Adkins

[finlaytheblade]

Warnock had an infectious passion which Ive not seen anything of in Adkins, his prime attribute was being able to get players playing at 110% so I do think hed get much better results out of the current squad, Adkins style of footy seems slow and boring with lots of sideways passing and reminds me of Wier and Robson, Ive seen nothing to suggest hes going to be any good at SUFC and dont think hell last the season, roll on next year when Deano will no doubt get a crack at it

Blimey Warnock walked on water according to you Ted. After getting us away from relegation in his first season he had a good few
Seasons going no where but he was building a squad.you are expecting Adkins to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear get real he,s hardly got his feet under the table ,this season is far from dead how about giving our new manager a bit of support as he try,s to make a go of it,.
Change of manager again !! You have to be havine a laugh.

 

[Ted Danson]

Blimey Warnock walked on water according to you Ted. After getting us away from relegation in his first season he had a good few
Seasons going no where but he was building a squad.you are expecting Adkins to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear get real he,s hardly got his feet under the table ,this season is far from dead how about giving our new manager a bit of support as he try,s to make a go of it,.
Change of manager again !! You have to be havine a laugh.

Warnock showed signs of progression, Adkins looks like hes going backwards to me. To say make a silk purse out of a sows ear is laughable, that "shit" manager Clough got this team to a semi and the playoffs so cant be that bad. Ive defended manager after manager at this club in the past but just had enough now, we sacked one who was doing alright in my book and replaced him with someone who seems worse, I dont want us to keep sacking managers as its obvious that it does no good but I also dont see any point in persevering with one just for the sake of it just because he did ok in the past. Personally I dont know what we should do now but Ive got no faith in what we have getting us anywhere.

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Under Warnock the club were unpredictable fighters, the amount of times when we would be losing in the last 10 minutes but the team never gave up. They would run through several brick walls to get that win.

The football was fast and attaching we always had 2 good winger that would bomb down the wings and get balls into the box, up front we always had a huge target man like Allison, D'jaffo, Hulse or Shipp and at the side of him we always had a smaller more mobile striker like Kabba, Pesch, Webber, Asaba. At the back our centre halves were almost a mirror image, 1 wise old head like Morgan and then a younger more mobile player like Jags. The full backs were constantly and down helping out, over lapping. Most of the time they had a long throw to add an extra dimension. The central midfield had a quality ball player with a good shot on him and a hard tackling ball winner.

Watching United attack under Warnock was like a red and white storm smashing the opposition into submission, nowadays under the last few managers its been liking watching paint dry, no one cares and the whole crowd singing "Glory Glory Sheff United" is a fond memory that the younger members of the crowd will never have experienced.

I'd love to know why as club we are obsessed with signing shite from the divisions above instead of the best talent from this division and the one below, we aren't a Championship team so why are we constantly chasing shit championship players? Adkins has said the players should be asking why they are playing at this level and have never played above, the club needs to be asking why our targets are willing to dump into league one with us?

I don't blame Phipps, HRH or McCabe and I don't blame Adkins, I blame the whole management system at the lane. What does Mal Brannigan do? Why has he kept his job after 3 managers, and several failed transfer windows that end in him saying we have missed out again? We're paying him I guess £100k+ to do what? Who is he? What did he ever achieve? Who does he know? Why is he involved in the Football recruitment?

 

[alcoblade]

Warnock had an infectious passion which Ive not seen anything of in Adkins, his prime attribute was being able to get players playing at 110% so I do think hed get much better results out of the current squad, Adkins style of footy seems slow and boring with lots of sideways passing and reminds me of Wier and Robson, Ive seen nothing to suggest hes going to be any good at SUFC and dont think hell last the season, roll on next year when Deano will no doubt get a crack at it

My God, people are already starting to think about the next manager.

We are in big trouble as a club if this happens. We reslly cannot start judging managers, so critically, so early.

UTB

 

[Sean Thornton]

Under Warnock the club were unpredictable fighters, the amount of times when we would be losing in the last 10 minutes but the team never gave up. They would run through several brick walls to get that win.

The football was fast and attaching we always had 2 good winger that would bomb down the wings and get balls into the box, up front we always had a huge target man like Allison, D'jaffo, Hulse or Shipp and at the side of him we always had a smaller more mobile striker like Kabba, Pesch, Webber, Asaba. At the back our centre halves were almost a mirror image, 1 wise old head like Morgan and then a younger more mobile player like Jags. The full backs were constantly and down helping out, over lapping. Most of the time they had a long throw to add an extra dimension. The central midfield had a quality ball player with a good shot on him and a hard tackling ball winner.

