Adkins the Saint

[LoughboroBlade]

I would say only Long and Flynn have improved under the stewardship of Adkins.

And that is not good enough.

I'll give you Long, but I don't think Flynn is back to the same level he was at in Clough's first half-season, albeit he's improved on last year's showing. Adams & K.Wallace have improved, though as players getting used to the standards of this level you'd expect that. On the latter, I think he was right to start developing him for the left-back role – not sure he's likely to ever be an effective centre-midfielder.

 

[Bladesince59]

I'll give you Long, but I don't think Flynn is back to the same level he was at in Clough's first half-season, albeit he's improved on last year's showing. Adams & K.Wallace have improved, though as players getting used to the standards of this level you'd expect that. On the latter, I think he was right to start developing him for the left-back role – not sure he's likely to ever be an effective centre-midfielder.

Yes - on balance I will let you raise me Wallace.

It seems that this fundamental (improvement) required of a manager is very lacking in Adkins. What on earth is he going to do for us next year? -

 

[blade too long]

What was the calibre of players he inherited at Scunthorpe for his 2 promotions there?

a team that had been promoted before

 

[blade too long]

So you'd give him zero credit for trusting and developing these players into premiership quality players? Having the raw materials
9the players themselves) to create premiership quality players is a million miles from actually doing it.

no , I said managers , like some players have a golden 2 to 4 years when they get it together , but unfortunately some then just fade away
how many players look well capable then just blend in
same with some managers
brendan rodgers , was the in manager for 3 4 seasons , now out of work

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

He's still extremely well regarded at Southampton. I just sent a Saints fan the Twitter gaffe and he was unhappy to see the sort of reaction he's getting. He sent this back in response as one of his favourite Adkins moments:

This above all: to thine own self be true

 

[nopigfansintown]

Brendan Rodgers should've been given time to rebuild at Liverpool, after getting them back in the CL and as close to the title as they've come in eons. He also did a great job at Swansea and has been replaced by a manager with an extremely similar style of play at Liverpool. If a manager can be lucky with what he's inherited he can also be extremely unlucky (see Adkins at United ). Adkins is a first rate developer of young players which is important for a manager of sufc. I'd rather have Benitez, Alex Ferguson, Pep, Wenger, Mourinho to Adkins despite their successes all being in the past. I'd even forego their lack of knowledge of the division, and the fact some of them have a worse record of developing young players.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

a team that had been promoted before

...from Division 4 do you mean? When he took over in November 2006 they hadn't been near the second tier in decades. In fact they've only been promoted to the second tier on three occasions, two of which were under Adkins. With a squad probably paid a fraction of what we've forked out on ours over the years.

 

[nopigfansintown]

no , I said managers , like some players have a golden 2 to 4 years when they get it together , but unfortunately some then just fade away
how many players look well capable then just blend in same with some managers
brendan rodgers , was the in manager for 3 4 seasons , now out of work

Brendan Rodgers should've been given time to rebuild at Liverpool, after getting them back in the CL and as close to the title as they've come in eons. He also did a great job at Swansea and has been replaced by a manager with an extremely similar style of play at Liverpool. If a manager can be lucky with what he's inherited he can also be extremely unlucky (see Adkins at United ). Adkins is a first rate developer of young players which is important for a manager of sufc. I'd rather have Benitez, Alex Ferguson, Pep, Wenger, Mourinho to Adkins despite their successes all being in the past. I'd even forego their lack of knowledge of the division, and the fact some of them have a worse record of developing young players

 

[blade too long]

...from Division 4 do you mean? When he took over in November 2006 they hadn't been near the second tier in decades. In fact they've only been promoted to the second tier on three occasions, two of which were under Adkins. With a squad probably paid a fraction of what we've forked out on ours over the years.

his first promotion was engineered by Brian Laws who had built the team

 

[axel smeets]

He manages The Blades?

