Adkins Interview Ahead of Fleetwood (A)

[William Henry Foulkes]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03ld5hb

• annoyed that we didn't perform
• met with players individually and collectively
• was excited by formation
• one thing didn't quite materialise
• poor goal we gave away
• their 21st 1-0 victory
• we haven't performed
• is the player still involved in the group - doesn't answer
• learn and move on
• we demand a lot of them training dressing room pitch but allow for mistakes as long as it's not the same one
• confidence important need to talk people up - do what they are good at
• Q: Do some players think they are on to a good thing? A: This is the biggest club many of them have ever played for, it's a great club doesn't really give a straight answer but then why would he? I think McCabe made this point in his interview some players had made it when they got here
• in some ways a baptism of fire for Ben Whiteman, got confidence in him
• players have to perform in the arena
• can you handle it on game day
• need to keep pushing - 4 points off
• if we get a charge going we'll be in the play-offs with momentum
• can't switch it on and off - it's about habits and behaviours
• do the basics well to an elite level - it has to be second nature
• I take full responsibility it's my job to lead and take forward
• want to play exciting football, be attack minded - I think this is long term
• need to get the best out of the players
• need pathway for the youngsters who feel for the club
• but that's pressure on the Academy bc they have to produce good enough players
• want verve, energy, pass quickly
• can't do it overnight
• good relationship with both owners - all frustrated
• have to understand the business side of it, might not like it
• we're not where we want to be
• still fighting for promotion - not focusing on the clear out
• talks about opinions versus decision making - I agree
• looks forward to managing the club
• talks about mentoring [auto-correct wants tormenting ] younger managers
• talks about climbing a mountain to promotion - It's Adkins Analogy Time
• we will get promoted in time
• have to deal with everything that gets in your way results, players not coming
• foundations need to be built
• Bob/McNulty regret? McNulty would have been on the bench here
• DCL excellent pre-season - believe he will be a top drawer striker
• Bob on the bench at Fleetwood
• Freeman not on the bench at Portsmouth
• Wallace injured at Shrewsbury
• McNulty on the bench at Portsmouth - this list is way too specific - who's going to take our loan players if we can hoodwink teams like this
• Talks about Sharp and Adams - seem to be his preferred partnership from hereon in
• DCL spring, good in the air, pace - not sure about the pace
• good meeting this morning - get the good and the bad out of it
• can mope and feel sorry but we have to move on
• this is the situation - what are we going to do
• chance of more loans - but not talking it up particularly
• players here are fighting for contracts, fighting for careers
• got to be hunger, got to be a fear, but got to be confidence too
• Baxter, No Comment
• a few issues injury wise - I reckon this is Jay and Flo, at least

Overall for me it comes across as a long term focus with short term plans for promotion still in place, but having to work around various obstacles.

 

[Bladesince59]

He hasn't a fucking clue how to motivate them or me,
UTB

 

[PeteBlade]

The main obstacle being that we're utterly shit.

 

[Sean Thornton]

So it can't be done overnight but if we get a charge going we can reach the play offs with momentum?

When does that begin then?

Even taking into account the info imparted by nopigfansintown earlier, it's my opinion that Adkins decision making has been poor.

 

[Barney]

Oh no.

 

[Small Mendonca]

I really don't know who to blame. I read that and it appears that Adkins knows the players are useless and he's just biding his time for a summer clearout. Conversely, Clough did better with pretty much the same team. Very tough situation.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

That was a longun!

Sounds very chipper - good to hear him so positive amongst all the adversity & shite, certainly doesn't sound anything remotely like a broken man. (Maybe he's getting full reassurance from the owners/board behind the scenes? He mentions his good relationship with the owners, & the need for that key relationship to be sweet.)

But, despite all his talk of "identifying problems" & "finding solutions to them", he doesn't give any encouragement to think he's got any idea how to solve these problems. He says nothing about why we played so very badly against Burton, or how to avoid playing so patternlessly & so shockingly in future.

