Interview With Adkins After Barnsley (H)

[Darthblade]

We only miss him because he is better than the clap we have to put up with, they certainly do not "gallop" nor "run" !!

After 15 minutes last Saturday after a United attack I said to the Missus," just look at Hammond and Coutts hobbling back to position". Seriously these lads have such mobility issues they walk just like me and I'm 68 years old. What did she say - " oh shut up, you're obsessed, if you can't think of anything positive to say about them, just shut up!!" And she's right, watching Coutts and Hammond in the same midfield incenses me, but I only complain about 1 in 10 times I'm thinking it. If they are still with us next season, there will be a couple of tickets often available on match days. Youth, optimism, pace, mobility, hunger - that's what we need - not two players who have to cope with recovery if they ever venture into the final third of the pitch.

I'm not defending Baxter any more, I just know where our weaknesses are.

Fair point ...... I agree that a bit of pace gets you a lot of havoc against ordinary defences in this Division ......

UTB & FTP

 

[1danewhitehouse]

We only miss him because he is better than the clap we have to put up with, they certainly do not "gallop" nor "run" !!

After 15 minutes last Saturday after a United attack I said to the Missus," just look at Hammond and Coutts hobbling back to position". Seriously these lads have such mobility issues they walk just like me and I'm 68 years old. What did she say - " oh shut up, you're obsessed, if you can't think of anything positive to say about them, just shut up!!" And she's right, watching Coutts and Hammond in the same midfield incenses me, but I only complain about 1 in 10 times I'm thinking it. If they are still with us next season, there will be a couple of tickets often available on match days. Youth, optimism, pace, mobility, hunger - that's what we need - not two players who have to cope with recovery if they ever venture into the final third of the pitch.

I'm not defending Baxter any more, I just know where our weaknesses are.

I agree their lack of mobility is a big issue. But bringing in Baxter to solve midfield mobility issues is like bringing in Derek Geary to address the lack of height in the team. Oh for another Connor Coady in there...

 

[Woodwardfan]

I agree their lack of mobility is a big issue. But bringing in Baxter to solve midfield mobility issues is like bringing in Derek Geary to address the lack of height in the team. Oh for another Connor Coady in there...

Nobody I know wants Baxter back.

 

[The Bohemian]

We only miss him because he is better than the clap we have to put up with, they certainly do not "gallop" nor "run" !!

After 15 minutes last Saturday after a United attack I said to the Missus," just look at Hammond and Coutts hobbling back to position". Seriously these lads have such mobility issues they walk just like me and I'm 68 years old. What did she say - " oh shut up, you're obsessed, if you can't think of anything positive to say about them, just shut up!!" And she's right, watching Coutts and Hammond in the same midfield incenses me, but I only complain about 1 in 10 times I'm thinking it. If they are still with us next season, there will be a couple of tickets often available on match days. Youth, optimism, pace, mobility, hunger - that's what we need - not two players who have to cope with recovery if they ever venture into the final third of the pitch.

I'm not defending Baxter any more, I just know where our weaknesses are.

Coutts, finally, looks fit enough to see out 90 mins, so some credit to Adkins and his team for that. He is also our most comfortable player on the ball, tries consistently to pass the ball forwards and rarely wastes possession. He may not be the answer but we have far bigger issues to address than Paul Coutts.

Hammond, on the other hand, could yet prove to be Adkins' final undoing. I appreciate the value of a holding midfield player and the "hidden" contribution a good one makes. After too many months on 'Hammond watch' I see two qualities, which he brings:

1. He is positionally aware, keeps the team's shape and provides some protection for the defence. There have been occasions this season when him being substituted - much to the glee of many in the stadium - has resulted in us struggling to contain opponents and conceding goals.

2. He works very hard.

Unfortunately, both 1 and 2 are undermined by, as you point out, his lack of mobility, which results in him conceding free-kicks and being caught in possession. That's aside from the fact that he contributes almost nothing offensively and seems to have a shooting phobia.

Adkins is right in the sense that we need someone to do the job Hammond is paid to do - just someone who can do it better!

