Adkins speaks

[PaulHalfway]

I stopped going to home matches for the last 3 months of the season, after going for 30 years and hardly missing a game. For us he was clueless, bad judge of players and what we needed to do to turn round the club. Hammond and Woolford were terrible and on ridiculous contracts. His press conferences became embarrassing with PLC jargon and meaninglessness clap trap comments which could not disguise the fact that we had been out played by Bury, Shrewsbury or Scunthorpe etc. Hard work, endouvour and as a collective were words spouted every week but became a standing joke for a man seemingly completely out of his depth. It was a shame because when he was appointed he appeared to be the perfect guy to take over from Clough

 

[Rodders]

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.

My thoughts entirely. Adkins is a cringe-worthy bell-end, but has actually achieved success in the first part of his career. To claim otherwise is just churlish.

My thoughts on him were that I was, I guess, fairly ambivalent at the prospect of him getting another season as I thought he deserved a shot without Clough's crap as a millstone round his neck and I didn't think there were that many better options out there at the time. He also got little backing from the Board, certainly compared to what Clough got.
The bullshit he spouts in interviews didn't bother me as I don't really listen to them and I found them humorous rather than a stick to beat him with.
However, that all changed at the Scunthorpe game. Such a disgraceful performance that I thought enough was enough and he had to be fired. Ok some of the players were on their last game, but it was such a listless, apathetic performance and atmosphere and under him I couldn't see how that would be arrested and we'd be spending at least another 2 years in Lg 1.

When he first came in, I did think that the Brent-isms would only be fine if we were winning - his personality really is at odds with the dour, Sheffielder who, frankly, likes to keep things simple. As soon as he wasn't getting results he was always likely to wind up a large majority of our fanbase with his positivity. As said earlier, we can always tell when someone is pissing on our back and telling us it's raining. So his comments about the Lane being a tough place to come don't really surprise me or upset me - if we weren't immediately successful I thought it would have always gone one way with him.

 

[Bladesman]

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.

Agree with all that. Although I found the Robson era the most painful, as our season just died a slow death under Adkins but we were never likely to get relegated.

The Sammon deal highlights that a lot of work for that season had been done before Adkins arrived. People mention cancelling the deal for Sammon but it would have cost us money to break the agreement and send him back.

I still would like to know what really happened between the board and Clough.

 

[Booker4]

I stopped going to home matches for the last 3 months of the season, after going for 30 years and hardly missing a game. For us he was clueless, bad judge of players and what we needed to do to turn round the club. Hammond and Woolford were terrible and on ridiculous contracts. His press conferences became embarrassing with PLC jargon and meaninglessness clap trap comments which could not disguise the fact that we had been out played by Bury, Shrewsbury or Scunthorpe etc. Hard work, endouvour and as a collective were words spouted every week but became a standing joke for a man seemingly completely out of his depth. It was a shame because when he was appointed he appeared to be the perfect guy to take over from Clough

That's a perfect summary to be honest. I don't wish him malice but also I think he totally underachieved at the Lane. I don't blame him for Hammonds contract situation as many have because that was sorted out when Hammond signed and I dare say he thought that would be a coup for United and after all we agreed to it. Sadly Hammond totally flopped and Adkins is to blame for still picking him every week.

What I really find annoying from Adkins is when he says the Lane is a difficult place to play - not for the away team as most managers say but for the HOME side! I get that it is a tough place if you're a weak minded player who finds it hard to play for very passionate fans and over 25,000 very week but it you can't use that to your advantage then you shouldn't be playing for United. Of all people, Gary Megson actually nailed that in his time at the Sty as he mentioned many times that it takes a more mentally strong character to play in such an arena with passionate fans and its the same at United and many big clubs like Leeds and Wolves. Its up to the manager to ensure he signs mentally strong players and does his best to get the best out of the home support as Wilder does, whereas Adkins clearly saw it as a burden which in itself says he's likely not suited to a big club.

Its like if you go out with a fit lass don't expect that she'll never get attention from other men and if you're not secure to deal with that then don't go out with a fit lass! That's my best analogy!

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

The day we appointed him I was at work and met a Southampton fan just by chance. When I told him he was effusive with praise for him saying how highly he was regarded by Saints fans etc. He was genuine too not a wind up merchant. I came away feeling so positive. I tried and tried to keep the positivity as the months past but gradually I was worn down by what I was seeing every week. I actually stopped caring, I couldn’t even get angry I was that disinterested.
Maybe like many managers he had one time in his career and that was with Southampton when everything aligned and it worked for him but all I know is at the end I agreed to go to Ikea with the wife rather than to a home game.
Want to win on Friday desperately but not because of him he means nothing

 

[Grecian2000]

The bullshit he spouts in interviews didn't bother me as I don't really listen to them

and me. Except we got the fucking thing regurgitated and bullet pointed on here by his alter ego.

I am in the "didn't want him sacked" crowd because I thought we were on a slippery slope with the turnover we were having. Boy was I wrong!

 

[Small Mendonca]

He's an utter bellend for constantly trying to deceive fans with his deluded corporate bullshit, blaming us for not getting behind the players and giving Hammond a new contract, probably knowing that he won't be managing us next season. I bet he still believes it wasn't his fault that we finished 11th that season. I hope we give him so much shit tonight.

