First Post -- A look at Adkins

[Higgo's Belly]

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.

Last week Adkins was supposed to be leaving at the end of the season by mutual consent. He states that this is not the case, however that does not mean he will not be sacked. Just because he states he wants to stay, the board may have different ideas. If he resigns he gets nothing, if he leaves by mutual consent or is sacked he gets a payment from the club. Would anyone in his shoes, with a lucrative three year contract resign and walk away with nothing. I've not heard anything from the club backing Adkins or saying that he will be here next season, other than McCabe when pressed on the matter said words to the effect of, I expect to get promoted this season so Nigel Adkins will be here next season. Typical McCabe speak, covering all possibilities. The silence from the club on this matter I believe tells a story, they could easily end the rumours by publishing a statement backing Adkins, but have failed to do so. I wonder why ?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

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.

Comments are worth a read:

COMMENTS • 49


Alex Penney6 months ago
Thank you Nigel for everything you have done. You were the backbone behind out success, COYR
35



Zach Thorpe6 months ago
I am a Sheffield Utd and he is one of the best managers we have ever had, such a positive manager
9


affalaffaa6 months ago
+Zach Thorpe The most positive manager anyone has ever seen, good luck with him.



Bojan Babovic6 months ago (edited)
Brilliant "back to back promotion" manager, whom Saints are forever grateful. I WISH him all the best at Sheffield Utd, to him and Billy Sharp who has returned home there. I would like to see them back in Championship this season! I started following Saints when Nigel arrived, so when he left, including all of the important players from that period, it was really hard for me to adjust to the new Saints. Especially when Lambert No. 7 (like Le Tiss) and Lallana left. Lambert's always going to be Saints Goal Machine for me. They all gave birth to the club's spirit... I'll never forget Nigel's visionary guidance of Saints and that PL promotion final match against Coventry. I am international fan, and have a lot to say for Saints, obviously..... Thank you very much for the upload, Saints !!! Peace...
10


TheEnglishStrawberry6 months ago
You fish him all the best?
2

Bojan Babovic6 months ago (edited)
+TheEnglishStrawberry Corrected mistake. Thanks for warning, I really didn't noticed. And english is not my native language. But, I am not bad in writing, don't you think? Peace...
4


lewis powell6 months ago
I'd love it if adkins comes back to manage at southampton someday. It doesn't matter if he hasn't done well at other clubs. He will always be a legend.
19



Colin Brown6 months ago
That was the absolute best time to be a Saints fan. Nigel Adkins, thank you. You made what we are doing now possible..... and made it the most exciting journey!!!
16


Liam Nash6 months ago
It is the best time I have had as a saints fan. The most memorable two years! Finishing 7th In the premier league doesn't quite match the buzz of promotion.
9


JsaintUK6 months ago
Will never forget what he did for the club
16



Matt Fletcher6 months ago
You're a great man Nigel and proof that nice guy's do win. Thank you for everything you did for Southampton - it's a lot easier to stay in the premier league than it is to get there and I'm sure Mauricio and Ronald are quietly grateful for everything you did! You will always be remembered in the hearts of every Saints fan and after watching your interview, I'm sure the Blades are now the second team for a lot of Saint's fans!
8


Bojan Babovic6 months ago
+Matt Fletcher Agree with you on that... And also Billy Sharp has returned home there. Happy for him too...
3


Thomas Lockyer6 months ago
+Matt Fletcher I won't lie - I still haven't completely forgiven them for knocking us out of the League Cup, but sure enough, I wouldn't mind Sheffield United being my second team!
2


Mastergunner YT6 months ago
One word. LEGEND
17



SaintsAwayOllie6 months ago
This video would've never been made under Nicola Cortase
5



Tobie Lang6 months ago
Nigel You had more than a small part to play in this football club!! Thank You!! Beautiful Piece Media team BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
7

artytoit6 months ago
Top man! Did a great job at Saints and will always be remembered for it. Thanks Nigel.
6



Sir David6 months ago
What a great bloke.
3



Jack Wilson6 months ago
After Koemans contract is up Bring Back Nigel you legend
2



Alexander Western6 months ago
Without him Southampton would not be the team they are today
4



Roger Lewis6 months ago
Thanks Nigel for those great times. Top man, a legend and always a Saint.
4



Arthur Fane6 months ago
What a hero, and an excellent video Southampton FC! Thank you for everything Nigel
3



ciderbusinsideofus6 months ago
Niceness personified. What a brilliant chap!
4



Sc00bi3606 months ago
Once a Saint A L W A Y S a Saint!! Thankyou Nigel so much
3



JamoGames6 months ago
I miss these days :,(
3



I_an_I_Saints6 months ago
You can the the passion he had for the club, an excellent manager!
4



JakeTV6 months ago
If he hadn't have gotten Southampton into the Premier League, I don't think I would have gotten into football. Watched the Southampton vs Ajax preseason game and have been hooked ever since.
5



George Plank6 months ago
God I bloody love this man!!!!!!!!!
4



Ben Scott6 months ago
NEVER FORGET
6


affalaffaa6 months ago
+Ben Scott You're not wrong. League One, minus 10 to Chelsea 1 - 3 Southampton. Pardew, Adkins and even Poch, we've led a charmed footballing life over the past few years. Adkins, clearly, is a top bloke and will always be a legend in my eyes.
2


Dave White6 months ago
God damn I love this man. Truly a saint forever.
1



Jeff Thomas6 months ago
Such an understated man... What Markus did for this club in the boardroom, Nigel equally did on the pitch side... He said in this video how it was nice to be a small part of the history of the club. I don't think anyone would ever consider his part in our history as 'small'. One day Koeman will move on... I for one, would be singing Nigels name as replacement.
1



Bassa 19706 months ago
I suppose the interesting question would be...........where would Saints be today if Cortese hadn't sacked him?
1



bazwalk6 months ago
Sir you are a true gentleman. Many thanks for what you did for our club. Best wishes for the future and hoping you will back for a Cup, or even Premier, game.
5



Mark Darch6 months ago
Class act!!!
1



Cameron Wyper5 months ago
He was appalling for Reading though




HC783466 months ago
Thanks Nigel
2



mick spurrier6 months ago
thanks nigel for the wonderful job you did for our club. Always be welcomed back




hussain ali6 months ago
I hope he win promotion with Sheffield united we love you Nigel Adkins




Matthew Carlisle6 months ago
A true great... get him back at the club he so much loves even if its to clean dishes I bet he would come back.....




