Adkins speaks

[stringer]

Goodness me. What incoherent, contradictory nonsense (from both Adkins and the Stir):

What on earth does this garbled, clumsy, wordy sentence, mean ?:-
'Although it is unclear whether that was an attempt to absolve himself of responsibility for the signings of Dean Hammond and Martyn Woolford, who both struggled miserably after arriving on his watch, Adkins said: “It’s great to see there’s stability there" '
Eh ??

And what the feck does this mean ?
"The latter half of the season I thought we were getting there. However, it’s about results and the feeling for it.”
Eh ??

Having read it again, I think it means that it’s unclear whether Adkins was attempting to absolve himself of responsibility for Hammond and Woolford signing, and that both struggled after he signed them, and that he thinks it’s great that there’s stability at United.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

To be fair to him having his best player sold from under him as soon as he walked through the door musn't have helped.
No excuses for Woolford or Hammond but he turned to players who he knew and trusted. 2 out of 3 of those just weren't up to it, but we got Billy back and he has been immense.

Whatever folk think of him now he will still be remembered on the wider stage as a good manager. 4 promotions, including a back to back isn't a cakewalk even with that Southampton squad. Us Reading and possibly Hull just got him after his expiry date.

Is this yer Mum Nige?

 

[JJ Sefton]

 

[Pierre's PC]

Has he really photoshopped a seagull on to that?

 

[Booker4]

Skip to 3.13 minutes! Oh how I laughed!

 

[Cerberus Blade]

To be fair to him having his best player sold from under him as soon as he walked through the door musn't have helped.
No excuses for Woolford or Hammond but he turned to players who he knew and trusted. 2 out of 3 of those just weren't up to it, but we got Billy back and he has been immense.

Whatever folk think of him now he will still be remembered on the wider stage as a good manager. 4 promotions, including a back to back isn't a cakewalk even with that Southampton squad. Us Reading and possibly Hull just got him after his expiry date.

I think you’re far too generous. The guy was a disaster. He inherited success at Southampton and has achieved nothing much before or after. And he’ll take Hull down this season. What more evidence do you need?

Absolutely clueless!

Too many players?

How long did it take Wilder to sort it?

2 things that every Blade should despise him for:

1. The contempt with which he treated our fans by talking absolute bullshit - the complete opposite of what us fans were seeing - and speaking in platitudes and cliche’s and “corporate management bollocks” rather than just being straightforward and honest.

2. The sneaky deals he did, like Hammond, who none of us wanted, but he made sure his old mate got a contract undeservedly which cost our club money when everyone knew he wasn’t worth the shirt. That’s bordering on corruption imo.

The worst manager in the history of Sheffield United.

(Btw : I posted on here about 3 months into Adkins appointment. I entitled it “possibly the worst manager of all time?”. As a question.

Now I’m certain!

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Jump in!

 

[Blade58]

As a side note:

"Nigel Adkins squares up against his former club for the first time since leaving the Blades - but interestingly, has never lost as a manager against the South Yorkshire side, winning three and drawing the other in four previous encounters."

Time to put that right Chris

 

[SuperBobbyHatton]

At the time, I thought we had done well to recruit him. After a short while it became obvious why he was out of work. Terrible manager who didn't seem to have a fucking clue what he was doing. A dark, dark period in our history and I give thanks to our Lord wilder every day for dragging us out of the deep shit that Adkins played a major part in creating.

 

[JJ Sefton]

At the time, I thought we had done well to recruit him. After a short while it became obvious why he was out of work. Terrible manager who didn't seem to have a fucking clue what he was doing. A dark, dark period in our history and I give thanks to our Lord wilder every day for dragging us out of the deep shit that Adkins played a major part in creating.

Agreed. I was pleased when we appointed him and what a fucking mistake that was. The matches towards the end of that season were some of the most woeful experiences I've had watching United.

 

[ljk]

Nothing about it, seriously? He was mostly unsuccessful in everything he did, but Hammond apart he did a lot to significantly reduce the squad by the time he was sacked, moving on some utter dross. When added to the released list that Wilder drew up, Wilder had virtually a blank slate coming into the job – which while challenging in terms of having to recruit must have been a dream in terms of flexibility.

Oh really? I thought he didn’t move many players on, and it was Wilder who let a lot go/transfer listed a few?

I might be getting it wrong. Maybe Adkins was right about blades fans being impossible to please. The dickhead.

 

[Stretch]

I think you’re far too generous. The guy was a disaster. He inherited success at Southampton and has achieved nothing much before or after. And he’ll take Hull down this season. What more evidence do you need?

Absolutely clueless!

Too many players?

How long did it take Wilder to sort it?

