adkins the clown and has to go

[spongebobblade]

We've not gotten any worse with Adkins. At least there are signs of improvement. Something achieved whilst cutting the squad and budget down massively (along with other problems within the club). He wasn't lying when he said we had 6th or 7th biggest budget in the league.

Name the 6 teams with a bigger budget. We haven't the highest but please don't tell me it's less than Barnsley, Burton, Walsall, Gillingham, Scunny etc..... There were some signs of improvement. Today was the United we have seen for the majority of the season and Adkins didn't attempt to change it. Pathetic. They're are probably 4 players max who could contribute to being part of a promotion push. We are simply not good enough or even close and it looks like things won't change. He reminds me of McCabe. Both constantly rue their "bad luck" and you wonder if either knows what they are doing

 

[spongebobblade]

That's misleading. That play off semi final team limped there and then we sold our best player. On top of that, he had to fill numerous gaps in the squad with little money as well cutting the playing squad too. It was an impossible task to take us up and as a result we've stayed more or less the same.
I don't remember the team last year being particularly popular. We were dreadful last season and there have been more positive performances this year than last (including the league cup). The points they achieved last season would most likely not have been enough for the play offs this year because the division was easier. We've not gotten worse, we've stayed the same but with more signs of progress.

If we haven't got any worse how come we aren't in the play offs?

 

[BeatleBlade]

Name the 6 teams with a bigger budget. We haven't the highest but please don't tell me it's less than Barnsley, Burton, Walsall, Gillingham, Scunny etc..... There were some signs of improvement. Today was the United we have seen for the majority of the season and Adkins didn't attempt to change it. Pathetic. They're are probably 4 players max who could contribute to being part of a promotion push. We are simply not good enough or even close and it looks like things won't change. He reminds me of McCabe. Both constantly rue their "bad luck" and you wonder if either knows what they are doing

I don't know what the budgets of the other teams are. However...

Adkins didn't attempt to change it? With who? Who in our squad who is not playing could possibly turn the game around? Another problem we have is that there are no players capable of changing a game, we have no depth at all.
Yeah, only 4 players and is that Adkins' fault? He didn't bring in the majority of this squad, he's barely had any money to spend this season, all of which was self generated and on top of that he's had to cut the amount of players in our squad because his predecessor wasted money on players not good enough for most League One teams!

 

[Gordon cowans]

The lack of tactical awareness when brown changed his formation at southend left many a blade questioning his credibility when its needed on the pitch.
Regardless of who is who's player many a tactical mishap and shocking substitution are the worry for me.
But,is there anyone better within our budget out there?.
Xmas absolute latest if things are still poor

 

[BeatleBlade]

If we haven't got any worse how come we aren't in the play offs?

This year you need at least 71 points (most likely more) and a goal difference of more than +11 to get into the play offs.
Last year you would need 65 points and a positive goal difference for a play off position.
With our points total this season, we would have made last years Play offs. Last years grand total of 71 points wouldn't be enough for this years play offs.
Sure, we are 6 points off last years total with 1 game to go but given the circumstances Adkins has had to deal with that's not any worse than what we could have realistically expected. Also, the performances recently have been better than a lot of last seasons. Today was a bad day no doubt but overall the signs are positive.

 

[spongebobblade]

And with any finances he has brought in Woolford, Hammond and Sharp. Enough has been said about 2 of those. He could have altered the formation but one things for sure. If the oppo have sussed your weaknesses and have you on the rack does an experienced manager do nothing??
He hasn't had it easy and I desperately want him to succeed but by his own admission he's found it tough going and he certainly doesn't help himself. You can't defend the fact that he has done very little to instill any sort of confidence within the club and the supporters

 

[spongebobblade]

This year you need at least 71 points (most likely more) and a goal difference of more than +11 to get into the play offs.
Last year you would need 65 points and a positive goal difference for a play off position.
With our points total this season, we would have made last years Play offs. Last years grand total of 71 points wouldn't be enough for this years play offs.
Sure, we are 6 points off last years total with 1 game to go but given the circumstances Adkins has had to deal with that's not any worse than what we could have realistically expected. Also, the performances recently have been better than a lot of last seasons. Today was a bad day no doubt but overall the signs are positive.

