Adkins - another view??

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Canterbury Blade

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ive seen a lot of slagging of Adkins and I understand that. Not really seen a lot of questioning/criticism of who recruited him. Plus who else at that time was interviewed and turned down. Sometimes when you back a donkey you have to ask who the tipster was???
 



I don’t know anyone who disagrees with the appointment. I was personally very happy with it! I pointed out his record at Southampton only to be told “I could have got that side up.” That side had Jonathan Forte in it.
 
I don't recall anyone questioning his appointment, in fact from what I recall it was universally praised and we were all convinced he would sail us out of League One, but it just wasn't to be.

The wrong man at the wrong time, but it wasn't all his fault. Having Murphy sold the second he walked in the door must have been a massive kick in the nuts. His old boys Woolford and Hammond were well passed their sell by dates, or maybe just couldn't handle the pressure anymore. He probably should have seen that coming but all managers rely on former players at some point and they both seriously let him down. The one man who didn't is still here and thank you for bringing him back to us Nigel, your one truly positive contribution to Blades history!

Where Adkins really let himself down though was laying into the fans. No way back from that and it was completely unnecessary. If he had fronted up more and admitted what he got wrong, he may have left us with some credit in the bank.

Either way, a shame.
 
Maybe had some thing to do with the cv he submitted seen as he had numerous promotions to his name and numerous from league 1.

We wasn't to know he was am apsoloute waste of breath and time. The kid just didn't know what he was doing and some how managed to gain them promotions, I do some times wonder if he had a twin brother that used to manage and he just kept it on in his name. I don't think we have had a manager that doesn't know what he is doing as much as that. He was totally useless in picking a starting 11 and the subs was adequately as good. I'd even go as far as saying he made clough look good just hope we give him and his dull side a proper stuffing tomorrow and then we can listen to his useless interviews again about how the endeavour was there etc etc. Don't think it was only the fans that didn't like him from reading the he's one of our own book was quite obvious numerous players didn't like him including a Mr coutts who was made to play out on the right. Only good thing he did for us when he was here was to sign sharp and I am truly grateful if that but the rest of the time was just a joke a minute.
 
Let's be honest, we were all generally happy with his appointment, however in reality he was a car crash.

Similarly, the appointment of Weir was generally received well... The less said about that particular living nightmare, the better.

You can try and blame McCabe for both of the above appointments, but at the end of the day, Adkins was a respected experienced manager who had previous success in league one. Many people were asking for that after he tried something a bit different and bringing a managerial unknown in Weir.

No complaints from me for bringing in both of the above, however disastrous they both were.
 
biggey blade said:
Maybe had some thing to do with the cv he submitted seen as he had numerous promotions to his name and numerous from league 1.

We wasn't to know he was am apsoloute waste of breath and time. The kid just didn't know what he was doing and some how managed to gain them promotions, I do some times wonder if he had a twin brother that used to manage and he just kept it on in his name. I don't think we have had a manager that doesn't know what he is doing as much as that. He was totally useless in picking a starting 11 and the subs was adequately as good. I'd even go as far as saying he made clough look good just hope we give him and his dull side a proper stuffing tomorrow and then we can listen to his useless interviews again about how the endeavour was there etc etc. Don't think it was only the fans that didn't like him from reading the he's one of our own book was quite obvious numerous players didn't like him including a Mr coutts who was made to play out on the right. Only good thing he did for us when he was here was to sign sharp and I am truly grateful if that but the rest of the time was just a joke a minute.
Click to expand...
the 'lap of honour'. i knew he'd do that. i texted my mate and said 'i don't fancy it'. my mate didn't either. so pleased i didn't witness that. embarrassing.. in fact cringeworthy
 
Canterbury Blade said:
ive seen a lot of slagging of Adkins and I understand that. Not really seen a lot of questioning/criticism of who recruited him. Plus who else at that time was interviewed and turned down. Sometimes when you back a donkey you have to ask who the tipster was???
Click to expand...

To be fair he had a high stock and his appointment was seen as a bit of a coup.
I remember many opposition fans saying
“How did Sheff Utd manage to persuade Adkins to join league 1? They’re nailed in for promotion now”.

The bosses at the time wanted us to follow the Southampton route.
Adkins took them from league 1 to the PL in consecutive seasons.

At the time I thought it was a fantastic appointment and demonstrated our big ambition. Was convinced Adkins could easily get a Championship club. We instantly became big favourites after this appointment and he was the number 1 choice amongst most of us.

That’s why I was so depressed after that final game losing at home to Scunthorpe.
Thought to myself if the most qualified manager (Adkins) can’t get us promoted then what’s the point, we’ll be in league 1 forever and I totally lost interest in the next manager because we were doomed to failure.