 

[bornablade]

I firmly believe that if we hadn't sold Jamie Murphy, Adkins would have gotten us up this season. He was by far and away our best player and often only attacking outlet and we got rid of him for a pittance so we had to start all over again and learn to play without our only outlet from the previous season. We were doomed to failure from this point it was simply too much to overcome for a club that never, ever replaces the talent they flog. We need to add more quality to the team else we are going nowhere... Again.

And this does mean we have to spend money on transfer fees. That's the only way we will acquire the quality needed. There is no use spending fees for the likes of Murphy on the wages of free transfers. I don't buy that we can do it largely on free transfers just because other clubs in this league do. We are not another club, we are Sheffield United. Free transfers to us just means clones of Ryan France. We must buy the best players from the clubs around us and to get them we will have to pay.

I firmly believe that Murphy would not have left if Clough had stayed. Murphy was not pulling up any trees before Clough arrived and he was the guy that instilled confidence and the belief that he could beat anyone on that left wing. He's now sitting on a potential Premiership contract.

 

[RealMcCoy]

Coutts, finally, looks fit enough to see out 90 mins, so some credit to Adkins and his team for that. He is also our most comfortable player on the ball, tries consistently to pass the ball forwards and rarely wastes possession. He may not be the answer but we have far bigger issues to address than Paul Coutts.

Hammond, on the other hand, could yet prove to be Adkins' final undoing. I appreciate the value of a holding midfield player and the "hidden" contribution a good one makes. After too many months on 'Hammond watch' I see two qualities, which he brings:

1. He is positionally aware, keeps the team's shape and provides some protection for the defence. There have been occasions this season when him being substituted - much to the glee of many in the stadium - has resulted in us struggling to contain opponents and conceding goals.

2. He works very hard.

Unfortunately, both 1 and 2 are undermined by, as you point out, his lack of mobility, which results in him conceding free-kicks and being caught in possession. That's aside from the fact that he contributes almost nothing offensively and seems to have a shooting phobia.

Adkins is right in the sense that we need someone to do the job Hammond is paid to do - just someone who can do it better!

Have to agree with all of this about both Coutts and Hammond. Very well observed.

 

[finlaytheblade]

I firmly believe that Murphy would not have left if Clough had stayed. Murphy was not pulling up any trees before Clough arrived and he was the guy that instilled confidence and the belief that he could beat anyone on that left wing. He's now sitting on a potential Premiership contract.

He left for the money and the opportunity to play for Scotland, he is part of the squad now I think so is a lot closer than if he was playing for a third division club.But I suppose it's just something else to bash Mccabe with !!.

 

[Barney]

He left for the money and the opportunity to play for Scotland, he is part of the squad now I think so is a lot closer than if he was playing for a third division club.But I suppose it's just something else to bash Mccabe with !!.

We had every power to keep him to his contract. We predictably bottled it.

 

[finlaytheblade]

We had every power to keep him to his contract. We predictably bottled it.

Thats your opinion Barney ,not mine

 

[Barney]

Thats your opinion Barney ,not mine

Well, the first bit is fact. What's your opinion.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

The days of the club having the power over the player(s) are gone, long gone.
Anyone thinking otherwise is a fool.

 

[Bladesman]

Seriously, he said nothing wrong in that interview. We didn't get the result that we wanted after playing okish. But ofc, that means every word that comes out of Adkins mouth is wrong!

We had Clough who would constantly heap blame on the players, picking on certain individuals mostly. Now we have Adkins who won't publicly blame anyone. Yet both are wrong? All I get from this forum is you lot want it straight away, you just aren't sure what it is you want.

*stamps feet and throws toys*

Agreed.

The only other option would be for a manager not to do any interviews.

 

[Barney]

The days of the club having the power over the player(s) are gone, long gone.

Why? They still do have the power. We could have kept Murphy to his contract if we wanted to. As far as I can see the only reason we didn't is a total lack of bottle, along with the fear that little old Jamie might be a bit mardy in the dressing room.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

Why? They still do have the power. We could have kept Murphy to his contract if we wanted to. As far as I can see the only reason we didn't is a total lack of bottle, along with the fear that little old Jamie might be a bit mardy in the dressing room.

I only used a crust.
Pulled in a 200lber.

 

[Barney]

I only used a crust.
Pulled in a 200lber.

Astute.

