Adkins interview 3 December (Baxter)

[robbiez666]

Baxter is a player who has been fairly poor over the course of his time with us.

He's had a couple of good spells but until this season has put zero effort in on the field outside of big televised cup games.He's been overweight for the majority of time with us. He's had now two major disciplinary issues. He's been sent of stupidly on more than one occasions.

He's been one of our better players this season but so what. He's not good enough for the league above as his attitude stinks and he doesn't consistently put in the effort. I'd flog him in January.

 

[sitwell]

Baxter is a player who has been fairly poor over the course of his time with us.

He's had a couple of good spells but until this season has put zero effort in on the field outside of big televised cup games.He's been overweight for the majority of time with us. He's had now two major disciplinary issues. He's been sent of stupidly on more than one occasions.

He's been one of our better players this season but so what. He's not good enough for the league above as his attitude stinks and he doesn't consistently put in the effort. I'd flog him in January.

We wont get anything for him ,just save his wages.

 

[JohnDenver]

Redknapp said recently that the better, more valuable players inevitably get more latitude, lee-way than lesser players. A club will sack one lesser player for the very same transgressions that a player worth a transfer fee gets away with.

That's why George Santos was sacked and Eric Cantona became a legend.

Opinions on here vary whether Baxter has sublime talents and a value as a player.

He's more Santos than Cantona.

 

[Top Cat]

How long since you you were at the The Lane Derry? I do find your expert opinions rather comical

 

[Revolution]

David Edgar (unspecified) and Jamal Campbell-Ryce (hamstring) are both rated as doubtful having limped out of the action in last Saturday's draw at Barnsley. Elsewhere, Stefan Scougall, Ryan Flynn and James Wallace all of whom missed out against the Tykes aren't expected to return to face the Latics, although Che Adams is amongst those pushing for a recall.

http://www.sufc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-preview/?matchid=3883635&tcmuri=2805793

For those who have long since lost interest, James "he's just been really unlucky and only needs a good preseason" Wallace has now been injured for 3 weeks having played 6 minutes + injury time against Southend.

I neither know nor care why Ryan Flynn is injured, though of course he only puts a shift in during cup games so we might miss him.

I wonder how long unspecified will keep Edgar out for. My money's on 3 weeks.

As for Adkins, at this point he's like that boss or colleague you have who talks a great game but, when examined closely, is actually really bad at their job.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

I wonder who's been in his ear saying we need to play more academy players?

Its difficult to justify the cost and expense of the Academy if there is little end product in the shape of first teamers and transfer fees. One of the things Clough was big on when he got the job was bringing on youth players so I am guessing this was a boardroom priority given that Adkins was also saying similar things. Sounds like a finance pressure -use the Academy or lose it.

I don't like our name being dragged through the mud anymore than anyone else and whatever the culture is that has been building up for a number of years needs sorting and quickly. Baxter is a fool to himself and he joins a seemingly growing list of players who discredit our club in their off the field activities.

I do find it hard though to comprehend the logic and mindset of those attributing this season's performance to one player. Get rid of Baxter by all means but it is positively delusional to believe that it will result in the current set of under-talented dwarves, sweaties, journeymen, crocks, hasbeens, pisstakers and wage thieves suddenly becoming worldbeaters or even a team. They won't. Can't remember who said it on here but it was very true - the problem is not that Baxter is average, lazy, a PR disaster or/and uncommitted etc. The problem is that Baxter probably is the best player in the team.

 

[robbiez666]

We wont get anything for him ,just save his wages.

It's not quite the halcyon days where he was linked with a move to Norwich.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Surely our inability to win a game of football, to put it in one end and keep it out at the other, is a good enough opportunity for the U21s. Either they're good enough or they're not, I don't necessarily mean Satdi/Tuesday but if you want to give them an opportunity, play them. Not one of our first team can say with honesty they don't deserve to be dropped.

And to be pragmatic, our first priority is to get promoted, bringing the kids through is a 'would like' not a 'must have'. I wonder who's been in his ear saying we need to play more academy players?

Age of players used at Barnsley:

22
27 28 32 28
27 32 27
27 29 32

Subs: 23, 30, 30

Youngsters are often given a chance when there are injuries and suspensions. When we always have experienced pros ready to come in managers tend to pick them instead. Although the U21 are doing pretty well, none of them seem anywhere close to the first team.

 

[Balham]

Bergen Blade to your point about the U21s, I'd not be surprised if we saw Whiteman, Dimaio or Banton on the bench tomorrow: particularly as picking the former two over Baxter will send a message to him.