Andrew Graham6 months ago
Thank you Nigel - we owe you an incredible amount. You are a true gentleman and will always be a big part of Southampton Football Club.




Terence Fullick6 months ago
Thank you Nigel, you deserve the very best football has to offer. Wishing you every success at Sheffield United.




Xer0FIFAHD20036 months ago
nigel should come and be a assistant manager




Paul Warren6 months ago
one of life's good guys




Thomas Lockyer6 months ago
A real hero through and through.




DanJ D6 months ago
The first man in decades to bring tears of joy to the eyes of Saints fans. The Adkins years were the best. What a man.




aman singh6 months ago
Where is u21 livestream that was supposed to be there vs Leicester city




Superfurness11 month ago
Aliens must have abducted the real Nigel Adkins and replaced him with the useless chump we've currently got down at Bramall Lane




Musherrr6 months ago
Legend! this wouldn't happen under cortese he didn't want to associate with the past, it was all corporate. Up the saints.




Foot Talk6 months ago
Hero




FC_ Matthew86 months ago
Oh Nigel, how much we miss you at Scunthorpe




Antisfunny6 months ago
Liked. Favourited. Brilliant. Thanks so much for this SFC.




aman singh6 months ago
Where is u21 livestream that was supposed to be there vs Leicester city

 

[Almosthuman]

Comments are worth a read:

COMMENTS • 49


Alex Penney6 months ago
Thank you Nigel for everything you have done. You were the backbone behind out success, COYR
35



Zach Thorpe6 months ago
I am a Sheffield Utd and he is one of the best managers we have ever had, such a positive manager
9


affalaffaa6 months ago
+Zach Thorpe The most positive manager anyone has ever seen, good luck with him.



Bojan Babovic6 months ago (edited)
Brilliant "back to back promotion" manager, whom Saints are forever grateful. I WISH him all the best at Sheffield Utd, to him and Billy Sharp who has returned home there. I would like to see them back in Championship this season! I started following Saints when Nigel arrived, so when he left, including all of the important players from that period, it was really hard for me to adjust to the new Saints. Especially when Lambert No. 7 (like Le Tiss) and Lallana left. Lambert's always going to be Saints Goal Machine for me. They all gave birth to the club's spirit... I'll never forget Nigel's visionary guidance of Saints and that PL promotion final match against Coventry. I am international fan, and have a lot to say for Saints, obviously..... Thank you very much for the upload, Saints !!! Peace...
10


TheEnglishStrawberry6 months ago
You fish him all the best?
2

Bojan Babovic6 months ago (edited)
+TheEnglishStrawberry Corrected mistake. Thanks for warning, I really didn't noticed. And english is not my native language. But, I am not bad in writing, don't you think? Peace...
4


lewis powell6 months ago
I'd love it if adkins comes back to manage at southampton someday. It doesn't matter if he hasn't done well at other clubs. He will always be a legend.
19



Colin Brown6 months ago
That was the absolute best time to be a Saints fan. Nigel Adkins, thank you. You made what we are doing now possible..... and made it the most exciting journey!!!
16


Liam Nash6 months ago
It is the best time I have had as a saints fan. The most memorable two years! Finishing 7th In the premier league doesn't quite match the buzz of promotion.
9


JsaintUK6 months ago
Will never forget what he did for the club
16



Matt Fletcher6 months ago
You're a great man Nigel and proof that nice guy's do win. Thank you for everything you did for Southampton - it's a lot easier to stay in the premier league than it is to get there and I'm sure Mauricio and Ronald are quietly grateful for everything you did! You will always be remembered in the hearts of every Saints fan and after watching your interview, I'm sure the Blades are now the second team for a lot of Saint's fans!
8


Bojan Babovic6 months ago
+Matt Fletcher Agree with you on that... And also Billy Sharp has returned home there. Happy for him too...
3


Thomas Lockyer6 months ago
+Matt Fletcher I won't lie - I still haven't completely forgiven them for knocking us out of the League Cup, but sure enough, I wouldn't mind Sheffield United being my second team!
2


Mastergunner YT6 months ago
One word. LEGEND
17



SaintsAwayOllie6 months ago
This video would've never been made under Nicola Cortase
5



Tobie Lang6 months ago
Nigel You had more than a small part to play in this football club!! Thank You!! Beautiful Piece Media team BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
7

artytoit6 months ago
Top man! Did a great job at Saints and will always be remembered for it. Thanks Nigel.
6



Sir David6 months ago
What a great bloke.
3



Jack Wilson6 months ago
After Koemans contract is up Bring Back Nigel you legend
2



Alexander Western6 months ago
Without him Southampton would not be the team they are today
4



Roger Lewis6 months ago
Thanks Nigel for those great times. Top man, a legend and always a Saint.
4



Arthur Fane6 months ago
What a hero, and an excellent video Southampton FC! Thank you for everything Nigel
3



ciderbusinsideofus6 months ago
Niceness personified. What a brilliant chap!
4



Sc00bi3606 months ago
Once a Saint A L W A Y S a Saint!! Thankyou Nigel so much
3



JamoGames6 months ago
I miss these days :,(
3



I_an_I_Saints6 months ago
You can the the passion he had for the club, an excellent manager!
4



JakeTV6 months ago
If he hadn't have gotten Southampton into the Premier League, I don't think I would have gotten into football. Watched the Southampton vs Ajax preseason game and have been hooked ever since.
5



George Plank6 months ago
God I bloody love this man!!!!!!!!!
4



Ben Scott6 months ago
NEVER FORGET
6


affalaffaa6 months ago
+Ben Scott You're not wrong. League One, minus 10 to Chelsea 1 - 3 Southampton. Pardew, Adkins and even Poch, we've led a charmed footballing life over the past few years. Adkins, clearly, is a top bloke and will always be a legend in my eyes.
2


Dave White6 months ago
God damn I love this man. Truly a saint forever.
1



Jeff Thomas6 months ago
Such an understated man... What Markus did for this club in the boardroom, Nigel equally did on the pitch side... He said in this video how it was nice to be a small part of the history of the club. I don't think anyone would ever consider his part in our history as 'small'. One day Koeman will move on... I for one, would be singing Nigels name as replacement.
1



Bassa 19706 months ago
I suppose the interesting question would be...........where would Saints be today if Cortese hadn't sacked him?
1



bazwalk6 months ago
Sir you are a true gentleman. Many thanks for what you did for our club. Best wishes for the future and hoping you will back for a Cup, or even Premier, game.
5



Mark Darch6 months ago
Class act!!!
1



Cameron Wyper5 months ago
He was appalling for Reading though




HC783466 months ago
Thanks Nigel
2



mick spurrier6 months ago
thanks nigel for the wonderful job you did for our club. Always be welcomed back




hussain ali6 months ago
I hope he win promotion with Sheffield united we love you Nigel Adkins




Matthew Carlisle6 months ago
A true great... get him back at the club he so much loves even if its to clean dishes I bet he would come back.....