We have less points. We haven't made the play offs. We all expected play offs minimum.
Dress it up however you like but it's a step back from last year regardless. I admire your faith but what exactly are the positive signs? We have looked defensively stronger of late due to a loan defender we have little chance of keeping and a 352 system that teams are now beginning to suss us out with (Shrewsbury had us wobbling big time and today was a shambles)
The realistic amongst us have seen a slight improvement, that's all

 

[BeatleBlade]

And with any finances he has brought in Woolford, Hammond and Sharp. Enough has been said about 2 of those. He could have altered the formation but one things for sure. If the oppo have sussed your weaknesses and have you on the rack does an experienced manager do nothing??
He hasn't had it easy and I desperately want him to succeed but by his own admission he's found it tough going and he certainly doesn't help himself. You can't defend the fact that he has done very little to instill any sort of confidence within the club and the supporters

Woolford okay fair enough but that was before any scouting network was put in place. It seems that Hammond's wages have been lower than most people on here seem to think. Saying that, for the most part he's been a disappointment despite his recent upturn in form. Without him today though we got beaten 3-1 in the first match he's missed in ages. He has made good signings in Sharp, Baptiste and I think Edgar deserves to be thrown into that too.
Sure, he could have changed the formation but earlier in the year everyone was giving him stick for doing that mid game so I don't think he can win on that front. Perhaps he could have changed it up but he doesn't have many options given the current squad.
He hasn't instilled a lot of confidence yet, fair enough. But what I ask is, was this realistically possible from the beginning? Has he been given the tools to instill confidence in the club? I don't believe he has. The club has a lot of issues and I personally believe that given his CV, knowing what we know is going on behind the scenes that he is the best man to take the club forward.

 

[bridgfordblade]

Less points, worse finishing position, Won fewer games, scored less goals, conceded more.

Some fans defining that as progress yet drove Clough out cos they were shouting from the rooftops about going backwards.

Only in the weird world of know it all football fans.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Woolford okay fair enough but that was before any scouting network was put in place. It seems that Hammond's wages have been lower than most people on here seem to think. Saying that, for the most part he's been a disappointment despite his recent upturn in form. Without him today though we got beaten 3-1 in the first match he's missed in ages. He has made good signings in Sharp, Baptiste and I think Edgar deserves to be thrown into that too.
Sure, he could have changed the formation but earlier in the year everyone was giving him stick for doing that mid game so I don't think he can win on that front. Perhaps he could have changed it up but he doesn't have many options given the current squad.
He hasn't instilled a lot of confidence yet, fair enough. But what I ask is, was this realistically possible from the beginning? Has he been given the tools to instill confidence in the club? I don't believe he has. The club has a lot of issues and I personally believe that given his CV, knowing what we know is going on behind the scenes that he is the best man to take the club forward.

Great post Beatles blade I agree 100% that's a good reflection on Adkins 1st season and like you say he has to have more time?

 

[BeatleBlade]

We have less points. We haven't made the play offs. We all expected play offs minimum.
Dress it up however you like but it's a step back from last year regardless. I admire your faith but what exactly are the positive signs? We have looked defensively stronger of late due to a loan defender we have little chance of keeping and a 352 system that teams are now beginning to suss us out with (Shrewsbury had us wobbling big time and today was a shambles)
The realistic amongst us have seen a slight improvement, that's all

In terms of the play offs that was explained in my last comment. Last year's team wouldn't have made this years play offs. This years team would have made last seasons. The amount of points needed varies. Obviously, it's not good enough but I don't think the point is valid given the fact that we scraped into them last year and got luck with not many points being needed.
Yes,we have less points but we sold our best player for not enough money than we should have got for him. We lost another one of our better players (I know he divides opinion but he has contributed in assists and goals) to a drug problem. We had to fill gaps in central defence, replace Murphy, improve the midfield, get a better striker in. How is it possible to improve the team in all those areas with the money made from Murphy? He had the OT money but that was much later in the year.
On top of that, 16 unmotivated out of contract players. Divided dressing room with bad influences, too many journeymen (even then we still had gaping holes in areas of the squad) who aren't good enough for most League One clubs, started the year with a handful of injuries and the first time he came into contact with the squad several were overweight. He's had all these problems to deal with and somehow we've managed to come close to last years points total.

