Adkins Interview Ahead of Port Vale (H)

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William Henry Foulkes

William Henry Foulkes

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http://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?forums/general-blades-chat.5/

Andy Giddings. A revelation. Asks good, direct, difficult questions and keeps going. Fair play to Adkins he responds very well. A great interview.

Tried to transcribe as best I could. Missed out a bit of repetition and reverted to bullet points at the end when it gets back to the more conventional pre-game interview.

Here it is:
  • Starts with Bob at Fleetwood to get game time after a long time out - 24hr recall
AG: Is he part of the long or medium term plan? [This is where it really takes off]

NA: As a football club we're at that stage we've had eight managers in eight years - several years in League One - now maybe we've got to realise we're a League One club - but we're a big club -but we've got to get out of this and we've got to build - we're going through some pain - maybe we're going to have to go through a bit more pain - talked about it before we had 46 professional players - squad's too big - we've got to reduce it to manageable level - we need robust players who can play 40+ games a season.

AG: (interrupts) Are there not enough of those here?

NA: (ploughs on) From my point of view we've got to go through it. We need to win games on a Saturday. We need a pathway for the youngsters. Are there enough good youngsters? We've got to produce them. We've got to win on a Saturday in a way that supporters are going to be really proud of and see it. I want to play two strikers up front. Are we going to be set on one formation or is it a way of playing really good attacking aggressive entertaining football. At this moment in time we've got to go and win got to go and win got to go and win and sometimes we look for the short term fix and maybe we've got to look for the big term answer as well.

AG: It's going to get worse before it gets better? It can't get any worse. Such might be the response [of the fans]

NA: Well maybe the realisation of this is where we are, there's a lot of people, I've spoken with the owners as well - the owners down - everyone wants Sheffield United to do well [...] everyone who's associated wants to see Sheffield United back at the top level. That's our common cause. We're mid-table in League One, we're fighting to get in the play-offs [...] and we've got to work very very hard to make that happen. Let's not dance around the houses on it. This is where we are. This is the reality. This is straight talking. Let's give ourselves the opportunity to get behind the players. To work hard. The players work hard. Everybody. We might have to move some on. We've got to bring better players in. We've got to develop the players we've got. We've got to be in a situation. We're not there yet. We will be. There's a big desire behind the scenes to make sure we get the template right to develop the players to play the way that's going to be right for this football club long term - whether that's me as a manager or somebody else, or somebody else after that. A way that Sheffield United is going to have that blueprint in place that they can stick to to keep moving forward.

AG: Is that not code though Nigel for: it starts really again in the summer? (Go for it Andy!)

NA: (Emphatic) No. We've got to keep finding a way. We've had too many draws this season. Lost first away game since October on Tuesday. I want us to play a way we can build - we can move the ball forward quickly - we can have shots and have crosses - goalscoring opportunities - I want to see all of that. I ain't giving up on the season. We're fighting for the play off positions. We need everyone to contribute. The supporters are important we need that positive environment. We've got 15 games left and we need to win as many of them as we can to get ourselves in that play-off position, then it's up for anybody if we get in there then we would have had a momentum about ourselves anyway.

AG: (Keeps at it like a ball-winning midfielder.) Doesn't it work both ways: the fans have got to get behind the team but the team have got to show something for the fans.

NA: Correct. Correct. I mean the players are well aware. They've got work hard. They've got to perform.

AG: Tuesday's performance has brought about a fierce reaction. Was that the low point?

NA: Watched the game back I thought we started brightly. (not the way I saw it at the time: they had two shots on target in the first 50 seconds - we did get into the game, but it took a while) It's easy to say players were passionless. I disagree (me too, calling players lazy is lazy) People were quite easily to jump on the keyboards and say one or two different things [...] It was a competitive game - their first goal, it's long range shot [yet another one] hits the guy on the hand beforehand - it's a handball referee doesn't give it - puts it in the top corner.

AG: They might turn around and say you got beat and you didn't have a shot on target.

View attachment 16080

Adams shoots for the bottom corner...

