SW11_Saint

But it don't sing & dance, and it don't walk. And neither does Rickie.

Amazed it's taken us so long to offload him. Hopelessly out of his depth in the Prem. Good luck to him though, hopefully it will lead to a permanent move.

Nice compliment, zero points. He wouldn't have been so magnanimous if we'd have taken something.

Don't start a debate on this - you'll just get a load of idiots telling you how wearing a Liverpool kit "takes us to the next level"...

Quite simply brilliant Chris. You sum up my feelings far more eloquently than I was able to do. I commend every forum reader to read this blog.

Okay, so I have given myself 24 hours to calm down and to see if, in the cold light of day, I can understand Cortese's decision to sack Nigel Adkins. I still can't. Following the other typical reactions to news like this; shock, disbelief, bemusement, depression, I am just plain angry about it now. Very angry. Like 95%+ of Saints fans I think this a despicable act. And if the rumours, from fairly trustworthy sources, are true - that Cortese didn't even inform NA face to face, but let him find out from the media - then it is even worse. How pathetic and cowardly would that be? But would we really be surprised? Nigel Adkins did an amazing job for us. He didn't get everything right - this season especially he has made rookie mistakes without doubt - but he, like most of the players, was on something of a learning curve. But after back-to-back promotions we were still on a seemingly upward trend. Nigel is a man with infectious enthusiasm, a really positive personality and a great philosophy on football (and life for that matter). *To be treated in the way he has been is just despicable. It's the word that keeps Popping into my head. A Chelsea supporting friend of mine recently confided that most Chelsea fans aren't actually that dissatisfied with Benitez; they are actually unhappy with what Abramovich is doing, but won't criticise him as they are terrified he'll pull out of the club. Thus Rafa gets the brunt. What an awful predicament to be in? Terrified to criticise the actions of a super-rich egomaniac who makes decisions, seemingly on a whim. *I never want to be in that position, and feel no fear in letting Cortese know exactly what I think of this decision. *Roll *on Monday night. Of course our own egomaniac hasn't put a penny of his own money into the club, yet finds himself with absolute control and the backing of a billionaire family. *I actually don't doubt his motivation. I truly do think he believes he can make us into some sort of footballing super-power (though like most Saints fans, I am sceptical on this, and frankly am not sure that vision attracts me anyway). *What really depresses me is the total lack of emotional intelligence in this whole sorry episode. Missing the point of what Nigel has achieved, the way he's shaped a true 'band of brothers' in the squad, *the special bond that he has formed with the fans, the way he, above anyone else, has unified this club: 'together as one'. Few before him have come close to this level of unity and purpose. And for the blood, sweat and tears he's shed over the last two and a bit years, the double promotion, the evolving stabilisation in the top league, he gets... the chop. And not only the chop - the chop in the most unceremonial of fashions, and almost as insultingly, warrants just a short phrase in the press statement to announce his successor. Vulgar, crass and insulting. Cortese may have the power, and be the front man for the money, but neither gain you respect or dignity when you trample those around you underfoot. A good, honest and talented man has been stabbed in the back. Let's hope the new guy gets off to a flying start. He will need to Me Cortese or things may get a little tricky over the next few months. As for Nigel - there will be a queue of clubs vying for his services. I wish him nothing but the best. I'm pretty sure he'll end up having the last laugh, and good luck to him.

Absolutely disgusting. I am ashamed of what my club, sorry Nicola Cortese, has done today. Quite rightly every football fan in the country is now hoping we go down, and I don't blame them. We have sacked an inspirational, honest, hardworking young manager who has led us to successive promotions and has now found his feet in the Prem. A very lucky club is going to get him. Nigel - you are and always will be a Saints legend. Cortese, you should hang your head in shame. Absolutely gutted and disgusted.

Yeah, saw that, but that usually just ensures the selling club get a higher price. I can't see it happening either, but if I were Adkins that's what I'd be proposing to Cortese. It has to be worth an enquiry.

Goalkeeper issue - I'd go and test Spurs with a cheeky bid for Brad Friedel. Even if we have to pat slightly over the odds he'd be worth it - experienced, commanding and would marshall our defence.

Had a feeling it'd be a draw, Norwich are handy. 4 games unbeaten, 8 points out of 12. Still on an upward trend. COYS!

Sign a top class keeper in Jan. loan Kelvin out, Gazza as #2 and run him out in the FA Cup. Boruc? Who knows...

Respectfully clap him at the start. Respectfully clap him (and commiserate with him hopefully) after. Fully support NA and the team in between.

Not sure why we went for Boruc in the first place. Should have made a loan move for Cudicini or Given or someone. Was going to say Lloris, but he didn't have a good day yesterday...

