First Post -- A look at Adkins

[Almosthuman]

Hey,first time poster, long time reader

Found this video that was done pre season for Southampton - Interview with NA reflecting on Southampton Career.

I looked but don't recall it being posted before (Apologies if it was). There is a lot of negativity around NA this season,True he has under performed to an extent. There has been a lot of factors such as a lot of terrible legacy players from previous managers tenures, a historically difficult board and a huge amount of frustration and pressure from fans.

I think this video is a good way to look at what Nigel does actually bring to a team, a good look at why he does things and why he values players like Hammond. I have been overly critical at times about him but this does offer some clarity and hope (In my opinion) on what we can expect if we stick with the man and let him build.

Here is the link, it clocks in around 30 mins -

Apologies from poor grammar/spelling mistakes in advance

 

[bornablade]

I disagree about the 'pressure from the fans'. Most managers would give their right arm to have the level of support that Blades fans have given. Loyalty and patience (90 years and still counting since we last won a major trophy) are just part of our DNA.

If a manager cannot handle 'pressure' of playing in front of 18,000+ fans then maybe they've chosen the wrong profession.

 

[Almosthuman]

I disagree about the 'pressure from the fans'. Most managers would give their right arm to have the level of support that Blades fans have given. Loyalty and patience (90 years and still counting since we last won a major trophy) are just part of our DNA.

If a manager cannot handle 'pressure' of playing in front of 18,000+ fans then maybe they've chosen the wrong profession.

Didn't really mean pressure in that way, I meant more in terms of 5 years of built up frustration with being in this league. Fans completely frustrated with things that happened before he arrived. Agree completely with what you said about weight of expectation with a big club.

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

Boooooom, good first post. Not giving you a like though because of the grammar police chip on shoulder.

Nigel looked happy at Southampton. He's a bit David Brent but I hope he can bring those special times here.

 

[zablade]

Hey,first time poster, long time reader

Found this video that was done pre season for Southampton - Interview with NA reflecting on Southampton Career.

I looked but don't recall it being posted before (Apologies if it was). There is a lot of negativity around NA this season,True he has under performed to an extent. There has been a lot of factors such as a lot of terrible legacy players from previous managers tenures, a historically difficult board and a huge amount of frustration and pressure from fans.

I think this video is a good way to look at what Nigel does actually bring to a team, a good look at why he does things and why he values players like Hammond. I have been overly critical at times about him but this does offer some clarity and hope (In my opinion) on what we can expect if we stick with the man and let him build.

Here is the link, it clocks in around 30 mins -

Apologies from poor grammar/spelling mistakes in advance

Welcome aboard mate,

If Adkins does remain he will certainly have his work cut out next season, we need almost half a new team and there is little money for it, let's hope he can spot a bargain or two

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

If Adkins is not past his sell by date , I will buy into that.

Hammond , even though his legs have gone , sensible money , sign him.

Wouldn't surprise me if Lambert didn't turn up .

UTB

 

[coaxingstar71]

Go on then, I'll give you a like.
Although I didn't particularly want us to get rid of Clough, I was more than happy when we managed to get Adkins based on his track record, particularly in this league.
Was a bit concerned with the signings he made, having bought a striker (albeit a good one) but not addressed our well known problems in central defence and midfield but after the first day blip, things looked rosy as we were playing more attractive football and won four on the bounce. Unfortunately this didn't last and frankly, we've seen some very poor performances and of more concern is the managers tactics, or lack of them. There was an interesting piece by a Reading writer who said that he found his tactics and decisions baffling and I agreed.
There's also argument that he inherited good sides at both Southampton and Scunthorpe but his own signings have been average at best.

I think whatever he's done before and leaving aside this season, we stick with him and he's GOT to have an excellent summer in terms of the turn over of playing staff - or he's needs to magically make the ones we have got somehow turn into promotion challengers. I think we've seen some signs in the last few weeks of how we can play but the consistency is the key.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I disagree about the 'pressure from the fans'. Most managers would give their right arm to have the level of support that Blades fans have given. Loyalty and patience (90 years and still counting since we last won a major trophy) are just part of our DNA.

If a manager cannot handle 'pressure' of playing in front of 18,000+ fans then maybe they've chosen the wrong profession.

Belongs in a different thread but I strongly disagree with this.

It just reads like a self-serving, self-satisfied, romanticised view of the "fans".

Go to matches. Call McEveley a cunt, scream deathwishes at George Long's family, jeer players when they're warming up, jeer when they're subbed, join in with chants of "We're fucking shit," etc etc but I can't see how any if this is patient, supportive, or the reasonable expectations and pressures of a big club.