Andrew Graham6 months ago
Thank you Nigel - we owe you an incredible amount. You are a true gentleman and will always be a big part of Southampton Football Club.




Terence Fullick6 months ago
Thank you Nigel, you deserve the very best football has to offer. Wishing you every success at Sheffield United.




Xer0FIFAHD20036 months ago
nigel should come and be a assistant manager




Paul Warren6 months ago
one of life's good guys




Thomas Lockyer6 months ago
A real hero through and through.




DanJ D6 months ago
The first man in decades to bring tears of joy to the eyes of Saints fans. The Adkins years were the best. What a man.




aman singh6 months ago
Where is u21 livestream that was supposed to be there vs Leicester city




Superfurness11 month ago
Aliens must have abducted the real Nigel Adkins and replaced him with the useless chump we've currently got down at Bramall Lane




Musherrr6 months ago
Legend! this wouldn't happen under cortese he didn't want to associate with the past, it was all corporate. Up the saints.




Foot Talk6 months ago
Hero




FC_ Matthew86 months ago
Oh Nigel, how much we miss you at Scunthorpe




Antisfunny6 months ago
Liked. Favourited. Brilliant. Thanks so much for this SFC.




aman singh6 months ago
Where is u21 livestream that was supposed to be there vs Leicester city

Yeah read them, just didn't add up that he'd go from legend to clueless in such a short period.

Next season will be very interesting if he's backed

 

[BeatleBlade]

Comments are worth a read:

COMMENTS • 49


Alex Penney6 months ago
Thank you Nigel for everything you have done. You were the backbone behind out success, COYR
35



Zach Thorpe6 months ago
I am a Sheffield Utd and he is one of the best managers we have ever had, such a positive manager
9


affalaffaa6 months ago
+Zach Thorpe The most positive manager anyone has ever seen, good luck with him.



Bojan Babovic6 months ago (edited)
Brilliant "back to back promotion" manager, whom Saints are forever grateful. I WISH him all the best at Sheffield Utd, to him and Billy Sharp who has returned home there. I would like to see them back in Championship this season! I started following Saints when Nigel arrived, so when he left, including all of the important players from that period, it was really hard for me to adjust to the new Saints. Especially when Lambert No. 7 (like Le Tiss) and Lallana left. Lambert's always going to be Saints Goal Machine for me. They all gave birth to the club's spirit... I'll never forget Nigel's visionary guidance of Saints and that PL promotion final match against Coventry. I am international fan, and have a lot to say for Saints, obviously..... Thank you very much for the upload, Saints !!! Peace...
10


TheEnglishStrawberry6 months ago
You fish him all the best?
2

Bojan Babovic6 months ago (edited)
+TheEnglishStrawberry Corrected mistake. Thanks for warning, I really didn't noticed. And english is not my native language. But, I am not bad in writing, don't you think? Peace...
4


lewis powell6 months ago
I'd love it if adkins comes back to manage at southampton someday. It doesn't matter if he hasn't done well at other clubs. He will always be a legend.
19



Colin Brown6 months ago
That was the absolute best time to be a Saints fan. Nigel Adkins, thank you. You made what we are doing now possible..... and made it the most exciting journey!!!
16


Liam Nash6 months ago
It is the best time I have had as a saints fan. The most memorable two years! Finishing 7th In the premier league doesn't quite match the buzz of promotion.
9


JsaintUK6 months ago
Will never forget what he did for the club
16



Matt Fletcher6 months ago
You're a great man Nigel and proof that nice guy's do win. Thank you for everything you did for Southampton - it's a lot easier to stay in the premier league than it is to get there and I'm sure Mauricio and Ronald are quietly grateful for everything you did! You will always be remembered in the hearts of every Saints fan and after watching your interview, I'm sure the Blades are now the second team for a lot of Saint's fans!
8


Bojan Babovic6 months ago
+Matt Fletcher Agree with you on that... And also Billy Sharp has returned home there. Happy for him too...
3


Thomas Lockyer6 months ago
+Matt Fletcher I won't lie - I still haven't completely forgiven them for knocking us out of the League Cup, but sure enough, I wouldn't mind Sheffield United being my second team!
2


Mastergunner YT6 months ago
One word. LEGEND
17



SaintsAwayOllie6 months ago
This video would've never been made under Nicola Cortase
5



Tobie Lang6 months ago
Nigel You had more than a small part to play in this football club!! Thank You!! Beautiful Piece Media team BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
7

artytoit6 months ago
Top man! Did a great job at Saints and will always be remembered for it. Thanks Nigel.
6



Sir David6 months ago
What a great bloke.
3



Jack Wilson6 months ago
After Koemans contract is up Bring Back Nigel you legend
2



Alexander Western6 months ago
Without him Southampton would not be the team they are today
4



Roger Lewis6 months ago
Thanks Nigel for those great times. Top man, a legend and always a Saint.
4



Arthur Fane6 months ago
What a hero, and an excellent video Southampton FC! Thank you for everything Nigel
3



ciderbusinsideofus6 months ago
Niceness personified. What a brilliant chap!
4



Sc00bi3606 months ago
Once a Saint A L W A Y S a Saint!! Thankyou Nigel so much
3



JamoGames6 months ago
I miss these days :,(
3



I_an_I_Saints6 months ago
You can the the passion he had for the club, an excellent manager!
4



JakeTV6 months ago
If he hadn't have gotten Southampton into the Premier League, I don't think I would have gotten into football. Watched the Southampton vs Ajax preseason game and have been hooked ever since.
5



George Plank6 months ago
God I bloody love this man!!!!!!!!!
4



Ben Scott6 months ago
NEVER FORGET
6


affalaffaa6 months ago
+Ben Scott You're not wrong. League One, minus 10 to Chelsea 1 - 3 Southampton. Pardew, Adkins and even Poch, we've led a charmed footballing life over the past few years. Adkins, clearly, is a top bloke and will always be a legend in my eyes.
2


Dave White6 months ago
God damn I love this man. Truly a saint forever.
1



Jeff Thomas6 months ago
Such an understated man... What Markus did for this club in the boardroom, Nigel equally did on the pitch side... He said in this video how it was nice to be a small part of the history of the club. I don't think anyone would ever consider his part in our history as 'small'. One day Koeman will move on... I for one, would be singing Nigels name as replacement.
1



Bassa 19706 months ago
I suppose the interesting question would be...........where would Saints be today if Cortese hadn't sacked him?
1



bazwalk6 months ago
Sir you are a true gentleman. Many thanks for what you did for our club. Best wishes for the future and hoping you will back for a Cup, or even Premier, game.
5



Mark Darch6 months ago
Class act!!!
1



Cameron Wyper5 months ago
He was appalling for Reading though




HC783466 months ago
Thanks Nigel
2



mick spurrier6 months ago
thanks nigel for the wonderful job you did for our club. Always be welcomed back




hussain ali6 months ago
I hope he win promotion with Sheffield united we love you Nigel Adkins




Matthew Carlisle6 months ago
A true great... get him back at the club he so much loves even if its to clean dishes I bet he would come back.....