It seems that psychology needs to solve everything in AdkinsWorld (along with things that can't be talked about). Difficult to trust him (about knowing what to do) given the depths we've descended to.

 

[Bladesince59]

That was a longun!

Sounds very chipper - good to hear him so positive amongst all the adversity & shite, certainly doesn't sound anything remotely like a broken man. (Maybe he's getting full reassurance from the owners/board behind the scenes? He mentions his good relationship with the owners, & the need for that key relationship to be sweet.)

But, despite all his talk of "identifying problems" & "finding solutions to them", he doesn't give any encouragement to think he's got any idea how to solve these problems. He says nothing about why we played so very badly against Burton, or how to avoid playing so patternlessly & so shockingly in future.

It seems that psychology needs to solve everything in AdkinsWorld (along with things that can't be talked about). Difficult to trust him (about knowing what to do) given the depths we've descended to.

Yes, he should be a politician. Speaks for hours: doesn't answer any questions: says bugger all. Just like the twats I am watching on Question Time

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

He says nothing about why we played so very badly against Burton, or how to avoid playing so patternlessly & so shockingly in future.

Said a lot about that on the night didn't he.

I think he's got plenty of ideas on how to solve the problems but if, say, some of the key players aren't up to it, then it's much harder, but that's no reason to give up.

 

[northsomersetblade]

From our biscuitmen komrades, if he is the man we need him to be then I hope (and believe) that Nigel is sharpening his biggest knife as I type.

'Whatever the time of day, Adkins' overwhelming positivity on the world shines through even amid the darkest of times.

It's great in one sense, as there are far too many people who complain about this, that and the other so to come across a person with such a refreshing outlook on the world can only be, well, positive.

However, after a while it can get rather tedious to say the least, especially when results aren't going your way. Just ask Reading FC journalists and supporters alike'

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nigel-adkins-five-things-sheffield-9379030

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

With all due respect to Adkins they're just words. He and the owners have a lot of those and every time I see these threads summarising pre-match interviews I roll my eyes knowing what I'm about to read. Why I bother? I'm not sure.....maybe I live in hope that I'm going to read something different or interesting for a change.

No more words or good intentions please. Get it done or go home.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Said a lot about that on the night didn't he.

I think he's got plenty of ideas on how to solve the problems but if, say, some of the key players aren't up to it, then it's much harder, but that's no reason to give up.

Just wish that he'd imparted some of them (at least the ones he was able to; realise he can't say which players he'd like to fuck off if he lived in an ideal world).

Difference is you seem to trust him as having those problem-solving ideas; I don't right now. Wish I did, but I don't tbh. We're just so unbelievably shit.

 

[Bladesince59]

Start winning or fuck off.

 

[Bartleby]

Said a lot about that on the night didn't he.
.

Yes, this interview was more guarded and a return back into waffle mode. Crap, lazy technique from Paul Walker, think you put more effort into your summary than he did in the interview. Was very surprised at the cheap pop at McNulty - while he was dropped for a couple he's started the last two and scored again on Saturday.

 

[pommpey]

I really don't know who to blame. I read that and it appears that Adkins knows the players are useless and he's just biding his time for a summer clearout. Conversely, Clough did better with pretty much the same team. Very tough situation.

A summer clear out ... for who?

Standby to get the good news that much of today will be tomorrow. No one is interested in bringing in talent. Selling it to buy football pitches, yes. But investing?

