Adkins Interview Ahead of Gillingham (H)

[William Henry Foulkes]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03qfjc2

Response to rumour in bold towards the end.

• sore throat last Friday standard procedure to keep someone ill away from the players
• three or four of the players as well as a couple of members of staff a little bit unwell
• RS: have to win 6/6? NA: Have to win next game
• good game on Wednesday
• spirits are good
• been working on our shape
• can see improvements all the time
• looking a threat going forward
• defensively solid, good compact shape
• pressing really well as a team
• more athleticism
• home form good, apart from Burton - not a good performance
• RS: 3-5-2 suits the players? NA: mentions the solid period around Christmas but the need to win games drove the change in formation
• fewer players means they're all contributing in a big way now
• atmosphere good
• everybody working hard
• playing good football
• Gillingham are very direct
• their RHS - Exocet missile of a throw in
• changed shape over the season but players coming back, expect them to be on the bench
• will they have a diamond?
• we need to be disciplined
• players have shown passion and competitiveness
• the Beard out for a few weeks
• RS: Is Bash one of the players you can build a team around
• NA: (eulogising) Bash outstanding, super season, wholehearted
• two wingbacks one crosses other scores
• we've played him every game we could
• good partnership with Dean Hammond when we tightened it up
• solid and energetic
• on the training ground
• athletic, warrior, robust
• if we win all the games then our points total will be competitive but it's one game at a time
• despite numerous chances to be distracted repeatedly talks about breaking it down and concentrating on the next game
• we will get ourselves to the next level, this year, next year, or the year after that
• camaraderie among the players
• RS: asks about the rumours
• NA (nearly verbatim) "That's the first time I've heard about it. I've got a three year contract. I've got no intention of going to another football club. If that's what you're trying to imply. I'm totally focussed on doing the best I can for Sheffield United and making sure we give ourselves a chance to get promoted back to the Championship in the three year timeframe I signed my contract for. That's what I'm going to be looking for and obviously I've made sure there's a good pathway for the youngsters so obviously the overall picture as well as making sure at least there's a pathway for the youngsters to come through you know I wanna get 50% of them into the first team environment, the heart and soul of the football club that's very very important. So from my point of view we all want to wave this magic wand and we all want things to happen straight away. For me I've got a three year contract: my remit is to get ourselves within those three years back to the next level."
• RS: The way it was put to me was that it would be a mutual parting of ways. Do you fully expect to be the Sheffield United manager next season?
• Where do you get your information from. It's interesting because this is...
• RS (interrupting): It's just what the fans have asked us to ask you today
• Okay. I think I've just stated it there. After this season I've got another two years. I really enjoy being up in Sheffield, being the Sheffield United manager. I've got every intention of making sure we get ourselves promoted to the next level within the period of my contract and I wanna stay here a long time. Kevin McCabe made some comments a couple of weeks ago he'd like to think we're gonna go beyond that.
• I have to make sure everyone keeps believing we have a chance of promotion

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03qfjc2

Response to rumour in bold towards the end.