Andrew Graham6 months ago
Thank you Nigel - we owe you an incredible amount. You are a true gentleman and will always be a big part of Southampton Football Club.




Terence Fullick6 months ago
Thank you Nigel, you deserve the very best football has to offer. Wishing you every success at Sheffield United.




Xer0FIFAHD20036 months ago
nigel should come and be a assistant manager




Paul Warren6 months ago
one of life's good guys




Thomas Lockyer6 months ago
A real hero through and through.




DanJ D6 months ago
The first man in decades to bring tears of joy to the eyes of Saints fans. The Adkins years were the best. What a man.




aman singh6 months ago
Where is u21 livestream that was supposed to be there vs Leicester city




Superfurness11 month ago
Aliens must have abducted the real Nigel Adkins and replaced him with the useless chump we've currently got down at Bramall Lane




Musherrr6 months ago
Legend! this wouldn't happen under cortese he didn't want to associate with the past, it was all corporate. Up the saints.




Foot Talk6 months ago
Hero




FC_ Matthew86 months ago
Oh Nigel, how much we miss you at Scunthorpe




Antisfunny6 months ago
Liked. Favourited. Brilliant. Thanks so much for this SFC.




aman singh6 months ago
Where is u21 livestream that was supposed to be there vs Leicester city

This is why people should give him the benefit of the doubt. This year hasn't gone particularly well but given what we seem to know here and the board's history of disasters in comparison to his success, (except Reading which he was apparently sold promises at anyway) he will most likely turn the club around.
I believe that with backing from the board he will turn Sheffield United into a modern and successful football club.

 

[Bob Scratchit]

Hi I'm a Southampton Fan, I've joined as I've been keeping an eye out on Sheffield United this season due to the Southampton contingent there. Like many Saints fans I regard Adkins as a club legend.

I just wanted to give some background to this video and why it got made as it might be of interest to some. Adkins did a brilliant job for us, we were still on an upward trajectory when he got sacked and that is why Saints fans were so angry at the time. We were 15th when he got sacked halfway through the season, Pochettino had half a season with the same players and we finished 1 place higher. Whilst I'm not saying he is as good as him, I think it's fair to say objectively that Adkins performance was perfectly comparable to someone considered to be one of the best managers working in the country when possessed with the same tools.

Despite taking us from 22nd in League 1 to 15th in the Premier league in just over 2 years he got sacked with no public thanks of any kind for what he did for what he did at the time of his sacking. Saints fans believe this happened because he did not get on with our then chairman, Nicola Cortese. At the beginning of the OP's video Adkins alludes to some issues to sort out before joining us which I believe was to do with compensation. I'm not ITK but there are a few on a Saints forum at the time who said that Cortese apparently wanted Adkins to resign from Scunthorpe and come to us, thus meaning no compensation would go to Scunthorpe and we'd give Adkins a signing on fee out of that money we saved. Adkins refused to do this out of loyalty to Scunthorpe, he wanted to waive a signing on fee and we would have to pay appropriate compensation to Scunthorpe for his services.

Cortese paid up but it seems that Adkins unwittingly marked his card in doing so and his face never really fit despite his success. It seems he quickly knew it too, in the interview after we beat Coventry 4-0 to gain promotion to Premier League, amongst the euphoria he gave a cryptic comment along the lines of 'whatever ends up happening now, I can say that I left the club better than I found it'. Fans picked up immediately that this was an odd thing to say having just won promotion. ITK posters at the time said it was because he was on borrowed time as his face did not fit with Cortese. That's the context behind the man in the glass poem he recited too. He was basically saying in a veiled way to the media and Cortese himself, 'I can look in the mirror, I'm doing a good job, I'm not walking, if you want to get rid of me you're going to have to make yourself unpopular and sack me while I'm doing well'.

The rest is history and we sacked Adkins anyway despite being on a run of 1 defeat in 12. Cortese left the following season too, having run out of people to fall out with he fell out with our owner and resigned. Ever since then the new board has been righting the wrongs of the previous regime. So basically this video got made as a way of finally thanking Nigel for what he did with us and to publicly give him the credit and appreciation he is due and undo some of the ill feeling caused by Cortese.

A personal observation before I wind up. I can understand the frustration with how its gone there but I think its too easy to say he's failed at Brammall Lane already. People say he failed at Reading too and the fans were calling for his head, they got their way but its not really picked up after his departure. In fact its the opposite, they haven't got close to the 7th place they finished under him, finishing 19th the following season under Clarke, still not close to that since the return of fans favourite McDermott. That is the kind of thing I think you should be concerned about happening as I think you could go either way if you're not careful. You're losing money, selling your best players to service wages of a bloated and average at best squad and I don't see many people around the club with a track record of success. I wouldn't necessarily be in a hurry to chuck the people with the best records out. He's obviously made mistakes there but I think he will turn it around if the board give him time.

 

[Barney]

Hi I'm a Southampton Fan, I've joined as I've been keeping an eye out on Sheffield United this season due to the Southampton contingent there. Like many Saints fans I regard Adkins as a club legend.

I just wanted to give some background to this video and why it got made as it might be of interest to some. Adkins did a brilliant job for us, we were still on an upward trajectory when he got sacked and that is why Saints fans were so angry at the time. We were 15th when he got sacked halfway through the season, Pochettino had half a season with the same players and we finished 1 place higher. Whilst I'm not saying he is as good as him, I think it's fair to say objectively that Adkins performance was perfectly comparable to someone considered to be one of the best managers working in the country when possessed with the same tools.