Watching United attack under Warnock was like a red and white storm smashing the opposition into submission, nowadays under the last few managers its been liking watching paint dry, no one cares and the whole crowd singing "Glory Glory Sheff United" is a fond memory that the younger members of the crowd will never have experienced.

I'd love to know why as club we are obsessed with signing shite from the divisions above instead of the best talent from this division and the one below, we aren't a Championship team so why are we constantly chasing shit championship players? Adkins has said the players should be asking why they are playing at this level and have never played above, the club needs to be asking why our targets are willing to dump into league one with us?

I don't blame Phipps, HRH or McCabe and I don't blame Adkins, I blame the whole management system at the lane. What does Mal Brannigan do? Why has he kept his job after 3 managers, and several failed transfer windows that end in him saying we have missed out again? We're paying him I guess £100k+ to do what? Who is he? What did he ever achieve? Who does he know? Why is he involved in the Football recruitment?

Brannigan isn't involved in recruitment other than in transfer negotiations. He enters into those with his hands tied by those above him who give him the money. ie the people you aren't blaming, despite one of them being in charge for years. He runs the show on a daily basis because all the others are part time at best. He's paid less than all the clowns who did the job before him and puts a lot more in, dragging the systems and policies into the 21st Century because it's been run like a whelk stall for years administratively and with more staff than he's got now.

Plus he arrived after Clough so it's not three managers.

Re Warnock, the football was as you describe when we were doing well. For much of his time here it was dire. Absolutely dire. I'll never forgive him for the capitulations at Villa, at home to Wigan and him spending all the funds "for the future" , presumably his future, on players who did little here when we needed that bit of quality.

 

[chipsncake]

My God, people are already starting to think about the next manager.

We are in big trouble as a club if this happens. We reslly cannot start judging managers, so critically, so early.

UTB

Doesn't matter how long a manager has been at a club. If he's not good enough then he's not good enough.

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Brannigan isn't involved in recruitment other than in transfer negotiations. He enters into those with his hands tied by those above him who give him the money. ie the people you aren't blaming, despite one of them being in charge for years. He runs the show on a daily basis because all the others are part time at best. He's paid less than all the clowns who did the job before him and puts a lot more in, dragging the systems and policies into the 21st Century because it's been run like a whelk stall for years administratively and with more staff than he's got now.

Plus he arrived after Clough so it's not three managers.

So he is the one that offers the long contracts to the current crop of journeymen?

Wow lets all bow down to king Mal.

 

[Sean Thornton]

So he is the one that offers the long contracts to the current crop of journeymen?

Wow lets all bow down to king Mal.

Yes, that's clearly what I said.

Who are the three managers?

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Yes, that's clearly what I said.

Who are the three managers?

Sorry my mistake with the managers, it seems like we have been signing utter dross on long term deals for longer than just the 22 months your mate Mal has been in the hot seat.

I'll rephrase my original statement then to avoid anymore pedantic comebacks from yourself.

"I don't blame Phipps, HRH or McCabe and I don't blame Adkins, I blame the whole management setup at the lane. What does Mal Brannigan do? Why has he kept his job after his mate Nigel got shown the door, and several failed transfer windows that end in him saying we have missed out again? We're paying him I guess £100k+ to do what? Who is he? What did he ever achieve? Who does he know? Why is he involved in the Football recruitment even if its just in transfer negotiations?

 

[Sean Thornton]

He gets involved because that's his role. He may not be the best man out there - and he's not my mate btw - but who do you want to do the negotiations out of who is there? The McCabes, HRH, Baki or everyone favourite football expert, Jim Phipps.

The edit to include "Cloughs mate" -again another mistake - gives an idea of where you are coming from though. It's always pedantry when people spout bs though.

 

[bladesmanluke]

My God, people are already starting to think about the next manager.

We are in big trouble as a club if this happens. We reslly cannot start judging managers, so critically, so early.