• sore throat last Friday standard procedure to keep someone ill away from the players
• three or four of the players as well as a couple of members of staff a little bit unwell
• RS: have to win 6/6? NA: Have to win next game
• good game on Wednesday
• spirits are good
• been working on our shape
• can see improvements all the time
• looking a threat going forward
• defensively solid, good compact shape
• pressing really well as a team
• more athleticism
• home form good, apart from Burton - not a good performance
• RS: 3-5-2 suits the players? NA: mentions the solid period around Christmas but the need to win games drove the change in formation
• fewer players means they're all contributing in a big way now
• atmosphere good
• everybody working hard
• playing good football
• Gillingham are very direct
• their RHS - Exocet missile of a throw in
• changed shape over the season but players coming back, expect them to be on the bench
• will they have a diamond?
• we need to be disciplined
• players have shown passion and competitiveness
• the Beard out for a few weeks
• RS: Is Bash one of the players you can build a team around
• NA: (eulogising) Bash outstanding, super season, wholehearted
• two wingbacks one crosses other scores
• we've played him every game we could
• good partnership with Dean Hammond when we tightened it up
• solid and energetic
• on the training ground
• athletic, warrior, robust
• if we win all the games then our points total will be competitive but it's one game at a time
• despite numerous chances to be distracted repeatedly talks about breaking it down and concentrating on the next game
• we will get ourselves to the next level, this year, next year, or the year after that
• camaraderie among the players
• RS: asks about the rumours
• NA (nearly verbatim) "That's the first time I've heard about it. I've got a three year contract. I've got no intention of going to another football club. If that's what you're trying to imply. I'm totally focussed on doing the best I can for Sheffield United and making sure we give ourselves a chance to get promoted back to the Championship in the three year timeframe I signed my contract for. That's what I'm going to be looking for and obviously I've made sure there's a good pathway for the youngsters so obviously the overall picture as well as making sure at least there's a pathway for the youngsters to come through you know I wanna get 50% of them into the first team environment, the heart and soul of the football club that's very very important. So from my point of view we all want to wave this magic wand and we all want things to happen straight away. For me I've got a three year contract: my remit is to get ourselves within those three years back to the next level."
• RS: The way it was put to me was that it would be a mutual parting of ways. Do you fully expect to be the Sheffield United manager next season?
• Where do you get your information from. It's interesting because this is...
• RS (interrupting): It's just what the fans have asked us to ask you today
• Okay. I think I've just stated it there. After this season I've got another two years. I really enjoy being up in Sheffield, being the Sheffield United manager. I've got every intention of making sure we get ourselves promoted to the next level within the period of my contract and I wanna stay here a long time. Kevin McCabe made some comments a couple of weeks ago he'd like to think we're gonna go beyond that.
• I have to make sure everyone keeps believing we have a chance of promotion

Just don't know what to make of all this Adkins mutual consent business . To think the name of the game is to win football matches .

UTB

 

[Grappler]

Radio Sheffield missed a trick there, it would have been funnier if Rob had kept a straight face and said

• Where do you get your information from. It's interesting because this is...
• RS (interrupting): Kevin McCabe

 

[zablade]

Well what did anyone expect?

He was hardly going to say "yes it's true I'm off the Monday after the Scunny game". There would almost certainly be a confidentiality clause on both side if it's true he's leaving.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

• RS: The way it was put to me was that it would be a mutual parting of ways. Do you fully expect to be the Sheffield United manager next season?

• Where do you get your information from. It's interesting because this is...

• RS (interrupting): It's just what the fans have asked us to ask you today

• Okay. I think I've just stated it there. After this season I've got another two years. I really enjoy being up in Sheffield, being the Sheffield United manager. I've got every intention of making sure we get ourselves promoted to the next level within the period of my contract and I wanna stay here a long time. Kevin McCabe made some comments a couple of weeks ago he'd like to think we're gonna go beyond that.

Fwiw at this point, I thought he sounded genuinely surprised.

Of course this could be genuine surprise that his closely guarded secret had been revealed to the world in detail - but more likely, maybe, is that if we'd been on a recent poor run then this rumour would make sense, but as it is it comes after a decent win against a strong team, so it seems like very odd timing, hence the surprise.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Oh well that's the end of the rumour then - can we make sure sunjihi suffers the death penalty by hanging on the pitch before the scunny match for spreading malicious gossip?

 

[zablade]

so it seems like very odd timing, hence the surprise.

Not quite so surprising if the bean counters are basing ther decisions on how many cut price season tickets have been renewed so far.

 

[BerksBlade]

I have to make sure everyone keeps believing we have a chance of promotion

Best of luck with that one Nigel! Let us know how it works out.

 

[FTPE]

Oh well that's the end of the rumour then - can we make sure sunjihi suffers the death penalty by hanging on the pitch before the scunny match for spreading malicious gossip?

Yes.
Yes we can!
I thought it was weird any kind of news coming out about replacing Adkins when there's still a very slight chance of the playoffs.

 

[zablade]

Best of luck with that one Nigel! Let us know how it works out.

Maybe he's getting Paul McKenna in?

 

[Champagneblade]

I was more surprised by the initial reaction that he thought Rob was suggesting he'd be going to another club!

As if there would be a queue to take a bloke who has just guided a team from one place inside the playoffs to 2 places out of them after being preseason favourites.

A bit deluded there, Nige!