 

[SuperBobbyHatton]

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.

Now I think about It, my reaction to recent new blades managers has been positive. I was optimistic about Weir, even though he had no experience I thought his playing pedigree and coaching talents would shine through! With both Clough and Adkins i thought we had done fantastic to get them. The only one i wasnt sure about was Wilder! Im starting to think choosing a manager is not that easy for a chairman and board and owes a lot to luck and how the chosen man fits into the club. Im glad i dont have to choose.

 

[SB_90]

Ive never had a personal problem with adkins he is a nice guy & wished him luck at hull, but it purely business. for me he is very lucky david weir was in charge, because i cant call him the worst manager ive seen in charge probably joint 2nd with Adrian heath. I understand why he would have thought he had time to turn it around & was midway through change he started badly Mceveley should've been released yet was made captain, his recruitment was dreadful I saying in June we need 3 new centre backs 0 was bought, culminating in a panic loan once we had been hammered 4-0 by Gillingham

Even despite Shrewsbury game In November, which is without doubt the lowest point in a league game I can remember & I doubt it will ever be beaten. In march I was still defending him & willing to give him a chance as Oldham game I saw a few shoots of recovery but the final few games especially final games lifeless performance v Scunthorpe meaning that we going to have our lowest league finish in 34yrs with 1 of the biggest budgets meant he had to go, because his position was just toxic & untenable

 

[Pinchy]

Do I detect an insinuation that we fans demand muckandnettles football and Wilder has delivered that?

Hope so, cos he’ll get a surprise on Friday....

Uppnattem lads!

We do indeed, JD. He’s not the only one who harks back to Bassett when speaking of Tuftyball. It’s absurd nonsense of the highest order. Kevin Gage, who ought to know, is on record as saying Wilder’s football is a world away from that of DB.

It’s a lazy stereotyping of our club and patent nonsense for anyone with eyes to see and and a mind to think.

 

[Pinchy]

Yes he did a very bad job and brought in some dreadful players but he was a thoroughly good and decent bloke who had the best intentions. I don’t think he is deserving of some of the strong personal abuse which some like to dish out to him.

...and some get very sensitive if anyone does the same towards one of their favourites. No shortage of hypocrisy on here.

 

[Esablade]

We do indeed, JD. He’s not the only one who harks back to Bassett when speaking of Tuftyball. It’s absurd nonsense of the highest order. Kevin Gage, who ought to know, is on record as saying Wilder’s football is a world away from that of DB.

It’s a lazy stereotyping of our club and patent nonsense for anyone with eyes to see and and a mind to think.

'Fusion football'

©Nigel Adkins.

 

[SB_90]

Skip to 3.13 minutes! Oh how I laughed!

thought the bit where he says 2nd half they were great, game plan worked we had chances & a lot more possession. completely avoiding the fact they were 4-0 down & reason why was because Chelsea couldn't be bothered just coasting through the 2nd half

 

[originaltrueblade]

ADKINS!!! What an absolute f*****g joke of a manager....He was totally clueless, please don't remind me of his after match talks.
I hope we hammer DULL for payback at Wembley...and give em an extra hammering for that excuse for a manager Adkins. Wouldn't be surprised if Adkins had a whistle tonight...lets hope he swallows it

 

[GrayBlade]

So how will he react after today’s game. Let’s play Adkins bingo...eyes down..

 

[nowtfancy]

https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foo...l-lane-after-replacing-nigel-adkins-1-9031413

First time I've heard this - very good to hear and sums up the difference between the men. One talks bullshit about it, and one gets on and does it

"Wilder’s mission, other than revitalising a club which had slipped into a stupor, was to remove the placards bearing motivational messages which had sprung-up throughout the ground during his predecessor’s reign"

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Fitter players.
More skilful players.
Players who want to play for the club to progress their careers.
An identifiable pattern of play.
A cohesive dressing room.
Good recruitment.
Suitable options in every position.
A manager who is passionate yet realistic and level headed.
Supporters who really feel part of the club.

All things which we have now, but didn`t have under Adkins.

 

[GrayBlade]

So how will he react after today’s game. Let’s play Adkins bingo...eyes down..

And we have a WINNER!!

 

[O Fletch]

#breakfastwithnige is a thing on twitter

 

[William]

#breakfastwithnige is a thing on twitter

#walkswithnige is also a thing. The bloke is insane.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

#breakfastwithnige is a thing on twitter

I can completely understand why his positive approach wouldn’t have worked remotely during his time with us. But he has always struck me as a well-meaning person who though he failed he did so with the best intentions. I think that view was shared by Sharp a month or two ago when he spoke about that period.

 

[niktheblade]

#walkswithnige is also a thing. The bloke is insane.

He clearly nicked this one off Mark Crossley too! #bignormsbigwalks

 

[Bladesman]

I can completely understand why his positive approach wouldn’t have worked remotely during his time with us. But he has always struck me as a well-meaning person who though he failed he did so with the best intentions. I think that view was shared by Sharp a month or two ago when he spoke about that period.

Nice guy, wrong club.

At the time we were far too toxic for someone like him to deal with especially as he couldn't offload certain players.