UTB

It's this kind of stupidity that causes the pressure for the club to sack managers willy nilly. A lot of the responsibility of where this club is lays with McCabe, but the fans have also played a part. The pressure to sack Wilson for instance. We wouldn't have ended up in this situation had we stuck with him

 

[Fiery Blade]

It's this kind of stupidity that causes the pressure for the club to sack managers willy nilly. A lot of the responsibility of where this club is lays with McCabe, but the fans have also played a part. The pressure to sack Wilson for instance. We wouldn't have ended up in this situation had we stuck with him

In my opinion if we would have stuck with Wilson we would probably be now in Division Four - He is an out and out loser !
Whoever is to blame it is far too early to sack yet another manager, but, Mr Adkins has not stepped up to the plate as yet, his signings are questionable to say the least, his tactics don't appear to be working and neither does his motivation !
It is right that he should be held accountable for the current displays - this squad with the exception of Murphy and Doyle were just a goal away from extra time in the Play off Semi Final last year at Swindon - their manager has already paid for this seasons failure with the sack despite losing around eight players !
Sort it out Mr Adkins - I for one am getting sick and tired of the same old lines following defeat to supposed lesser teams that operate on a pittance compared to the budget at the Lane - you knew the size of the task when you signed up for the job in the summer - your old boys are struggling on the field, your management/coaching team are struggling on the training ground to instill tactics,movement, football nous and the desire to win and your much heralded scout has yet to come up with any players that have not played for you before !
You are currently treading water Mr Adkins and I and many others think that you should have started to stamp your authority and character on the team - at the moment they are running around clueless with as much fight and determination as a bunch of timid rabbits !!!!!
Not impressed !

 

[alcoblade]

Doesn't matter how long a manager has been at a club. If he's not good enough then he's not good enough.

So, you rule out 2 LOW titles and 4 promotions, and judge him on a quarter of a season at a club where the previous 7 or 8 managers have failed to halt the decline.

It's often said how fans shouldn't be ignored because they know their stuff. However, you don't have to spend long on a message board to realise how so utterly fucking clueless so many are.

UTB

 

[memorable]

Do you really believe that Clough didn't start the process of halting the decline? Everyone is free to criticise managers decisions but to disregard any balance in order to fit your narrative diminishes your argument.

That sounds a bit school ma'amish, sorry for that! But it does get me down how people are completely writing off his tenure.

 

[alcoblade]

Do you really believe that Clough didn't start the process of halting the decline? Everyone is free to criticise managers decisions but to disregard any balance in order to fit your narrative diminishes your argument.

We finished 20+ off points away from automatic promotion from the 3rd division, with an extremely expensive and bloated squad with form going alarmingly backwards. Call that what you will, it still needs turning around, unless that's the standard we're expecting to maintain?

So, specifically which part of my narrative do you disagree with?

UTB

 

[memorable]

We finished 20+ off points away from automatic promotion from the 3rd division, with an extremely expensive and bloated squad with form going alarmingly backwards. Call that what you will, it still needs turning around, unless that's the standard we're expecting to maintain?

So, specifically which part of my narrative do you disagree with?

UTB

I believe he was building in so many ways. We were starting to lose the toxicity that has surrounded us for years (even with the Ched release debacle) regarding the positive press we were starting to get because we punched above our weight quite extraordinarily in the cups. Yes they aren't the most important thing in the world when you're in this league but it all helps. Also if he'd been given the money to keep Coady and build a team around him and Maguire we might have had a completely different outcome last season.

 

[Bartleby]

Do you really believe that Clough didn't start the process of halting the decline? Everyone is free to criticise managers decisions but to disregard any balance in order to fit your narrative diminishes your argument.

That sounds a bit school ma'amish, sorry for that! But it does get me down how people are completely writing off his tenure.

It can't be denied that he halted a decline in his first season - taking us from 22nd to 7th is definitely a move in the upward direction and I would not write off his tenure. He was the right man for us at that time and I am grateful to him for that season. To be honest I think we were in a false position due to David Weir's catastrophic tenure, and I think any experienced manager should have got us out of that, but no denying he did it with some style with the cup runs as well. Whatever happened in the close season, and the performances on the pitch the season after however was a different story.

 

[alcoblade]

I believe he was building in so many ways. We were starting to lose the toxicity that has surrounded us for years (even with the Ched release debacle) regarding the positive press we were starting to get because we punched above our weight quite extraordinarily in the cups. Yes they aren't the most important thing in the world when you're in this league but it all helps. Also if he'd been given the money to keep Coady and build a team around him and Maguire we might have had a completely different outcome last season.

