Adkins Interview Ahead of Port Vale (H)

[Tyler Durden]

Any constructive criticism?

Yes, people have become very finely tuned to Official Sheffield United FC-speak over time, and even as a firm supporter of Adkins, his interviews are riddled with it.
Adkins doesn't do great interviews any more than Conor Sammon plays great football, and to say otherwise in either case is a bit of a turd-polishing excercise.

 

[Ginger Gnome]

Adkins says some of the right things, but he's obsessed with structures, moving people on and bringing people in, but doesn't actually achieve much of it. He's trying to perform brain surgery on a patient that only needed a couple of stitches and is failing to just get the basics right.

His idea that you have to play two strikers to play attacking football is ridiculous.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Yes, people have become very finely tuned to Official Sheffield United FC-speak over time, and even as a firm supporter of Adkins, his interviews are riddled with it.
Adkins doesn't do great interviews any more than Conor Sammon plays great football, and to say otherwise is a bit of a turd-polishing excercise.

That's constructive criticism?

And Sammon's drop in form is a significant factor in our current plight.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

His idea that you have to play two strikers to play attacking football is ridiculous.

It would be if that's what he said. He didn't.

 

[Tyler Durden]

That's constructive criticism?

And Sammon's drop in form is a significant factor in our current plight.

There's nothing significant about Sammon. He didn't start at all against Doncaster and we looked a more potent attacking side for it (if anything about this squad can be called potent that is)

 

[1889]

How does the scouting network go about identifying a player who can play 40+ games a season? I appreciate its stupid to sign players with a history of reoccurring injury, but otherwise it's a lottery, isn't it?

Anyway, really looking forward to Saturday, I'm playing Golf

 

[Bartleby]

Folk need to accept that this is how Adkins operates in interviews, it's his style and always has been, win, lose or draw. Every manager has a style and most of them, quite frankly are bloody annoying because they rarely have anything interesting to say.
Clough was irritating in his own way, as was Wilson, Blackwell etc. Warnock was a complete knobsack in front of the microphone and still is (sorry folks but it's true).
Managers are interviewed far too often on a subject that really isn't that deep nor deserving of such analysis. No point getting wound up when they waffle out complete bollox.

It is his style and fair enough, he is no doubt contractually obliged to do it, so fair play. I think also we were warned by Scunny fans to be prepared for his sometimes annoying positivity.

I for one can't bear to listen to the interviews any more though, but I quite enjoyed seeing transcripts on here of the main salient points without the spin (or so I thought). But lately they too seem to have had a bias that I don't care for any more so I guess I'll just have to forego the pleasure altogether from now on.

 

[Keen Blade]

Why have you taken a side that finished last season in the playoffs and put it in a worse position ?
Why have you not replaced Jamie Murphy if the Board have made the money available ?
Why has the defence shipped so many goals this season ?
Why doesn't the team move quickly enough on gaining possession to occasionally put the opposition under pressure ?
Why do you have no pace in midfield ?
Why did you spend the whole match at Bury playing in front of their defenders which gives you no penetration into the box or to the byline ?
Why do you pump aerial balls up to the edge of the box when Burys taller defenders just head them away ?
If JCR had 2 feet he would have had a better career. Any idiot can see he has no left foot. Why do you play him on the left where he is ineffective ?
How fast do Woolford and Hammond move ? Have they slowed down since they last played for you ?

That is an interview. None of the RS pundits could ask a searching question if their life depended on it.
They are just foils for NA to spout future tense philosophical generalised bollocks.

How whf can take anything from this is just beyond me.

 

[coaxingstar71]

My doors of perception were cleansed. By Andy Giddings.

Aldous Huxley.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Aldous Huxley.

William Blake.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

William Blake.

Jim Morrison

 

[JJ Sefton]

Jim Morrison

Tunc.

 

[shrubbery]

I'm sorry but how anyone could listen to that interview and come to the conclusion : 'Fair play to Adkins he responds very well. A great interview.'

I honestly sat there open mouthed and incredulous at the absurdity of what was coming out of his mouth. He answered not one of the posed questions satisfactorily and just waffled meaningless verbal garbage back and forth for almost 15 minutes! People have commented that he would make a good politician but I disagree as pretty much anybody can see straight through his empty, cliche ridden responses to see a man that sounds like he has lost the plot.