UTB

You mean he stands in the dugout.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I thought Whiteman was one of the best players on the pitch the other night.

I really like the attacking/creative side of Whiteman's game. One highlight was a pass he fired into Adams. Real pace on the ball. Didn't come off but it was the right thing to do at the time.

I think Adkins is key to his development: give him confidence - remove the fear of failure, and give him every chance to flourish.

Like a lot of the youngsters the defensive side needs work, was easily outjumped for their first and targeted second half. Also he was knackered when he came off.

It's a fine line between player development and sentimentality though. At some point they have to produce, and then produce consistently.

UTMB

 

[LoughboroBlade]

his first promotion was engineered by Brian Laws who had built the team

That wasn't what you said though... I think it's also quite harsh to suggest it had been solely engineered by Laws too. They had started reasonably well and were third when he took over, but were 8 points behind the leaders Forest. They won the division by 6 points. This wasn't like Clough coming in halfway through a season to a team running away with the division – Adkins didn't just maintain a club in good form, he pushed them on considerably.

I don't really see what the issue is here. He hasn't done very well so far here. There are arguments to move him on. These don't need his legitimate past achievements to be bizarrely devalued.

 

[spongebobblade]

Found the following when googling Adkins and formations:

Adkins had proven to be extremely adaptable in his first season at St Marys, adopting a number of different formations over the course of the campaign (4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 were all used at some point) but more often than not he settled on using a diamond midfield. Adkins also shored things up at the back. Southampton recorded their best defensive record for years in 2010/11 thanks to a very organised back four. Saints also saw an increase of goals from set plays, something Adkins liked to work extensively on in training. On March 24th Adkins took Dale Stephens on loan from Oldham.

Adkins really proved his worth in the final two months of the 2010/11 season. His Southampton side won 9 of their last 10 matches to secure promotion back to The Championship in 2nd spot. The highlight of that run undoubtedly came at Brighton on 23rd April when Adkins men came from 1-0 down to win 2-1, with late goals from David Connolly and Jose Fonte. The end of season form was even more remarkable given the fact that a number of key players were missing in certain matches. Alex Chamberlain missed most of the run in, only returning on the final day. Morgan Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana and Lee Barnard also sat out due to injury. Despite these key absences, Adkins handled the squad brilliantly, and promotion was secured on 2nd May after a 3-1 win at Plymouth. He was named manager of the month for April 2011.

On May 21st 2011 Southampton announced Adkins had signed a new four and a half year contract back in January, keeping him at the club until June 2015. His Saints side made a great start to the 2011/12 season, winning 6 out of 7 matches in August. Adkins had strengthened the side with new signings Jack Cork, Steve De Ridder and Danny Fox. Cork in particular made a huge difference in the first month, helping Saints to some excellent attacking displays.

Adkins got the absolute maximum out of every single player during 2011/12. The likes of Frazer Richardson and Dean Hammond came on leaps and bounds under his stewardship. Throughout the season Adkins geared the whole team around star striker Rickie Lambert, who had become a well rounded centre forward. The width would be provided by the full backs. Richardson and Fox were capable of making fantastic cross-field passes. Cork and Hammond sat in midfield keeping things ticking over, while the adaptable Guly and Adam Lallana provided plenty of skill from the flanks. David Connolly brilliantly linked up alongside the talismanic Lambert.

Adkins used the cup competitions to give fringe players and youngsters an opportunity. He employed a 4-2-3-1 formation during Carling Cup matches before going out in the 4th round. Saints went out at the same stage to Millwall in February 2012. Adkins handed debuts to James Ward-Prowse, Ben Reeves, Luke Shaw, Jack Stephens, Ryan Doble and Sam Hoskins.

http://www.thesaintshub.com/nigeladkins2.html

Just a minute while I find out something about Danny Wilsons promotions from years back.