That is a particularly cracking strike from Whiteman by the way - sidefooted with power into the top corner. Woosh.

 

[BushBlade]

Age of players used at Barnsley:

22
27 28 32 28
27 32 27
27 29 32

Subs: 23, 30, 30

Youngsters are often given a chance when there are injuries and suspensions. When we always have experienced pros ready to come in managers tend to pick them instead. Although the U21 are doing pretty well, none of them seem anywhere close to the first team.

Agree, NA went for experience against Barnsley. My point is that if we had kids knocking at the door, surely he'd use them. The fact that he hasn't indicates they're not ready (and may never be).
My real question is when he says 'create a pathway for the u21s' what does he mean? Who? Or to put it as simply as I can, he's talking bollocks. I think he's just saying it because he's been told he has to bring through some of the kids. My response to the board would be 'I'm going to struggle fulfilling the most important part of my brief; promotion. I can't be worrying about bringing kids through or trying to play like Bayern, let me concentrate on getting us up.'

Great goal btw.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Adkins' interview is online now:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p039zzhd

• Adkins strong on discipline, has expectations of the players and Baxter has fallen short of those
• "Incident" investigated, disciplinary action taken and that's the end of the matter
• Came off injured against Shrewsbury and was injured for Barnsley

I've been out of the loop on this. Please could somebody summarise what Baxter has actually done?
I started trying to wade through the "Baxter" thread but it's up to 193 posts now. What happened?

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Bergen Blade to your point about the U21s, I'd not be surprised if we saw Whiteman, Dimaio or Banton on the bench tomorrow: particularly as picking the former two over Baxter will send a message to him.

That is a particularly cracking strike from Whiteman by the way - sidefooted with power into the top corner. Woosh.

Is McDonagh back from his loan yet? From the bits I've seen and read, he seems one of the more ready to step up in the U21s along with Otis Khan but I think he's extended his loan at Barrow.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Agree, NA went for experience against Barnsley. My point is that if we had kids knocking at the door, surely he'd use them. The fact that he hasn't indicates they're not ready (and may never be).
My real question is when he says 'create a pathway for the u21s' what does he mean? Who? Or to put it as simply as I can, he's talking bollocks. I think he's just saying it because he's been told he has to bring through some of the kids. My response to the board would be 'I'm going to struggle fulfilling the most important part of my brief; promotion. I can't be worrying about bringing kids through or trying to play like Bayern, let me concentrate on getting us up.'

Great goal btw.

Not using the youth was a criticism he received at Reading. For now though, I think he's just got too many old heads on the books and needs to get rid of so many so he can start again with a smaller squad but better first 11 meaning there are also fewer players blocking the path of the kids getting the odd game here and there.

 

[Balham]

I've been out of the loop on this. Please could somebody summarise what Baxter has actually done?
I started trying to wade through the "Baxter" thread but it's up to 193 posts now. What happened?

I don't think anyone knows for sure. It seems that the facts are that the team went to Dublin last Saturday after the Barnsley game and had a Christmas night out. The rumours start there - all seem to involve players getting smashed; if you believe the twitterati Baxter's "incident" is either him causing himself an injury or him glassing someone.

He should know better but then there's a reason why he's in Division Three.

Is McDonagh back from his loan yet? From the bits I've seen and read, he seems one of the more ready to step up in the U21s along with Otis Khan but I think he's extended his loan at Barrow.

Khan's at Barrow and has extended his loan. McDonagh went to Chester for a month at the end of October but as far as I can tell he's only played once, on the 31st. I can't find anything either way about his loan being extended.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Agree, NA went for experience against Barnsley. My point is that if we had kids knocking at the door, surely he'd use them. The fact that he hasn't indicates they're not ready (and may never be).
My real question is when he says 'create a pathway for the u21s' what does he mean? Who? Or to put it as simply as I can, he's talking bollocks. I think he's just saying it because he's been told he has to bring through some of the kids. My response to the board would be 'I'm going to struggle fulfilling the most important part of my brief; promotion. I can't be worrying about bringing kids through or trying to play like Bayern, let me concentrate on getting us up.'

Great goal btw.