View attachment 16081

and from the away end their defender appeared out of nowhere. Couldn't believe it. Adams couldn't believe it either.

What about the two [I think he means one] that were cleared off the line? Collins header against the bar on Saturday is not counted as on target. We had enough of the ball. The quality wasn't good enough. The quality in the final third wasn't good enough. In the attacking third the quality wasn't good enough. Right? (mentions how he's got a bit worked up) Committed. We've got to work hard short term and long term. A big desire from the owners to get it right. The players are well aware of it. They cross that white line, they've got to go and perform.

AG: Do you feel a bit let down by them over recent weeks?

NA: Listen we've got to make sure over the course of the future moving forwards we as a football club have got to make sure we get our recruitment right that we play in a manner that everyone is proud to be a Sheffield United supporter. Talks about pruning roses to let them grow. (It's a good point. Easy to criticise - but the principal is spot on.)

AG: (Paraphrasing ) The players think they may well be going in the summer has that led to the performances?

NA: The mind's a wonderful thing - refers to Inside Out (not seen it yet, no spoilers please)

inside-out-651.jpg


Unless you're in there who knows. If you are out of contract then you are fighting for one.

AG: Is Billy getting enough support?

NA: Mentions two strikers. One up, one off last two games. We need to find a way. What's our blueprint moving forward
  • more ins and outs talked about
  • have to do everything we can
  • aint giving up on it
  • got to keep driving it through
  • need that determination to drive it through
  • and I know we're not where we need to be
  • we'll get there but we're not there now
  • referring to loans - waiting for the right person
  • Port Vale – it'll be good
  • they'll want to keep the crowd quiet get them to turn on the team
  • we have to make sure we start well and they don't get that chance
  • we need to get wins
  • not draw the game
  • I've got to do my bit
  • players have to do their bit
  • supporters have to do their but
  • we all want Sheffield United to win
  • character is a big thing
  • confidence is a wonderful thing
  • to get confidence back do the basics well to an elite level

AG: Do the squad lack self belief?

NA: Question marks over everyone because of where we are, but we are going to get the structure right. You're either going to be part of it, or you're not.

Well what a great interview. Huge credit to both of them.

Hope the game is as competitive and entertaining on Satdi.
 

You need to change your link.

Adkins slags off the players followed by 13 minutes of absolute meaningless spin-doctoring. I work in a world of mindless business speak and nothing is anywhere near as bad as what he comes out with. Says a lot without actually saying anything.

He's just sounding pathetic. Rehearsed phrases repeated week in, week out.

I'd agree on the questioning. For once, fairly pressing.
 
robbiez666 said:
You need to change your link.

Adkins slags off the players followed by 13 minutes of absolute meaningless spin-doctoring. I work in a world of mindless business speak and nothing is anywhere near as bad as what he comes out with. Says a lot without actually saying anything.

He's just sounding pathetic. Rehearsed phrases repeated week in, week out.

I'd agree on the questioning. For once, fairly pressing.
Click to expand...

Got to agree. It is NOT a "great" interview at all. He says "This is straight talking" which is then followed by some complete waffle that culminates in "We've got to be in a situation". I respect what this guy has done as a manager and I desperately want him to succeed with us but to try and put a positive spin on this shite is just silly.
 
Dkc said:
What's he supposed to say? Yes, there's a depressing atmosphere in the dressing room, many players aren't pulling their weight, I thought more funds would be available? He's got to put on a positive spin.
Click to expand...

Why? Who is it going to fool?
 
Because he'd be out of a job if he did otherwise, wouldn't he?
 
Folk need to accept that this is how Adkins operates in interviews, it's his style and always has been, win, lose or draw. Every manager has a style and most of them, quite frankly are bloody annoying because they rarely have anything interesting to say.
Clough was irritating in his own way, as was Wilson, Blackwell etc. Warnock was a complete knobsack in front of the microphone and still is (sorry folks but it's true).
Managers are interviewed far too often on a subject that really isn't that deep nor deserving of such analysis. No point getting wound up when they waffle out complete bollox.
 
Dkc said:
Because he'd be out of a job if he did otherwise, wouldn't he?
Click to expand...

