a week ago. I didn't like seeing Woolford in the starting lineup, but that's happened previously. His interviews were in keeping with the rest of them. I don't really rate Hammond and he was dragged off at half time. We had nothing to play for, and have lost to far worse teams this year.

 

[Maidenhead]

t's a

Still like him, shows great endeavour in the face of adversity.

His management style is just to not be publicly critical of players and to try and build confidence within the team. While there were performances that would have induced the ire of any teams fans. There have been several games where we have not played badly, been unlucky to be a goal down at half time and still have had a chorus of boo's when the players have gone down the tunnel.

...because as everyone know's booing your'e own players helps motivate the team to better things.

And yes everyone pay's for their seat and has the right to complain, but isn't it self defeating?

Exactly right and Sunday was one of those.

Only one team in it til Hammond gifted them a goal out of nothing, the atmosphere turned toxic and the players might have well packed up and gone home then.