I think something like this is the current pecking order in central midfield (everybody fit):

1. Hammond
2. Basham
3. J. Wallace
4. Coutts
5. Baxter
6. Scougall
7. Reed
8. K. Wallace
9. Cuvelier
10. Woolford
11. Dimaio
12. Whiteman
13. Khan

So when things didn't work with Hammond & Basham vs Millwall he probably didn't consider who did well in midfield in the last U21 game. Despite injuries, there were loads of options, things to try, experienced players also waiting to show what they could do in the right set up. Adkins probably hoped Coutts returning would suddenly make us click, so he picked him at Crewe, where we lost again.

Six games on, we've only managed to beat Worcester. We've tried a few things, changed the system, brought some players back after injuries, but we are still searching for a winning formula. No U21 player has been in the squad in this period.

Even though Dimaio and Whiteman do well at U21 level, they have little chance of getting into the squad with so many players in front of them. Realistically, there is no pathway at the moment.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I've been out of the loop on this. Please could somebody summarise what Baxter has actually done?
I started trying to wade through the "Baxter" thread but it's up to 193 posts now. What happened?

Apart from the people closely involved no-one knows.

There's plenty of (gleeful) speculation about glassing an Accrington Stanley player... or was it cutting his foot volleying a beer glass...or was it falling out with Collins and being dropped for Barnsley - despite it being obvious he was injured against Shrewsbury etc etc etc.

But atm all of it generates more heat than light.

 

[BushBlade]

I think something like this is the current pecking order in central midfield (everybody fit):

1. Hammond
2. Basham
3. J. Wallace
4. Coutts
5. Baxter
6. Scougall
7. Reed
8. K. Wallace
9. Cuvelier
10. Woolford
11. Dimaio
12. Whiteman
13. Khan

So when things didn't work with Hammond & Basham vs Millwall he probably didn't consider who did well in midfield in the last U21 game. Despite injuries, there were loads of options, things to try, experienced players also waiting to show what they could do in the right set up. Adkins probably hoped Coutts returning would suddenly make us click, so he picked him at Crewe, where we lost again.

Six games on, we've only managed to beat Worcester. We've tried a few things, changed the system, brought some players back after injuries, but we are still searching for a winning formula. No U21 player has been in the squad in this period.

Even though Dimaio and Whiteman do well at U21 level, they have little chance of getting into the squad with so many players in front of them. Realistically, there is no pathway at the moment.

But again, he's talking about clearing players out to provide a pathway. If certain players are not in his plans why does he persist with them? Is he that scared of their influence on the other players that he's pretending he likes them until the JTW when he'll try to shift them out quickly, or is he going to persist in playing them as their contracts run out?

Contrast that with Kenny Jackett's approach when he took over Wolves. Several senior players just got totally bombed out and weren't allowed to train with the first team. They were simply told they weren't wanted, their attitudes and lifestyles were wrong, they were to blame for relegation and they need to find another club asap.

I'm not saying he should go nuclear but for how long is he going to persist in trying different combinations of the same players with little success? If the youth players are good enough, isn't it now time to give them an opportunity? If they're not good enough, we don't need a pathway for them, just an exit door.
There's no sense in what he's saying. Long term, he may have a point but if he doesn't address the here and now, he won't get a long term.

 

[Bergen Blade]

But again, he's talking about clearing players out to provide a pathway. If certain players are not in his plans why does he persist with them? Is he that scared of their influence on the other players that he's pretending he likes them until the JTW when he'll try to shift them out quickly, or is he going to persist in playing them as their contracts run out?

Contrast that with Kenny Jackett's approach when he took over Wolves. Several senior players just got totally bombed out and weren't allowed to train with the first team. They were simply told they weren't wanted, their attitudes and lifestyles were wrong, they were to blame for relegation and they need to find another club asap.

I'm not saying he should go nuclear but for how long is he going to persist in trying different combinations of the same players with little success? If the youth players are good enough, isn't it now time to give them an opportunity? If they're not good enough, we don't need a pathway for them, just an exit door.
There's no sense in what he's saying. Long term, he may have a point but if he doesn't address the here and now, he won't get a long term.

Well, he said he wanted to give everybody a chance and he's kept his word on that. When he was appointed he said he had a history of improving players, but may be starting to realise that's more difficult than he thought.

His line ups have changed quite a lot, as he's been searching for something that works. Along the way he's constantly waited on certain players to come back from injury (Brayford, Harris, Wallace, Coutts, Scougall, Flynn, Done etc), and probably hoped that returning players would be the catalyst for improvement. With formations being tweaked as well there is no end of combinations that actually hasn't failed (been tried yet). With so many players not ruled out, youngsters haven't been able to get involved.