Good OP.

 

[blade too long]

Hey,first time poster, long time reader

Found this video that was done pre season for Southampton - Interview with NA reflecting on Southampton Career.

I looked but don't recall it being posted before (Apologies if it was). There is a lot of negativity around NA this season,True he has under performed to an extent. There has been a lot of factors such as a lot of terrible legacy players from previous managers tenures, a historically difficult board and a huge amount of frustration and pressure from fans.

I think this video is a good way to look at what Nigel does actually bring to a team, a good look at why he does things and why he values players like Hammond. I have been overly critical at times about him but this does offer some clarity and hope (In my opinion) on what we can expect if we stick with the man and let him build.

Here is the link, it clocks in around 30 mins -

Apologies from poor grammar/spelling mistakes in advance

good first post Nigel

I also have a video showing how good Tiger Woods was 5 years ago

 

[Higgo's Belly]

Adkins knew what he was taking on when he took the job. Unless he is even more clueless than I believe he is, he will have sounded out previous managers and contacts for background on the job, before taking it. He is so vain and sure of himself (as are many other managers), that he will have believed that despite all of the problems, he is that good, he will be successful anyway.

So how has he improved the team or what has he he done right so far,
1. Lowered the wage bill
2. Signed Billy Sharp (although we already had a half a million pound striker, Done and it appears they cant play together)
I'm strugling to think of anything else

What has he got wrong,
1. Turned a play off team into a mid table team
2. Contributed to reducing fan morale to its lowest place ever
3. Lost the dressing room
4. Made some terrible signings (Woolford, Hammond, Sammon)
5. Spouted endless positivity and spin after spin, believing that our fans are so stupid they will believe it
6. Told the fans we are going for promotion this season, but now says its a three year project and thinks thats acceptable
7. Allowed his personal dislike of certain players to interfere with his judgement, resulting in Freeman, Scougall, Harris and McNulty leaving (probably because they were Clough signings), when they are better players, than some that remain
8. Made a terrible player who should be nowhere near the team captain
9. Failed to address the need for defensive signings, contributing towards the failiure this season

The list goes on and on. I rest my case, get rid now.

 

[wizadry]

Belongs in a different thread but I strongly disagree with this.

It just reads like a self-serving, self-satisfied, romanticised view of the "fans".

Go to matches. Call McEveley a cunt, scream deathwishes at George Long's family, jeer players when they're warming up, jeer when they're subbed, join in with chants of "We're fucking shit," etc etc but I can't see how any if this is patient, supportive, or the reasonable expectations and pressures of a big club.

Good OP.

Well that's that then. *shakes head then rolls eyes but doesn't know why he bothered*. Tut tut tut!

 

[Bladesince59]

Adkins knew what he was taking on when he took the job. Unless he is even more clueless than I believe he is, he will have sounded out previous managers and contacts for background on the job, before taking it. He is so vain and sure of himself (as are many other managers), that he will have believed that despite all of the problems, he is that good, he will be successful anyway.

So how has he improved the team or what has he he done right so far,
1. Lowered the wage bill
2. Signed Billy Sharp (although we already had a half a million pound striker, Done and it appears they cant play together)
I'm strugling to think of anything else

What has he got wrong,
1. Turned a play off team into a mid table team
2. Contributed to reducing fan morale to its lowest place ever
3. Lost the dressing room
4. Made some terrible signings (Woolford, Hammond, Sammon)
5. Spouted endless positivity and spin after spin, believing that our fans are so stupid they will believe it
6. Told the fans we are going for promotion this season, but now says its a three year project and thinks thats acceptable
7. Allowed his personal dislike of certain players to interfere with his judgement, resulting in Freeman, Scougall, Harris and McNulty leaving (probably because they were Clough signings), when they are better players, than some that remain
8. Made a terrible player who should be nowhere near the team captain
9. Failed to address the need for defensive signings, contributing towards the failiure this season

The list goes on and on. I rest my case, get rid now.

Agree he has been a HUGE disappointment
Much more shit than good.

 

[Worksop II]

I also have a video showing how good Tiger Woods was 5 years ago

Have you any Videos of him playing Golf ?

 

[Sean Thornton]

Have you any Videos of him playing Golf ?

He says it's Tiger Woods, it's probably Spongebob.

 

[Almosthuman]

Agree with most about it being a disappointing season.

