NA's reaction

[Huffton]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2219214,00.html

 

Not overly impressed with what he says to be honest. Seems like a very negative way to start out, and then took far too long to change things when it clearly wasn't working. THink he needs to shoulder the blame a bit more, rather than blaming individual players.

 

And I really wish he would stop saying 'its about winning a game of football' and 'in the building'

[Crab Lungs]

I reckon he's here to win games of football - it's as simple as that.

 

[NickG]

Lallana

Chamberlain

Lambert

Morgan

Chaplow

 

not particularly negative / defensive players?

[sfc4prem]

Today was nothing to do with tactics/subs. It was to do with key players underperforming and conceding 3 sloppy goals when we should've conceded 0. Especially Harding.

 

Adkins is right on this one...

[JustMike]

Today was nothing to do with tactics/subs. It was to do with key players underperforming and conceding 3 sloppy goals when we should've conceded 0. Especially Harding.

 

Adkins is right on this one...

 

no, it was to do with his formation, it didnt work and he left it too late to change. He has to be accountable for this too

[doddisalegend]

Today was nothing to do with tactics/subs. It was to do with key players underperforming and conceding 3 sloppy goals when we should've conceded 0. Especially Harding.

 

Adkins is right on this one...

 

They've been under performing for weeks but getting the wins despite of it, it's the managers job to make sure they don't underperform.

[Thedelldays]

no, it was to do with his formation, it didnt work and he left it too late to change. He has to be accountable for this too

 

The formation that people championed so much on here

[doddisalegend]

The formation that people championed so much on here

 

 

In fairness AP got some good results out 4-5-1 (4-3-3) so it can be done.........

[Huffton]

Lallana

Chamberlain

Lambert

Morgan

Chaplow

 

not particularly negative / defensive players?

 

Its not the players, its the game plan. Read his words, set out to play counter attacking football. To me that is negative, inviting pressure. Maybe I'm just getting old but i still think attack is the best form of defence.

[St Chalet]

Personally I am surprised we went defensive. We are the form team in the league, let the opoosition try and nullify our tactics. By changing our formation we gave them a lot of credit.

 

For next game I would hope that we stick with the 4-4-2 that has served us pretty well, 4-5-1 worked last year Lambert doesn't seem quite the figuerehead he was last year.

 

Going 4-5-1 (defensive as it is )I would have started with Puncheon and reserved Chamberlain for an impact last third if required.

[latter day saint]

Personally I am surprised we went defensive. We are the form team in the league, let the opoosition try and nullify our tactics. By changing our formation we gave them a lot of credit.

 

For next game I would hope that we stick with the 4-4-2 that has served us pretty well, 4-5-1 worked last year Lambert doesn't seem quite the figuerehead he was last year.

 

Going 4-5-1 (defensive as it is )I would have started with Puncheon and reserved Chamberlain for an impact last third if required.

Agree 100%

(apart from the spelling mistakes )

[harvey]

On radio solent he waffled a lot and mentioned not complicating things.......hello???????, he complicated things by trying to be too clever when there was no need.

[St Chalet]

Agree 100%

(apart from the spelling mistakes )

 

Typing with one hand causes me to make errors, make up your own jokes

[scotty]

Typing with one hand causes me to make errors, make up your own jokes

 

now thats just asking for it

[latter day saint]

Typing with one hand causes me to make errors, make up your own jokes

performing your mod duties while eating an ice cream is very commendable

[up and away]

Originally Posted by Thedelldays

The formation that people championed so much on here

In fairness AP got some good results out 4-5-1 (4-3-3) so it can be done.........

 

Without actually being there and fully understanding what went wrong it's very difficult to say. You can play 451 but unless the players do their jobs in any formation you are going to have problems. What I am having a problem with is playing counter attacking football when Lambert can't win a header or is running in treacle!

 

Without doubt Adkins has addressed the problem where our midfield got over ran at Notts. So the theory does not seem that wrong, will have to wait for the reports to find where it all fell apart.

[pilsburydoughboy]

He blamed individuals for not producing the goods.I think he meant Harding and Chaplow.

Harding was ****e today and Chaplow missed a sitter when one on one with the keeper.

I thought 4.5.1 was a poor choice but if the players had done their jobs it would not have mattered for me dropping Seabourne for Jaihdi was the wrong choice.

