First Post -- A look at Adkins

[Isar]

There seems to be a lot of views on here that Adkins deserves another season. He has failed this season in a very ordinary league 1. As a manager, in the past he has achieved good things, we all hope this season was a blip for him and next season he will show us he is not past it and can get us out of this shit league.
Fingers crossed.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

3. Anyone can find and sign tall, muscular players. Its not difficult, however those he has signed have been poor (Hammond, Woolford, Sammon). A decent manager would have signed better than this.

4. Done was signed as a half a million pound striker. He was bang average as a left back at Barnsley and Rochdale.

5. Hammond may be a leader, however his contribution to the team has been very poor. On an estimated ten thousand pound a week wage. Joke of a signing, who was signed on previous reputation alone, who doesn't deserve a place in the team on his performances so far. Edgar, between his trips away when playing or often as not playing for Canada, has never been a leader.

6. Got rid of McNulty, Freeman, Harris and Scougs, who I would argue are better than some that remain. Freeman was widely regarded as one of the best performing players in the early part of the season and should not have been allowed to leave.

7. Adams has been disciplined more than once this season. He is clearly one of the squad who has no respect for Adkins. Clough did not bomb McNulty out of the club, despite having issue with his performances.Fans moan about Clough for what he used to say about McNulty, however Adkins has done just the same with Adams, but nobody seems to have an issue with this.

8. However anyone would like to dress it up, we are in a worse position than last year. Yes we lost our best player, however Adkins has been allowed to bring in six expensive signings. Adkins was not brought in with a remit of make us a mid table team instead of one challenging for promotion.

3. I beg to differ. Adkins' record says he's a more than decent manager and he chose them,

4. And pretty average up front this season. He didn't really fit Adkins style but he's found a way to get him in the team and performing a bit better.

5. We don't know what we're paying Hammond, it's a stick people just like to use to beat this manager. I'd argue he does deserve his place in the team as we're worse without him. And he was arguably MoM saturday. Edgar is captain of his country, that is suggestive of some leadership qualities.

6. If the rumours are t be believed, they are players with big egos who have done very little to warrant them. They've shown a bit of promise here and there but have huge weaknesses in their game. Scougall's last game for us (Rochdale away) he was disgraceful and doesn't deserve to wear the shirt again after that bottle job

8. Yes. We're worse than last year. We've been getting worse every year for some time. It seems to go hand in hand with selling our best players every August.

 

[Almosthuman]

3. Anyone can find and sign tall, muscular players. Its not difficult, however those he has signed have been poor (Hammond, Woolford, Sammon). A decent manager would have signed better than this.

4. Done was signed as a half a million pound striker. He was bang average as a left back at Barnsley and Rochdale.

5. Hammond may be a leader, however his contribution to the team has been very poor. On an estimated ten thousand pound a week wage. Joke of a signing, who was signed on previous reputation alone, who doesn't deserve a place in the team on his performances so far. Edgar, between his trips away when playing or often as not playing for Canada, has never been a leader.

6. Got rid of McNulty, Freeman, Harris and Scougs, who I would argue are better than some that remain. Freeman was widely regarded as one of the best performing players in the early part of the season and should not have been allowed to leave.

7. Adams has been disciplined more than once this season. He is clearly one of the squad who has no respect for Adkins. Clough did not bomb McNulty out of the club, despite having issue with his performances.Fans moan about Clough for what he used to say about McNulty, however Adkins has done just the same with Adams, but nobody seems to have an issue with this.

8. However anyone would like to dress it up, we are in a worse position than last year. Yes we lost our best player, however Adkins has been allowed to bring in six expensive signings. Adkins was not brought in with a remit of make us a mid table team instead of one challenging for promotion.

3. Hammond was on paper a great signing, as with Adkins himself, most people wanted him. Didn't work out at first but improving massively now. Will be an asset next season in my opinion.

4. He's not bang average at left back for us. He looks a threat. He didn't look good upfront earlier this season. Although I love the mans work rate and last season he scored some great poachers goals, he didn't really replicate it earlier this season and he doesn't have the same quality as Billy

5. No one knows his wage, it's pure speculation and impossible to build a point based on what you might know. Poor early on but obviously has the right attitude on and off the pitch. Will come good in my opinion.

6. Who regarded Freeman as a stand out player? He was half decent at going forward but was frequently caught out at the back. McNulty is a great finisher but is a very poor influence in the dressing room and goes missing for large parts of games. No big loss with Billy and Che. Harris was always injured and Scougs is a shadow of himself.