The argument about NA inheriting a good team is valid however some would say it was a very raw, young and inexperienced bar a couple. They weren't tearing it up in league 1 before he came. In the video he talks about the first few games being a struggle but how the players "Bought into" the style of play (Possession based attacking football). He turned that around because, yes he had talented players but they also bought into what he was trying to achieve. I think we all know that we have a LOT of problems with our players attitudes and the lack of buy in from them could explain the lack of success. He has looked very pissed off at time this season.

Sell by date? You don't become a crap manager overnight, he had incredible success with Scunthorpe and Southampton, was sacked very unfairly in most peoples eyes, went to a club in heaps of internal trouble in Reading and has now come to another club in a period of transition. I've been very critical this season of NA but if you think about it rationally then for every negative view there is an explanation. whether they are valid arguments is down to your opinion.

I'm far from a clapper and have regularly been very critical of him and his team but watching the video and then taking a step back to look at it without emotion gave me a different perspective.

Not saying that he's the saviour or even that he is the right manager long term. All i'm saying is we need stability and this guy has been there and done it. He seems like a decent guy and is obviously trying to do positive things so why not give him the chance to build.

Who else is gunna come in and change the fortunes of the club in 1 season!

 

[blade too long]

He says it's Tiger Woods, it's probably Spongebob.

got that one too


and bobs better at golf than Nigel is at being our manager

 

[Gin&Juice]

On paper Adkins is the best manager on paper we've appointed since Warnock, even old Neil didn't get promotion so I'll stick my neck out and say Kendall. Robson looks good on paper but remember he managed Boro who had unlimited money and tried constantly to sign Deano from us in 1997/1998. Surely we have to see this through

 

[Lane Ender]

Adkins knew what he was taking on when he took the job. Unless he is even more clueless than I believe he is, he will have sounded out previous managers and contacts for background on the job, before taking it. He is so vain and sure of himself (as are many other managers), that he will have believed that despite all of the problems, he is that good, he will be successful anyway.

So how has he improved the team or what has he he done right so far,
1. Lowered the wage bill
2. Signed Billy Sharp (although we already had a half a million pound striker, Done and it appears they cant play together)
I'm strugling to think of anything else

What has he got wrong,
1. Turned a play off team into a mid table team
2. Contributed to reducing fan morale to its lowest place ever
3. Lost the dressing room
4. Made some terrible signings (Woolford, Hammond, Sammon)
5. Spouted endless positivity and spin after spin, believing that our fans are so stupid they will believe it
6. Told the fans we are going for promotion this season, but now says its a three year project and thinks thats acceptable
7. Allowed his personal dislike of certain players to interfere with his judgement, resulting in Freeman, Scougall, Harris and McNulty leaving (probably because they were Clough signings), when they are better players, than some that remain
8. Made a terrible player who should be nowhere near the team captain
9. Failed to address the need for defensive signings, contributing towards the failiure this season

The list goes on and on. I rest my case, get rid now.

You're of the mark with four of those at least 3,7,8,9

 

[Higgo's Belly]

Agree with most about it being a disappointing season.

The argument about NA inheriting a good team is valid however some would say it was a very raw, young and inexperienced bar a couple. They weren't tearing it up in league 1 before he came. In the video he talks about the first few games being a struggle but how the players "Bought into" the style of play (Possession based attacking football). He turned that around because, yes he had talented players but they also bought into what he was trying to achieve. I think we all know that we have a LOT of problems with our players attitudes and the lack of buy in from them could explain the lack of success. He has looked very pissed off at time this season.

Sell by date? You don't become a crap manager overnight, he had incredible success with Scunthorpe and Southampton, was sacked very unfairly in most peoples eyes, went to a club in heaps of internal trouble in Reading and has now come to another club in a period of transition. I've been very critical this season of NA but if you think about it rationally then for every negative view there is an explanation. whether they are valid arguments is down to your opinion.

I'm far from a clapper and have regularly been very critical of him and his team but watching the video and then taking a step back to look at it without emotion gave me a different perspective.

Not saying that he's the saviour or even that he is the right manager long term. All i'm saying is we need stability and this guy has been there and done it. He seems like a decent guy and is obviously trying to do positive things so why not give him the chance to build.

Who else is gunna come in and change the fortunes of the club in 1 season!

Wilder, Cotterill or Powell. They cant possibly do any worse than Adkins and may well do a lot better. Stability with a clueless manager does not mean promotion. He's had a chance to build and has displayed nothing to show that he is the right man to take us forward. Previous failings of managers resulting in them being sacked, should not mean we have to keep Adkins, just to avoid sacking another manager. I dont cae if we are seen as a sacking club or not, I just want to escape this league. Adkins now stating its a three year project to take us to the next level, strikes me that he's resigned to no promotion next year and is getting the excuses in already.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Very interesting vid, I'll watch it properly later.