For the first time I wasn’t even that bothered when we appointed Wilder as I expected mid table under him.
 
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metty said:
If we hadn't suffered Adkins and Weir then there's no way we would have taken a chance with Chris, so let's thank our lucky stars.
Click to expand...

Totally agree, at the time I thought it was a sign of desperation, he was the least ambitious managerial appointment we’d made in ages.
Very good cv in the non league and league 2 BUT no experience of league 1 or ever managing a big club with expectation.

Was really concerned this would become another Bladey Blade Micky Adams style failed appointment.

He started badly for us and quickly started looking ill in some of his post match interviews, it brought back memories of Micky Adams, you could see the defeats were hurting him. So so happy for him that he turned it around and is already a legend to me.
 
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It was the fact that I did want him and thought he was by far the best we could have got at the time that made it so much worse when he failed so badly. Its like players who dont do well- the ones who are just blatantly crap, I can forgive. Its the ones who clearly have the talent, but dont work hard/ care enough that I hate. With Adkins it was the relentless waffle and total crap that flowed out of his mouth, like a 10 month David Brent motivational pep-talk. He should have just worn the backwards baseball cap and lounged across the table at press conferences.

Maybe they didnt back Adkins properly when he got here (different question), but I’d never slate McCabe, Abdullah or anyone for actually appointing him- quite the opposite actually.
 
As has been said a lot of people were very happy when he was appointed - I thought it was good appointment and the right fit for the club.

Ultimately, after the full experience I think he’s out if his depth and an average who never convinced me he even knew what the issues with our side were never mind how to fix them. Sharp aside his signing were dogger too

Contrast that to wilder who even if he makes a mistake or we lose can identify exactly what went wrong.
 
Canterbury Blade said:
ive seen a lot of slagging of Adkins and I understand that. Not really seen a lot of questioning/criticism of who recruited him. Plus who else at that time was interviewed and turned down. Sometimes when you back a donkey you have to ask who the tipster was???
Click to expand...
Truth is we all thought (or most of us) that we’d signed the best manager possible when we signed him. That was based on his tenure at Southampton where he inherited a team far too good for League 1 and took them up to the top.

His next spell at Reading was a disaster. But we dismissed that as “unlucky”. Then we found out the truth, just like Hull are doing now.
 
Great comments on here, I'm in agreement with most:
Weir + Adkins =good
Wilder = desperation
 
Agree with all, I was very happy with Adkins appointment and at the time if you’d have touted Wilder as an alternative, I’d have gone for Adkins every time. He did have a poor spell at Reading but I just put that down to being one of those bad runs at a club managers can have. The infamous “you don’t become a bad manager overnight”. I believed it as well.

How wrong I was ! The turning point was obviously when his mate Hammond was taken on loan. Fair enough, took a punt and it didn’t work out. Not in Adkins eyes, an unsung hero, loan extended ! First name on the team sheet ! The optional extension that none of us knew about at the time was an added kick in the balls long after the disaster had ended.

He was just a manger who had a purple patch with a club he knew very well and then a good spell with a team with many promising young players, but credit he got the job done at both. After Southampton sacked him (arguably harshly), he obviously lost all confidence and this has clouded his judgement (or exposed his inability) ever since.
 
Stretch said:
I don't recall anyone questioning his appointment, in fact from what I recall it was universally praised and we were all convinced he would sail us out of League One, but it just wasn't to be.

The wrong man at the wrong time, but it wasn't all his fault. Having Murphy sold the second he walked in the door must have been a massive kick in the nuts. His old boys Woolford and Hammond were well passed their sell by dates, or maybe just couldn't handle the pressure anymore. He probably should have seen that coming but all managers rely on former players at some point and they both seriously let him down. The one man who didn't is still here and thank you for bringing him back to us Nigel, your one truly positive contribution to Blades history!

Where Adkins really let himself down though was laying into the fans. No way back from that and it was completely unnecessary. If he had fronted up more and admitted what he got wrong, he may have left us with some credit in the bank.

Either way, a shame.
Click to expand...
I agree .....If Nigel Adkins was a bad manager there is no way Billy would have rushed to sign for him for the 3rd time. It was a terrible time for him as Murph was sold....our most intelligent outlet & player with most assists to Billy. Unfortunately NA couldn't pay off the rubbish like Collins who played the oppo onside every game .....but then started shouting at other players blaming them when it was his fault. Added to the waste of space players who went on Twitter criticising their boss. In any employment this would be gross misconduct. Lets face it half of his team were whining under performers & their posse fans were little gangsters who aspire to be drug dealers. The same ones who are now verbally vile about Leon & Oli Norwood. Making Chris job harder than it already is. I personally will always back Chris as he is our excellent manager. I feel this is a good enough reason to back all of his judgement views & decisions. He stands up for his beliefs team selections & decisions. Much harder than us just spouting our preferences & prejudices. They are the same bastards who were evil to George Long & now to Leon...cos they think he keeps out Billy which is bollocks....& now abusing & being vicious to Oli Norwood who these pratts think will keep out Duffy in the future. I sincerely hope Chris will not leave us because of the thick big gobs in the South Stand. But Chris is human & these big gobs with baseball caps worn backwards mini gangsters are making his job very difficult. So if they sit near you ask the stewards & police to eject these little twats.
 