7. How is it Clear he has no respect for Adkins? Just as likely he's a growing lad and is prone to the odd tantrum and poor behaviour. Looks like he's turned a corner recently. Refer back to the video where he talks about Sneiderlin in his early days. This could be NA's influence. Nigel has mentioned him before but not to the extremes that Clough did with McNulty, Clough was very insulting and over the top in a non constructive way as is the Clough way. NA talked about how he needs to improve and in what areas. Seems to have worked.

8. No ones dressing it up, it's a crap place to be in but we can't lay all the blame on NA, He needs time to build his team with his ethos before we can judge. I've been pretty critical of the man this season, usually because I'm very emotional about the blades but watching that video and taking a step back helps you see what the man is capable of and I hope that he gets time to put his plan to action.

 

[Higgo's Belly]

3. Hammond was on paper a great signing, as with Adkins himself, most people wanted him. Didn't work out at first but improving massively now. Will be an asset next season in my opinion.

4. He's not bang average at left back for us. He looks a threat. He didn't look good upfront earlier this season. Although I love the mans work rate and last season he scored some great poachers goals, he didn't really replicate it earlier this season and he doesn't have the same quality as Billy

5. No one knows his wage, it's pure speculation and impossible to build a point based on what you might know. Poor early on but obviously has the right attitude on and off the pitch. Will come good in my opinion.

6. Who regarded Freeman as a stand out player? He was half decent at going forward but was frequently caught out at the back. McNulty is a great finisher but is a very poor influence in the dressing room and goes missing for large parts of games. No big loss with Billy and Che. Harris was always injured and Scougs is a shadow of himself.

7. How is it Clear he has no respect for Adkins? Just as likely he's a growing lad and is prone to the odd tantrum and poor behaviour. Looks like he's turned a corner recently. Refer back to the video where he talks about Sneiderlin in his early days. This could be NA's influence. Nigel has mentioned him before but not to the extremes that Clough did with McNulty, Clough was very insulting and over the top in a non constructive way as is the Clough way. NA talked about how he needs to improve and in what areas. Seems to have worked.

8. No ones dressing it up, it's a crap place to be in but we can't lay all the blame on NA, He needs time to build his team with his ethos before we can judge. I've been pretty critical of the man this season, usually because I'm very emotional about the blades but watching that video and taking a step back helps you see what the man is capable of and I hope that he gets time to put his plan to action.

3. Yes, everyone thought Hammond would be a good signing, however how wrong can one be. Most people have since accepted this has not been the case, apart from Adkins, who with his usual spin still insists how great he is. He attempts to justify the signing by saying everyone doesn't see how well he does the things to nobody else wants to do. Sorry Nigel, you dont see how badly he plays. I dont see him being an asset next season. He already looks like he's running through treacle and will be even older and slower next season. A young athletic midfielder would be far more beneficial

4. Done has done well since he's played at left back, however he was signed as a half a million pound striker. He is not a half a million pound left back. Harris or Freeman could have been retained and both would have done just as good. Sharp has more quality than Done, however signing another similar striker was not the priority at the start of the season, when we already had Done. Defensive signings were the priority, however Adkins did not address this weakness.

5. I accept there is no evidence about the size of Hammond's wages this season. Its unlikely though that we wont be paying a substantial amount and loan fee to Leicester, for his services. Experienced Premier League players do not usually come cheap.
I do not understand what evidence there is that Hammond will come good. He is slow and will only become slower as he gets older. He has had no more than a couple of good games. There is no way he will be signing next season for low wages. The thought of him being given a one year contract is bad enough, but Adkins is so in love with him, its not beyond the realms of possibility that it could be a two or three year contract. What a prospect.

6. Many people, including myself thought Freeman was the stand out defender, during the early part of the season. He was unlucky in the sense that Brayford regained his fitness and immediately took his place, despite him doing nothing wrong. I suspect that he had words with Adkins after being dropped and was duly dispatched. Both Scougall and Freeman are still young players. Scougall has never really been played this season at all in his proper position. Freeman is a very versatile player who can play on both flanks. Players like that are invaluable for the bench, if not in the starting eleven. Due to the promise both have shown, I believe that Adkins should have given them both more of a chance. Likewise with McNulty, he's a good young player and Adkins is payed to manage. He should be experienced enough to be able to find a way manage his temperment, instead of just getting rid of him. Thats what he's payed for, to manage.

7. I believe that the players see Adkins as a soft touch, after Clough. There have been numerous incidents of lack of discipline throughout Adkins reign. Adams and McGahey turning up drunk for training, the Dublin Christmas party fiasco. Adams disciplined and later accused of not trying in training. Not sure why there wont be further problems with Adams and others, due to the drinking culture amongst the players (out on the beer on Carver Street at 1am, after the Gillingam game). Adkins should not be making his thoughts about Adams public, it should be kept to the training ground.