 

[blade too long]

That wasn't what you said though... I think it's also quite harsh to suggest it had been solely engineered by Laws too. They had started reasonably well and were third when he took over, but were 8 points behind the leaders Forest. They won the division by 6 points. This wasn't like Clough coming in halfway through a season to a team running away with the division – Adkins didn't just maintain a club in good form, he pushed them on considerably.

I don't really see what the issue is here. He hasn't done very well so far here. There are arguments to move him on. These don't need his legitimate past achievements to be bizarrely devalued.

Im not devalueing them just offering some perspective, hes getting some backing in as our fans say hes inherited utter crap , but in reality we did finish 5th so there must be something to work with and just saying selling Murphy ruined us implies we were a one man team which we werent

 

[alcoblade]

You mean he stands in the dugout.

Ah, okay then. I'll assume you won't be contributing to other threads discussing Nigel Adkins then.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Im not devalueing them just offering some perspective, hes getting some backing in as our fans say hes inherited utter crap , but in reality we did finish 5th so there must be something to work with and just saying selling Murphy ruined us implies we were a one man team which we werent

Out of interest, you know how you've previously continually argued that our players are very good and that it will all come good;

Can you now acknowledge that as to a man, they all keep leaving us for practical obscurity, that you were wrong about that?

UTB

 

[CarlMcBlade]

What makes a professional footballer not want to do his job properly? Well if Mr Adkins is making loyal Blades fans grind their teeth with frustration. Just think what the players are thinking when Mr Bean prancing about in front them in the changing room.

 

[axel smeets]

Ah, okay then. I'll assume you won't be contributing to other threads discussing Nigel Adkins then.

UTB

OK. If it helps you through the day.

 

[alcoblade]

OK. If it helps you through the day.

Well, I'm the happy one, so I'm not seeking help to get through the day.

If he's making you talk such nonsense fella, I'd give it all a rest.

UTB

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Found the following when googling Adkins and formations:

Adkins had proven to be extremely adaptable in his first season at St Marys, adopting a number of different formations over the course of the campaign (4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 were all used at some point) but more often than not he settled on using a diamond midfield. Adkins also shored things up at the back. Southampton recorded their best defensive record for years in 2010/11 thanks to a very organised back four. Saints also saw an increase of goals from set plays, something Adkins liked to work extensively on in training. On March 24th Adkins took Dale Stephens on loan from Oldham.

Adkins really proved his worth in the final two months of the 2010/11 season. His Southampton side won 9 of their last 10 matches to secure promotion back to The Championship in 2nd spot. The highlight of that run undoubtedly came at Brighton on 23rd April when Adkins men came from 1-0 down to win 2-1, with late goals from David Connolly and Jose Fonte. The end of season form was even more remarkable given the fact that a number of key players were missing in certain matches. Alex Chamberlain missed most of the run in, only returning on the final day. Morgan Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana and Lee Barnard also sat out due to injury. Despite these key absences, Adkins handled the squad brilliantly, and promotion was secured on 2nd May after a 3-1 win at Plymouth. He was named manager of the month for April 2011.

On May 21st 2011 Southampton announced Adkins had signed a new four and a half year contract back in January, keeping him at the club until June 2015. His Saints side made a great start to the 2011/12 season, winning 6 out of 7 matches in August. Adkins had strengthened the side with new signings Jack Cork, Steve De Ridder and Danny Fox. Cork in particular made a huge difference in the first month, helping Saints to some excellent attacking displays.

Adkins got the absolute maximum out of every single player during 2011/12. The likes of Frazer Richardson and Dean Hammond came on leaps and bounds under his stewardship. Throughout the season Adkins geared the whole team around star striker Rickie Lambert, who had become a well rounded centre forward. The width would be provided by the full backs. Richardson and Fox were capable of making fantastic cross-field passes. Cork and Hammond sat in midfield keeping things ticking over, while the adaptable Guly and Adam Lallana provided plenty of skill from the flanks. David Connolly brilliantly linked up alongside the talismanic Lambert.

