MarkSFC

He's clearly not a great manager and motivator but probably a great coach implementing other peoples instruction.

R.I.P. Fellow Saints fan, my condolences to all your family and friends.

Width and pace. More bite and mobility in centre midfield. An extra striking option. Give the team direction, expectation and freedom. Improve fitness. Get a win at MK Dons.

Happy with the appointment, happy it's sorted. Not excited but even though I had hoped for a really "exciting" manager, adkins seems to fit NCs vision and set up perfectly. A very decent man (his actions and words this week confirm that) and exceedingly well qualified and a wide range of knowledge which seems to cover every aspect of football management and coaching. I get the "underwhelmed" feeling of some......I was there....but the more I think about it and read about him the more I like him. and before someone suggests that I'm just changing my viewpoint to fit, NO, my viewpoint would never had chdnged for someone like Brown eg!!! Three points against MK Dons and we are only 5 points behind so easily game on!!! Just need a couple or three loanees!!

There are two critical words to consider here...."on form" we certainly have the best TEAM, but we do not have the best squad on form or otherwise! Keeper - arguably the best two! LB - two good L1 players, any higher, not sure CB- Fonte too good for L1! Jaidi excellent back up now. Martin is getting better and better but there are better in the league. seaborne, no thanks!! RB - Richardson best in league last year, Butterfield from the Chsmpionship, Overall the defence is far better than last year CM - Morgan is good and developing but no where near form Hammond is best used as back up. Wotton, fourth choice maybe Guly, too early to know yet. Unfair to judge as not had a real chance in his best position LM - Adam, obviously no one better! Holmes,when fit can be useful Mills, Dickson, ok for back up RM - Puncheon, creative, like his attitude but is not getting enough results for hid effort Ox-Ch. Exciting prospect but should not be relied on for 40 games overall I think we are worse off than last year without thenoptiins of Papa and Antonio out right and I think we need a very commanding centre midfielder Strikers - lambert, IS the best on form, isn't on form! Barnard really good for this league will likely only be 3rd or 4th choice higher up. Connolly is class but needs to feed off Lambert and out-swinging crosses Overall we lack a striker as highlighted yesterday, when one us out we have NO option on the bench. ( I know Doble was there but he's not a real option yet is he!!) to sum up we have a great team "on form" for this league but I think we need to sign on loan ( and then permanantly in Jan) a Centre Midfielder in the mould of Savage, Barton etc, and a tall quick striker. We also need a right footed right winger!! Then we will have the best squad!!

Someones personal preference for manager is perfectly entitled. The trouble is everyone had different standards based on their own life and based in what they are used to. In this case we are used to "mainly" having preety good "names" as our manager. Rightly or wrongly most peoples opinion or expectation of where we should be playing is in the Premier. After all for about 40 out of the last 50-55 years we have competed there, and that time frame preety much covers most of our fanbase. With the best financial backing we have ever had I fir one expect us to return to the Prem in no more than 3 years. To achieve that means an exciting journey will be upon us. Can Adkins deliver something at a club who's owners and fans have high expectations on the back of a very limited career? Will Adkins be able to attract the players neccessary? Will Adkins get the respect and trust of the fans? These are the main questions that for me cast doubt on his appointment being a success. I will back the manager whoever he is but I think in out current situation Adkins is more of a "risk" appointment than a "solid" appointment. He's definitely not exciting and if he come in will have to work very quickly!!!

Just offering an alternative "possibility" to that the press make up!!

It's very possible that both Wharton and Adkins realise that no real offer will be made and in order to save face are now commenting publically. In other words, maybe Wharton got upset when Adkins went for an interview, then came back and discussed it with Wharton and told him how much he would actually like to go to Saints BUT no offer was actually made. Wharton upset bt this then spun a story to the press that in fact Adkins was the wanted man but compo had not been agreed. A tactic designed to either drive up any compo (should any offer of employment come Adkins way) or to make it very hard fir Cortese to make an offer, if indeed he decided too. Meanwhile Adkins is keen on the job and when the press interview him about it he shows his hand too much and in the process blows any faint hope he had of getting the job and also makes it difficult for himself at Scunny because now the Chairman and the fans realise that he would prefer to be at Saints. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Cortese has been watching all this unfold and if infact he never did make an official offer to Adkins certainly won't do now even if he had thought his mind. What's more, if his fellow chairman in scunny is publically saying a decision needs to be made this can actually mean that Cortese needs to make a decision on whether he want Adkins, rather than the (gossip column) take on matters that compo needs to be agreed. I know there are those on here who think Adkins will be good for us, Derry for one, who's footballing knowledge I respect, and whose posts have opened my eyes a little to the prospect of Adkins, however, there is a part of me that would love to see someone else, just to prove that everything that gas gone on over the last two days is more or less fiction!!! I am an optimist but I still have a sneaky suspicion that we will get a good surprise when the new man is appointed!!!