pommpey

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03ld5hb

• annoyed that we didn't perform
• met with players individually and collectively
• was excited by formation
• one thing didn't quite materialise
• poor goal we gave away
• their 21st 1-0 victory
• we haven't performed
• is the player still involved in the group - doesn't answer
• learn and move on
• we demand a lot of them training dressing room pitch but allow for mistakes as long as it's not the same one
• confidence important need to talk people up - do what they are good at
• Q: Do some players think they are on to a good thing? A: This is the biggest club many of them have ever played for, it's a great club doesn't really give a straight answer but then why would he? I think McCabe made this point in his interview some players had made it when they got here
• in some ways a baptism of fire for Ben Whiteman, got confidence in him
• players have to perform in the arena
• can you handle it on game day
• need to keep pushing - 4 points off
• if we get a charge going we'll be in the play-offs with momentum
• can't switch it on and off - it's about habits and behaviours
• do the basics well to an elite level - it has to be second nature
• I take full responsibility it's my job to lead and take forward
• want to play exciting football, be attack minded - I think this is long term
• need to get the best out of the players
• need pathway for the youngsters who feel for the club
• but that's pressure on the Academy bc they have to produce good enough players
• want verve, energy, pass quickly
• can't do it overnight
• good relationship with both owners - all frustrated
• have to understand the business side of it, might not like it
• we're not where we want to be
• still fighting for promotion - not focusing on the clear out
• talks about opinions versus decision making - I agree
• looks forward to managing the club
• talks about mentoring [auto-correct wants tormenting ] younger managers
• talks about climbing a mountain to promotion - It's Adkins Analogy Time
• we will get promoted in time
• have to deal with everything that gets in your way results, players not coming
• foundations need to be built
• Bob/McNulty regret? McNulty would have been on the bench here
• DCL excellent pre-season - believe he will be a top drawer striker
• Bob on the bench at Fleetwood
• Freeman not on the bench at Portsmouth
• Wallace injured at Shrewsbury
• McNulty on the bench at Portsmouth - this list is way too specific - who's going to take our loan players if we can hoodwink teams like this
• Talks about Sharp and Adams - seem to be his preferred partnership from hereon in
• DCL spring, good in the air, pace - not sure about the pace
• good meeting this morning - get the good and the bad out of it
• can mope and feel sorry but we have to move on
• this is the situation - what are we going to do
• chance of more loans - but not talking it up particularly
• players here are fighting for contracts, fighting for careers
• got to be hunger, got to be a fear, but got to be confidence too
• Baxter, No Comment
• a few issues injury wise - I reckon this is Jay and Flo, at least

Overall for me it comes across as a long term focus with short term plans for promotion still in place, but having to work around various obstacles.

A completely random response - discovered white wine tonight, fucking horrible stuff isn't it? A table of pompous, southern, football 'fans' for company. Bollocks it was.

Don't get me wrong, this post is not an attempt at convincing fellow Blades that all is rosy. It fucking well ain't. I'm 26 in Jume. Always revelled in being a Blade, never lived in Sheffied but brought up by a Shire Green lad who loves the Blades. Instilled it in me at 5 years old and I was hooked. Still Remember a GarethTaylor 25 harder agInst Forest in 96/97 (reckon Silent will answer first...place your bets)

I've never known us so bad. Not in my life, obviously. My old man tells me tales of falling into the fourth, interestingly with a sense of pride "dunt matta where we are lad, Blades aahhnt we?'.

What is best of all though, about being a Blade, is how fucking class we are. There is at least 12 of em' in Swindon who have adopted the Blades after coming with me. Best mate is a Spurs fan - agrees whole heartedly with Pochettino, United fans are the best in England.

A point to this post? Not really. Just a shout from me, a truly southern blade, who can STILL Saturday, regardless of the recent shit, say - YFUMS.

We might be shit right now, but we're Sheffield United and we are one of this countries major clubs.

COYRAWW

 

[Robby Blade]

A completely random response - discovered white wine tonight, fucking horrible stuff isn't it? A table of pompous, southern, football 'fans' for company. Bollocks it was.

Don't get me wrong, this post is not an attempt at convincing fellow Blades that all is rosy. It fucking well ain't. I'm 26 in Jume. Always revelled in being a Blade, never lived in Sheffied but brought up by a Shire Green lad who loves the Blades. Instilled it in me at 5 years old and I was hooked. Still Remember a GarethTaylor 25 harder agInst Forest in 96/97 (reckon Silent will answer first...place your bets)

I've never known us so bad. Not in my life, obviously. My old man tells me tales of falling into the fourth, interestingly with a sense of pride "dunt matta where we are lad, Blades aahhnt we?'.