That would depend on the terms of his contract. If he was asked "Have you been given the money you were promised?" and he said "Next question", what grounds would there be to sack him?
 
Sean Thornton said:
I don't think it was a "great" interview, as you say, he said next to nothing and took a while to do it.
Click to expand...

Nothing apart from:
  1. one focus of recruitment will be players who can play 40+ games a season - which is demanding - it's be easy to recruit based solely on ability but if you're not on the pitch you can't affect the game - simple, clear thinking
  2. it might get worse before it gets better - an honest and frank assessment and the exact diametric opposite of a "politician's answer" or a platitude
  3. focuses on the Academy - are we producing enough good young players? Sets that as an aim.
  4. owners are very supportive - this alone is worth knowing
  5. need to bring better players in - again an honest, straight answer
  6. restatement of long term goals - with some detail - welcome before and welcome again
  7. clear statement of short term goal of promotion - again plenty of posters. supporters were wondering after Tuesday or even Satdi if we'd given up and were planning for the future, he's not and promotion is still very much the aim
  8. have to prune the squad in order for it to improve - quality over quantity
  9. the players are not passionless - they're not - it's a cheap lazy criticism
  10. we need better quality in the final third - the real issue
etc etc etc etc

Those are just the bare words. For me the most important and informative part of the interview was the passion with which he spoke.

I'd like him to be here a very long time because I think if he is then the club will be in very good shape when he leaves.
 

Stretch said:
Managers are interviewed far too often on a subject that really isn't that deep nor deserving of such analysis. No point getting wound up when they waffle out complete bollox.
Click to expand...

I do wonder how often John Harris had to give interviews.
 
William Henry Foulkes said:
Nothing apart from:
  1. one focus of recruitment will be players who can play 40+ games a season - which is demanding - it's be easy to recruit based solely on ability but if you're not on the pitch you can't affect the game - simple, clear thinking
  2. it might get worse before it gets better - an honest and frank assessment and the exact diametric opposite of a "politician's answer" or a platitude
  3. focuses on the Academy - are we producing enough good young players? Sets that as an aim.
  4. owners are very supportive - this alone is worth knowing
  5. need to bring better players in - again an honest, straight answer
  6. restatement of long term goals - with some detail - welcome before and welcome again
  7. clear statement of short term goal of promotion - again plenty of posters. supporters were wondering after Tuesday or even Satdi if we'd given up and were planning for the future, he's not and promotion is still very much the aim
  8. have to prune the squad in order for it to improve - quality over quantity
  9. the players are not passionless - they're not - it's a cheap lazy criticism
  10. we need better quality in the final third - the real issue
etc etc etc etc

Those are just the bare words. For me the most important and informative part of the interview was the passion with which he spoke.

I'd like him to be here a very long time because I think if he is then the club will be in very good shape when he leaves.
Click to expand...

You missed the bit where every season ticket holder gets a life sized crystal unicorn when we win the Champions League next month.
 
William Henry Foulkes said:
http://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?forums/general-blades-chat.5/

Andy Giddings. A revelation. Asks good, direct, difficult questions and keeps going. Fair play to Adkins he responds very well. A great interview.

Tried to transcribe as best I could. Missed out a bit of repetition and reverted to bullet points at the end when it gets back to the more conventional pre-game interview.

Here it is:
  • Starts with Bob at Fleetwood to get game time after a long time out - 24hr recall
AG: Is he part of the long or medium term plan? [This is where it really takes off]

NA: As a football club we're at that stage we've had eight managers in eight years - several years in League One - now maybe we've got to realise we're a League One club - but we're a big club -but we've got to get out of this and we've got to build - we're going through some pain - maybe we're going to have to go through a bit more pain - talked about it before we had 46 professional players - squad's too big - we've got to reduce it to manageable level - we need robust players who can play 40+ games a season.

AG: (interrupts) Are there not enough of those here?

