trousers

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

^ This

.....which could also turn out to be a success. So, yes, I agree with you. Doesn't mean I should start throwing my toys out of my pram like some on here are doing

Nutshell

Sadly, as a breed, football fans are prone to cutting off their noses to spite their face. People can show admiration for Adkins without contributing to an atmosphere which will ultimately affect team performance. Football fans tend to have this "two wrongs make a right" mentality.... Surely the majority of Saints fans are cleverer than that?

And the flak that the crowd will inevitably give Cortese and the new manager will add to the 'problem'....

Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion but a lot of what I'm reading today strikes me as sentimental over reaction. We had the same when Pardew got the chop.

Yep, that'll get Cortese to change his mind. Let's do it.....sigh....

What would the ultimate aim of a boycott be? To get Cortese to change his mind? To force out Cortese and ultimately the Liebherrs? As angry as we may be, I can't see a boycott being anything other than counter-productive

^ This

When the dust settles it might be worth comparing today's reactions with those in this thread when Pardew was sacked. No doubt I'll get slated for comparing apples with oranges but, as disappointed as I am in seeing Adkins go, I'm a pragmatist and prepared to see how things pan out before making a judgement on how bad or good this decision is.