Adkins used the cup competitions to give fringe players and youngsters an opportunity. He employed a 4-2-3-1 formation during Carling Cup matches before going out in the 4th round. Saints went out at the same stage to Millwall in February 2012. Adkins handed debuts to James Ward-Prowse, Ben Reeves, Luke Shaw, Jack Stephens, Ryan Doble and Sam Hoskins.

http://www.thesaintshub.com/nigeladkins2.html

So how many points do we get for that?

Fuck all.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I do think Hammond is past it to be a first name on the team sheet .
However the ideal Scenario is we ( if possible ) source a younger version and get Hammond on a player coach contract .

UTB

Why do we need to be taught how to miss pass it?

 

[PeteBlade]

I like this

Good post.

 

[blade too long]

Out of interest, you know how you've previously continually argued that our players are very good and that it will all come good;

Can you now acknowledge that as to a man, they all keep leaving us for practical obscurity, that you were wrong about that?

UTB

Ive said we should be able to field a team that can make the play offs when fit

can you tell me why Done has gone from being our poacher to defending as last man

Adkins is playing too many players in alien roles , changing the system to much and theres no cohesion making reasonable players look clueless

Look how Warnock with just employing the basics has got rotherham looking like they have better players
simple working to a plan

players that can push Spurs over 180 minutes dont become useless feckers in 12 months without being mis used

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Ive said we should be able to field a team that can make the play offs when fit

can you tell me why Done has gone from being our poacher to defending as last man

Adkins is playing too many players in alien roles , changing the system to much and theres no cohesion making reasonable players look clueless

Look how Warnock with just employing the basics has got rotherham looking like they have better players
simple working to a plan

players that can push Spurs over 180 minutes dont become useless feckers in 12 months without being mis used

Done was last man bc of the game and season situation - it was a gamble. We hit the post, a few seconds later they hit the back of the net.

Those giants v Spurs disappeared at, say, Yeovil, amongst others.

Who knows what Warnock might've done but long term Positive Nige is the man.

UTMB

 

[super_pig]

Found the following when googling Adkins and formations:

Adkins had proven to be extremely adaptable in his first season at St Marys, adopting a number of different formations over the course of the campaign (4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 were all used at some point) but more often than not he settled on using a diamond midfield. Adkins also shored things up at the back. Southampton recorded their best defensive record for years in 2010/11 thanks to a very organised back four. Saints also saw an increase of goals from set plays, something Adkins liked to work extensively on in training. On March 24th Adkins took Dale Stephens on loan from Oldham.

Adkins really proved his worth in the final two months of the 2010/11 season. His Southampton side won 9 of their last 10 matches to secure promotion back to The Championship in 2nd spot. The highlight of that run undoubtedly came at Brighton on 23rd April when Adkins men came from 1-0 down to win 2-1, with late goals from David Connolly and Jose Fonte. The end of season form was even more remarkable given the fact that a number of key players were missing in certain matches. Alex Chamberlain missed most of the run in, only returning on the final day. Morgan Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana and Lee Barnard also sat out due to injury. Despite these key absences, Adkins handled the squad brilliantly, and promotion was secured on 2nd May after a 3-1 win at Plymouth. He was named manager of the month for April 2011.

On May 21st 2011 Southampton announced Adkins had signed a new four and a half year contract back in January, keeping him at the club until June 2015. His Saints side made a great start to the 2011/12 season, winning 6 out of 7 matches in August. Adkins had strengthened the side with new signings Jack Cork, Steve De Ridder and Danny Fox. Cork in particular made a huge difference in the first month, helping Saints to some excellent attacking displays.

Adkins got the absolute maximum out of every single player during 2011/12. The likes of Frazer Richardson and Dean Hammond came on leaps and bounds under his stewardship. Throughout the season Adkins geared the whole team around star striker Rickie Lambert, who had become a well rounded centre forward. The width would be provided by the full backs. Richardson and Fox were capable of making fantastic cross-field passes. Cork and Hammond sat in midfield keeping things ticking over, while the adaptable Guly and Adam Lallana provided plenty of skill from the flanks. David Connolly brilliantly linked up alongside the talismanic Lambert.