NA: (ploughs on) From my point of view we've got to go through it. We need to win games on a Saturday. We need a pathway for the youngsters. Are there enough good youngsters? We've got to produce them. We've got to win on a Saturday in a way that supporters are going to be really proud of and see it. I want to play two strikers up front. Are we going to be set on one formation or is it a way of playing really good attacking aggressive entertaining football. At this moment in time we've got to go and win got to go and win got to go and win and sometimes we look for the short term fix and maybe we've got to look for the big term answer as well.

AG: It's going to get worse before it gets better? It can't get any worse. Such might be the response [of the fans]

NA: Well maybe the realisation of this is where we are, there's a lot of people, I've spoken with the owners as well - the owners down - everyone wants Sheffield United to do well [...] everyone who's associated wants to see Sheffield United back at the top level. That's our common cause. We're mid-table in League One, we're fighting to get in the play-offs [...] and we've got to work very very hard to make that happen. Let's not dance around the houses on it. This is where we are. This is the reality. This is straight talking. Let's give ourselves the opportunity to get behind the players. To work hard. The players work hard. Everybody. We might have to move some on. We've got to bring better players in. We've got to develop the players we've got. We've got to be in a situation. We're not there yet. We will be. There's a big desire behind the scenes to make sure we get the template right to develop the players to play the way that's going to be right for this football club long term - whether that's me as a manager or somebody else, or somebody else after that. A way that Sheffield United is going to have that blueprint in place that they can stick to to keep moving forward.

AG: Is that not code though Nigel for: it starts really again in the summer? (Go for it Andy!)

NA: (Emphatic) No. We've got to keep finding a way. We've had too many draws this season. Lost first away game since October on Tuesday. I want us to play a way we can build - we can move the ball forward quickly - we can have shots and have crosses - goalscoring opportunities - I want to see all of that. I ain't giving up on the season. We're fighting for the play off positions. We need everyone to contribute. The supporters are important we need that positive environment. We've got 15 games left and we need to win as many of them as we can to get ourselves in that play-off position, then it's up for anybody if we get in there then we would have had a momentum about ourselves anyway.

AG: (Keeps at it like a ball-winning midfielder.) Doesn't it work both ways: the fans have got to get behind the team but the team have got to show something for the fans.

NA: Correct. Correct. I mean the players are well aware. They've got work hard. They've got to perform.

AG: Tuesday's performance has brought about a fierce reaction. Was that the low point?

NA: Watched the game back I thought we started brightly. (not the way I saw it at the time: they had two shots on target in the first 50 seconds - we did get into the game, but it took a while) It's easy to say players were passionless. I disagree (me too, calling players lazy is lazy) People were quite easily to jump on the keyboards and say one or two different things [...] It was a competitive game - their first goal, it's long range shot [yet another one] hits the guy on the hand beforehand - it's a handball referee doesn't give it - puts it in the top corner.

AG: They might turn around and say you got beat and you didn't have a shot on target.

View attachment 16080

Adams shoots for the bottom corner...

View attachment 16081

and from the away end their defender appeared out of nowhere. Couldn't believe it. Adams couldn't believe it either.

What about the two [I think he means one] that were cleared off the line? Collins header against the bar on Saturday is not counted as on target. We had enough of the ball. The quality wasn't good enough. The quality in the final third wasn't good enough. In the attacking third the quality wasn't good enough. Right? (mentions how he's got a bit worked up) Committed. We've got to work hard short term and long term. A big desire from the owners to get it right. The players are well aware of it. They cross that white line, they've got to go and perform.

AG: Do you feel a bit let down by them over recent weeks?

NA: Listen we've got to make sure over the course of the future moving forwards we as a football club have got to make sure we get our recruitment right that we play in a manner that everyone is proud to be a Sheffield United supporter. Talks about pruning roses to let them grow. (It's a good point. Easy to criticise - but the principal is spot on.)

AG: (Paraphrasing ) The players think they may well be going in the summer has that led to the performances?

NA: The mind's a wonderful thing - refers to Inside Out (not seen it yet, no spoilers please)

inside-out-651.jpg


Unless you're in there who knows. If you are out of contract then you are fighting for one.

AG: Is Billy getting enough support?

