trousers

@solentsport: Pochettino: "there's no need necessarily to bring in new players before the window closes" #saintsfc

@officialsaints: Mauricio Pochettino: "Our supporters are a very important part of the Club. I hope I can convince them with work and honesty." #saintsfc

@solentsport: MP: "Gaining the kindness of the supporters is one of the biggest challenges I have" #saintsfc

@Nathaniel_Clyne: Looking Forward To Working With The New Gaffer, Hate To See A Manager Get Sacked, But I'm Sure He Will Be Back In The Game Soon.

How would the letter begin? "Dear Liebherr Family, You know that man that's quadrupled the value of Markus' investment over the last 3 years? Well....."

Yep, just confirmed by BBC Solent

Surprised when I first heard the news but less surprised now that the immediate dust has settled

To me, the best way to 'honour' Adkins is to react in the same way that he would have done if he were us....i.e. philosophically.

I've already said the timing of the decision is "strange". It is possible to reflect on a strange decision in a pragmatic fashion. If we end up getting relegated because of this decision then I'll be first in the queue to reflect on how bad it a decision it was.

We won't know how good this decision is until the end of the season.

I know it won't do a lot for your street cred but I agree with everything you've said this afternoon

I think it depends what age people are. The older we get the more we value things like loyalty and integrity. My 12 year old son, for example, has a more superficial view of life. When we drew with Chelsea this week you could see by the glint in his eyes that he was going to have one of those rare days at school where he could brag about his team's performance to his Chelsea / Man Utd / Liverpool / Arsenal supporting mates. As long as its financially sustainable, I wouldn't be adverse to a crack at the big time even if that means sacrificing an element of "integrity".

There's a lot of logic in that. The timing could indeed work out well for Adkins. Whether it works out as well for us remains to be seen.

What's wrong with being pragmatic?

What IF..... Adkins signed a contract in the first place that said his job would be to get us to the Premier League and that the club would then look for a new manager? Adkins alluded to this very scenario in his interview after the Coventry game. IF that's the case then Adkins would have taken the job knowing the end game in advance. Might put a different complexion on things. There again, I might be hugely wide of the mark

@GraemeBailey: We heard about Pochettino replacing Adkins days ago, decision made before Chelsea match. Bemusing appointment.

Que?

Kindly take your common sense elsewhere please sir....

If those are the words you want to put in my mouth then fine - fill yer boots. #sigh

What funds did he have at his disposal at Espanyol? There are more reasons for a team failing than just the manager.

Agree with all of this. Well said sir.

I also admit that a part of me is excited by this appointment. Yes, I'm as disappointed as anyone with Adkins going - I wanted him to stay - but life goes on and this appointment COULD take us to a higher level quicker than Nigel could. We'll ultimately never know but, yes, I do admit an element of excitement about what the future now holds. Shoot me down.

I fear those of us in the pragmatic camp are in the minority though