8. Adkins has had a pre-season and almost a full season to show some sort of progress. This has not happened and the team is going backwards. I know what Cotterill, Powell and Wilder are capable of and its better that what we've had to suffer this season.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Sorry to interject into this back-and-forth, but hasn't Matty Done been used as a left wingback since the formation changed rather than left-back, which when we played one in a back 4 was previously McEveley? Wayne Quinn wasn't a particularly good left-back or left-winger – he made a very good left wingback. They are different positions, and it's not the case that good full-backs/wingers adjust to the position well.

 

[Grappler]

Clearly Southampton fans love Adkins, however if you asked the majority of Reading fans, they would have a much different view. Sometimes a manager is a good fit for a club and everything clicks. Adkins is simply not right for the Blades. Yorkshire fans like straight talking people, who tell it as it is. They dont tend to warm to a spin merchants who attempt to pull the wool over their eyes. Adkins career is in decline. He got lucky by taking over at Scunthorpe when they were going to get promoted anyway (its funny how he is supposed to have done a brilliant job at Scunthorpe after taking over a team at the top of the table, however if Clough takes Burton up it will be all down to Jimmy Floyd Haaselbank).
Cotterill did a fanastic job ktaking Bristol City up as champions, likewise Powell at Charlton. The job Wilder is doing at Northampton will result in them going up as champions. He has served his apprenticeship and is ready for his chance to manage a big club. He is a manager on the up unlike

"The job Wilder is doing at Northampton will result in them going up as champions. He has served his apprenticeship and is ready for his chance to manage a big club. He is a manager on the up unlike"

Mate, I don't usually like getting into arguments with fellow Blades, but you are talking bollocks.

Chris Wilder is 48 years old, he will be 49 in five months, that is a long "apprenticeship" he has served, isn't it? almost 50 years old, but a manager "on the up"?

Adkins was getting clubs promoted to the Championship at 42 years of age.

Adkins got lucky at Scunthorpe? really? didn't he take them up as champions,struggled, went down, and brought them straight back up again?

How lucky was he at Southampton then? You don't seem to have mentioned that bit, you know, the bit with two back-to-back promotions, where the club went on to record (for them) unbeaten runs and clean sheets?

I have no problem if you,or others, don't like Adkins, but let's all at least agree that he has "done it", on a number of occasions.

 

[Grappler]

3. Yes, everyone thought Hammond would be a good signing, however how wrong can one be. Most people have since accepted this has not been the case, apart from Adkins, who with his usual spin still insists how great he is. He attempts to justify the signing by saying everyone doesn't see how well he does the things to nobody else wants to do. Sorry Nigel, you dont see how badly he plays. I dont see him being an asset next season. He already looks like he's running through treacle and will be even older and slower next season. A young athletic midfielder would be far more beneficial

4. Done has done well since he's played at left back, however he was signed as a half a million pound striker. He is not a half a million pound left back. Harris or Freeman could have been retained and both would have done just as good. Sharp has more quality than Done, however signing another similar striker was not the priority at the start of the season, when we already had Done. Defensive signings were the priority, however Adkins did not address this weakness.

5. I accept there is no evidence about the size of Hammond's wages this season. Its unlikely though that we wont be paying a substantial amount and loan fee to Leicester, for his services. Experienced Premier League players do not usually come cheap.
I do not understand what evidence there is that Hammond will come good. He is slow and will only become slower as he gets older. He has had no more than a couple of good games. There is no way he will be signing next season for low wages. The thought of him being given a one year contract is bad enough, but Adkins is so in love with him, its not beyond the realms of possibility that it could be a two or three year contract. What a prospect.

6. Many people, including myself thought Freeman was the stand out defender, during the early part of the season. He was unlucky in the sense that Brayford regained his fitness and immediately took his place, despite him doing nothing wrong. I suspect that he had words with Adkins after being dropped and was duly dispatched. Both Scougall and Freeman are still young players. Scougall has never really been played this season at all in his proper position. Freeman is a very versatile player who can play on both flanks. Players like that are invaluable for the bench, if not in the starting eleven. Due to the promise both have shown, I believe that Adkins should have given them both more of a chance. Likewise with McNulty, he's a good young player and Adkins is payed to manage. He should be experienced enough to be able to find a way manage his temperment, instead of just getting rid of him. Thats what he's payed for, to manage.

7. I believe that the players see Adkins as a soft touch, after Clough. There have been numerous incidents of lack of discipline throughout Adkins reign. Adams and McGahey turning up drunk for training, the Dublin Christmas party fiasco. Adams disciplined and later accused of not trying in training. Not sure why there wont be further problems with Adams and others, due to the drinking culture amongst the players (out on the beer on Carver Street at 1am, after the Gillingam game). Adkins should not be making his thoughts about Adams public, it should be kept to the training ground.