 

[BeatleBlade]

Great post Beatles blade I agree 100% that's a good reflection on Adkins 1st season and like you say he has to have more time?

Definitely. He needs to be given the resources to do it too. Maybe not the level of money Clough got because if it goes tits up then we find ourself in this mess again. But budget to compete with the teams at the top of the league.

 

[BeatleBlade]

We have less points. We haven't made the play offs. We all expected play offs minimum.
Dress it up however you like but it's a step back from last year regardless. I admire your faith but what exactly are the positive signs? We have looked defensively stronger of late due to a loan defender we have little chance of keeping and a 352 system that teams are now beginning to suss us out with (Shrewsbury had us wobbling big time and today was a shambles)
The realistic amongst us have seen a slight improvement, that's all

The fact that we've looked defensively stronger of late and we've been playing better since 3-5-2 came in. We may get Baptiste back, lets wait and find out. Still, we got him when the scouting network was put in place. Hopefully, this same network will get another player like him if he is not available. Teams have begun to latch onto our tactics but given Adkins' record of open mindedness and tactical changes throughout the season I expect him to mix things up soon. Whereas his predecessor seemed to stick with the same system whatever happened.

 

[spongebobblade]

Woolford okay fair enough but that was before any scouting network was put in place. It seems that Hammond's wages have been lower than most people on here seem to think. Saying that, for the most part he's been a disappointment despite his recent upturn in form. Without him today though we got beaten 3-1 in the first match he's missed in ages. He has made good signings in Sharp, Baptiste and I think Edgar deserves to be thrown into that too.
Sure, he could have changed the formation but earlier in the year everyone was giving him stick for doing that mid game so I don't think he can win on that front. Perhaps he could have changed it up but he doesn't have many options given the current squad.
He hasn't instilled a lot of confidence yet, fair enough. But what I ask is, was this realistically possible from the beginning? Has he been given the tools to instill confidence in the club? I don't believe he has. The club has a lot of issues and I personally believe that given his CV, knowing what we know is going on behind the scenes that he is the best man to take the club forward.

You can instill confidence without having the tools or transfer budget. Ask Rotherham fans (and before you ask, no thank you) When the subject of Adkins tenure was brought up after the Southend game I said then that I desperately wanted to see before the season finished some hope for next season that he knew what he was doing and had a plan and targets. He has enjoyed a slight resurgence with the 352 but it's looking shaky with the last two away games and certainly doesn't look a promotion winning shape or team at present. We need a huge overhaul but the majority of us fear it just isn't going to happen

 

[spongebobblade]

The fact that we've looked defensively stronger of late and we've been playing better since 3-5-2 came in. We may get Baptiste back, lets wait and find out. Still, we got him when the scouting network was put in place. Hopefully, this same network will get another player like him if he is not available. Teams have begun to latch onto our tactics but given Adkins' record of open mindedness and tactical changes throughout the season I expect him to mix things up soon. Whereas his predecessor seemed to stick with the same system whatever happened.

Well the last bit is at least something we can agree on!!

 

[finlaytheblade]

You can instill confidence without having the tools or transfer budget. Ask Rotherham fans (and before you ask, no thank you) When the subject of Adkins tenure was brought up after the Southend game I said then that I desperately wanted to see before the season finished some hope for next season that he knew what he was doing and had a plan and targets. He has enjoyed a slight resurgence with the 352 but it's looking shaky with the last two away games and certainly doesn't look a promotion winning shape or team at present. We need a huge overhaul but the majority of us fear it just isn't going to happen

It's got to happen

 

[Barney]

Definitely. He needs to be given the resources to do it too. Maybe not the level of money Clough got because if it goes tits up then we find ourself in this mess again. But budget to compete with the teams at the top of the league.