I had been fully behind Adkins up until the end of the JTW and would not have even entertained the possibility of getting rid of him without at least 2 or 3 years at the helm but I honestly think that he has lost it. He has lost the players, most of the fans and surely even the board. FFS even Andy Giddings sounded frustrated with him!

You just cannot come out after a performance like Tuesday and try to defend it by saying that the negative comments came from 'keyboard warriors' as there were only actually 700 people there! The harshest comments came from those 700 people who arrived home, piss wet through at midnight and vented their frustrations on here and other forums. Coupled with that, we have Keith's damning indictment live on Radio Sheffield from Gigg Lane. We had a bright start? He's having a laugh.

It seemed as though every question is answered with the same whirlwind of meaningless terminology and tag lines. He meanders further and further away from what he was actually asked that he must hope that we have forgotten the question. For christ's sake, just answer something with an honest response. We aren't a bunch of idiots and can see what you are doing.

'As I said' and have 'alluded to', 'at this moment in time' we must 'endeavour' to 'create a blueprint' for you to fuck right off.

 

[Sean Thornton]

It seems pretty clear there's no such thing as an average supporter. This is just an unverifiable claim on behalf of an imagined entity.



It's not the bare words - it's the context, the tone of voice, the immediacy and directness of the response all of which, with other factors, add up to an honest account of the situation. He's been recruited and backed. Board and manager are united. That's a very important message.



Again missing the point. There are all sorts of platitudes and politics you can play with this response instead he recognises we're not good enough and says so. IIRC he got a round of applause for a similar sentiment at the pre-season interview. Now it's suddenly a ten-year old's response.



Whether it's a surprise or not is besides the point. Again. He's set out a clear assessment of the short term (and long term) prospects.

You can be as patronising as you want but the fact is he said nothing new and simply stated facts that we are all aware of, the need to bring in better players for example, the ten year old might ask him why hasn't he done it then, Sharp apart.

It's the same clear assessment he made at the outset. Can't you even accept that and question any decision or statement he's made?

You were at Bury? Did you think we made a "bright start" because no one else thinks so, or is it context and tone again and it actually means something else that I've failed to grasp.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

You can be as patronising as you want but the fact is he said nothing new and simply stated facts that we are all aware of, the need to bring in better players for example, the ten year old might ask him why hasn't he done it then, Sharp apart.

It's the same clear assessment he made at the outset. Can't you even accept that and question any decision or statement he's made?

You were at Bury? Did you think we made a "bright start" because no one else thinks so, or is it context and tone again and it actually means something else that I've failed to grasp.

Not patronising. If you reckon it is that's on you.

Can only reiterate the point about tone.

He has a clear vision, a manifesto almost, for the club's future which is what I think we need right now.

(As opposed to the anything I've read so far about a protest which literally, *by definition*, offers nothing.)

As for the charge relating to bright start I'm pretty sure I mentioned their two shots on target in the first 50s.

We made a very bright start second half but faded quickly.

But essentially the point is irrelevant.

If you trawl through the interview nit picking and fault finding you'll have a field day.

Weakest point imo was him talking about Collins' header at Donny. Not important though.

For me that was just the interview I needed to hear after Bury because both interviewer and interviewee didn't duck the most direct and relevant questions.

A clear vision of the future with some detail, a clear statement of unity, and more besides.

Credit to them both.

 

[bricktop]

The best interview ever. Absolute buzzing. I don't see how we can fail to get in to the play offs

Not patronising. If you reckon it is that's on you.

Can only reiterate the point about tone.

He has a clear vision, a manifesto almost, for the club's future which is what I think we need right now.

(As opposed to the anything I've read so far about a protest which literally, *by definition*, offers nothing.)

As for the charge relating to bright start I'm pretty sure I mentioned their two shots on target in the first 50s.

We made a very bright start second half but faded quickly.

But essentially the point is irrelevant.

If you trawl through the interview nit picking and fault finding you'll have a field day.

Weakest point imo was him talking about Collins' header at Donny. Not important though.