8. Adkins has had a pre-season and almost a full season to show some sort of progress. This has not happened and the team is going backwards. I know what Cotterill, Powell and Wilder are capable of and its better that what we've had to suffer this season.

"...Done has done well since he's played at left back, however he was signed as a half a million pound striker..."

We paid half a million pound for Matt Done? really? please show us all the source for this, I would love to know where that information comes from

 

[Grappler]

3. Yes, everyone thought Hammond would be a good signing, however how wrong can one be. Most people have since accepted this has not been the case, apart from Adkins, who with his usual spin still insists how great he is. He attempts to justify the signing by saying everyone doesn't see how well he does the things to nobody else wants to do. Sorry Nigel, you dont see how badly he plays. I dont see him being an asset next season. He already looks like he's running through treacle and will be even older and slower next season. A young athletic midfielder would be far more beneficial

4. Done has done well since he's played at left back, however he was signed as a half a million pound striker. He is not a half a million pound left back. Harris or Freeman could have been retained and both would have done just as good. Sharp has more quality than Done, however signing another similar striker was not the priority at the start of the season, when we already had Done. Defensive signings were the priority, however Adkins did not address this weakness.

5. I accept there is no evidence about the size of Hammond's wages this season. Its unlikely though that we wont be paying a substantial amount and loan fee to Leicester, for his services. Experienced Premier League players do not usually come cheap.
I do not understand what evidence there is that Hammond will come good. He is slow and will only become slower as he gets older. He has had no more than a couple of good games. There is no way he will be signing next season for low wages. The thought of him being given a one year contract is bad enough, but Adkins is so in love with him, its not beyond the realms of possibility that it could be a two or three year contract. What a prospect.

6. Many people, including myself thought Freeman was the stand out defender, during the early part of the season. He was unlucky in the sense that Brayford regained his fitness and immediately took his place, despite him doing nothing wrong. I suspect that he had words with Adkins after being dropped and was duly dispatched. Both Scougall and Freeman are still young players. Scougall has never really been played this season at all in his proper position. Freeman is a very versatile player who can play on both flanks. Players like that are invaluable for the bench, if not in the starting eleven. Due to the promise both have shown, I believe that Adkins should have given them both more of a chance. Likewise with McNulty, he's a good young player and Adkins is payed to manage. He should be experienced enough to be able to find a way manage his temperment, instead of just getting rid of him. Thats what he's payed for, to manage.

7. I believe that the players see Adkins as a soft touch, after Clough. There have been numerous incidents of lack of discipline throughout Adkins reign. Adams and McGahey turning up drunk for training, the Dublin Christmas party fiasco. Adams disciplined and later accused of not trying in training. Not sure why there wont be further problems with Adams and others, due to the drinking culture amongst the players (out on the beer on Carver Street at 1am, after the Gillingam game). Adkins should not be making his thoughts about Adams public, it should be kept to the training ground.

8. Adkins has had a pre-season and almost a full season to show some sort of progress. This has not happened and the team is going backwards. I know what Cotterill, Powell and Wilder are capable of and its better that what we've had to suffer this season.

"...Done has done well since he's played at left back, however he was signed as a half a million pound striker..."

We paid half a million pound for Matt Done? really? please show us all the source for this, I would love to know where that information comes from

 

[finlaytheblade]

Murphy, Doyle, S. Davies, B. Davies, Holt, Dimaio, McNulty, Scougall, Freeman, Harris, J. Wallace, JCR, McFadzean, Alcock, Collins and soon to be Baxter.


15-16 players moved out on loan or permanent (or in the case of Holt and Davies loans ended) from last season’s team compared to the 6 in (including loans). I very much doubt the wage bill is increased.

You are flogging a dead horse with some posters Almosthuman they won't accept what you post my matter how sensible it is.

 

[finlaytheblade]

You are flogging a dead horse with some posters Almosthuman they won't accept what you post my matter how sensible it is.

Sorry Dane I mistook you for Almosthuman my apologies.still excited about Gills losing to Walsall
Keeps it alive just!!!

 

[grafikhaus]

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.

Atletico Madrid sacked 52 managers in 25 years before finding the right one. Now Simeone is the longest serving manager in Spain. That's how a manager gets to keep his job. By being successful.

 

[BushBlade]

Atletico Madrid sacked 52 managers in 25 years before finding the right one. Now Simeone is the longest serving manager in Spain. That's how a manager gets to keep his job. By being successful.

And during those 25 years Man U had one manager. He didn't win anything in his first two years. I think his reasons were that the team had a strong drinking culture and lacked the will to win so he had to clear out the players and bring new ones in.