Adkins used the cup competitions to give fringe players and youngsters an opportunity. He employed a 4-2-3-1 formation during Carling Cup matches before going out in the 4th round. Saints went out at the same stage to Millwall in February 2012. Adkins handed debuts to James Ward-Prowse, Ben Reeves, Luke Shaw, Jack Stephens, Ryan Doble and Sam Hoskins.

http://www.thesaintshub.com/nigeladkins2.html

two words.. alan pardew

 

[BushBlade]

two words.. alan pardew

We can give him a go soon, when Palace sack him.

 

[alcoblade]

Ive said we should be able to field a team that can make the play offs when fit

can you tell me why Done has gone from being our poacher to defending as last man

Adkins is playing too many players in alien roles , changing the system to much and theres no cohesion making reasonable players look clueless

Look how Warnock with just employing the basics has got rotherham looking like they have better players
simple working to a plan

players that can push Spurs over 180 minutes dont become useless feckers in 12 months without being mis used

So no questioning as to why they all leave for Fleetwood and the like?

No adjustment hit the fact that it's not his team and the players were signed for the previous mans system?

I don't need to convince you that they are sub standard. The footballing world defines it when they leave. You can have whatever party you like inside your own head, crack on.

UTB

 

[BushBlade]

So no questioning as to why they all leave for Fleetwood and the like?

No adjustment hit the fact that it's not his team and the players were signed for the previous mans system?

I don't need to convince you that they are sub standard. The footballing world defines it when they leave. You can have whatever party you like inside your own head, crack on.

UTB

So no questioning as to why they all leave for Fleetwood and the like?

No adjustment hit the fact that it's not his team and the players were signed for the previous mans system?

I don't need to convince you that they are sub standard. The footballing world defines it when they leave. You can have whatever party you like inside your own head, crack on.

UTB

We didn't even push Spurs. As soon as we put a bit of pressure on them they raised their game and took us apart. And the same players were shit in the league most of last season. So shit we had to sign six players in the JTW; Freeman, Brayford, Davies, Holt, Coutts and Done. We've lost the two loanees, Freeman is shit and fucked, Brayford has been crocked for a lot of the season and Coutts is like the walking dead.

But in the war of attrition between the Adkins toleraters and the Adkins haters, I'm done. I can't be arsed to keep typing the same shit in response to the repeated Adkins Out posts, each purporting to be a different take on it but each saying exactly the same shit. Yes, he's been fucking atrocious, I get that and some of it has been of his own making but to do a job as hard as managing the Blades, you're probably going to make some mistakes.

I'd keep him if only because I've come to the conclusion that next year will be just as shit and we might as well scapegoat Adkins for it as waste money bringing in someone else. The last of the well paid shit will (or should be) out of contract at the end of next season and we should have the wage bill at a sustainable level so the bloke taking over in 2017 should have a clean slate and some good youth players to choose from. Someone like Wilder would have a chance in that scenario. Give him the job this year and he'll fail.

 

[blade too long]

So no questioning as to why they all leave for Fleetwood and the like?

No adjustment hit the fact that it's not his team and the players were signed for the previous mans system?

I don't need to convince you that they are sub standard. The footballing world defines it when they leave. You can have whatever party you like inside your own head, crack on.

UTB

today we swept aside Walsall , with these players
if the application is right we should ,definitely be 15 to 20 points better off
they are capable , just been mismanaged

 

[alcoblade]

today we swept aside Walsall , with these players
if the application is right we should ,definitely be 15 to 20 points better off
they are capable , just been mismanaged

Yet when they leave, NONE of the footballing world shares your assessment, individually.


"La La la"