2 things that every Blade should despise him for:

1. The contempt with which he treated our fans by talking absolute bullshit - the complete opposite of what us fans were seeing - and speaking in platitudes and cliche’s and “corporate management bollocks” rather than just being straightforward and honest.

2. The sneaky deals he did, like Hammond, who none of us wanted, but he made sure his old mate got a contract undeservedly which cost our club money when everyone knew he wasn’t worth the shirt. That’s bordering on corruption imo.

The worst manager in the history of Sheffield United.

(Btw : I posted on here about 3 months into Adkins appointment. I entitled it “possibly the worst manager of all time?”. As a question.

Now I’m certain!

I wouldn't disagree that he was a disaster and can't argue with much on point 1. As for point 2 I would hold others at the club equally culpable, we know that managers don't control deals fully at this club because even Wilder has said himself that he leaves part of the negotiation to Carl Schieber. Let's be honest, we had a history of awarding hansome contracts to crocked or past it players, him and his agent simply exploited it. Cuntish and self serving on every level but we were a sitting duck.

As for Southampton, like I say I defy a supposedly shit manager to get back to back promotions no matter how much talent he has. He took Scunthorpe up, back down then back up again. Takes some doing in my opinion.

At the end of the day though I won't waste any more of my time defending him, because frankly he doesn't deserve it. He was shit for us, I was glad to see the back of him and I wouldn't take him back if you offerred me a fortune.

 

[steve26272]

i once worked with a bloke like Adkins, when he started i thought he was a right twat. Then as i got to know him i realised he wasn't a twat, he was a loveable dickhead - no malice, tried bless him, but just a bit full of shit.
you'd have him in the group on a night out for the comedy value/to laugh at, but if asked he was a mate of a mate, don't know him really.
difference is to Adkins this was "a job"
to Wilder it's "THE job"

give the bloke a break, he didn't sign up to sabotage our club, and to be fair did anyone not have high hopes give Southampton, but he's no longer our problem, laugh at him through the bus window as he passes by.

 

[Yewsman]

May be a perfectly nice guy but a useless manager!

Sounds like he’s trying to take some of the credit for our present success as he says that he introduced “three at the back which they are now quite successful with”. The man is completely deluded. Worst manager ever? Not sure as we’ve had our share. Adrian Heath, Martin Peters to mention 2 but Madkins is certainly a leading candidate for the title.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Oh really? I thought he didn’t move many players on, and it was Wilder who let a lot go/transfer listed a few?

I might be getting it wrong. Maybe Adkins was right about blades fans being impossible to please. The dickhead.

Off the top of my head, the Higgopotamus, Collins, Alcock for starters, and a large number of loan deals to get players most of the way out the door.

 

[IMABLADE]

Thank God Wilder has put an end to 'whoever' it was behind the scenes bringing shite players into the club...

As I remember, didn't Nigel Adkins bring in his own head scout?

 

[TJB.]

Skip to 3.13 minutes! Oh how I laughed!

It almost hurts to hear him talk. Brings back such awful memories.

Thank you, Chris Wilder. From the bottom of my heart.

Tear this charlatan a new goosehole tomorrow.

 

[Davie Blade]

I think you have a point but the signings of Moore, O Connell, Fleck , Duffy and Wright were huge reasons behind the improvement too. The recruitment was excellent last season (and this given the lack of funds) .

I wanted Adkins to stay. I didn't think every would get anywhere continually sacking managers but in hindsight sacking him was the best thing we've done for years.

Apart from sacking that utter cunt Chuff a year earlier.

 

[Davie Blade]

As I remember, didn't Nigel Adkins bring in his own head scout?

After he found out there's no money for recruitment as chuff had pissed zillions up the wall.

 

[Esablade]

As I remember, didn't Nigel Adkins bring in his own head scout?

He stated players coming in( ie: Conor Sammon) were already at the club...I think this had been going on awhile...someone bringing players in above the management team...

 

[Carlton Blade]

Adkins speaks is the signal to stick some headphones in and listen to anything else

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

Having read it again, I think it means that it’s unclear whether Adkins was attempting to absolve himself of responsibility for Hammond and Woolford signing, and that both struggled after he signed them, and that he thinks it’s great that there’s stability at United.

Having read it again, I think it means that he's a complete bullshitter, a conclusion I came to after about three weeks weeks of his tenure as manager of our club.

 

[Ranmoorblade]

Hull will play like Barcelona tomorrow now you watch.

 

[Newbury Blade]

To be fair to him having his best player sold from under him as soon as he walked through the door musn't have helped.
No excuses for Woolford or Hammond but he turned to players who he knew and trusted. 2 out of 3 of those just weren't up to it, but we got Billy back and he has been immense.