 

[blade too long]

You guess wrong, they have a bang average manager, who is doing his best to fuck up his first football league promotion.
Got lucky yesterday with 10 men opponents for an hour, and the Walsall result

3=0 away lucky , must remember that
how is he doing his best to fuck it up , 6 points clear with 2 to go walsall have to win all three to overtake them

hes won 46 per cent of their games
were unlucky not to beat Wiganin last weeks 1=1 draw otherwise theyd be as good as up

 

[Dkc]

Nobody I know wants Baxter back.

Two positive drug tests and a punch up in the space of a year means that he can't expect another chance. But taken in isolation on skill alone, without the off-the-field issues I'd be tempted to keep him around until we get a replacement.We're crying out for a pacy creative midfielder who can change games. While Baxter isn't pacy, he's creative. Most people would now say he's a bad influence on the squad and there's no way back. I'm tempted to agree, but would anyone support his rehabilitation if he agreed to a weekly drug testing program (and promised not to attack anyone)?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Isn't it all about what he does more than what he says?

Even his sugary, cliche ridden jargon is more palatable when we play well but excrutiating when we don't.

Unproductive to repeat certain cliches like "United Together", "great spirit, giving it a right go" when the spirit and effort are average at best.

Silly to go on about this "Pathway to the first team" for youth players when he simply plays his experienced players when there is a choice and even playing them out of position just to accommodate them at the kids' expense e.g. Saturday's team and substitutions.

Disingenuous to say his brief was to get us promoted in the 3 year term of his contract.

Telling us fans we don't notice a lot of the good work by Hammond; well we've looked a lot closer since he said that and Hammond is even worse than we ever imagined.

Suggest to him that he delegates interviews to Crosby, at least he doesn't appear to rehearse the answers before he hears the questions.

I don't think his interviews are sugary, cliche-ridden, or jargon.

The spirit in the team has been evident on any number of occasions - sometimes when we've lost. What has been lacking for instance are quality and pace.

The *pathway* to the first team is clearly there. It's not some kind of positive discrimination though. It's not a guaranteed place in the first team.

Asserting that experienced players were played out of position just to accommodate them - like the result was unimportant - strikes me as pretty ridiculous.

He didn't say that his brief was to get us promoted within the three years of his contract. And it's disingenuous to say so.

If Hammond's work has led to an improvement in, say, Che's attitude and therefore performances, Whiteman's training trainings a future prospects, then, yes that work is unseen.

Crosby's interview was interesting but are you seriously suggesting the manager of the team should delegate that duty?

Adkins interviews are fine by me.

 

[BushBlade]

I don't think his interviews are sugary, cliche-ridden, or jargon.

The spirit in the team has been evident on any number of occasions - sometimes when we've lost. What has been lacking for instance are quality and pace.

The *pathway* to the first team is clearly there. It's not some kind of positive discrimination though. It's not a guaranteed place in the first team.

Asserting that experienced players were played out of position just to accommodate them - like the result was unimportant - strikes me as pretty ridiculous.

He didn't say that his brief was to get us promoted within the three years of his contract. And it's disingenuous to say so.

If Hammond's work has led to an improvement in, say, Che's attitude and therefore performances, Whiteman's training trainings a future prospects, then, yes that work is unseen.

Crosby's interview was interesting but are you seriously suggesting the manager of the team should delegate that duty?

Adkins interviews are fine by me.

Being fine by you doesn't alter the fact that they seriously piss off a lot of others.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Don't think Adkins job is in danger Woody,he has not at all acted like a man under pressure (this season at least ).ime of the opinion he would have been given this season to sort out the problems Clough left ( obviously promotion was wanted but not under pressure unless a relegation was looming ).
When taking the job either the board or himself , probably both wanted a more attacking style (entertaining ) and left with a mainly negative bunch of players tried to adopt an attack minded approach .By autumn (Shrews game ) it became obviouse that we couldn't play and win consistently with this formula,maybe it took him too long to realise this but he had a lot of players to give an opportunity tne can also say his signings didn't hit the ground running apart from Sharpy,this happens especially when he wasn't really sure what our strengths and weaknesses were ( August ).h
After trying different ways he settled on 3 5 2 which probably suits us best especially with a class player like Baptiste coming in ( we have to get him permanent be it championship or league one )
It probably is too late for this season but one never gives up ( fat lady and all that) Adkins now knows what's needed to put in a big challenge next season and ime sure that given a realistic budget ( which he will get ) he would accept nothing but a play off place is acceptable next season ( even automatic )
No manager gets the amount of time they would like to get a job done, but to sack another one is not going to happen at this stage.
He wants to play attacking football ,that was the beef with clough (negative approach ),however I would have taken promotion with Clough whatever way it was acheave, I beleave Adkins style will bring us real exciting football but that was never going to happen with cloughs dull approach.
Come on you red and white wizards. ps what a great result for under 18 at Watford on Saturday.