What I've got from the first five minutes is (i) seeing Southampton's very talented squad (including an incredibly young Oxlade-Chamberlain) training on a pitch with what looks like a sugar-cane plantation in the background; & (ii) finding out a bit more about why Nige was so very keen for Dean Hammond's presence here - about how he "led by example on the pitch & the training ground, [showing] how to be the ultimate professional". Wonder who our "leader in the dressing room" is (the Kelvin Davis role)? - Jay Mac?

 

[Almosthuman]

Wilder, Cotterill or Powell. They cant possibly do any worse than Adkins and may well do a lot better. Stability with a clueless manager does not mean promotion. He's had a chance to build and has displayed nothing to show that he is the right man to take us forward. Previous failings of managers resulting in them being sacked, should not mean we have to keep Adkins, just to avoid sacking another manager. I dont cae if we are seen as a sacking club or not, I just want to escape this league. Adkins now stating its a three year project to take us to the next level, strikes me that he's resigned to no promotion next year and is getting the excuses in already.

Kind of my whole point is that he isn't as clueless as you might think. He's come into a club where there are too many players, we consistently sell our best and have a notoriously difficult board who will have demanded that he talk about automatic promotion this season just to appease fans, chances are he knew how difficult that was, if you watch the video till the end he talks about just how big a job its going to be here.

I think it's more that he's had to make the best of a bad situation. Has it been perfect? No, has he made mistakes? Yes but given the circumstances should he be allowed time (1 season does not constitute "more than enough time" when he was tasked to reduce the squad) to build a squad to challenge next season? Based on his post glories, my opinion is yes

 

[Bladesman]

Very interesting vid, I'll watch it properly later.

What I've got from the first five minutes is (i) seeing Southampton's very talented squad (including an incredibly young Oxlade-Chamberlain) training on a pitch with what looks like a sugar-cane plantation in the background; & (ii) finding out a bit more about why Nige was so very keen for Dean Hammond's presence here - about how he "led by example on the pitch & the training ground, [showing] how to be the ultimate professional". Wonder who our "leader in the dressing room" is (the Kelvin Davis role)? - Jay Mac?

Interesting part of that video is the work he had to do Morgan Schneiderlin. He arrived a scrawny young player with a poor attitude to training, poor diet as well and they got him into what Adkins calls the program they had at Soton.

I assume Adkins is doing the same here but are the players all buying into his program? Probably not especially the way this season has gone. Although I reckon the players that are not buying into his program are the ones either now out on loan or no longer at the club.

Will Adkins be given the time and resources to have success here? I am not so sure. Not with the way our club is run.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Wilder, Cotterill or Powell. They cant possibly do any worse than Adkins and may well do a lot better. Stability with a clueless manager does not mean promotion. He's had a chance to build and has displayed nothing to show that he is the right man to take us forward. Previous failings of managers resulting in them being sacked, should not mean we have to keep Adkins, just to avoid sacking another manager. I dont cae if we are seen as a sacking club or not, I just want to escape this league. Adkins now stating its a three year project to take us to the next level, strikes me that he's resigned to no promotion next year and is getting the excuses in already.

Two got the sack and Wilder has one promotion under his belt, none of them stand up against Adkins record.In any case he is going to be here next season so get to like it or perhaps you could lump it.In my opinion he is getting there ,after a difficult season he deserves to get the chance to build a team in his image,that will be an attacking exciting team ,he has said that more than once ,give him chance to put it together

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Two got the sack and Wilder has one promotion under his belt, none of them stand up against Adkins record.In any case he is going to be here next season so get to like it or perhaps you could lump it.In my opinion he is getting there ,after a difficult season he deserves to get the chance to build a team in his image,that will be an attacking exciting team ,he has said that more than once ,give him chance to put it together

I would love to see a attacking exciting team , but would prefer Adkins building a promotion winning team even with boring 1-0 wins every week. No idea who commissioned the video.

Let's us hope Adkins and Turnbull just doesn't fuck us up. He ain't got any ready made superstars in waiting at the lane , like he had at Southampton.

We wait and see with no option , and as you say we like it or lump it . Over to you Mr McCabe.


UTB

 

[Barney]

Adkins knew what he was taking on when he took the job. Unless he is even more clueless than I believe he is, he will have sounded out previous managers and contacts for background on the job, before taking it. He is so vain and sure of himself (as are many other managers), that he will have believed that despite all of the problems, he is that good, he will be successful anyway.