[shurlock]

Don't think the tactics can be blamed whatsoever- a case of too many people taking Merrington as gospel. What has stood out from other away games this season -at least, the ones in which NA has been in charge- is that we've let teams get in our faces and control the midfield. Putting an extra man in the middle didn't strike me as a totally barmy - if we can't get a foothold in the game, we won't provide service to Lambert or anyone else. Factor in the cheap goals we conceded and it seems like dubious scapegoating by a few on here...

[dune]

We played 1 man up front and we got exactly what we deserved.

[harvey]

Don't think the tactics can be blamed whatsoever- a case of too many people taking Merrington as gospel. What has stood out from other away games this season -at least, the ones in which NA has been in charge- is that we've let teams get in our faces and control the midfield. Putting an extra man in the middle didn't strike me as a totally barmy - if we can't get a foothold in the game, we won't provide service to Lambert or anyone else. Factor in the cheap goals we conceded and it seems like dubious scapegoating by a few on here...

 

You didn't have to take Merringtons word for it, it was obvious after 20 minutes that it wasn't going to work......i really don't understand why some people can't see that.

[trousers]

Disappointed to read that Adkins doesn't include himself in any of his criticism about today's performance.

 

Yes, the players let him down but have some contrition Nigel, eh?

[trousers]

We played 1 man up front and we got exactly what we deserved.

 

According to Adkins we played 3 up front (4-3-3 quote/unquote)...

[NickG]

You didn't have to take Merringtons word for it, it was obvious after 20 minutes that it wasn't going to work......i really don't understand why some people can't see that.

 

cos I didn't see it

[SNSUN]

Gutted for Dan. My favourite player from last season, but he's been iffy this season. It makes not playing the League One left back of the year from last season even more puzzling.

 

Just an off day today against an in form Carlisle side. The manager should also shoulder the blame, but did I expect to go through the rest of the season unbeaten? No. Learn from this and we'll be fine.

[harvey]

cos I didn't see it

 

Lol!!!!! I feel sorry for you then.

[harvey]

Gutted for Dan. My favourite player from last season, but he's been iffy this season. It makes not playing the League One left back of the year from last season even more puzzling.

 

Just an off day today against an in form Carlisle side. The manager should also shoulder the blame, but did I expect to go through the rest of the season unbeaten? No. Learn from this and we'll be fine.

 

I give up

[NickG]

Lol!!!!! I feel sorry for you then.

 

some games I am sorry I missed - not this one! Don't feel sorry for me, the radio and some diy was fine thanks.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Sorry NA's post match statement is gooblegook. He is actually informing very little.

And what is this "in the building" reference all the time?

 

He might be a good manager but he's no media communicator. Hope he talks to the players in a little more plain English.

[torsaint]

Hear hear! See my comments on the post-match thread.

Sorry NA's post match statement is gooblegook. He is actually informing very little.

And what is this "in the building" reference all the time?

 

He might be a good manager but he's no media communicator. Hope he talks to the players in a little more plain English.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Sorry NA's post match statement is gooblegook. He is actually informing very little.

And what is this "in the building" reference all the time?

 

He might be a good manager but he's no media communicator. Hope he talks to the players in a little more plain English.

 

Agree with this.

 

Frankly he needs to start accepting some blame otherwise the more astute players will see these sort of comments and start thinking "WTF - this guy is a complete fruitcake - I'm not listening to that nonsense another moment". If you condense down about 80% of his interviews you might find something worthy of note.

 

That's not to say what he states has any truth though - for example you cannot say on one hand that it's "all about a team performance" and then the next say "one player screwed up"! Adkins is not impressing consistently enough just yet - the next three games could be crucial to his survival at the club beyond Xmas - and they're not easy games by any stretch. Either that or IF he has Cortese's utmost trust then he will point at certain players (ex-AP players like Lambert and Hammond) to blame. Reading between the lines, I think he is readying NC to spend big in January to get players in that he knows will play for him - possibly from Scunny.

[JustMike]

In fairness AP got some good results out 4-5-1 (4-3-3) so it can be done.........

 

trouble is, it sounded more like a 4-1-4-1.

[dune]

Sorry NA's post match statement is gooblegook. He is actually informing very little.

And what is this "in the building" reference all the time?

 

He might be a good manager but he's no media communicator. Hope he talks to the players in a little more plain English.