 

[BeatleBlade]

And during those 25 years Man U had one manager. He didn't win anything in his first two years. I think his reasons were that the team had a strong drinking culture and lacked the will to win so he had to clear out the players and bring new ones in.

Sounds familiar

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

And during those 25 years Man U had one manager. He didn't win anything in his first two years. I think his reasons were that the team had a strong drinking culture and lacked the will to win so he had to clear out the players and bring new ones in.

All orchestrated on the field of play by captain marvel our beloved ex manager . Think it's a bit horses for courses , and with Adkins we are so desperate for him to succeed , because if he does we do .

We are IMO clutching at straws with every which way we turn , as this season has been a disaster , Adkins as yet to win any browny points , but we don't want to sack him , as we want them green shoots , and the light at the end of the tunnel to be there next season.

Hopefully the Adkins bloke does it and he is keeping his job for the right reasons , bearing in mind logic goes out of the window at the lane.

UTB

 

[BushBlade]

All orchestrated on the field of play by captain marvel our beloved ex manager . Think it's a bit horses for courses , and with Adkins we are so desperate for him to succeed , because if he does we do .

We are IMO clutching at straws with every which way we turn , as this season has been a disaster , Adkins as yet to win any browny points , but we don't want to sack him , as we want them green shoots , and the light at the end of the tunnel to be there next season.

Hopefully the Adkins bloke does it and he is keeping his job for the right reasons , bearing in mind logic goes out of the window at the lane.

UTB

I've no more idea whether Adkins will turn us around as the next man tbh. But let's be honest, the last five seasons have been a disaster and Adkins hasn't been in charge for most of them.

My reply was as much to demonstrate that you can always find examples to support your argument as anything.

 

[BeatleBlade]

Can anybody name a team that got promoted under the same circumstances that Adkins has had? Bloated unbalanced squad that was injury prone and started off pre-season deeply unfit. He's had to cut that which is made even more difficult by the large contracts some of them are on. He's had to eradicate a drinking culture and bad attitude amongst the players, many of which won't play for him or the board. He's had little money to spend on transfers this year, infact I think it's been a negative spend this year for a team that already wasn't good enough to get promoted.
Can anyone name a side like this that was turned around in less than a year by their manager? It's an exceptionally difficult job that he's taken on and looking back I can't believe that I thought promotion was a realistic possibility this year.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Can anybody name a team that got promoted under the same circumstances that Adkins has had? Bloated unbalanced squad that was injury prone and started off pre-season deeply unfit. He's had to cut that which is made even more difficult by the large contracts some of them are on. He's had to eradicate a drinking culture and bad attitude amongst the players, many of which won't play for him or the board. He's had little money to spend on transfers this year, infact I think it's been a negative spend this year for a team that already wasn't good enough to get promoted.
Can anyone name a side like this that was turned around in less than a year by their manager? It's an exceptionally difficult job that he's taken on and looking back I can't believe that I thought promotion was a realistic possibility this year.

You come into the club analysis what you have got and ship the fuckers out pdq. Charlton and Bristol City comes to mind without really thinking about it . They both spent a boat load of money rebuilding .

Problem we had / have is players in a comfort zone , only way for them is down not up , good salaries , nice club , nice training facilities . Loads of hot water . Long contracts , part of the furniture . Happy to see there contracts out , know that they would be on there way at the end of this season , therefore not fully committed to the cause .

Ok you could say , why didn't he do a Warnock like at Rotherham . Well Warnock is short term and what he is doing is not sustainable . Warnock manager next season with the same squad , Rotherham will get relegated.

Adkins has made mistakes , but let's forget this shit transition season , and hope he gets the financial backing to build a quality successful team.

We all thought we would get promotion this year as we all bought in to Adkins CV and past success .

Are we Reading in disguise or is that another excuse .

UTB

 

[BeatleBlade]

You come into the club analysis what you have got and ship the fuckers out pdq. Charlton and Bristol City comes to mind without really thinking about it . They both spent a boat load of money rebuilding .

Problem we had / have is players in a comfort zone , only way for them is down not up , good salaries , nice club , nice training facilities . Loads of hot water . Long contracts , part of the furniture . Happy to see there contracts out , know that they would be on there way at the end of this season , therefore not fully committed to the cause .

Ok you could say , why didn't he do a Warnock like at Rotherham . Well Warnock is short term and what he is doing is not sustainable . Warnock manager next season with the same squad , Rotherham will get relegated.

Adkins has made mistakes , but let's forget this shit transition season , and hope he gets the financial backing to build a quality successful team.

We all thought we would get promotion this year as we all bought in to Adkins CV and past success .

Are we Reading in disguise or is that another excuse .