I expect a few players to leave in January, but contracts, injuries and the lack of a settled (working) side may complicate things.

 

[Bartleby]

Adkins' interview is online now:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p039zzhd

• Adkins strong on discipline, has expectations of the players and Baxter has fallen short of those
• "Incident" investigated, disciplinary action taken and that's the end of the matter
• Came off injured against Shrewsbury and was injured for Barnsley
• Baxter playing well this season - pivotal figure in the team
• Needs to understand the consequences of his actions but he's still part of the plans
• Consistent off-field issues may lead to Baxter's future being elsewhere: "time will tell"

On other issues

• thought there was desire shown against Barnsley - looked for and got a reaction there
• talks about the "history and beauty" of the FA Cup
• "not going to be an easy game"
• current league position "hurts" but it's "only been a short tenure"
• wants to provide an environment for players to play well
• squad too big; players should want to play
• injuries have reduced players' impact so far but that's improving (namechecks Brayford)
• sidesteps naming individual players but there's definitely movement behind the scenes "need to get the squad to the right size" and provide a "stepping stone for the young players"

cheers for that, they're handy these interview summaries, better than having to listen to them sometimes

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Realistically, there is no pathway at the moment

Haven't you heard of Macbeth?

A few scything tackles in training is all it takes.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Well, he said he wanted to give everybody a chance and he's kept his word on that. When he was appointed he said he had a history of improving players, but may be starting to realise that's more difficult than he thought.

His line ups have changed quite a lot, as he's been searching for something that works. Along the way he's constantly waited on certain players to come back from injury (Brayford, Harris, Wallace, Coutts, Scougall, Flynn, Done etc), and probably hoped that returning players would be the catalyst for improvement. With formations being tweaked as well there is no end of combinations that actually hasn't failed (been tried yet). With so many players not ruled out, youngsters haven't been able to get involved.

I expect a few players to leave in January, but contracts, injuries and the lack of a settled (working) side may complicate things.

As a long term strategy this looks good: Maximise the potential of the squad under your management and progress from there.

 

[Silent Blade]

we have been in this division for the 5th season in a row so the Academy hasnt really worked for us

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

Exemplary interview from a very articulate and knowledgeable manager. He treats us, the audience, with respect and says as much as he can.

Everything he says to us via the media is tempered, but of course Baxter is reaching last chance saloon with us, regrettable but maybe inevitable, unless he actually does grow up before he blows his career.

As regards the rest of the squad, I think Adkins has reached an important stage and now knows what's what and who's who. I also suspect he has grown a couple of horns for quite a few players, including Baxter, who thought he was "an arm around sort of bloke". If he hasn't then he may have problems; if he has then we might be O.K.

The next 6 weeks will determine Adkins' future with us and that is real pressure on him. If he handles it well then we will all benefit from it.

I have to say his interviews are the best from any manager since Bassett. The man talks absolute common sense and displays his knowledge of the game. It's what he says to the players and how they receive it, which matters much more though.

I would argue that his constant waffle, inability to answer a question directly and over use of cliches actually treat the listener with a lack of respect. He must think we're pretty stupid to fall for half of the crap he comes out with.

It's almost like he's read a "How to give a football managers interview - for Dummies" book.

"At this moment in time...."
"United together"
"We're moving forward United together"
The phrase that makes me want to kick the computer screen in...."we need to keep it out one end and stick it in the other"
"we need to win a game of football" .....oh really Nigel, I forgot what we were trying to do.
"we have a match at Bramall Lane" ....thanks Nige, I forgot where we played our home games.

Poor interviews will little substance, just cliches and states the obvious. I bet the players tune out after 1 minute of listening to him speak.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I would argue that his constant waffle, inability to answer a question directly and over use of cliches actually treat the listener with a lack of respect. He must think we're pretty stupid to fall for half of the crap he comes out with.

It's almost like he's read a "How to give a football managers interview - for Dummies" book.

"At this moment in time...."
"United together"
"We're moving forward United together"
The phrase that makes me want to kick the computer screen in...."we need to keep it out one end and stick it in the other"
"we need to win a game of football" .....oh really Nigel, I forgot what we were trying to do.
"we have a match at Bramall Lane" ....thanks Nige, I forgot where we played our home games.

Poor interviews will little substance, just cliches and states the obvious. I bet the players tune out after 1 minute of listening to him speak.

OK Bobo, give us a lesson in what a manager should say within minutes of the end of a game.