Total outlay is the most important factor in deciding whether a manager has had the required resources. We sold Murphy but even without him we had a squad that £1.5 million could easily have transformed into automatic promotion material. He has had enough resources this season for promotion and he has failed.

There was a poster on here claiming to be ITK that put our total outlay on fees and wages at circa £1.5 million. And that was not including Sammon's wages, who is apparently our top earner. Those figures are probably slightly less than reality as well. Can you name me one other team apart from Wigan that has had the same outlay?

Are you genuinely claiming that £1.5 million was not enough of an outlay to take a 5th placed side into the automatic places of division three?

 

[spongebobblade]

It's got to happen

Totally agree
But will it? If the financial input is going to be cut I have an awful feeling he may stick rather than twist. For example we have seen an improvement in JMac and he has made him captain, but is he good enough to help us get promoted? Fresh start please with fresh faces

 

[robbiez666]

Total outlay is the most important factor in deciding whether a manager has had the required resources. We sold Murphy but even without him we had a squad that £1.5 million could easily have transformed into automatic promotion material. He has had enough resources this season for promotion and he has failed.

There was a poster on here claiming to be ITK that put our total outlay on fees and wages at circa £1.5 million. And that was not including Sammon's wages, who is apparently our top earner. Those figures are probably slightly less than reality as well. Can you name me one other team apart from Wigan that has had the same outlay?

Are you genuinely claiming that £1.5 million was not enough of an outlay to take a 5th placed side into the automatic places of division three?

THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IS TOTAL OUTLAY

DESPITE THE TOTAL OUTLAY BEING ONLY £500K I'M GOING TO MAKE THE FIGURE £1.5 MILLION BECAUSE THAT JUSTIFIES MY IDIOTIC ATTEMPT AT A POINT. THERE'S SO MUCH BEING SPENT ON WAGES BUT I'LL IGNORE THE FACT OF ALL THE WAGES HE'S REDUCED BY SHIPPING EVERYONE OUT. WHICH IS PROBABLY A NET BENEFIT OVERALL

BECAUSE I HATED THAT ADKINS CUNT BEFORE HE WAS BORN AND WILL USE EVERY POST TO SPOUT BOLLOCKS TO BACK MYSELF UP

Did you register a new account to post this thread?

 

[super_pig]

That's misleading. That play off semi final team limped there and then we sold our best player. On top of that, he had to fill numerous gaps in the squad with little money as well cutting the playing squad too. It was an impossible task to take us up and as a result we've stayed more or less the same.
I don't remember the team last year being particularly popular. We were dreadful last season and there have been more positive performances this year than last (including the league cup). The points they achieved last season would most likely not have been enough for the play offs this year because the division was easier. We've not gotten worse, we've stayed the same but with more signs of progress.

heh.. i'm not bigging up clough.. far from it.. but we have gone backwards since Adkins arrived.

 

[Barney]

THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IS TOTAL OUTLAY

DESPITE THE TOTAL OUTLAY BEING ONLY £500K

Erm, no it wasn't. Wages not being paid anymore is not relevant one little bit.

It is what is being spent that matters i.e total outlay as I said.

 

[Finnieston]

In your world maybe. Many Blades have wanted the clueless clown out for months.

Hello you cant change managers every ten months..................That is why we are where we are............IS THERE ANYBODY IN THERE?

 

[Finnieston]

Correct
How the fuck did we think he was the man to turn it around?
45 league games and I can count the good performances on barely more than one hand.

I know and its such an easy job to do.........Outragous.,....,,.....Ime sure anyone of us could do it.........Ring P and G for advice for a start. Download team manager and a few apps......Jobs a good un .........Piece of piss. Ten Months Far Too Long.

 

[grafikhaus]

We've not gotten any worse with Adkins.

But we have. Stats after 45 games don't lie.