UTB

I really don't think we'll be another Reading unless the board screw us up (always a possibility though). It seems like he was sold false promises at Reading and as a result he didn't succeed. Despite the way it ended at Southampton (chairman having it in for him), with everyone pulling together in the same direction they achieved an incredible amount in a very short period of time.
It's not just his CV for me. When you read about how much detail he goes into behind the scenes (fitness, scouting, tactics etc.) its evident in my mind that given the right tools he'll get the job done. There have been disappointments and mistakes made this year but I think they are largely down to what he inherited. He's had the odd tactical balls up but he's only human, every manager makes errors from time to time. I'm just glad he's not stubborn like his predecessor and is always looking to change things for the best.

Also, like you say, with those teams money was spent to turn it around. It's near impossible to turn it around without any money when you're up against so much.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

3. Yes, everyone thought Hammond would be a good signing, however how wrong can one be. Most people have since accepted this has not been the case, apart from Adkins, who with his usual spin still insists how great he is. He attempts to justify the signing by saying everyone doesn't see how well he does the things to nobody else wants to do. Sorry Nigel, you dont see how badly he plays. I dont see him being an asset next season. He already looks like he's running through treacle and will be even older and slower next season. A young athletic midfielder would be far more beneficial

4. Done has done well since he's played at left back, however he was signed as a half a million pound striker. He is not a half a million pound left back. Harris or Freeman could have been retained and both would have done just as good. Sharp has more quality than Done, however signing another similar striker was not the priority at the start of the season, when we already had Done. Defensive signings were the priority, however Adkins did not address this weakness.

5. I accept there is no evidence about the size of Hammond's wages this season. Its unlikely though that we wont be paying a substantial amount and loan fee to Leicester, for his services. Experienced Premier League players do not usually come cheap.
I do not understand what evidence there is that Hammond will come good. He is slow and will only become slower as he gets older. He has had no more than a couple of good games. There is no way he will be signing next season for low wages. The thought of him being given a one year contract is bad enough, but Adkins is so in love with him, its not beyond the realms of possibility that it could be a two or three year contract. What a prospect.

6. Many people, including myself thought Freeman was the stand out defender, during the early part of the season. He was unlucky in the sense that Brayford regained his fitness and immediately took his place, despite him doing nothing wrong. I suspect that he had words with Adkins after being dropped and was duly dispatched. Both Scougall and Freeman are still young players. Scougall has never really been played this season at all in his proper position. Freeman is a very versatile player who can play on both flanks. Players like that are invaluable for the bench, if not in the starting eleven. Due to the promise both have shown, I believe that Adkins should have given them both more of a chance. Likewise with McNulty, he's a good young player and Adkins is payed to manage. He should be experienced enough to be able to find a way manage his temperment, instead of just getting rid of him. Thats what he's payed for, to manage.

7. I believe that the players see Adkins as a soft touch, after Clough. There have been numerous incidents of lack of discipline throughout Adkins reign. Adams and McGahey turning up drunk for training, the Dublin Christmas party fiasco. Adams disciplined and later accused of not trying in training. Not sure why there wont be further problems with Adams and others, due to the drinking culture amongst the players (out on the beer on Carver Street at 1am, after the Gillingam game). Adkins should not be making his thoughts about Adams public, it should be kept to the training ground.

8. Adkins has had a pre-season and almost a full season to show some sort of progress. This has not happened and the team is going backwards. I know what Cotterill, Powell and Wilder are capable of and its better that what we've had to suffer this season.

You have no idea what they are capable of at this club in the circumstances NA had managed us under. Adkins had a fantastic record and many would have said he would have been miles better than those you mention last summer. Fact is, it’s been a poor season for a number of reasons, many of which have been beyond Adkins’ control (and yes, some down to his mistakes- I’m sure he would admit that). There’s no evidence at all to suggest the others would have done any better.


All managers are human. All make mistakes. All do things that annoy fans at times. I guarantee that if we sack Adkins and appoint one of those three that there will be fans who don’t rate them and get really irate on here over certain signings, tactical decisions, interview tendencies etc.


Cotteril and Powell all had the chance to manage the team for a bit the season before and clear plenty of deadwood in the summer bringing plenty of their own players in. Let’s see what Adkins can do given that chance before we bin him off

 

[HillmortonBlade]

3. Yes, everyone thought Hammond would be a good signing, however how wrong can one be. Most people have since accepted this has not been the case, apart from Adkins, who with his usual spin still insists how great he is. He attempts to justify the signing by saying everyone doesn't see how well he does the things to nobody else wants to do. Sorry Nigel, you dont see how badly he plays. I dont see him being an asset next season. He already looks like he's running through treacle and will be even older and slower next season. A young athletic midfielder would be far more beneficial

4. Done has done well since he's played at left back, however he was signed as a half a million pound striker. He is not a half a million pound left back. Harris or Freeman could have been retained and both would have done just as good. Sharp has more quality than Done, however signing another similar striker was not the priority at the start of the season, when we already had Done. Defensive signings were the priority, however Adkins did not address this weakness.