My point wasn't against Clough, though he's a rubbish manager as his track record demonstrates. He spent lots of money, including over £2,000,000 on a right back. Unforgivable, given that we're now struggling with the cost of the current below standard, bloated and physically limited squad that he built.

But however we appraise Clough's tenure, it's beyond doubt that a turnaround job is needed - you may argue that the ship had started to turn (I'd strongly disagree), but it's hardly a case of just "keeping up the good work" either way.

UTB

 

[Barney]

What I don't like is the reluctance and avoidance of certain actions solely on the basis of how similar decisions in the past panned out. Learning from mistakes shouldn't equate to avoidance alone, it has to be selective avoidance, or a repetition of the action done properly. For example, if we were to learn from the mistake of sacking managers too often, that shouldn't just account to simply refusing to sack another manager until success comes our way, which seems to be a popular stance particularly on this board. That's avoidance, and it doesn't go any way to rectifying where it had actually gone wrong.

 

[bladesmanluke]

In my opinion if we would have stuck with Wilson we would probably be now in Division Four - He is an out and out loser !
Whoever is to blame it is far too early to sack yet another manager, but, Mr Adkins has not stepped up to the plate as yet, his signings are questionable to say the least, his tactics don't appear to be working and neither does his motivation !
It is right that he should be held accountable for the current displays - this squad with the exception of Murphy and Doyle were just a goal away from extra time in the Play off Semi Final last year at Swindon - their manager has already paid for this seasons failure with the sack despite losing around eight players !
Sort it out Mr Adkins - I for one am getting sick and tired of the same old lines following defeat to supposed lesser teams that operate on a pittance compared to the budget at the Lane - you knew the size of the task when you signed up for the job in the summer - your old boys are struggling on the field, your management/coaching team are struggling on the training ground to instill tactics,movement, football nous and the desire to win and your much heralded scout has yet to come up with any players that have not played for you before !
You are currently treading water Mr Adkins and I and many others think that you should have started to stamp your authority and character on the team - at the moment they are running around clueless with as much fight and determination as a bunch of timid rabbits !!!!!
Not impressed !

I'm not sure NA did know the size of the job he'd signed up for in the summer. Did any of us even realise we could be this bad?

 

[memorable]

If the definition of a 'rubbish' manager is somebody who has never left a club in a worse position than he found them then God help a lot of managers out there.

 

[Barney]

If the definition of a 'rubbish' manager is somebody who has never left a club in a worse position than he found them then God help a lot of managers out there.

I can't believe I'm agreeing with alco, and I can't bring myself to like his posts, but there's no question Clough was a terrible manager. Not only did he set us back magnificently in the unbelievable amount of poor signings, but his personality was disgusting. You're not telling me you didn't revolt his stubborn, prickly exterior everytime he stepped foot in front of those cameras. His blaming of individuals, poor man management skills leading to two quite high profile fallings out which invariably weakened the squad. His personality was horrible, and that showed in his management.

 

[BushBlade]

Really good point raised BB. Who would we play? Like you I'd like to see someone like Dimaio given a chance and, possibly Reed as long as the other players haven't already knocked the enthusiasm out of him. Personally I prefer to watch patient, passing football as long as it's not too slow (which it is at the moment with our lot) but I'm desperate to see someone in the middle of the park bursting a gut to win back the ball and to pressurise the other team which we might just get from one or two youngsters. I watched the Liverpool v Chelsea highlights last night and thought the work rate of the liverpool midfield was outstanding. When they didn't have the ball they never stopped pressing Chelsea which basically stopped them playing, and when they had the ball they wanted it. Our coaching staff could do worse than sit the U21's down to watch that game and make them realise what is expected. Of course, what they also need is player in front of them to be available for the ball but that's another story....

I'd love us to try to play like that. That's modern football at its best. They were physical as well, said on another thread they targeted Willian for some rough treatment.

 

[him behind you]

Warnock showed signs of progression, Adkins looks like hes going backwards to me. To say make a silk purse out of a sows ear is laughable, that "shit" manager Clough got this team to a semi and the playoffs so cant be that bad. Ive defended manager after manager at this club in the past but just had enough now, we sacked one who was doing alright in my book and replaced him with someone who seems worse, I dont want us to keep sacking managers as its obvious that it does no good but I also dont see any point in persevering with one just for the sake of it just because he did ok in the past. Personally I dont know what we should do now but Ive got no faith in what we have getting us anywhere.