We have less points. We haven't made the play offs. We all expected play offs minimum.
Dress it up however you like but it's a step back from last year regardless. I admire your faith but what exactly are the positive signs? We have looked defensively stronger of late due to a loan defender we have little chance of keeping and a 352 system that teams are now beginning to suss us out with (Shrewsbury had us wobbling big time and today was a shambles)
The realistic amongst us have seen a slight improvement, that's all

Spot on. The last few games have masked the general and consistent shittiness of this season. Yesterday's result has been coming for some time. Like when we - extremely fortunately - beat Coventry at home it was another 'pull the rabbit out of the hat' game for Adkins. But the overall trend is there for all to see. This season has been a sorry saga of abject surrender, numerous defeats which - in isolation - would have any team hanging their heads in shame, but have become the norm for United.

Adkins didn't attempt to change it? With who? Who in our squad who is not playing could possibly turn the game around? Another problem we have is that there are no players capable of changing a game, we have no depth at all.
Yeah, only 4 players and is that Adkins' fault? He didn't bring in the majority of this squad, he's barely had any money to spend this season, all of which was self generated and on top of that he's had to cut the amount of players in our squad because his predecessor wasted money on players not good enough for most League One teams!

Adkins' pathetic attempt to 'change it' has seen 'awkward' players shipped out. When I see a bench consisting of the likes of D C-L, Sammon, Reed etc., are you seriously saying that McNulty wouldn't be a better option? But no. Adkins is 'The Boss' (except where it comes to fitness, tactics and results). He'd probably ship Dele Alli out... And Bob Harris? Worse than the stiffs currently playing? That's why we have 'no depth'. Like the board, he's lost players (easy) without adequately replacing them (much more difficult).

'Barely had any money to spend?' And, Wigan apart, which teams in the play-offs have a bigger budget, resources, crowds, 'pull factor' than United?

As much as I disliked Clough and his tactics, there were signs of 'something' there. With Adkins? Nothing. From the utter cave-in on the opening day at Gillingham to yesterday's no-show, these were typical Adkins performances and have book-ended a season which has included defeats to Bury (twice), Colchester and Shrewsbury at home, Port Vale, Crewe, Rochdale and Southend among others. All teams, to quote you, with 'barely any money to spend'.

The default position for Adkins-defenders is 'who would do a better job?' That's not the point. If NA is in place when the 2016-17 season starts in about thirteen weeks time, there will be as much chance of relegation as promotion, based on his lamentable performance this season. Do you think that's acceptable?

THERE'S SO MUCH BEING SPENT ON WAGES BUT I'LL IGNORE THE FACT OF ALL THE WAGES HE'S REDUCED BY SHIPPING EVERYONE OUT. WHICH IS PROBABLY A NET BENEFIT OVERALL

The 'net benefit' of having Adkins around probably shaved 3-4k off next Sunday's crowd with the capitulation at Coventry. We've proved that we'll turn up at the drop of a hat but that won't happen next season so Adkins has become a liability. The much-needed cull has to start with NA or we'll be having this conversation in 12 months' time.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Who cares about bloody Watford ?. I care about United and for us it's failed miserably

Who cares about Scunthorpe or Southampton?

Who cares about Weir or Clough?

 

[spongebobblade]

I know and its such an easy job to do.........Outragous.,....,,.....Ime sure anyone of us could do it.........Ring P and G for advice for a start. Download team manager and a few apps......Jobs a good un .........Piece of piss. Ten Months Far Too Long.

Simple question from me without the sarcasm. Do you think he's been good enough so far and did you expect us at the start of the season to end up midtable? No of course you didn't. I haven't anywhere said he should be sacked but he has shown us nothing so far to suggest he is the man for the job

 

[HillmortonBlade]

he was left a playoff .. semi final team?

A team that stumbled across the finishing line at the end of last season, playing some awful football, and promptly got humiliated by Swindon in the semi final. The team was in decline for some time before Adkins took over.

 

[Blade56]

Read the thread title and thought I'd done something to upset Adkins!

 

[him behind you]

In your world maybe. Many Blades have wanted the clueless clown out for months.

And many have not. Different opinions

 

[Snowman]

Yes, let's sack the manager. The model of sacking managers every year that we currently use is clearly working perfectly and surely there would be no reason to change this.

It's not the sacking of managers that is the problem, it's the sacking of the right manager and keeping the wrong manager that is the problem.

Sheffield United, the only club that plays all the right notes but in the wrong order.