NA: Mentions two strikers. One up, one off last two games. We need to find a way. What's our blueprint moving forward
  • more ins and outs talked about
  • have to do everything we can
  • aint giving up on it
  • got to keep driving it through
  • need that determination to drive it through
  • and I know we're not where we need to be
  • we'll get there but we're not there now
  • referring to loans - waiting for the right person
  • Port Vale – it'll be good
  • they'll want to keep the crowd quiet get them to turn on the team
  • we have to make sure we start well and they don't get that chance
  • we need to get wins
  • not draw the game
  • I've got to do my bit
  • players have to do their bit
  • supporters have to do their but
  • we all want Sheffield United to win
  • character is a big thing
  • confidence is a wonderful thing
  • to get confidence back do the basics well to an elite level

AG: Do the squad lack self belief?

NA: Question marks over everyone because of where we are, but we are going to get the structure right. You're either going to be part of it, or you're not.

Well what a great interview. Huge credit to both of them.

Hope the game is as competitive and entertaining on Satdi.
Click to expand...

Just more Bullshit, from the master of Bullshitters, “Some people wish they could have invented the wheel. But I’m trying to reinvent the wheelbarrow, to more efficiently to haul around all Adkins bullshit.
 
WincobankBlade said:
Got to agree. It is NOT a "great" interview at all. He says "This is straight talking" which is then followed by some complete waffle that culminates in "We've got to be in a situation". I respect what this guy has done as a manager and I desperately want him to succeed with us but to try and put a positive spin on this shite is just silly.
Click to expand...

It's not a positive spin. I thought that was a great interview. In part for reasons outlined elsewhere.

The club is in trouble at the moment short term and long term.

From that interview it's clear to me, if he can put into action what he says, then he's the person to get us out of it and secure our long term future.

I couldn't ask for much more in an interview in our current state.
 
He makes an interesting point about having a structure in place that the club will stick to in the long term (with or without him in charge). Talking about using the acadamy more in the future and I assume the same way Southampton did when they were in this division. Even if Nigel does not stay with us that long, I hope he gets the chance to put a proper structure in place that the club will stick to. Scouting players, building the acadamy and a style a play where the manager actually can be changed without it being a disruption to the way the club works. Appointing a director of football probably would help that happen though.

It explains why it seems like Nigel does not want to keep many of the players we have got. Especially when he was talking about the contract situation of players.
 
Dkc said:
I thought more funds would be available? He's got to put on a positive spin.
Click to expand...

No he doesn't "have to put on a positive spin". Maybe he knew the budget coming in because he's done his due diligence, and he knew the long term plan of reducing the squad and operating within a budget.

Maybe, in this case, he's just telling the truth.
 
WalthamstowBlade said:
That would depend on the terms of his contract. If he was asked "Have you been given the money you were promised?" and he said "Next question", what grounds would there be to sack him?
Click to expand...

Because he can be sacked on a whim, albeit with a payout. If he started slagging off the board or the players, he'd be out. Unfortunately, S Yorks people are some of the most plain talking in the western world and we are all are suspicious of people who are media savy and don't "tell it like it is".
 
Instead of training on Monday, maybe he should take all the players to see "Inside Out"
 
It was a truly life-changing interview.

Through the revelatory powers of Andy Giddings, the vast expanses of all knowledge in the universe opened up and the meaning of our very existance was lain before my eyes and for but one moment, the voice of God was heard in the heart of every man.
 
William Henry Foulkes said:
Nothing apart from:
  1. one focus of recruitment will be players who can play 40+ games a season - which is demanding - it's be easy to recruit based solely on ability but if you're not on the pitch you can't affect the game - simple, clear thinking
  2. it might get worse before it gets better - an honest and frank assessment and the exact diametric opposite of a "politician's answer" or a platitude
  3. focuses on the Academy - are we producing enough good young players? Sets that as an aim.
  4. owners are very supportive - this alone is worth knowing
  5. need to bring better players in - again an honest, straight answer
  6. restatement of long term goals - with some detail - welcome before and welcome again
  7. clear statement of short term goal of promotion - again plenty of posters. supporters were wondering after Tuesday or even Satdi if we'd given up and were planning for the future, he's not and promotion is still very much the aim
  8. have to prune the squad in order for it to improve - quality over quantity
  9. the players are not passionless - they're not - it's a cheap lazy criticism
  10. we need better quality in the final third - the real issue
etc etc etc etc

Those are just the bare words. For me the most important and informative part of the interview was the passion with which he spoke.