 

I bet you've been longing for this moment.

[benjii]

Don't think the tactics can be blamed whatsoever- a case of too many people taking Merrington as gospel. What has stood out from other away games this season -at least, the ones in which NA has been in charge- is that we've let teams get in our faces and control the midfield. Putting an extra man in the middle didn't strike me as a totally barmy - if we can't get a foothold in the game, we won't provide service to Lambert or anyone else. Factor in the cheap goals we conceded and it seems like dubious scapegoating by a few on here...

 

Exactly.

 

Sounded like we were on top until we made two sloppy mistakes at the back then suddenly the half-wits on the radio start moaning about having good players on the bench. The second half showed that the team put out would've been perfectly capable of winning the match had they not defended certain attacks badly.

[Window Cleaner]

In fairness AP got some good results out 4-5-1 (4-3-3) so it can be done.........

 

because Lambert was scoring goals as was Connolly in his all too brief purple patch.If I remember correctly in those days Wotton was the anchor man of the 3 CMs, now it seems to be Hammond and perhaps he isn't quite as effective, perhaps also the opposition is better. Many clubs in our league seem to be relying on young loanees from EPL clubs, seems to be working for some of them.

[Red and White Army]

Has Pardew got a new job yet?

[jamesfp1]

Adkins has it spot on. If Harding hadn't of completely ****ed up we would have gone on to win.

[Mowgli]

Was disappointed by the Adkins appointment and I was ready to criticise today but his comments on the OS are spot on and I have no complaints about his tactics yesterday. We have to learn from these poor away performances but the occassional set back against another 'useful' side is nothing to get upset about. Two big home games. Six points there and we wil lbe back biting at the heels of the leaders. I have no doubt now that Adkins can do a good job here but would like to see a couple of decent signings in the window - particularly another striker of the Lambert mould to mix it up a bit. Don't think Guly fits the bill too well.

[Saint_clark]

4-5-1 worked better last season because we had pace in the side.

As for Adkins comments - he is going down in my estimation the more I hear him speak. Churning out the same phrases over and over without really making a point. Listening to Pardews interviews was interesting and insightful, listening to Adkins just winds me up.

As for this;

The formation was set up to go and win a game of football.

We've gone and changed it second half to 4-4-2 as the half has gone on, because there's three or four ways you can play football.

It was there to go and win the game, there wasn't an issue with it.

 

Sorry, but that is a load of waffle. Of course the formations was set up to try and win the game, but it didn't work - so there WAS an issue with it.

Edited 14 November, 2010 by Saint_clark

[landford.saint]

4-5-1 we were basically although having a lot of play, Lambert in his current poor fo could not produce any incisive moves. When we started conceeding some players lost it. Jahidi distribution was his usual poor self. As soon as we went 4-4-2 the play changed dramatically as if the players knew what they were doing and were happy. From this point we were far more dominant and even with some players still playing poorly, if the change had been made to 4-4-2 earlier we should have gone on to win.

[kpturner]

I reckon he's here to win games of football - it's as simple as that.

 

 

...and we gone and done this....and we've gone and done that

[itchen]

Agree with this.

 

Frankly he needs to start accepting some blame otherwise the more astute players will see these sort of comments and start thinking "WTF - this guy is a complete fruitcake - I'm not listening to that nonsense another moment". If you condense down about 80% of his interviews you might find something worthy of note.

 

That's not to say what he states has any truth though - for example you cannot say on one hand that it's "all about a team performance" and then the next say "one player screwed up"! Adkins is not impressing consistently enough just yet - the next three games could be crucial to his survival at the club beyond Xmas - and they're not easy games by any stretch. Either that or IF he has Cortese's utmost trust then he will point at certain players (ex-AP players like Lambert and Hammond) to blame. Reading between the lines, I think he is readying NC to spend big in January to get players in that he knows will play for him - possibly from Scunny.

 

But did one player screw up? I think you're reading too much into it. With the exception of a couple of loanees, they're all ex-AP players.

[ottery st mary]

Suggest that our Nigel is allowed to get a whole new team in January...

 

We have to stop this nonsense that it is all Pards team and that is why it is not our Nigels fault when we don't play well.

 

We get a good result and suddenly our Nigel is world class and playing a different wide game with better tactics..

 

It is for Nigel to prove he is as good as some of our experts on this forum were spouting and get on with it.