For me that was just the interview I needed to hear after Bury because both interviewer and interviewee didn't duck the most direct and relevant questions.

A clear vision of the future with some detail, a clear statement of unity, and more besides.

Credit to them both.

Have you ever thought about a career in Sports Reportage?

 

[Sean Thornton]

Not patronising. If you reckon it is that's on you.

Can only reiterate the point about tone.

He has a clear vision, a manifesto almost, for the club's future which is what I think we need right now.

(As opposed to the anything I've read so far about a protest which literally, *by definition*, offers nothing.)

As for the charge relating to bright start I'm pretty sure I mentioned their two shots on target in the first 50s.

We made a very bright start second half but faded quickly.

But essentially the point is irrelevant.

If you trawl through the interview nit picking and fault finding you'll have a field day.

Weakest point imo was him talking about Collins' header at Donny. Not important though.

For me that was just the interview I needed to hear after Bury because both interviewer and interviewee didn't duck the most direct and relevant questions.

A clear vision of the future with some detail, a clear statement of unity, and more besides.

Credit to them both.

So you keep saying. But it doesn't make you right, as difficult that is for you to accept.

Bright start clearly not true as you now admit, but then write the comment off as "irrelevant". Pretty typical of you.

 

[grafikhaus]

I gave up the will to live after point 1.

Nothing apart from:

1. one focus of recruitment will be players who can play 40+ games a season - which is demanding - it's be easy to recruit based solely on ability but if you're not on the pitch you can't affect the game - simple, clear thinking

So does he expect Sammon, Woolford, Hammond etc. to play 40+ games a season?

 

[alcoblade]

How does the scouting network go about identifying a player who can play 40+ games a season? I appreciate its stupid to sign players with a history of reoccurring injury, but otherwise it's a lottery, isn't it?

Anyway, really looking forward to Saturday, I'm playing Golf

You go for the "Obvious" stuff. What's their career history? Are they actually fit / injured when you sign them? Do they look like they will snap when colliding with a blade of grass?

I know that sounds blindingly obvious, but nobody told Clough and the previous "regime".

UTB

 

[Fiery Blade]

Sorry WHF, but not everybody is buying the bullshit spouted by Mr Adkins !
As I have stated before, he and the team get paid very handsomely to produce the shite performances we as fans have to pay to watch the same shite performances and he has the audacity to complain about the fans !
I do not want to hear spin I want facts - the man has really gone down in my estimation !
He has lost the plot - The task is beyond him yet you laud him as a Messiah !

 

[longinthe toothblade]

Well what a great interview. Huge credit to both of them.

Hope the game is as competitive and entertaining on Satdi.

Come on Kev, you're trying to polish shit again.

A couple of months back he was telling us that a top two finish was still possible. After that proved insane, he lowered his aim at the play-offs. Sounds to me like he knows (as we do) that we have more chance f**king the Queen than finishing in the top 6, AND faring well.

Go on Kev, just sack him, then do the honorable thing for all our sake's and fall on your sword.

 

[I should coco]

He has a clear vision, a manifesto almost, for the club's future which is what I think we need right now.

Hitler, Polpot, Stalin and David Icke all had 'clear visions' of the future in their own minds.

Not saying Adkins is a mass murderer (Barney, over to you?), but I much prefer 'realistic' or 'achievable'.

No point having some Shangri La vision (us dominating in Europe from 2020 onwards) if it's not based in reality.

Keep on keepin on.....

ISC

 

[I should coco]

Go on Kev, just sack him, then do the honorable thing for all our sake's and fall on your sword.

The sword is locked away as part of the 'security' for the £40m we owe him.

He could fall on the fax machine but it would probably take quite a few goes.

ISC

 

[Smirth]

I would like to hear a little more from him about his supposed blueprint for how he wants us to play.

He talks of attacking football with two strikers up front (we've played with two strikers for most of the season, the football hasn't been very entertaining in most games.)

He says he wants to move the ball quickly, get crosses in, get shots in. He makes it all sound like it's some simple task yet everything he's shown so far, and the player's he has brought in to date quite clearly cannot play such a system, IMO. Hammond, Woolford, Edgar, Sammon and even Sharp, are all slow players. With the exception of Sharp none of them look to move the ball quickly at all.