Always good to provide solutions rather than problems, new strengths/ strong dialogue to replace weaknesses/ weak dialogue.

We are all ears.

BTW, the manager has 3 or is it 4 promotions to his credit.

 

[Woodwardfan]

"It's what he says to the players and how they receive it, which matters much more though"

Judging by the results and performances the players don't receive it well or they are incapable of implementing what he requires of them. He has identified in his interviews more or less from day one what he wants yet 20 league games in we are still seeing the same shortcomings. We didn't employ him to give a good interview we wanted a manager who could win games of football, a phrase NA repeats religiously but as yet can't deliver..

I was once promoted to a job, big pay rise, big prospects etc. and I knew within 2 days I had made a mistake, the biggest mistake of my life which turned out honky dory for many different reasons, but that's just good fortune.

HOWEVER, sometimes the situation is "mission impossible" and Adkins just might have realised he was up shit creek long ago. That's not to say he can't turn it all around. If he'd listened to so many fans on here he would have known he was inheriting a crock of shit. It's up to him to sort it out.

On the other hand it might be him who's a "crock of shit" and the players have always been OK and all these posters on here wrong. Surely that can't be the case

WHICH IS IT? TIME WILL TELL.

 

[derryblade]

I think that a fair number of fans are tired of him identifying the shortcomings of the players/team, we know we can see it, we have identified the weaknesses in the team, last year and this. Stop telling us what we know already and rectify it, that's why you were appointed.

His reputation counts for nothing unless he can replicate it here, which for our sakes we hope he achieves, but at the moment it's hope more than confidence in his ability

 

[Bartleby]

I was once promoted to a job, big pay rise, big prospects etc. and I knew within 2 days I had made a mistake, the biggest mistake of my life which turned out honky dory for many different reasons, but that's just good fortune.

I did summat similar once, and I knew on the first day (in fact should have twigged even before that when their HR was trying to pressure me to hand in my notice on the previous job before medical and references had been sorted). Toughed it out for a couple of years and then managed to get out and all hunky dory also.

Difference in Adkins situation if it doesn't work out though is that if he gets sacked he'll get paid off, with an amount that most of us could probably retire on - so it's nowhere like the same pressure as for the likes of us.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

OK Bobo, give us a lesson in what a manager should say within minutes of the end of a game.

Always good to provide solutions rather than problems, new strengths/ strong dialogue to replace weaknesses/ weak dialogue.

We are all ears.

BTW, the manager has 3 or is it 4 promotions to his credit.

Agreed. I think the interviews are exemplary.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

OK Bobo, give us a lesson in what a manager should say within minutes of the end of a game.

Always good to provide solutions rather than problems, new strengths/ strong dialogue to replace weaknesses/ weak dialogue.

We are all ears.

BTW, the manager has 3 or is it 4 promotions to his credit.

I see what you've done there, you've called me Bobo, how clever.

His previous record is irrelevant. At the moment we are 12th and miles off automatic. For me he gets at least two full seasons with us, and maybe a 3rd if there is progress. if he achieves promotion with us then I will give him all the credit he deserves.

As for what a manager should say after a game? Then I would like him to give a cliche free, simple, concise recap, with a positive, and an area where he aims to improve. I don't want all the crap and waffle he comes out with, and I definitely don't need a 2 minute basic step by step of the of the game that anyone can see by watching it. And I don't need to be told numerous times that the team just need to "keep it out one end and stick it in the other". That's Sunday league stuff.

He pre-game interviews are the worst, when he goes into cliche overdrive.

I suppose it's all opinions. You may like to listen to all that irrelevant nonsense he comes out with. I have yet to be inspired or impressed with any of his tactical knowledge, don't really know what his philosophy is in how he wants to play the game - so far all he has said is that he "wants to pass the football".

Now, I understand most managers come out with generic crap, have to guard against how much info they reveal about tactics and style of play, team selection and also have to guard against abusing the trust of the dressing room. Ultimately it comes down to results. When Chelsea are top of the league everyone views Mourinho's interviews as "mind games", clever, mischievous. Now there having a tough year, his interviews are considered arrogant, erratic and that he's losing the plot.

If we were winning and in the top 6, I probably wouldn't care as much about his waffle. But the fact is we aren't. And when you aren't winning game you come under more scrutiny.

 

[Hunkerby]

we have been in this division for the 5th season in a row so the Academy hasnt really worked for us

If our scouting set up and player recruitment policy had been as good as our Academy we would be in the Premiership now instead of worrying about relegation to the 4th tier.