Despite taking us from 22nd in League 1 to 15th in the Premier league in just over 2 years he got sacked with no public thanks of any kind for what he did for what he did at the time of his sacking. Saints fans believe this happened because he did not get on with our then chairman, Nicola Cortese. At the beginning of the OP's video Adkins alludes to some issues to sort out before joining us which I believe was to do with compensation. I'm not ITK but there are a few on a Saints forum at the time who said that Cortese apparently wanted Adkins to resign from Scunthorpe and come to us, thus meaning no compensation would go to Scunthorpe and we'd give Adkins a signing on fee out of that money we saved. Adkins refused to do this out of loyalty to Scunthorpe, he wanted to waive a signing on fee and we would have to pay appropriate compensation to Scunthorpe for his services.

Cortese paid up but it seems that Adkins unwittingly marked his card in doing so and his face never really fit despite his success. It seems he quickly knew it too, in the interview after we beat Coventry 4-0 to gain promotion to Premier League, amongst the euphoria he gave a cryptic comment along the lines of 'whatever ends up happening now, I can say that I left the club better than I found it'. Fans picked up immediately that this was an odd thing to say having just won promotion. ITK posters at the time said it was because he was on borrowed time as his face did not fit with Cortese. That's the context behind the man in the glass poem he recited too. He was basically saying in a veiled way to the media and Cortese himself, 'I can look in the mirror, I'm doing a good job, I'm not walking, if you want to get rid of me you're going to have to make yourself unpopular and sack me while I'm doing well'.

The rest is history and we sacked Adkins anyway despite being on a run of 1 defeat in 12. Cortese left the following season too, having run out of people to fall out with he fell out with our owner and resigned. Ever since then the new board has been righting the wrongs of the previous regime. So basically this video got made as a way of finally thanking Nigel for what he did with us and to publicly give him the credit and appreciation he is due and undo some of the ill feeling caused by Cortese.

A personal observation before I wind up. I can understand the frustration with how its gone there but I think its too easy to say he's failed at Brammall Lane already. People say he failed at Reading too and the fans were calling for his head, they got their way but its not really picked up after his departure. In fact its the opposite, they haven't got close to the 7th place they finished under him, finishing 19th the following season under Clarke, still not close to that since the return of fans favourite McDermott. That is the kind of thing I think you should be concerned about happening as I think you could go either way if you're not careful. You're losing money, selling your best players to service wages of a bloated and average at best squad and I don't see many people around the club with a track record of success. I wouldn't necessarily be in a hurry to chuck the people with the best records out. He's obviously made mistakes there but I think he will turn it around if the board give him time.

It's easy to look at things from afar and say "Oh, he's been unlucky - give him time." But when you have been able to analyse his management in far more depth, it is, unfortunately, a whole different kettle of fish.

 

[Bob Scratchit]

It's easy to look at things from afar and say "Oh, he's been unlucky - give him time." But when you have been able to analyse his management in far more depth, it is, unfortunately, a whole different kettle of fish.

Nice try Barney, I know about you!.

 

[Barney]

Nice try

Eh?

I know about you!.

How's that?

 

[Bob Scratchit]

Eh?

How's that?

You're a rascal and I know it!.

 

[Barney]

You're a rascal

Erotic nostalgia.

 

[Bartleby]

Having read Neil Warnock's autobiography I can totally believe all that - the destrucive pride and ego of some chairmen. When Warnock got Plymouth promoted via the playoffs (their first ever visit to Wembley) their chairman threatened to sue the players for keeping the shirts they had worn! And all this for a much more petty reason than your Nicola's - because Warnock had booked himself a hotel room that was bigger than the chairman's. Needless to say it all went downhill from there.

Good post, thanks for taking the time to do that Bob Scratchit

 

[Bartleby]

You're a rascal and I know it!.

that's putting it very kindly!

 

[Bladesman]

Hi I'm a Southampton Fan, I've joined as I've been keeping an eye out on Sheffield United this season due to the Southampton contingent there. Like many Saints fans I regard Adkins as a club legend.

I just wanted to give some background to this video and why it got made as it might be of interest to some. Adkins did a brilliant job for us, we were still on an upward trajectory when he got sacked and that is why Saints fans were so angry at the time. We were 15th when he got sacked halfway through the season, Pochettino had half a season with the same players and we finished 1 place higher. Whilst I'm not saying he is as good as him, I think it's fair to say objectively that Adkins performance was perfectly comparable to someone considered to be one of the best managers working in the country when possessed with the same tools.

Despite taking us from 22nd in League 1 to 15th in the Premier league in just over 2 years he got sacked with no public thanks of any kind for what he did for what he did at the time of his sacking. Saints fans believe this happened because he did not get on with our then chairman, Nicola Cortese. At the beginning of the OP's video Adkins alludes to some issues to sort out before joining us which I believe was to do with compensation. I'm not ITK but there are a few on a Saints forum at the time who said that Cortese apparently wanted Adkins to resign from Scunthorpe and come to us, thus meaning no compensation would go to Scunthorpe and we'd give Adkins a signing on fee out of that money we saved. Adkins refused to do this out of loyalty to Scunthorpe, he wanted to waive a signing on fee and we would have to pay appropriate compensation to Scunthorpe for his services.

Cortese paid up but it seems that Adkins unwittingly marked his card in doing so and his face never really fit despite his success. It seems he quickly knew it too, in the interview after we beat Coventry 4-0 to gain promotion to Premier League, amongst the euphoria he gave a cryptic comment along the lines of 'whatever ends up happening now, I can say that I left the club better than I found it'. Fans picked up immediately that this was an odd thing to say having just won promotion. ITK posters at the time said it was because he was on borrowed time as his face did not fit with Cortese. That's the context behind the man in the glass poem he recited too. He was basically saying in a veiled way to the media and Cortese himself, 'I can look in the mirror, I'm doing a good job, I'm not walking, if you want to get rid of me you're going to have to make yourself unpopular and sack me while I'm doing well'.

The rest is history and we sacked Adkins anyway despite being on a run of 1 defeat in 12. Cortese left the following season too, having run out of people to fall out with he fell out with our owner and resigned. Ever since then the new board has been righting the wrongs of the previous regime. So basically this video got made as a way of finally thanking Nigel for what he did with us and to publicly give him the credit and appreciation he is due and undo some of the ill feeling caused by Cortese.