 

[Barney]

I was more surprised by the initial reaction that he thought Rob was suggesting he'd be going to another club!

As if there would be a queue to take a bloke who has just guided a team from one place inside the playoffs to 2 places out of them after being preseason favourites.

A bit deluded there, Nige!

Or as if he already had the prospect of him going to other clubs in his head...

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

A couple of points on why I think these interviews are a) very good and b) very revealing

sore throat last Friday standard procedure to keep someone ill away from the players

Shows an understanding of how illness and disease are transmitted and that there is a system in place to deal with it.

This may sound obvious but, reading around the game, much of football - especially in the lower leagues - is still run on the basis of: We'll do it this way bc that's the way we've always done it.

Reminds me of one of Sky's marginal gains. I think as recently as last winter someone had a suggestion on how to have hand gels strategically placed so as to further reduce the chance of infection. I heard Froome mention it in an interview.

Infection control is a developing part of professional sport and from this statement I take it that it is has been thought through by Adkins and his team and procedures have been put in place. Maybe it's the same everywhere. Regardless of that, it is a little detail which, for me, gives an insight into the modern game.

three or four of the players as well as a couple of members of staff a little bit unwell

Shows that it really is about the club and everyone who works there - not just the first team.

I don't listen to other manager interviews but when I last did, I don't recall such routine mention of the non-playing staff. I get the sense he's the manager of the club, creating an environment in which everyone is valued - he's not just the first team coach.

Maybe someone who actually works at the club will spill the beans and tell us it's nothing like that.

So: two comments, and, imo, plenty good said.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

A couple of points on why I think these interviews are a) very good and b) very revealing



Shows an understanding of how illness and disease are transmitted and that there is a system in place to deal with it.

This may sound obvious but, reading around the game, much of football - especially in the lower leagues - is still run on the basis of: We'll do it this way bc that's the way we've always done it.

Reminds me of one of Sky's marginal gains. I think as recently as last winter someone had a suggestion on how to have hand gels strategically placed so as to further reduce the chance of infection. I heard Froome mention it in an interview.

Infection control is a developing part of professional sport and from this statement I take it that it is has been thought through by Adkins and his team and procedures have been put in place. Maybe it's the same everywhere. Regardless of that, it is a little detail which, for me, gives an insight into the modern game.



Shows that it really is about the club and everyone who works there - not just the first team.

I don't listen to other manager interviews but when I last did, I don't recall such routine mention of the non-playing staff. I get the sense he's the manager of the club, creating an environment in which everyone is valued - he's not just the first team coach.

Maybe someone who actually works at the club will spill the beans and tell us it's nothing like that.

So: two comments, and, imo, plenty good said.

Fuck it lets just get Adkins the Nobel peace prize - he knows to keep away from folk when he's badly.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

After Wigan's 5-1 win at Shrewsbury they move on to 77 points.

Even if, I mean when, we win our six remaining games we will only reach 76 points so...

No Title

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

RS (interrupting): It's just what the fans have asked us to ask you today

Staton The Pig, stirring as usual.
Who are these "fans" that have contacted RS between the Chinaman's OP and today's Press Interview?
Maybe it was Pitsmoor or The Taxi Driver?

Wouldn't surprise me if SunnyBoy was an RS reporter or our Star correspondent (oxymoron[ic])...

 

[JohnDenver]

A couple of points on why I think these interviews are a) very good and b) very revealing



Shows an understanding of how illness and disease are transmitted and that there is a system in place to deal with it.

This may sound obvious but, reading around the game, much of football - especially in the lower leagues - is still run on the basis of: We'll do it this way bc that's the way we've always done it.

Reminds me of one of Sky's marginal gains. I think as recently as last winter someone had a suggestion on how to have hand gels strategically placed so as to further reduce the chance of infection. I heard Froome mention it in an interview.

Infection control is a developing part of professional sport and from this statement I take it that it is has been thought through by Adkins and his team and procedures have been put in place. Maybe it's the same everywhere. Regardless of that, it is a little detail which, for me, gives an insight into the modern game.



Shows that it really is about the club and everyone who works there - not just the first team.

I don't listen to other manager interviews but when I last did, I don't recall such routine mention of the non-playing staff. I get the sense he's the manager of the club, creating an environment in which everyone is valued - he's not just the first team coach.

