Minty

Bit harsh. As I said, I agree with Adrian, it is wrong on all those counts, but those things have generally long gone in football. It's not about pragmatism for me, but recognising that the SFC many of us knew and loved is long gone. I'm not happy about that, but if I want to follow Saints going forward I have to either accept it or try to change it in some way.

Well, we'll never know either way. I personally agree that Nigel had momentum and would've taken us on, but there is no way to know for certain or compare with the new guy. This decision is clearly not based on Adkins' results or form, but on future plans.

Spot on indeed, but like it or not, most if not all top-flight football clubs are indeed soulless businesses that happen to be based in [insert city here] and have been for some time. As has been posted elsewhere, either we accept that, fight it, or walk away. Football has changed, Southampton has changed. I don't like it either, but it's true.

Completely agree with Turkish, that's the club for me too. But it's not that easy is it? As I posted elsewhere:

A very narrow view IMO. I didn't say he would definitely do well, frankly no one can predict what will happen, but I can see why he has been chosen.

Probably a fair comment, a bit like trying to be rational about a team performance just minutes after the final whistle.

Not me, you have my full respect. I'm a hypocrite y'see. And most of us are. We've all said at some point or another 'Right, that's it, i've had enough', but most of us come back at some point, if indeed we walk away at all. I've bemoaned the money in football for many years, wanted to see loyalty rewarded, the club run sustainably and not on someone else millions, and all sorts of other things over the years which have all fallen by the wayside as Football PLC sucked my club up into its inevitable wake. Time fades the memories of the stuff we didn't like. And it's Saints... most of us grew up with them, and are inextricably linked. So when something like this happens, that we feel we NEED to do something about, most of us can never actually do it. Like it or not, we all have a decision to make. Southampton FC is not the club it once was. Football is not the game it once was. Money rules. If we buy tickets, merchandise, Sky Sports, ESPN, we are indirectly accepting that fact, and even endorsing it. If we want better players to improve our team, then other players are cast aside. Loyalty is rare (although not gone completely). If we want Liebherr family to finance our rise back up the leagues, we have to accept that there may be decisions made that we don't like. So what do we want to do about it? The way I see it, it's a case of three choices: 1 - Accept it for what it is, 2 - Walk away, 3 - Try to change it somehow. None of those choices are easy, and each of us will find one easier than the other. Few have the stomach for number 3. If I didn't love Southampton FC so much, I'd find it all quite fascinating, but I do, and it annoys the hell out of me. I've wanted to walk away, on principle many times, but as I said, I'm a hypocrite, and I admit it.

True. It's always been marketing bullsh!t though.

That's actually quite interesting, and clearly shows why Cortese (and Reed, and...?) think he's a good fit for us long term. In isolation, I like the article and the sound of the new man. It's just a shame that Adkins has been shat on after doing such a good job.

To be fair, that was Adkins' phrase...

I would assume it is Potch-ett-eeno Although some may pronounce it: Far-king-wang-car

For all we know, they may be fully behind, even encouraging this move, if they see it as maximising the chances of success at the club, and therefore a return on their investment. I don't know them, I'm just speculating, but they are not fans and don't look at it the same way as us, of that I have no doubt.

That sprung immediately to my mind as well. He has behaved impeccably throughout his time with Saints, and indeed before he even joined us, in how he made sure Stockport were looked after. Never complained, never done anything that might undermine morale or team spirit. A top, top bloke.

To many of us it does, or should, but to most who run clubs, it doesn't. We either need to accept that, try to do something about it, or walk away from football... not an easy choice when you have a conscience but love football.

Unless they hear these kind of things from people they know and trust, it's not surprising if many fans do not necessarily believe such things. If someone you don't know posts information, why would you believe it without knowing more for yourself. That doesn't make people cretins. Equally, to just dismiss it out of hand and pretend everything is rosy, would also be silly... people need to keep an open mind about such things. Hence, while I don't know anyone directly who works at SMS, I had heard various comments from friends or friends of friends which alluded to what Toomer and Turkish have said, and I know via others that Turkish often speaks the truth (in between the sarcasm), so todays announcement is no big surprise to me...

In Cortese's eyes, it's not a million miles away from replacing Richardson with Clyne, or bringing in Ramirez to start ahead of De Ridder or Guly... he's trying to improve the club. None of us agree it was necessary because we all loved Nigel, but only time will tell if it works out or not.

Fair point, mine was too sweeping a generalisation. However, by and large, I think I am correct... contracts are not honoured, loyalty is largely ignored, we as fans often don't care if players are moved on as long as they are replaced by better ones... no one is exactly innocent.

Very disappointing response. I love Adkins, wanted him to stay, but for the sake of the team and the club, I'll not take that out on the new man. He deserves a chance.

As has been said though, we treat players like it all the time and many fans seem to accept that as 'the norm'... where is the line drawn?

That's fair enough. I actually agree, but then the whole of football has long since left any honour or respect behind, and so to expect any at our own club, as much as we'd like to see it, is a bit naive IMO nowadays.

Whether we like it or not, Cortese feels this is the right decision for the long-term future of the club. Only time will tell, and getting emotional about it won't help anything or anyone. I'm gutted for Adkins and think it's absolutely the wrong decision but beyond that, we simply can't say.

There will be a pretty emotional response to this, that's to be expected. Nigel was loved and respected. Only time will tell if it's a good decision for the *club*, but right now I just feel gutted for Adkins.

Amen. Good luck to him in whatever he may now do. He has improved his standing in English football no end, and will have offers galore. I say it now - he will be a successful manager and deserves success. Good luck Nigel and many, many thanks for what you've achieved here.

This entirely. I'm gutted for Adkins, but that's not the new man's fault.

[Flak jacket on] Hang on a sec guys. As many will know, I've been a massive fan of Adkins throughout his tenure, wanted to see him rewarded with a long term contract and and absolultey gutted that that he has been sacked, let me make that clear first. But we know Cortese is his own person, and if he feels this is going to take us on to the next level, then he must stand or fall by that decision. I'm not happy about, purely because I thought Adkins was a fantastic manager and had a huge amount of potential, but I'm also not going to jump down Cortese's throat for having the balls to make such a decision. I don't agree with his decision, but I respect that ultimately he's in charge now, (no doubt advised by Les Reed and others) and this decision must be judged on the results and progress (or otherwise) that we make going forward.