A personal observation before I wind up. I can understand the frustration with how its gone there but I think its too easy to say he's failed at Brammall Lane already. People say he failed at Reading too and the fans were calling for his head, they got their way but its not really picked up after his departure. In fact its the opposite, they haven't got close to the 7th place they finished under him, finishing 19th the following season under Clarke, still not close to that since the return of fans favourite McDermott. That is the kind of thing I think you should be concerned about happening as I think you could go either way if you're not careful. You're losing money, selling your best players to service wages of a bloated and average at best squad and I don't see many people around the club with a track record of success. I wouldn't necessarily be in a hurry to chuck the people with the best records out. He's obviously made mistakes there but I think he will turn it around if the board give him time.

Great post and I did wonder why Adkins got sacked when he was doing well.

Our board have a habit of making awful decisions, so I fully expect Adkins to get the boot at the end of the season.

I don't want him to go though as I think he is building something here but success won't come over night as the board assumed it would.

 

[Sirius]

Hi I'm a Southampton Fan, I've joined as I've been keeping an eye out on Sheffield United this season due to the Southampton contingent there. Like many Saints fans I regard Adkins as a club legend.

I just wanted to give some background to this video and why it got made as it might be of interest to some. Adkins did a brilliant job for us, we were still on an upward trajectory when he got sacked and that is why Saints fans were so angry at the time. We were 15th when he got sacked halfway through the season, Pochettino had half a season with the same players and we finished 1 place higher. Whilst I'm not saying he is as good as him, I think it's fair to say objectively that Adkins performance was perfectly comparable to someone considered to be one of the best managers working in the country when possessed with the same tools.

Despite taking us from 22nd in League 1 to 15th in the Premier league in just over 2 years he got sacked with no public thanks of any kind for what he did for what he did at the time of his sacking. Saints fans believe this happened because he did not get on with our then chairman, Nicola Cortese. At the beginning of the OP's video Adkins alludes to some issues to sort out before joining us which I believe was to do with compensation. I'm not ITK but there are a few on a Saints forum at the time who said that Cortese apparently wanted Adkins to resign from Scunthorpe and come to us, thus meaning no compensation would go to Scunthorpe and we'd give Adkins a signing on fee out of that money we saved. Adkins refused to do this out of loyalty to Scunthorpe, he wanted to waive a signing on fee and we would have to pay appropriate compensation to Scunthorpe for his services.

Cortese paid up but it seems that Adkins unwittingly marked his card in doing so and his face never really fit despite his success. It seems he quickly knew it too, in the interview after we beat Coventry 4-0 to gain promotion to Premier League, amongst the euphoria he gave a cryptic comment along the lines of 'whatever ends up happening now, I can say that I left the club better than I found it'. Fans picked up immediately that this was an odd thing to say having just won promotion. ITK posters at the time said it was because he was on borrowed time as his face did not fit with Cortese. That's the context behind the man in the glass poem he recited too. He was basically saying in a veiled way to the media and Cortese himself, 'I can look in the mirror, I'm doing a good job, I'm not walking, if you want to get rid of me you're going to have to make yourself unpopular and sack me while I'm doing well'.

The rest is history and we sacked Adkins anyway despite being on a run of 1 defeat in 12. Cortese left the following season too, having run out of people to fall out with he fell out with our owner and resigned. Ever since then the new board has been righting the wrongs of the previous regime. So basically this video got made as a way of finally thanking Nigel for what he did with us and to publicly give him the credit and appreciation he is due and undo some of the ill feeling caused by Cortese.

A personal observation before I wind up. I can understand the frustration with how its gone there but I think its too easy to say he's failed at Brammall Lane already. People say he failed at Reading too and the fans were calling for his head, they got their way but its not really picked up after his departure. In fact its the opposite, they haven't got close to the 7th place they finished under him, finishing 19th the following season under Clarke, still not close to that since the return of fans favourite McDermott. That is the kind of thing I think you should be concerned about happening as I think you could go either way if you're not careful. You're losing money, selling your best players to service wages of a bloated and average at best squad and I don't see many people around the club with a track record of success. I wouldn't necessarily be in a hurry to chuck the people with the best records out. He's obviously made mistakes there but I think he will turn it around if the board give him time.

Thank you Bpb for your post. It mirrors exactly the sentiments of my daughter in law's family, who are avid Saints supporters. They would have Nigel Adkins back in a flash. Their view is that we would be stupid to ditch him, and that he will get things right ASAP. Once the bloated squad is reduced to a manageable level. They too, keep a close eyer on how their former manager is doing. I cannot imagine our supporters looking to see how Cluff is doing. IMO he lost the plot and in the end messed us up Royally

 

[Bladesince59]

3 or 4 decent games and suddenly we are starting to think Adkins is the man. What about the other 30 odd?

 

[Trigger Blade]

Good post, thanks for taking the time to do that Bob Scratchit

Yes, thanks from me too, and if he could edit and turn Brammall to Bramall, it would be even better

 

[Almosthuman]

3 or 4 decent games and suddenly we are starting to think Adkins is the man. What about the other 30 odd?

It's not based on the 3 of 4 good games. It's been a very poor season however, all the blame cannot be laid at his door. He came into a bloated squad with a few decent players, a lot of average ones and a big attitude problem running through the club

He's had Jamie Murphy sold from under him and he has had to keep banging on about promotion despite having a mandate to reduce the squad/Wage bill. He has however worked on bringing academy players through, he has shown (In patches) how effective his brand of football can be when players "Buy in". Sometimes it's looked dreadful but how much of that is due to him and how much is it due to the shower of shit he's got in the team.

He's moved some of said shit on and brought in a few of his own. Billy was a fantastic signing and he has been the best thing about our team this year. Woolford has been woeful and Hammond has had more poor performances than good however would he be more at home in a team with more quality?

Baptiste again a very good signing and it would be fantastic if we could get him permanent and Edgar started well, then had a very bad patch but now looks solid, not a world beater but definitely good enough for this league.

Connor Sammon has been shite, not sure if that was NA's signing or if it was a deal done by Clough before he got the boot.

The point being that this club was a train wreck when he got here. Incredible ground and fanbase but years of mismanagement and poor board decisions have taken its toll. Nigel Adkins has a brilliant record, let'ssee how he does with his own team.

 

[Bob Scratchit]

Yes, thanks from me too, and if he could edit and turn Brammall to Bramall, it would be even better

Whoops sorry that's a typo! A particularly irritating one seeing as I spell checked before to prevent that from happening. I was able to edit the post yesterday but dont seem able to do that now?!

I just wanted to clarify as well as not sure it is clear in the post but that video was created by Southampton F.C themselves, its the usual media team interviewing him. We don't often do half hour videos dedicated to one man, so it shows how much the club respect his achievements. I very much doubt we will get a half hour video celebrating Pochettino anytime soon.