Maybe someone who actually works at the club will spill the beans and tell us it's nothing like that.

So: two comments, and, imo, plenty good said.

No offence WHF, but it really does sound obvious stuff. I heard an interview with the Aston Villa boss this morning (them being our nearest competitor in the world ineptitude championships), and he was explaining he wanted Gabby Abgbonlathingy to visit the club doctor about a viral infection, but only when the premises were clear.

I'd be pretty horrified if infectious folk were tolerated anywhere near a professional team contact sport environment.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Who are these "fans" that have contacted RS between the Chinaman's OP and today's Press Interview?

Er...I did, for one.

I emailed him last night; sent him the links and some relevant context. I thought given SJH's previous credibility it was worth seeing what Rob Staton thought of it and whether he would ask a question.

I presume others did the same or similar via eg Twitter.

I'm very glad he asked, and asked again and got a strong response.

I'd like Adkins to stay a long time - if things go as well as I expect next season - and it's a relief that (for the first time?) there seems to be nothing in one of SJH's ITK posts.

Also fwiw I think he's the best of the RS interviewers - and particularly good for a local radio reporter.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Er...I did, for one.

I emailed him last night; sent him the links and some relevant context. I thought given SJH's previous credibility it was worth seeing what Rob Staton thought of it and whether he would ask a question.

I presume others did the same or similar via eg Twitter.

I'm very glad he asked, and asked again and got a strong response.

I'd like Adkins to stay a long time - if things go as well as I expect next season - and it's a relief that (for the first time?) there seems to be nothing in one of SJH's ITK posts.

Also fwiw I think he's the best of the RS interviewers - and particularly good for a local radio reporter.

Perhaps now manager , players , fans can concentrate on a football match tommorow and winning it.

Adkins lives to fight another day .

UTB

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

William Henry Foulkes

Thanks for the info.

I'm still very unsure about RS on RS, harks back to those days I was undercover in North Korea.
Said some very bad, bad things about us.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

William Henry Foulkes

Thanks for the info.

I'm still very unsure about RS on RS, harks back to those days I was undercover in North Korea.
Said some very bad, bad things about us.

Won't hear a word said against him. Just seen that he emailed me back. We're best mates now.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

Won't hear a word said against him. Just seen that he emailed me back. We're best mates now.

S2 4SU...
forget that now.

MI6 ... or maybe MFI?
Keep the enemy close and under surveillance William Henry Foulkes this board depends on you.

 

[robbiez666]

When the internet is full of rumour you'd expect our fuck-wit co-chairman to come out and deny them....

 

[Dnblade]

Did RS really ask if Bash is somebody to build a team around?..What's he on about,he does come out with some crap at times when he's on about Football.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Er...I did, for one.

I emailed him last night; sent him the links and some relevant context. I thought given SJH's previous credibility it was worth seeing what Rob Staton thought of it and whether he would ask a question.

I presume others did the same or similar via eg Twitter.

I'm very glad he asked, and asked again and got a strong response.

I'd like Adkins to stay a long time - if things go as well as I expect next season - and it's a relief that (for the first time?) there seems to be nothing in one of SJH's ITK posts.

Also fwiw I think he's the best of the RS interviewers - and particularly good for a local radio reporter.

He was less than happy with those criticising the questioning...

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

He was less than happy with those criticising the questioning...

Stop having a go at my mate Rob.

I'll email him and let him know he overreacted. I'm sure he'll be fine about it.

 

[Woodwardfan]

So the timescale for promotion was 3 years starting last year. What a load of.....

 

[Darthblade]

So the timescale for promotion was 3 years starting last year. What a load of.....

Well ...... unless our manager ( whoever he is ) has the balls to clear out more dross from the first team squad in the summer and is given a realistic budget to replace with stronger, quicker, more consistent players, BEFORE the fu**ing season starts or is 6 months old ....... we won't be escaping our self-imposed exile in this agricultural division !!

UTB & FTP

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Nice that Nige had taken the strepsils so he was ok to "come into contact" with the players by Saturday.

Just hope he's got some sort of ear infection today, which'll prevent him hearing Gary Sinclair's pre-game "We welcome our special guest Chris Wilder to the Lane this afternoon"...