You could bring in Pep Guardiola if you want. If he has to work with that back 4 he'll fail. With the exception of Clyne, they are just not good enough. Simple as. Keep Nigel and let him try to sort it in January.

I blame the kit...

A charismatic character no doubt, but I am not a fan of some of his antics - least of all the fascist salutes in Italy. He'll end up at West Ham one day.

Cheers.

Hopefully a new kit, and one that resembles Southampton rather than Liverpool.

Turned down QPR because they coudn't match his wages allegedly. If true, unlikely we will be able to. Basically I think he just doesn't want to leave Spurs.

And I was also right, you'll cope.

Well, that's what we've got. I am sure you'll cope.

What were you expecting - debate on the merits of the European single currency? Discourse on the problems in the middle east? it is a Saints forum FFS, you should really expect there to be a fair number of posts on erm, Saints. See you after your sabbatical.

Stating the obvious I know, but: 1. Always play your best player. Liverpool don't drop Gerrard. Man City don't drop Kompany. If Rooney doesn't play for Utd they at least have someone of similar quality to replace him. So for gods sake PLAY RICKIE LAMBERT! And keep him on the pitch when he does play, don't keep dragging him off after 70 minutes to bring on 'fresh legs'. He's our most effective player, our leader, our talisman. Just bloody well play him. 2. Replace Lallana as captain. His appointment surprised most, but I suspect there was some logical thought behind it - he'd likely be an ever present, and the added responsibility might inspire him. However, it hasn't worked. I've seen nothing from Adam that suggests true leadership and, like Le Tiss before him, the mantle doesn't seem to rest easily, and may even be impacting his form, which in my view has been sub-standard for a lot this season. Call me old fashioned, but I like captains in the Alan Ball, Jimmy Case mould - barking out orders, encouragement etc throughout the game, and striking the fear of god into those not pulling their weight. Sadly we don't have players of that calibre available, but I'd give the armband to Steve Davis. He's done it for Rangers and N. Ireland and seems most suitable from our current crop (Rickie is another leader on the pitch but I've never been a fan of centre forwards as skippers - he definitely commands respect though). 3. Sort the bloody defence out!! An obvious one, and an issue that is unlikely to be resolved until January (when sadly it might be someone else doing so). I don't know of any Saints fan who felt our back four from last year was up to Premier League standard. It was glaringly obvious, yet we failed to do anything about it in the close season. Clyne is a good addition, and shows promise. The jury is out on Yashida - though to be fair to him he's had to play full-back which he clearly is not. The central pairing is the real problem. Jose and Jos, great guys that they are, are just not up to the job. I am not even sure if we needed to buy the best defender in the world, just someone with Premier League nous and experience - someone in the Ryan Nelson mould. Someone to marshall the back-line, and keep a cool head when others lose theirs - which is pretty much every game. Would also have added some much needed on-field leadership. As I say, with our current personnel I can't see any change in fortune (unless Yoshida settles and excels in the middle), they are unfortunately just not good enough for his league. He also needs to stick with. Goalie now and let him know that he's #1. Presumably Boruc from now on. 4. Be flexible. We need to be able to change our tactics to suit the occasion. What is the point of playing 'tippy-tappy' against Arsenal (who do it way better than anyone else in his league) when 3-0 down? I would have been happy to see us change to a more direct style. We likely would still have lost, but might have made more of a match of it. Don't get me wrong, I have no desire to see us play like West Ham or Stoke, and I think football 'on the ground' is laudable, but we need to be able to adapt when required. The same with our formation - when it clearly isn't working, change it; don't just bring on subs to play the same way. And on the subject of substitutions - they have often been baffling. Taking our best three performers off vs Man Utd. Continually withdrawing Lambert. Even yesterday taking Rodriguez off puzzled me, Guly had offered little (and I am no Guly hater). Nigel, we know you are learning at this level too, but you need to learn quickly from your mistakes. This league is ruthless, and so is the guy who employs you. 5. Keep confident. One of the things I love about NA is his positivity, keep that up fella. Like last season, after every game (win, lose or draw), draw a line under it and start again. That is a good way to approach things. The fans are behind you, however yesterday - losing 4-1 to a very ordinary West Ham - has many now starting to waiver. It's a steep learning curve and you need to learn from these early tough experiences - and fast. COYS!

The problem is, most of our players are Championship quality, and it shows. We are paying the price for not signing enough Premier League quality players, especially at the back. We knew the problem, we didn't address it. Paying the price now; simple as.

Sorry, I'll chop one of my fingers off as punishment. Jeez...