I know that some people find Adkins interviews jarring and certainly if you take them at face value they can be but he does give you snippets of revealing information if you listen for them. In that interview for example he says that 'before the Reading game things were going off behind the scenes' and that is apparently to do with Cortese making it clear there would be issues if he did not beat them and win the league and as we didn't the fall out set in then.

I make this point as he is constantly dropping innocuous comments that if you know the context actually reveal quite a lot about whats happening there too. I've noticed he keeps hinting at the same thing and thought you may be interested to know that whilst he does have a habit of repeating himself week in week out, the message coming from Bramall lane (sorry again trigger!) is markedly different to what I heard when he was at St Marys.

I've heard him discuss player motivation, calling out an individual player in public for not training hard enough (unheard of for him to be negative about an individual in this way, he's more polite about Cortese in that interview!), he keeps repeating the inability of players to play 40 games of football as well, he clearly doesn't think they are fit or have the appetite to push and play hard through the whole season. The other one I notice was where he was calling out a lot at the beginning saying players about asking themselves 'why they were in that division', did they have the pride, drive, professionalism etc to get out of the league, I even saw one where he was calling out one player for simply ignoring him during a game. Its unprecedented to hear him talk like that and I think very revealing about the issues he has faced there.

Still, Nigel always gives players who have erred a chance to get back in the team before he discards them, so when players have been shipped out, it means they have been given chances to redeem themselves but then repeatedly caused issues or been insubordinate. I think this is part of the reason its taken so long to stamp his authority on this squad, the sheer numbers of players who have been moved on tells you a lot. Adkins likes to stick with the same players week in week out, making small rotations for injuries (he is very good at managing injuries and preventing them before they happen) and for tactical tweaks. Apart from that he values consistency and I think its fair to say that's not what has happened there until recently (coincidentally when the team has started to improve too).

I have seen general signs of improvement, the attitude is better and think he's got players playing for him now. I just hope the board don't shoot themselves in the foot and sack him as I genuinely believe he can build on it over the summer with some targeted additions and get automatic promotion next season. I'll be hoping for that as like many Saints fans, I'd like to see Adkins get his reputation restored but obviously time will tell.

 

[Bartleby]

I cannot imagine our supporters looking to see how Cluff is doing. IMO he lost the plot and in the end messed us up Royally

actually I think a lot do and a lot are expecting him to mess up royally again soon. Rumours of fallouts with players now at Burton, sounding familiar.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Whoops sorry that's a typo! A particularly irritating one seeing as I spell checked before to prevent that from happening. I was able to edit the post yesterday but dont seem able to do that now?!

I just wanted to clarify as well as not sure it is clear in the post but that video was created by Southampton F.C themselves, its the usual media team interviewing him. We don't often do half hour videos dedicated to one man, so it shows how much the club respect his achievements. I very much doubt we will get a half hour video celebrating Pochettino anytime soon.

I know that some people find Adkins interviews jarring and certainly if you take them at face value they can be but he does give you snippets of revealing information if you listen for them. In that interview for example he says that 'before the Reading game things were going off behind the scenes' and that is apparently to do with Cortese making it clear there would be issues if he did not beat them and win the league and as we didn't the fall out set in then.

I make this point as he is constantly dropping innocuous comments that if you know the context actually reveal quite a lot about whats happening there too. I've noticed he keeps hinting at the same thing and thought you may be interested to know that whilst he does have a habit of repeating himself week in week out, the message coming from Bramall lane (sorry again trigger!) is markedly different to what I heard when he was at St Marys.

I've heard him discuss player motivation, calling out an individual player in public for not training hard enough (unheard of for him to be negative about an individual in this way, he's more polite about Cortese in that interview!), he keeps repeating the inability of players to play 40 games of football as well, he clearly doesn't think they are fit or have the appetite to push and play hard through the whole season. The other one I notice was where he was calling out a lot at the beginning saying players about asking themselves 'why they were in that division', did they have the pride, drive, professionalism etc to get out of the league, I even saw one where he was calling out one player for simply ignoring him during a game. Its unprecedented to hear him talk like that and I think very revealing about the issues he has faced there.

Still, Nigel always gives players who have erred a chance to get back in the team before he discards them, so when players have been shipped out, it means they have been given chances to redeem themselves but then repeatedly caused issues or been insubordinate. I think this is part of the reason its taken so long to stamp his authority on this squad, the sheer numbers of players who have been moved on tells you a lot. Adkins likes to stick with the same players week in week out, making small rotations for injuries (he is very good at managing injuries and preventing them before they happen) and for tactical tweaks. Apart from that he values consistency and I think its fair to say that's not what has happened there until recently (coincidentally when the team has started to improve too).

I have seen general signs of improvement, the attitude is better and think he's got players playing for him now. I just hope the board don't shoot themselves in the foot and sack him as I genuinely believe he can build on it over the summer with some targeted additions and get automatic promotion next season. I'll be hoping for that as like many Saints fans, I'd like to see Adkins get his reputation restored but obviously time will tell.

Another good post but I'm beginning to think that you are actually Nigel Adkins!

 

[Fiery Blade]

What kind of Con Man is Nigel Adkins ??
After a season of abject failure, he now seems to allude to the fact that we will not get anywhere near promotion he unveils his 'Blueprint for the Blades'
Sorry Nigel, I can see right through you no matter how positive you appear when a microphone is thrust in your face !
Another season in this very poor league and all we have to look forward to is his banal meaningless positive plus interviews which tells us nothing !
What will he come up with at the end of next season 'Blueprint for the Blades 2' or 'Return of the Blueprint'
Perhaps he is in training for his next job along with Mickie Bricks, Danny Blue and Three Socks Morgan in 'Hustle' !

 

[Almosthuman]

What kind of Con Man is Nigel Adkins ??
After a season of abject failure, he now seems to allude to the fact that we will not get anywhere near promotion he unveils his 'Blueprint for the Blades'
Sorry Nigel, I can see right through you no matter how positive you appear when a microphone is thrust in your face !
Another season in this very poor league and all we have to look forward to is his banal meaningless positive plus interviews which tells us nothing !
What will he come up with at the end of next season 'Blueprint for the Blades 2' or 'Return of the Blueprint'
Perhaps he is in training for his next job along with Mickie Bricks, Danny Blue and Three Socks Morgan in 'Hustle' !

I think from the beginning that he always talked about his aims for the future. He has always said he wants...Pathway for Youngsters, to get durable players that can play 40+ games, he wants to play a certain way, quick,attacking, possession based football. That "Blueprint for the Blades" article is just the journalist reporting on comments he made in his post match interview after Gillingham and to be honest its what he's said all season.