He hasn't really shown much evidence that he has a pattern of play which he wants us to play, we tend to just coast from game to game without any real style about us. I admit it takes time, but surely this should be something he is starting to implement now.

 

[Kev Gee]

Its going to get worse before it gets better.

Maybe he knew about Baxter at this point?

 

[finlaytheblade]

I would like to hear a little more from him about his supposed blueprint for how he wants us to play.

He talks of attacking football with two strikers up front (we've played with two strikers for most of the season, the football hasn't been very entertaining in most games.)

He says he wants to move the ball quickly, get crosses in, get shots in. He makes it all sound like it's some simple task yet everything he's shown so far, and the player's he has brought in to date quite clearly cannot play such a system, IMO. Hammond, Woolford, Edgar, Sammon and even Sharp, are all slow players. With the exception of Sharp none of them look to move the ball quickly at all.

He hasn't really shown much evidence that he has a pattern of play which he wants us to play, we tend to just coast from game to game without any real style about us. I admit it takes time, but surely this should be something he is starting to implement now.

Let's see what happens when he can put his own team out ,the blue print will then be tested.
He's had to accept that this squad cant play attacking football it's so vulnerable to pace and movement,clough put the squad together
to play in a negative way and Adkins is stuck between a rock and a hard place.Since Shrewsbury the game plan has changed ( he admitted it)
. trying different ways ( formations ) so far nothing consistent has materialised,he's still trying and ime sure he's desperate for a few loan signings to give us a spark, still time for it to happen.
It will be done without Baxter now,I think Atkins was hinting at this when he said more pain to come .
Not his job to inform us of this news but he must have been aware when he was interviewed.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

So you keep saying. But it doesn't make you right, as difficult that is for you to accept.

Bright start clearly not true as you now admit, but then write the comment off as "irrelevant". Pretty typical of you.

From the OP:

not the way I saw it at the time: they had two shots on target in the first 50 seconds - we did get into the game, but it took a while) It's

I also referred to the existence of this original statement in a subsequent post.

"You *now* admit" shows pretty clearly you read neither the OP or the follow up, and as such it's difficult to have meaningful, productive dialogue.

There's then the (patronising ) "difficult as that may be for you to accept" response without clearly stating what it is that I'm not accepting. It's just some kind of shotgun aimed at the whole post.

Anyway I'm eager to find out the facts I can't face.

And the technicalities are irrelevant to me bc it's the bigger picture. Did he mean we started brightly second half? Did he really mean we started brightly first half?? If I watch it on BP will I reassess? Is it worth spending ages getting to the bottom this mystery?

Not for me when there's a bigger picture.

Ergo (always patronising that) irrelevant.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

My doors of perception were cleansed. By Andy Giddings.

I'd go with Aldous myself.

"But in certain cases communication between universes is incomplete or even nonexistent. The mind is its own place, and the Places inhabited by the insane and the exceptionally gifted are so different from the places where ordinary men and women live, that there is little or no common ground of memory to serve as a basis for understanding or fellow feeling. Words are uttered, but fail to enlighten. The things and events to which the symbols refer belong to mutually exclusive realms of experience." Aldous Huxley

but seriously how much does Giddings charge and does he do the corners and not leave nasty streaks - need a new window cleaner here.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Hitler, Polpot, Stalin and David Icke all had 'clear visions' of the future in their own minds.

Not saying Adkins is a mass murderer (Barney, over to you?), but I much prefer 'realistic' or 'achievable'.

No point having some Shangri La vision (us dominating in Europe from 2020 onwards) if it's not based in reality.

Keep on keepin on.....

ISC

So what part of the vision/philosophy/blueprint/redprint is unattainable?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Come on Kev, you're trying to polish shit again.

A couple of months back he was telling us that a top two finish was still possible. After that proved insane, he lowered his aim at the play-offs. Sounds to me like he knows (as we do) that we have more chance f**king the Queen than finishing in the top 6, AND faring well.

Go on Kev, just sack him, then do the honorable thing for all our sake's and fall on your sword.

After coming back from three down at Wigan the quote was something like I've not given up on the top two.

Have you given up on promotion?

Do you think he should give up on promotion?