 

He should have got the team organised by now...

 

No more excuses..get on with it coach..

 

two home wins will do for starters..

 

Come on Nigel you can do it for the mighty Saints..

 

Team selection and set up will be vitally important for a flying start against a bedraggled posh side..

 

Come on Saints.

 

WIFM

[redder freak]

Perhaps we could get Gus Poyet to replace NA? The Brighton fans must want him out after losing against a crap team like Hartlepool.

[ottery st mary]

Has Pardew got a new job yet?

 

Thought he was being interviewed by NC and Sir Les for the position of Chief Scout..

 

 

Major competition from Ray Wilkins and Ancelotti ...apparently..

[derry]

So Harding gets on the wrong side of Marshall when he was the last defender, Harding again last man, sticks out his right foot and completely miskicks, Schneiderlin loses his man in the six yd box, Three goals hardly Adkins fault. He then replaced both of them. I didn't like the 4-5-1/4-3-3 because the lone striker isn't performing or particularly mobile, The midfield three with the exception of Chaplow aren't mobile enough to help out Lambert, so I was surprised we didn't bring on another striker as soon as we went two goals down.

 

If anything maybe Adkins is being unnecessarily loyal to a striker that isn't performing and more importantly isn't putting in the necessary effort. If Adkins is open to criticism, it is trying to play a lone striker who isn't up to the job at the present time. Eventually he will have a team of players capable of playing the way he wants, but at the moment he is having to adapt and live with a team that isn't capable of playing the way both he and Cortese want it to play. He still has to get results to keep us in the promotion hunt and up to Saturday we were the best performing team in the league over the last six games.

[Weston Saint]

As a Manager you can prepare a team and tactics. You can work all week and then pick your best eleven. Once 3pm comes alll you can do is watch what they do, offer advice at half time and modify the tactics if the other team have changed the formation/tactics you expected them to play. You cannot go out there and play for them.

 

The players in defence did not do what was fundamentally expected of decend defenders. It was not about tactics.

 

Adkins can be questioned about players, particularly those that failed in defence. Harding has been a decent left back. He is not performing badly every game. Schneiderlin shold know how to defend. He is suposed to have a little bit of class but he is lazy.

 

We scored two goals away going forward. It was defensive mistakes, not tactics. Five in Midfield when the opposition has the ball away from home is sound. When we have the ball it should immediately become 3 up front with 2 midfield holding high up the pitch and the other forcing the game forward.

[jam]

As a Manager you can prepare a team and tactics. You can work all week and then pick your best eleven. Once 3pm comes alll you can do is watch what they do, offer advice at half time and modify the tactics if the other team have changed the formation/tactics you expected them to play. You cannot go out there and play for them.

 

The players in defence did not do what was fundamentally expected of decend defenders. It was not about tactics.

 

Adkins can be questioned about players, particularly those that failed in defence. Harding has been a decent left back. He is not performing badly every game. Schneiderlin shold know how to defend. He is suposed to have a little bit of class but he is lazy.

 

We scored two goals away going forward. It was defensive mistakes, not tactics. Five in Midfield when the opposition has the ball away from home is sound. When we have the ball it should immediately become 3 up front with 2 midfield holding high up the pitch and the other forcing the game forward.

 

This is what I got from Solent's interview. Adkins actually sounded ****ed off with the fact that the players hadn't done what he'd asked them to to. Simple as that.

[hypochondriac]

Gutted for Dan. My favourite player from last season, but he's been iffy this season. It makes not playing the League One left back of the year from last season even more puzzling.

 

Just an off day today against an in form Carlisle side. The manager should also shoulder the blame, but did I expect to go through the rest of the season unbeaten? No. Learn from this and we'll be fine.

 

If I have to correct someone one more time...

[doddisalegend]

If I have to correct someone one more time...

 

you'll have a Harte attack?

[Red and White Army]

Eventually he will have a team of players capable of playing the way he wants, but at the moment he is having to adapt and live with a team that isn't capable of playing the way both he and Cortese want it to play.

 

You simply can not use this as an excuse. If Adkins is not capable of getting the best out of THIS team then he should not have been brought in AFTER the transfer window closed. It really is as simple as that. Sacking Pardew at the end of August was terrible timing at best, and will cost us our chance at promotion this season at worst.