Bury away. Shudders.

Stuck in traffic jams on M62.

Couldn't get parked up. Ran to the ground in the driving, pissing rain.

Watched Bury go 1-0 up early and had to listen to their "ultras" giving it large for the rest of the night.

Saw United have one shot, a speculative pea roller from Ryan Flynn's left boot from 25 yards.

At full time, I booed the team off - the one time I've ever done it.

And Adkins stood there looking at 2500 Unitedites as if we were the ones who were in the chuffin wrong!
 
8lade said:
Great comments on here, I'm in agreement with most:
Weir + Adkins =good
Wilder = desperation
Click to expand...
This is how it comes across isn't it ? Let's criticise the decisions of the best manager we could possibly have. These folk want a brain examination to see if they have got one ! Anyone who criticises Chris
& his decisions since he came & rescued us , wants shooting as this is the kindest way to deal with fools.
 
Laney,

In an ideal world every manager should be fair and honest and tell it how it is in a respectful way.
For example Wilder admitted he might have made a mistake in making too many changes against Birmingham
And he also said that Birmingham did a number on him, tactically nullifying our threat.

Wilder gives honest self criticism that he might have got it wrong
Then no doubt some use his honesty as a weapon against him.

This is why very few managers are ever honest, they play games and just highlight their good decisions and never admit mistakes.
Adkins was just like most managers, choosing his words carefully to protect himself during post match interviews.
Wilder just tells it how it is and unfortunately people take advantage to score points.
 
Laney Blade said:
This is how it comes across isn't it ? Let's criticise the decisions of the best manager we could possibly have. These folk want a brain examination to see if they have got one ! Anyone who criticises Chris
& his decisions since he came & rescued us , wants shooting as this is the kindest way to deal with fools.
Click to expand...

Think maybe you’re misunderstanding the point about Adkins= Good where as Wilder= Desperation.
That’s how it felt at the time and I’m delighted to be wrong.

When making appointments if the panel are professional then they match cv’s up to the job spec.
There’s less risk if you give jobs to people with experience who you know have succeeded in a similiar scenario.

The irony was that Adkins had a great cv achieving with a reasonably big club like Southampton hence everyone’s optimistic and we instantly become favourites. Whereas Wilder cv was very good but only the bottom division and non league with very small clubs.

So appointing Wilder was a leap of faith, which compared to the others it was a last act of desperation.
No one has hindsight but in retrospect it’s proven to be a fantastic appointment and CW is already well on his way to legendary status and I’ll never forget and always appprecIate what he’s done.
 
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biggey blade said:
Maybe had some thing to do with the cv he submitted seen as he had numerous promotions to his name and numerous from league 1.

We wasn't to know he was am apsoloute waste of breath and time. The kid just didn't know what he was doing and some how managed to gain them promotions, I do some times wonder if he had a twin brother that used to manage and he just kept it on in his name. I don't think we have had a manager that doesn't know what he is doing as much as that. He was totally useless in picking a starting 11 and the subs was adequately as good. I'd even go as far as saying he made clough look good just hope we give him and his dull side a proper stuffing tomorrow and then we can listen to his useless interviews again about how the endeavour was there etc etc. Don't think it was only the fans that didn't like him from reading the he's one of our own book was quite obvious numerous players didn't like him including a Mr coutts who was made to play out on the right. Only good thing he did for us when he was here was to sign sharp and I am truly grateful if that but the rest of the time was just a joke a minute.
Click to expand...
He was an intelligent successful manager ....ask Billy who rushed to sign for him the 3rd time. But Billy is also intelligent. Unfortunately half of our first team were thickies .....ask Billy ....& NA couldn't get rid of them. That season Collins & McEverley must be the worst centre halves I've ever seen play for the Blades. Atrocious at their jobs but mostly Collins fault it was painful to watch him. I know he's playing in Florida but the standards must be very low there or they don't have to adhere to the offside ruling. To be fair if I had been NA I would probably have wanted to shoot myself ! Our Board aren't stupid NA was the best man for the job at the time. It was some of our players who were more concerned with their selfish selves than the good of the Blades. So stuff these selfish players ... we are the Blades ....
 
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