McCabe backed him in his interview.

It's as plain as day to me that they are both singing from the same (longer term) hymn sheet.

 

[Kenilworth]

I don't think his interviews are sugary, cliche-ridden, or jargon.

The spirit in the team has been evident on any number of occasions - sometimes when we've lost. What has been lacking for instance are quality and pace.

The *pathway* to the first team is clearly there. It's not some kind of positive discrimination though. It's not a guaranteed place in the first team.

Asserting that experienced players were played out of position just to accommodate them - like the result was unimportant - strikes me as pretty ridiculous.

He didn't say that his brief was to get us promoted within the three years of his contract. And it's disingenuous to say so.

If Hammond's work has led to an improvement in, say, Che's attitude and therefore performances, Whiteman's training trainings a future prospects, then, yes that work is unseen.

Crosby's interview was interesting but are you seriously suggesting the manager of the team should delegate that duty?

Adkins interviews are fine by me.

Waffle

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Being fine by you doesn't alter the fact that they seriously piss off a lot of others.

I thought this was a forum for expressing opinion.

My opinion is they're fine.

Other people have a different opinion.

And plenty of those who are pissed off are pissed off by everything and anything , the kit, the pitch, the dug outs, 10% reductions, anything.

How it's possible to get worked up about these interviews is beyond me.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I don't think his interviews are sugary, cliche-ridden, or jargon.

The spirit in the team has been evident on any number of occasions - sometimes when we've lost. What has been lacking for instance are quality and pace.

The *pathway* to the first team is clearly there. It's not some kind of positive discrimination though. It's not a guaranteed place in the first team.

Asserting that experienced players were played out of position just to accommodate them - like the result was unimportant - strikes me as pretty ridiculous.

He didn't say that his brief was to get us promoted within the three years of his contract. And it's disingenuous to say so.

If Hammond's work has led to an improvement in, say, Che's attitude and therefore performances, Whiteman's training trainings a future prospects, then, yes that work is unseen.

Crosby's interview was interesting but are you seriously suggesting the manager of the team should delegate that duty?

Adkins interviews are fine by me.

I know and can see why Adkins does interviews the way he does , which is in a way to get the best out of average , not all that intelligent task footballers , and keep a level of motivation going, whilst still supposedly in the mix.

This has become for me and perhaps many others frustrating , as it does not give a true picture of the sequence of events on the field , and on many occasions painted a better picture than we really are , when technically and tactically we have just been woeful to crap.

Fans I feel are battle weary and after so many false dawns ( even now ) , the end to the season cannot come quickly enough .

Do some players already know there destiny and have been going through the motions , until reality kicked in about 5 games ago , I don't know , but closure to this season I feel will do us all good . I think we have all had enough in one way or another .

Start again next season but hopefully with new recruitment and a calmer fan base with something to finally cheer and be proud about . I think we are all knackered and want a rest from the Blades but not footy . Watching the Euros will be a nice break on planet football .

UTB

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Coutts, finally, looks fit enough to see out 90 mins, so some credit to Adkins and his team for that. He is also our most comfortable player on the ball, tries consistently to pass the ball forwards and rarely wastes possession. He may not be the answer but we have far bigger issues to address than Paul Coutts.

Hammond, on the other hand, could yet prove to be Adkins' final undoing. I appreciate the value of a holding midfield player and the "hidden" contribution a good one makes. After too many months on 'Hammond watch' I see two qualities, which he brings:

1. He is positionally aware, keeps the team's shape and provides some protection for the defence. There have been occasions this season when him being substituted - much to the glee of many in the stadium - has resulted in us struggling to contain opponents and conceding goals.