5. I accept there is no evidence about the size of Hammond's wages this season. Its unlikely though that we wont be paying a substantial amount and loan fee to Leicester, for his services. Experienced Premier League players do not usually come cheap.
I do not understand what evidence there is that Hammond will come good. He is slow and will only become slower as he gets older. He has had no more than a couple of good games. There is no way he will be signing next season for low wages. The thought of him being given a one year contract is bad enough, but Adkins is so in love with him, its not beyond the realms of possibility that it could be a two or three year contract. What a prospect.

6. Many people, including myself thought Freeman was the stand out defender, during the early part of the season. He was unlucky in the sense that Brayford regained his fitness and immediately took his place, despite him doing nothing wrong. I suspect that he had words with Adkins after being dropped and was duly dispatched. Both Scougall and Freeman are still young players. Scougall has never really been played this season at all in his proper position. Freeman is a very versatile player who can play on both flanks. Players like that are invaluable for the bench, if not in the starting eleven. Due to the promise both have shown, I believe that Adkins should have given them both more of a chance. Likewise with McNulty, he's a good young player and Adkins is payed to manage. He should be experienced enough to be able to find a way manage his temperment, instead of just getting rid of him. Thats what he's payed for, to manage.

7. I believe that the players see Adkins as a soft touch, after Clough. There have been numerous incidents of lack of discipline throughout Adkins reign. Adams and McGahey turning up drunk for training, the Dublin Christmas party fiasco. Adams disciplined and later accused of not trying in training. Not sure why there wont be further problems with Adams and others, due to the drinking culture amongst the players (out on the beer on Carver Street at 1am, after the Gillingam game). Adkins should not be making his thoughts about Adams public, it should be kept to the training ground.

8. Adkins has had a pre-season and almost a full season to show some sort of progress. This has not happened and the team is going backwards. I know what Cotterill, Powell and Wilder are capable of and its better that what we've had to suffer this season.

Baseless speculation with little, if any, evidence.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Baseless speculation with little, if any, evidence.

Agree with you top man.

Speculation , hearsay , opinions , are taking over facts like in a novel by a masterful plotter .

Let's give some credit to Adkins , even if it is having the bottle in the first place to become part of the mad house we love and support.

UTB

 

[Barney]

Take everything else out of the equation, thd fact of the matter is that Adkins was given a fair wedge of money to spend on what he liked. Instead of signing good players, he signed bad ones. That is nobody else's fault other than Nigel Adkins'. So surprising to see so many supporters unable to grasp this very simple fact.

 

[BeatleBlade]

Take everything else out of the equation, thd fact of the matter is that Adkins was given a fair wedge of money to spend on what he liked. Instead of signing good players, he signed bad ones. That is nobody else's fault other than Nigel Adkins'. So surprising to see so many supporters unable to grasp this very simple fact.

No he wasn't given a fair wedge, he's had to cut the wage budget. Also, why take everything else out of the equation? It's important in order to understand the situation!
He's signed a mixed bag, but given that he's only been able to pay a fee for one of them it kind of sums up what money he was given to work with.

 

[Barney]

No he wasn't given a fair wedge, he's had to cut the wage budget. Also, why take everything else out of the equation? It's important in order to understand the situation!
He's signed a mixed bag, but given that he's only been able to pay a fee for one of them it kind of sums up what money he was given to work with.

1.5 million in total spent on the new signings this season if an ITK is to be believed. I think it's probably more than that and that figure wasn't even factoring in Sammon's wages, who is supposedly the clubs highest earner. Other than Wigan, tell me one other club in this division that has spent that sort of money this season.

 

[BeatleBlade]

1.5 million in total spent on the new signings this season if an ITK is to be believed. I think it's probably more than that and that figure wasn't even factoring in Sammon's wages, who is supposedly the clubs highest earner. Other than Wigan, tell me one other club in this division that has spent that sort of money this season.

Yes, £1.5m spent all of which was raised himself through the sale of our undervalued best player and a cup game.
I don't know how much other teams have spent in regards to wages, but I do know we have the 6th/7th largest budget in the league according to the man himself.

Given how poor the squad was last year how can you expect (given how much the playing budget has also been cut) him to get us an extra 20 points on what we achieved last season? Taking into account we have the 6th/7th largest budget in the league and we've lost our best player for less than he's worth.
Sammon wasn't brought in by Adkins and with those wages he's just a drain on resources, giving Adkins even less room for maneuver.
There are many more factors at play on top of that which the same ITK poster you've quoted has gone into time and time again.