Think you've got rose coloured Warnock specs on there Ted. There's no doubt we had some great results and performances under him but when it was bad it was as bad as I've seen. And don't forget the major cock ups he presided over when it really mattered. Wigan and Wolves for example.

 

[alcoblade]

If the definition of a 'rubbish' manager is somebody who has never left a club in a worse position than he found them then God help a lot of managers out there.

It's about getting teams promoted. On that measure, given the number of years he's been at it, he's rubbish.

I think he plays a certain style that will help clubs avoid relegation. Basically, prioritising avoiding losing.

Perhaps that has its place, but it isn't at Sheffield United in England's third division.

UTB

 

[chipsncake]

UTB[/QUOTE]

Aye, agree with alco or you're utterly fucking clueless, dear oh dear.

Hello red and white friends, hope you don't mind me joining your discussion.

Someone earlier in the thread described Adkins as a "snake oil salesman", and looking from afar, that partly rings true.

I think before accepting the United job, he evaluated the club's recent history and the squad.

What he saw was a Division 3 club, but a club that had been in and around the playoffs for consecutive seasons,
with some pretty amazing cup runs to boot.

And he thought, "When I get in there with my psychology degree and super positivity, we can get another 5 or 10 percent
out of these players no probs. That last manager was a right miserable get, and even he got them in the playoffs and the semis!"

So in he breezes with his psyhco-babble amp turned up to 11, and sets about instilling "confidence" and "belief".

You know the score, talk everything up, tell everyone they've got a clean slate.
Maybe even promote them beyond their abilities to try and prove they can do it, that they can be "winners", just like him!

Which is all well and good.

But if it doesn't come together pretty quickly, all the positivity starts to sound like verbal fart.
The players lose confidence, then the fans lose confidence and then the board lose confidence.

And the manager starts to resemble a dodgy stage hypnotist whose best trick's just fallen flat.

How dare you. Have you forgot the man's got 4 promotions!

 

[Barney]

Hello red and white friends, hope you don't mind me joining your discussion.

Someone earlier in the thread described Adkins as a "snake oil salesman", and looking from afar, that partly rings true.

I think before accepting the United job, he evaluated the club's recent history and the squad.

What he saw was a Division 3 club, but a club that had been in and around the playoffs for consecutive seasons,
with some pretty amazing cup runs to boot.

And he thought, "When I get in there with my psychology degree and super positivity, we can get another 5 or 10 percent
out of these players no probs. That last manager was a right miserable get, and even he got them in the playoffs and the semis!"

So in he breezes with his psyhco-babble amp turned up to 11, and sets about instilling "confidence" and "belief".

You know the score, talk everything up, tell everyone they've got a clean slate.
Maybe even promote them beyond their abilities to try and prove they can do it, that they can be "winners", just like him!

Which is all well and good.

But if it doesn't come together pretty quickly, all the positivity starts to sound like verbal fart.
The players lose confidence, then the fans lose confidence and then the board lose confidence.

And the manager starts to resemble a dodgy stage hypnotist whose best trick's just fallen flat.

Couldn't get any closer to the truth with this.

Excellent post.

 

[BushBlade]

Hello red and white friends, hope you don't mind me joining your discussion.

Someone earlier in the thread described Adkins as a "snake oil salesman", and looking from afar, that partly rings true.

I think before accepting the United job, he evaluated the club's recent history and the squad.

What he saw was a Division 3 club, but a club that had been in and around the playoffs for consecutive seasons,
with some pretty amazing cup runs to boot.

And he thought, "When I get in there with my psychology degree and super positivity, we can get another 5 or 10 percent
out of these players no probs. That last manager was a right miserable get, and even he got them in the playoffs and the semis!"

So in he breezes with his psyhco-babble amp turned up to 11, and sets about instilling "confidence" and "belief".

You know the score, talk everything up, tell everyone they've got a clean slate.
Maybe even promote them beyond their abilities to try and prove they can do it, that they can be "winners", just like him!

Which is all well and good.

But if it doesn't come together pretty quickly, all the positivity starts to sound like verbal fart.
The players lose confidence, then the fans lose confidence and then the board lose confidence.

And the manager starts to resemble a dodgy stage hypnotist whose best trick's just fallen flat.

Who do you support?

 

[chipsncake]

Who do you support?

Dose it really matter who he supports? The guy may have hit the nail very firmly on the head.

 

[Barney]

Who do you support?

Who do you support?

How about laying off the accusations of non-support the moment someone criticises the manager?