Exactly! I don't believe it's that we didn't meet their value more that Wharton didn't want Adkins to leave and tried to either get more compensation or make sure we didn't get him. Cortese is acting differently to what we have been used to but IMO he is extremely clever, astute and professional. Football hasn't been a very sound business for decades, maybe Cortese is the visionary changing all that very slowly but surely and the establishment dint like it. What a shame! Go Nicola!!!!

I think most people are impatient as you, me included, but it's hardly ridiculous or a slant on the structure. Probably more indicative of the number of applicants. Aston Villa took 3-4 weeks to appoint Houllier and they apparently only interviewed 3 people. Get a grip mate!!!!

Because the Internet and media is full of rumour. The truth is not known. When you have no genuine interest in the subject most people will just believe what is said because it's far easier than thinking it through or waiting for official statements!!

that's a fair comment, and it was Arsenals choice to pay in the end, as it's our choice in this case. I don't think the issue is us paying compensation. I think the reason the deal is pulled is that Wharton went public and Cortese won't do his deals in public. I like that, it's the right way of acting, unlike Whartons approach! This may cost us a little bad pr in the short term due to shortsightedness by some but in the long term his strategy will do us proud.

Fair play to Cortese. He's doing it his way to get the best deal for his business. I suspect that Wharton has massaged the truth to make this happen. I suspect that the "Southampton have been very difficult to deal with" comment was relating to Cortese saying we would like Adkins but as he's only on 12 month deal and we are paying Adkins far more we aren't offering compo. If Wharton hadn't gone public then the deal would have got sorted but by doing so Wharton has forced Corteses hand. A dirty trick and the best long term strategy for NC is to pull out of the deal. If he pays Compo AFTER whartons public statement he will be in a weaker position going into any future negotiations for players etc. Even though this looks bad I think we should get behind NC wholeheartedly and admire his stance on this. If I were Adkins ID be p***ed at Wharton. Hasn't he done something like this before to stop Adkins going? Have to admire his devotion to his man but at some point that will go from loyalty to prevention of allowing Adkins to develop his career. If all this is the case I suspect Adkins will quit soon, even if he doesn't come here. Losing Adkins isn't bad as many on here thunk there are plenty of other options, but unfairly Cortese has to pull out a PR masterstroke. I'm sure he will.

To be fair here, "everyone else" has gone public. "we" haven't said anything!

Cheap shot by the S****horpe chairman doing his upmost to keep his man which is fair. And everyone believes him and flags Cortese off immediately!! I'm sure Adkins will have accepted a much improved package to what he is currently recieving in a higher league and Cortese is rightly IMO testing how much Adkins wants the job. Well done Nicola keep up the good work......

Completely underwhelmed if this finally dies happen. Really hoped for a more high profile man, someone who will instantly lift the club (fans and players) and give everyone a boost, especially after the last tough few weeks. Nevertheless on paper I think Adkins has alot going for him and does appear to prefer a passing flowing style of football. He has also dealt with a few reasonably good strikers so hopefully will get our lot (plus one more!) scoring for fun! It's easy for us to be critical without talking to individuals and although this could be regarded as a cheaper option he may well "really be the best fit" for Corteses vision. In that we must trust. Adkins appears loyal and that aspect may well have played a bigger part than normal in the decision making process. All the "other potential candidates" I could see moving on in 2-3 years. Adkins I think could be of similar character to Moyes (only perception!) and bebhere for ages assuming success. Regardless of our personal feelings we should get behind him and get promotion!!!

Rubbish!!!

As normal.....completely speculative. "thought to be underway"...and "last minute hitch not out of the question" to quote two parts!!!

Of course you are entitled to your opinion, opinion is why I come on here. But my opinion on this thread is that it is pointless and has a mis-leading title!!

I'm not saying that Adkins isn't going to be manager ( alrhough I wouldn't be impressed!!) but the odds of this type of Market almost always only reflect the amount of money laid. Scenario: rumours spread that "x" is being interviewed, and that "x" is likely. Major media outlet and local paper run stories that they "think" "x" is the man. A few people then have a punt....bookies slash price....more people read/hear stories then have a punt....bookies cut prices again....people see price is coming down quickly add in the stories and decide to have a punt....bookies slash price....etc etc! And very very likely to happen with any name on the back oa rumour!!!

So what you've actually done is wrap up the fact that you prefer Adkins to Brown in some rubbish about being Cortese. Another pointless thread, well done!!

"linked" is not the same as "part of"!!! I would guess the names were used to further their "bid" (bid used in the very loosest terms possible!)

U21s at home today

Dan Petrescu?

This is good but a points per game column would be best!!!