So how has he improved the team or what has he he done right so far,
1. Lowered the wage bill
2. Signed Billy Sharp (although we already had a half a million pound striker, Done and it appears they cant play together)
I'm strugling to think of anything else

What has he got wrong,
1. Turned a play off team into a mid table team
2. Contributed to reducing fan morale to its lowest place ever
3. Lost the dressing room
4. Made some terrible signings (Woolford, Hammond, Sammon)
5. Spouted endless positivity and spin after spin, believing that our fans are so stupid they will believe it
6. Told the fans we are going for promotion this season, but now says its a three year project and thinks thats acceptable
7. Allowed his personal dislike of certain players to interfere with his judgement, resulting in Freeman, Scougall, Harris and McNulty leaving (probably because they were Clough signings), when they are better players, than some that remain
8. Made a terrible player who should be nowhere near the team captain
9. Failed to address the need for defensive signings, contributing towards the failiure this season

The list goes on and on. I rest my case, get rid now.

Precisely. There are countless reasons and pieces of evidence to go on this season. Where as the main two arguments for keeping him is just "we can't keep sacking managers" and "we've played well the last two games". How that renders the previous 39 games totally irrelevant I have still to find out.

 

[Higgo's Belly]

Nobody knows what the board is thinking. Last week everybody was certain Adkins was leaving at the end of the season by mutual consent, he denies this and everbody suddenly thinks its a given that he will be here next season. A couple of good performances dont mask an awful season and the board wont be convinced by two performances, that everythings suddenly positive. We only hear what Adkins says via the press. The board deal with him face to face and if he comes over to them as badly as he does during his interviews with loads of spin, I fear for him. The board will see his proposed signings and retained list. A proposal to sign Hammond on big wages may not be welcomed. Season ticket sales will also play a part. Adkins will have to convince the board at the end of season review. Who expected Clough to be sacked at lthe end of last season.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Nobody knows what the board is thinking. Last week everybody was certain Adkins was leaving at the end of the season by mutual consent, he denies this and everbody suddenly thinks its a given that he will be here next season. A couple of good performances dont mask an awful season and the board wont be convinced by two performances, that everythings suddenly positive. We only hear what Adkins says via the press. The board deal with him face to face and if he comes over to them as badly as he does during his interviews with loads of spin, I fear for him. The board will see his proposed signings and retained list. A proposal to sign Hammond on big wages may not be welcomed. Season ticket sales will also play a part. Adkins will have to convince the board at the end of season review. Who expected Clough to be sacked at lthe end of last season.

Reading all the signs it's a cert Adkins will be here next season and I for one am happy with that.who else can you excite us with (new manager ) apart from the 3 yo mentioned and can you guarantee they will instantly turn us into promotion winners.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

Who expected Clough to be sacked at lthe end of last season

I did, after that utter car crash against Swindon? And I would suggest many others did (though I'm not going to trawl though previous threads)

Th most part of the second half of last season was crap. But let's not a bit of hindsight get in the way of present day hyperbole.

 

[Bartleby]

Very interesting vid, I'll watch it properly later.

What I've got from the first five minutes is (i) seeing Southampton's very talented squad (including an incredibly young Oxlade-Chamberlain) training on a pitch with what looks like a sugar-cane plantation in the background; & (ii) finding out a bit more about why Nige was so very keen for Dean Hammond's presence here - about how he "led by example on the pitch & the training ground, [showing] how to be the ultimate professional". Wonder who our "leader in the dressing room" is (the Kelvin Davis role)? - Jay Mac?

Hammond seemed to be taking on a leader's role on the pitch on saturday

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Kind of my whole point is that he isn't as clueless as you might think. He's come into a club where there are too many players, we consistently sell our best and have a notoriously difficult board who will have demanded that he talk about automatic promotion this season just to appease fans, chances are he knew how difficult that was, if you watch the video till the end he talks about just how big a job its going to be here.

I think it's more that he's had to make the best of a bad situation. Has it been perfect? No, has he made mistakes? Yes but given the circumstances should he be allowed time (1 season does not constitute "more than enough time" when he was tasked to reduce the squad) to build a squad to challenge next season? Based on his post glories, my opinion is yes

For me this is exactly what's been happening. And it's been fascinating to watch him and his team go about it.

Fwiw I think he genuinely believed he could get us promoted - but in the end he wasn't able to do that and carry out the restructuring.