What is best of all though, about being a Blade, is how fucking class we are. There is at least 12 of em' in Swindon who have adopted the Blades after coming with me. Best mate is a Spurs fan - agrees whole heartedly with Pochettino, United fans are the best in England.

A point to this post? Not really. Just a shout from me, a truly southern blade, who can STILL Saturday, regardless of the recent shit, say - YFUMS.

We might be shit right now, but we're Sheffield United and we are one of this countries major clubs.

COYRAWW

S B jnr. Don't feel guilty, we've all made posts like this. Hope your hangover isn't too bad this morning.☺

 

[Hunkerby]

I like the idea that Adkins is building foundations for the future.
However, I'm just wondering how signing loads of 30 year old players on loan is building foundations?
I can only conclude that he is bringing in older highly professional players to mentor and inspire the youngsters.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

However, I'm just wondering how signing loads of 30 year old players on loan is building foundations?

Getting through the season and hopefully having a spine with experience down the team if he works out with us and signs permanently would be my guess. Probably a goalie to replace Howard (and possibly Long in the first team - if there is cash which I doubt) in the summer.Let's see how he goes - he can't be worse than Collins, can he Tough debut game for him but I felt sorrier for Whiteman.

 

[Jan Age]

I agree lazy interviewing ... Never once kept pushing to get a direct answer and simply allowed Adkins to waffle on without really saying anything.

Adkins must be mad talking about protecting players who constantly let him down when it matters. Time he started being a bit more direct.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Laughed at the bit about allowing for mistakes as long as they don't get repeated. To still be talking about getting promoted is frankly pie in the sky and I think he knows that but, has to spin in I know.

 

[DHeppenstall]

Adkins was told he could do it more his way this season..take hammond etc on loan...next season is a clear out, yiounger players get the wages under control.
Adkins will still be here Barney,dont worry.

 

[spongebobblade]

Yet more of the Nigel Adkins school of scripted bullshit. If he was banned from using the words confidence, positive, endeavour, allure or the phrases move forward and united together he would be fucked. Keep your mouth shut Adkins from now on. Talk is cheap. It's action we want and need

 

[Woodwardfan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03ld5hb

• annoyed that we didn't perform
• met with players individually and collectively
• was excited by formation
• one thing didn't quite materialise
• poor goal we gave away
• their 21st 1-0 victory
• we haven't performed
• is the player still involved in the group - doesn't answer
• learn and move on
• we demand a lot of them training dressing room pitch but allow for mistakes as long as it's not the same one
• confidence important need to talk people up - do what they are good at
• Q: Do some players think they are on to a good thing? A: This is the biggest club many of them have ever played for, it's a great club doesn't really give a straight answer but then why would he? I think McCabe made this point in his interview some players had made it when they got here
• in some ways a baptism of fire for Ben Whiteman, got confidence in him
• players have to perform in the arena
• can you handle it on game day
• need to keep pushing - 4 points off
• if we get a charge going we'll be in the play-offs with momentum
• can't switch it on and off - it's about habits and behaviours
• do the basics well to an elite level - it has to be second nature
• I take full responsibility it's my job to lead and take forward
• want to play exciting football, be attack minded - I think this is long term
• need to get the best out of the players
• need pathway for the youngsters who feel for the club
• but that's pressure on the Academy bc they have to produce good enough players
• want verve, energy, pass quickly
• can't do it overnight
• good relationship with both owners - all frustrated
• have to understand the business side of it, might not like it
• we're not where we want to be
• still fighting for promotion - not focusing on the clear out
• talks about opinions versus decision making - I agree
• looks forward to managing the club
• talks about mentoring [auto-correct wants tormenting ] younger managers
• talks about climbing a mountain to promotion - It's Adkins Analogy Time
• we will get promoted in time
• have to deal with everything that gets in your way results, players not coming
• foundations need to be built
• Bob/McNulty regret? McNulty would have been on the bench here
• DCL excellent pre-season - believe he will be a top drawer striker
• Bob on the bench at Fleetwood
• Freeman not on the bench at Portsmouth
• Wallace injured at Shrewsbury
• McNulty on the bench at Portsmouth - this list is way too specific - who's going to take our loan players if we can hoodwink teams like this
• Talks about Sharp and Adams - seem to be his preferred partnership from hereon in
• DCL spring, good in the air, pace - not sure about the pace
• good meeting this morning - get the good and the bad out of it
• can mope and feel sorry but we have to move on
• this is the situation - what are we going to do
• chance of more loans - but not talking it up particularly
• players here are fighting for contracts, fighting for careers
• got to be hunger, got to be a fear, but got to be confidence too
• Baxter, No Comment
• a few issues injury wise - I reckon this is Jay and Flo, at least