Promotion this season was always going to be a massive ask and the board will have insisted that the message be that we are going for Autos in order to keep supporters calm and sales high (Stupid strategy again). Sounds like he was promised incomings in Jan which we never got.

Just can't see where the con is,or the abject failure is, this seasons poor performance and position is (In my opinion) much more to do with the bloated,average team of wage stealers with only couple of decent ones in there. Also the board didn't help themselves either with the stringing along in the transfer windows and Mr Phipps chiming in when he ought not to.

 

[Bob Scratchit]

Another good post but I'm beginning to think that you are actually Nigel Adkins!

Ha I thought I might get accused of that!.

 

[Fiery Blade]

I think from the beginning that he always talked about his aims for the future. He has always said he wants...Pathway for Youngsters, to get durable players that can play 40+ games, he wants to play a certain way, quick,attacking, possession based football. That "Blueprint for the Blades" article is just the journalist reporting on comments he made in his post match interview after Gillingham and to be honest its what he's said all season.

Promotion this season was always going to be a massive ask and the board will have insisted that the message be that we are going for Autos in order to keep supporters calm and sales high (Stupid strategy again). Sounds like he was promised incomings in Jan which we never got.

Just can't see where the con is,or the abject failure is, this seasons poor performance and position is (In my opinion) much more to do with the bloated,average team of wage stealers with only couple of decent ones in there. Also the board didn't help themselves either with the stringing along in the transfer windows and Mr Phipps chiming in when he ought not to.

So the bloated average team as you call them ( minus Murphy plus Sharp, Woolford, Edgar, Baptiste, Hammond and Sammon ) that comfortably finished fifth last season and pushed Tottenham (currently lying second in the Premier League) all the way in the League Cup Semi Final after beating Southampton and West Ham along the way was expected to finish mid table - Sorry, I am not buying that at all !
My bet is that Mr Adkins has substantially increased the wage bill this year and has the team turning in woeful performances week after week !
Has it taken him all season to get them playing as they did against Walsall and Gillingham - what about their performances v Bury (twice), Shrewsbury, Millwall, Crewe etc etc
Seems to me Almosthuman that you along with others have 'bought the con' !!

 

[Nick Jansky]

But when you have been able to analyse his management in far more depth,

Which, being a non attender, you haven't.

 

[Almosthuman]

So the bloated average team as you call them ( minus Murphy plus Sharp, Woolford, Edgar, Baptiste, Hammond and Sammon ) that comfortably finished fifth last season and pushed Tottenham (currently lying second in the Premier League) all the way in the League Cup Semi Final after beating Southampton and West Ham along the way was expected to finish mid table - Sorry, I am not buying that at all !
My bet is that Mr Adkins has substantially increased the wage bill this year and has the team turning in woeful performances week after week !
Has it taken him all season to get them playing as they did against Walsall and Gillingham - what about their performances v Bury (twice), Shrewsbury, Millwall, Crewe etc etc
Seems to me Almosthuman that you along with others have 'bought the con' !!

The team last year were awful and the fact we made the playoffs at all shows just how dire the league was. It wasn't all that comfortable either (Remember Yeovil away?) We made a pretty big job of doing that.

Yes we did well in the cups and they were great memories but the players we had only really turned up for those games last season, showing (in my opinion) a lack of motivation in this league. It's all well and good beating southampton at home and doing well against Spurs but I also remember seeing us record pathetic losses to the likes of Fleetwood, Crewe and Barnsley at home and horrible away losses to Port Vale, Fleetwood, Gillingham.

I'm not saying that this season has been tons better but I also don't think it's fair to say that last season we cruised into the play offs after a great season.We played well in the cup, played some of the worst football i've ever seen in the league and lost to a Piss Poor Swindon team in the playoffs.

I don't think he has increased the wage bill this season although with out knowing for sure I'm only speculating (as you are) but getting rid of Higdon, and all the loans that have gone out you'd have to think that it has made a dent even with the arrivals of the others.

Again, a lot of what you say is right, the crap performances against Bury, Shrews etc... HOWEVER, Clough played with a team that he built (and many of us have agreed how poor his recruitment was) and limped into the playoffs.

NA has finished mid table with a team where a lot of players are out of contract in the summer, not many used to his style of management, a lot of bad attitudes, a fair few injuries early on and with the remit to reduce squad size but more importantly not his team.

There is going to be a rebuilding job this summer,we've seen the kind of play NA is going for in the last couple of games (Not saying that this excuses poor performance all season), the fact that some players could have woken up and decided to play for a contract might be the shift in attitude that was needed to see if Adkins style of football works when played right, the answer is that it does.

So surely the best way forward is going to be to let the man build a squad that will "Buy in" to his style of play, respond to his coaching/Man management style and who might have enough of a spine to turn up and play for the shirt.

No Con bought here buddy, just trying to look at it realistically and without the emotion I usually feel when watching us play crap.

 

[Barney]

Which, being a non attender, you haven't.

Summer recruitment, transfer policy, pretty much every bit of off field management that effects results on the pitch have been there to analyse provided you take the time to do it. A Southampton fan might have done that, but because he is a Southampton fan, I highly doubt he has. I don't blame him either, I couldn't give one solitary shit about Southampton.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Summer recruitment, transfer policy, pretty much every bit of off field management that effects results on the pitch have been there to analyse provided you take the time to do it. A Southampton fan might have done that, but because he is a Southampton fan, I highly doubt he has. I don't blame him either, I couldn't give one solitary shit about Southampton.

Its "affects", not "effects".

The point is that a Southampton fan is likely to have far more knowledge of Adkins' attributes as a manager than you have, based on less than a full season when you have rarely attended.

 

[Bladesman]

Its "affects", not "effects".

The point is that a Southampton fan is likely to have far more knowledge of Adkins' attributes as a manager than you have, based on less than a full season when you have rarely attended.

Not even sure why people bother debating with him.

 

[Barney]

Its "affects", not "effects".

The point is that a Southampton fan is likely to have far more knowledge of Adkins' attributes as a manager than you have, based on less than a full season when you have rarely attended.

I'm not doubting that. But that was years ago. If someone's performing shit in any other working environment, you don't start pointing to something they did years ago as some way to excuse what is happening in the here and now. And if anyone does they probably want sacking themselves.

You stated that I haven't been able to analyse his management in much depth because I don't attend. Summer recruitment and transfer policy are two things you don't need to go to games for, and equally two of the biggest factors for on field performance. Which makes your statement completely invalid.