 

[Barney]

Yes, £1.5m spent all of which was raised himself through the sale of our undervalued best player and a cup game.
I don't know how much other teams have spent in regards to wages, but I do know we have the 6th/7th largest budget in the league according to the man himself.

Given how poor the squad was last year how can you expect (given how much the playing budget has also been cut) him to get us an extra 20 points on what we achieved last season? Taking into account we have the 6th/7th largest budget in the league and we've lost our best player for less than he's worth.
Sammon wasn't brought in by Adkins and with those wages he's just a drain on resources, giving Adkins even less room for maneuver.
There are many more factors at play on top of that which the same ITK poster you've quoted has gone into time and time again.

Bottom line is there are no clubs in this league other than Wigan that have spent that sort of money on incoming players.

 

[BeatleBlade]

Bottom line is there are no clubs in this league other than Wigan that have spent that sort of money on incoming players.

No, the bottom line is that we have the 6th/7th biggest budget in the league and with all the factors at play it's stupid to think promotion is a possibility.
I really don't know how you can just ignore all other factors that have contributed to our downfall this season. It's not football manager or Fifa. I think you just shut out the information that goes against your beliefs because you don't want to know about it and have to consider the possibility that you may be wrong. You made up your mind pretty quickly on Adkins and you are dead set on making sure that it won't change no matter what.
You keep repeating that only Wigan have spent that sort of money on anyone in fees but that's not the point because our budget isn't very high (6th or 7th). That's the important statistic. We've been constrained because of Clough's failings and the board have pursued austerity as a result.
Look at Coventry and the amount of players they've brought in. Joe Cole won't be on low wages!
The stats are out there but if you choose to only look at the one statistic that suits your argument then it's no wonder you think the season is purely Adkins' fault.

 

[Bladesman]

No, the bottom line is that we have the 6th/7th biggest budget in the league and with all the factors at play it's stupid to think promotion is a possibility.
I really don't know how you can just ignore all other factors that have contributed to our downfall this season. It's not football manager or Fifa. I think you just shut out the information that goes against your beliefs because you don't want to know about it and have to consider the possibility that you may be wrong. You made up your mind pretty quickly on Adkins and you are dead set on making sure that it won't change no matter what.
You keep repeating that only Wigan have spent that sort of money on anyone in fees but that's not the point because our budget isn't very high (6th or 7th). That's the important statistic. We've been constrained because of Clough's failings and the board have pursued austerity as a result.
Look at Coventry and the amount of players they've brought in. Joe Cole won't be on low wages!
The stats are out there but if you choose to only look at the one statistic that suits your argument then it's no wonder you think the season is purely Adkins' fault.

There is no point debating with someone who gave up on Adkins and the club as early as October last year.

 

[BeatleBlade]

There is no point debating with someone who gave up on Adkins and the club as early as October last year.

True, I thought it was worth a shot haha.
I just don't see how someone can be so blinkered. How can we perform better (given how bad we were last year) after losing our best player and then having to fill gaps in several areas of the pitch with only £1.5m to spend which was not even close to how much he was worth alone. It defies sense to me completely.

 

[BushBlade]

True, I thought it was worth a shot haha.
I just don't see how someone can be so blinkered. How can we perform better (given how bad we were last year) after losing our best player and then having to fill gaps in several areas of the pitch with only £1.5m to spend which was not even close to how much he was worth alone. It defies sense to me completely.

Maybe that's why Clough put himself in a situation where we sacked him? That after realising KM wasn't going to fund the spending he thought he needed to get us up he made sure he wasn't going to take the can for our failure.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Can anybody name a team that got promoted under the same circumstances that Adkins has had? Bloated unbalanced squad that was injury prone and started off pre-season deeply unfit. He's had to cut that which is made even more difficult by the large contracts some of them are on. He's had to eradicate a drinking culture and bad attitude amongst the players, many of which won't play for him or the board. He's had little money to spend on transfers this year, infact I think it's been a negative spend this year for a team that already wasn't good enough to get promoted.
Can anyone name a side like this that was turned around in less than a year by their manager? It's an exceptionally difficult job that he's taken on and looking back I can't believe that I thought promotion was a realistic possibility this year.

To be fair, we didn’t know the constraints he’d be under. Nor did we know whether the old players would respond to his approach. Given what he did at Southampton with players who seemed shit previously, we could be forgiven for thinking it might be do-able. But it hasn’t worked out this year. Doesn’t mean he’s a bad manager, just that he couldn’t turn it round in the first season in difficult circumstances as we hoped he might.