Overall for me it comes across as a long term focus with short term plans for promotion still in place, but having to work around various obstacles.

DCL has got pace. Man, do we need pace.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I don't know why people get so agitated about these interviews when he will always give professional responses and don't forget, gets asked the same questions every week.

It's what he says behind closed doors that matters, at the moment that's not working but at least the 'scripted bullshit' people are referring to is actually correct. Whether he can put it into practice, time will tell, if he doesn't, all the talk won't mean a jot anyway.

It seems clear he's had a few 1-1s with certain players, let's see if we get a response.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I don't know why people get so agitated about these interviews when he will always give professional responses and don't forget, gets asked the same questions every week.

I can't recall any managers of the club that got more grief about their pre-match interviews than Clough and Adkins, probably because this coincides with these being made freely available in full online, rather than in 2-minute clips on a Saturday.

It's all Radio Sheffield's fault.

 

[SouthportBlade]

I can't recall any managers of the club that got more grief about their pre-match interviews than Clough and Adkins, probably because this coincides with these being made freely available in full online, rather than in 2-minute clips on a Saturday.

It's all Radio Sheffield's fault.

Exactly, you know you are going to get nothing more than professional responses, that maintain a positive outlook and doesn't actually give too much away. He has to give these interviews every single week more often than not answering the same questions.

As much as it is unlikely we are going to make the play-offs, no-one can seriously expect him to say "To be honest the season is over, we have a squad of overpaid players who aren't good enough and wont be getting a new contract in the summer"

 

[Tazzy]

feel for the guy on that interview . I think he's working with players that don't want to be here . As he says he picked a team to go forward but if the player thinks fuck it I cant be arsed what do you do
so he's waiting till the dead wood has gone so he can build for next year also sounds like both mcabe and the prince think the same

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

feel for the guy on that interview . I think he's working with players that don't want to be here . As he says he picked a team to go forward but if the player thinks fuck it I cant be arsed what do you do
so he's waiting till the dead wood has gone so he can build for next year also sounds like both mcabe and the prince think the same

Yep, if he was offered to scrap the rest of the season now he'd take it and that includes creeping into the play-offs and all that entails.

Jury's still out though on what percentage the lack of any crumbs of comfort at the moment are down to him.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

feel for the guy on that interview . I think he's working with players that don't want to be here . As he says he picked a team to go forward but if the player thinks fuck it I cant be arsed what do you do
so he's waiting till the dead wood has gone so he can build for next year also sounds like both mcabe and the prince think the same

The players we have got should be counting there blessings that they are playing for a club like SUFC . The standard of players we have would be playing at lower end league clubs if not at BDTBL.

Salary , playing conditions , facilities - someone tell me why the fuck any of these players would not , do not want to ply there trade with us . It's sheer lunacy . They either think they are better than they really are or deluded. Clubs unfortunately for us will not be cueing up to take anybody off our hands .

What is wrong with them.

UTB