Whatever folk think of him now he will still be remembered on the wider stage as a good manager. 4 promotions, including a back to back isn't a cakewalk even with that Southampton squad. Us Reading and possibly Hull just got him after his expiry date.

“possibly” Hull?

 

[Th!stledo]

The greatest thing I have to be grateful to Adkins for is the immense appreciation of the qualities of Chris Wilder.

 

[1889]

I never wanted him at United, he is an absolute conman, completely full of shit, he tried to disguise his ineptitude behind a torrent of cliches and fucking waffle. Such was his arrogance, despite what was plain for everyone to see, that we were crap, he just continued with his enthusiastic, faux intellectual rambling.

I couldn't stand the bloke from the word go, but I think the reason many people have no time for him now, is that he was one of those managers who blames everyone and everything, rather than himself, He implied that football supporters, despite maybe spectating for several decades, knew nothing about the game, or had any right to an opinion.

Basically, he likes the sound of his own voice so much, he never stops to listen

 

[Davalon]

A strong manager would have managed to get the Sammon deal cancelled if he didn’t fancy it. Or at least bomb him out of the club rather than playing him in most matches.

You know a bit like Wilder did when he was saddled with Hammond for a season by Adkins.

Adkins also tried to blame Clough for the players not being fit enough despite having a full pre-season to implement whatever fitness regime he saw fit.

I'm not backing Adkins here. Just some fans wouldn't have it that Sammon was set up by Clough.

Despite Cloughites like Savage and Pat Murphy pushing the agenda that he was harshly sacked based on nothing more than failed promotion, the facts are very different.

 

[Stretch]

“possibly” Hull?

He might keep them up. They were already screwed when he arrived so it's hard to judge how much is down to him at the moment.

 

[diplomat]

I think you’re far too generous. The guy was a disaster. He inherited success at Southampton and has achieved nothing much before or after. And he’ll take Hull down this season. What more evidence do you need?

Absolutely clueless!

Too many players?

How long did it take Wilder to sort it?

2 things that every Blade should despise him for:

1. The contempt with which he treated our fans by talking absolute bullshit - the complete opposite of what us fans were seeing - and speaking in platitudes and cliche’s and “corporate management bollocks” rather than just being straightforward and honest.

2. The sneaky deals he did, like Hammond, who none of us wanted, but he made sure his old mate got a contract undeservedly which cost our club money when everyone knew he wasn’t worth the shirt. That’s bordering on corruption imo.

The worst manager in the history of Sheffield United.

(Btw : I posted on here about 3 months into Adkins appointment. I entitled it “possibly the worst manager of all time?”. As a question.

Now I’m certain!

I’d disagree with a couple of points.

A few have said that anyone could have got Southampton back to back promotions. Which is bollocks. I’d have got them relegated. You have to admit back to back promotions with anyone is a good achievement. Otherwise everyone would do it. The same Southampton conveyor belt of talent got relegated to league one don’t forget. They were hardly smashing the league under pardew.

The Scunthorpe promotions are definitely worthy of praise. They have no business being in the championship based on size and budget so all Power to them for getting there. I love that because it’s proof that the pyramid can still work.

He also kept them up I think above the comatose giant that is Sheffield Wednesday (I’ll stand corrected if not) which is a good achievement. When they were relegated they got promoted straight away. No mean feat turning round a team that is used to losing every week. We’ve seen here how hard that can be on more than one occasion.

I’m sure he had an influence on the Hammond contract but his agent would have proposed it and the club would have ratified it, not one Adkins. Personally I’d have told him (Hammond/agent) to fuck off and at that outlay, if I was the board would have encouraged a different route like practically any midfielder in league one with potential.

To clarify, I don’t love Nigel, but nor do I dislike him. However, to slate him and belittle what he has done so much just because he couldn’t do it here is just blinkered. I’m glad it’s come out that he didn’t sign Sammon as that was another ridiculous spunking of muneh and shows that we were being run by amateurs dealing with large amounts of money and no calculator or plan.

That said, going to the lane under his tenure was about as painful as I can remember.

 

[Blade&Snuff]

All his interviews should start with "once upon a time " the guy just wasn't strong enough.

I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong at the Lane, manager after manager failing. For the first time in over 25 years I was considering not renewing my season ticket.

Wilder came in and within days listed half of the team, the players everyone knew just weren't good enough or couldn't be arsed (Freeman for example) which makes me think there was a lads culture with the players, with stories of drink and drugs doing the rounds.

You don't get away with it with Wilder, thanks Chris you gave me my mojo back.

Let's hammer Dull tonight.

UTBFTP