2. He works very hard.

Unfortunately, both 1 and 2 are undermined by, as you point out, his lack of mobility, which results in him conceding free-kicks and being caught in possession. That's aside from the fact that he contributes almost nothing offensively and seems to have a shooting phobia.

Adkins is right in the sense that we need someone to do the job Hammond is paid to do - just someone who can do it better!

Spot on.

I'd imagine he'd be even more exposed in a 4-4-2. Adkins has subbed him a couple of times. Means he's not untouchable.

Who's better at this job though?

 

[BushBlade]

I thought this was a forum for expressing opinion.

My opinion is they're fine.

Other people have a different opinion.

And plenty of those who are pissed off are pissed off by everything and anything , the kit, the pitch, the dug outs, 10% reductions, anything.

How it's possible to get worked up about these interviews is beyond me.

Personally I couldn't care less, I don't listen to them, I'm not interested whether he talks crap or sounds like a footballing genius, it's meaningless to me but I do think he should reign it in a bit because it doesn't seem to be going down well.

Yes, it's a message board and you're supposed to express your opinion but when you do it in a manner that suggests the other posters who don't share your view are wrong and finish the post with the statement 'I think they're fine' as if that is the definitive statement and what's really important, then it might attract a comment. Or two.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Two positive drug tests and a punch up in the space of a year means that he can't expect another chance. But taken in isolation on skill alone, without the off-the-field issues I'd be tempted to keep him around until we get a replacement.We're crying out for a pacy creative midfielder who can change games. While Baxter isn't pacy, he's creative. Most people would now say he's a bad influence on the squad and there's no way back. I'm tempted to agree, but would anyone support his rehabilitation if he agreed to a weekly drug testing program (and promised not to attack anyone)?

Wow, a compassionate fan, well said, however any player gets only so many chances and the lad is a prat and a fool to himself.

Nevertheless, SUFC need quality amongst the squad and a manager and scout who understands what quality is.

Reed is quality, Whiteman could be, Lewin could be. Flynn, Coutts ( in his present state), Hammond ( in his present state), Basham (in midfield), Done ( in midfield), Cuvelier ( in his present state) are not.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Spot on.

I'd imagine he'd be even more exposed in a 4-4-2. Adkins has subbed him a couple of times. Means he's not untouchable.

Who's better at this job though?

Adkins has put together a recipe with the ingredients he has to hand which in this case is Hammond and Coutts . Both are adding something but not contributing to the overall taste of things to come . The soup is like piss water.

Adkins to some extent , and being kind to the bloke for once , is having to act as a street vendor chef , not someone in the Savoy or Michelen Star rated restaurant .

It's also whether we shop at Waitrose. , Aldi. , Tesco. or Poundland for players .

Also is he Marco , Delia , Gordon or that lass in the little pokey kitchen in Paris , when it comes to cordon blu choosing players .



UTB

 

[The Bohemian]

Spot on.

I'd imagine he'd be even more exposed in a 4-4-2. Adkins has subbed him a couple of times. Means he's not untouchable.

Who's better at this job though?

Of the current contingent: I once thought Coutts could do it, but he prefers not to tackle. Basham has many attributes but positional sense is not one of them. Which leaves us with young Whiteman, who I believe has the physical presence and technical attributes to do the job. All that's missing is experience, which he could and should have had more of, given Hammond's deficiencies.

If we're looking more for the finished article, I really hoped we'd sign Sam Morsy, who doesn't fit Adkins' height criteria but is head and shoulders above Hammond in pretty much every other aspect.

 

[LA Blade]

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Personally I couldn't care less, I don't listen to them, I'm not interested whether he talks crap or sounds like a footballing genius, it's meaningless to me but I do think he should reign it in a bit because it doesn't seem to be going down well.

Yes, it's a message board and you're supposed to express your opinion but when you do it in a manner that suggests the other posters who don't share your view are wrong and finish the post with the statement 'I think they're fine' as if that is the definitive statement and what's really important, then it might attract a comment. Or two.

I'm honestly baffled by this. I do think they're fine. What am I supposed to say?

It's not going down well with some people. Are they representative? Don't know. Should they be allowed to censor or dictate what the manager says? Can't see it. And certainly don't want it.

It is going down well with others. Me for one. Probably his mum too.

I'd imagine most people couldn't give a monkey's nuts.