I'd like him to be here a very long time because I think if he is then the club will be in very good shape when he leaves.
Click to expand...


All of which the average supporter would think.

Look at the supportive owners comment you made. Good to know? Do you really think if there was any issue there he would say so?

Need to bring better players in - an honest straight answer? That's something a ten year old could have told AG. Can you imagine him saying we will continue to buy players of equal quality to what we have?

It getting worse before it gets better? I bet you never considered that until Adkins said it. Again, that's no surprise to the vast majority.

Etc etc etc. he said nothing new, nothing we aren't aware of regarding the players abilities and the weaknesses of the overall squad.
 
Tyler Durden said:
It was a truly life-changing interview.

Through the revelatory powers of Andy Giddings, the vast expanses of all knowledge in the universe opened up and the meaning of our very existance was lain before my eyes and for but one moment, the voice of God was heard in the heart of every man.
Click to expand...

My doors of perception were cleansed. By Andy Giddings.
 
Stretch said:
Folk need to accept that this is how Adkins operates in interviews, it's his style and always has been, win, lose or draw. Every manager has a style and most of them, quite frankly are bloody annoying because they rarely have anything interesting to say.
Clough was irritating in his own way, as was Wilson, Blackwell etc. Warnock was a complete knobsack in front of the microphone and still is (sorry folks but it's true).
Managers are interviewed far too often on a subject that really isn't that deep nor deserving of such analysis. No point getting wound up when they waffle out complete bollox.
Click to expand...

I think managers are interviewed too much and most of them talk utter shite from Arsene to our Neil. A post match interview is fine but Radio Sheffield interview the managers every other day and I am surprised they don't interview the manager during a match.

In the case of Adkins he is another manager that you have to read between the lines with what he says. Annoying but we had to do the same with previous managers and had to put up with their annoying cliches as well.
 
William Henry Foulkes said:
It's not a positive spin. I thought that was a great interview. In part for reasons outlined elsewhere.

The club is in trouble at the moment short term and long term.

From that interview it's clear to me, if he can put into action what he says, then he's the person to get us out of it and secure our long term future.

I couldn't ask for much more in an interview in our current state.
Click to expand...

I don't dispute that he is (or should be) the person to get us out of it, I have massive respect for Nigel Adkins record, I just hate the interviews now. He has to do them I know, it just seems like he's got a PhD in Positivity (and the team has a "first in low esteem" to quote a certain band).
 

Sean Thornton said:
All of which the average supporter would think.
Click to expand...

It seems pretty clear there's no such thing as an average supporter. This is just an unverifiable claim on behalf of an imagined entity.

Sean Thornton said:
Look at the supportive owners comment you made. Good to know? Do you really think if there was any issue there he would say so?
Click to expand...

It's not the bare words - it's the context, the tone of voice, the immediacy and directness of the response all of which, with other factors, add up to an honest account of the situation. He's been recruited and backed. Board and manager are united. That's a very important message.

Sean Thornton said:
Need to bring better players in - an honest straight answer? That's something a ten year old could have told AG. Can you imagine him saying we will continue to buy players of equal quality to what we have?
Click to expand...

Again missing the point. There are all sorts of platitudes and politics you can play with this response instead he recognises we're not good enough and says so. IIRC he got a round of applause for a similar sentiment at the pre-season interview. Now it's suddenly a ten-year old's response.

Sean Thornton said:
It getting worse before it gets better? I bet you never considered that until Adkins said it. Again, that's no surprise to the vast majority.
Click to expand...

Whether it's a surprise or not is besides the point. Again. He's set out a clear assessment of the short term (and long term) prospects.
 
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