I thought Adkins was a poor choice, i was wrong

[OldNick]

When NA was appointed i felt it was a poor choice compared to having Eddie Howe.

In the main I have been uninspired by him but i have to hold my hand and admit i was wrong. Well done yet again NC and your judgement spot on.

Well done Nigel and let the bus roll on.

I also was wrong about needing new players to guarantee promotion, as the injury to LB became a blessing in disguise as a fit Connelly injected more bite to our attack

[dubai_phil]

Told you so

 

Now you can sit back, relax and enjoy the summer.

 

Until we all start worrying about strengthening the squad!

[S-Clarke]

He was the right choice from day 1, never understood people that were against him straight away.

 

He ticked every single box we needed at the time. No better choice.

 

- Experience in L1

- Experience of Auto promotion and play offs in L1

- Experience in the championship

- Young enough to grow with the club...

[OldNick]

Told you so

 

Now you can sit back, relax and enjoy the summer.

 

Until we all start worrying about strengthening the squad!

i can't remember that one, I must have missed it amongst all the stories of Tiger lolo

[dubai_phil]

i can't remember that one, I must have missed it amongst all the stories of Tiger lolo

 

I told you in the Haunch that even Tiger thought he was the right choice...

 

But seriously, as I've said elsewhere, he was brought in to do a job get us out of L1. He did that job.

 

And in that short statement is something that has not happened to our club for a very long time - Focus from top to bottom.

 

Nothing else mattered, no worrying about making money, no worrying about Politics, just identify the task at hand and go and do it.

 

jeez wouldn't it be lovely to dream that things could be that simple every season for the next 20 years or so

 

But just one more year of that would be sweet

 

The Saints are coming as the song says

[thesaint sfc]

I'm delighted with what he achieved and was really concerned when we got rid of Pardew. I still have a lot of love for the guy. Here's to many more years under Adkins!

[hypochondriac]

Next season will be the true test. Upper mid table and close to the playoffs or higher and he has done a good job.

[doddisalegend]

Next season will be the true test. Upper mid table and close to the playoffs or higher and he has done a good job.

 

Thats my feeling. Nigels done good but really he should have done, most expensive team in the history of league one, PL trainning and support facilities. Even with injuries we've been able to bring players of the bench that would walk into any other team in this league we have had a big advantage over most teams in this league.

 

Not trying to take anything away from Nigel , he was brought in to a job and he has done it, but I'm not quite ready to declare him the messiah yet. Lets see how we do in a league where we are much more on par with the teams around us.

Edited 3 May, 2011 by doddisalegend

[Professor]

Nigel has given us a fantastic run-in - just look at the last 14 games - (P14, W12, D1, L1). But like Doddisalegend I feel that with our squad this performance was what should be expected.

I admit to feeling churlish by failing to give Adkins undiluted praise. Too often I feel we get a result because of the flair of individual players, rather than from playing as a team or the success of Nigel's tactics and I feel he has to change shape or change tactics too often. Others might say that is a strength, but I'm not so sure.

A couple of my pals say that it is his interviews that make them cringe, and although I agree, I don't see his PR as being any reflection on his team management skills. So I'd say that although he's done an excellent job this season, it will take the close season squad changes and the first month or two in the NpC to convince me that Nigel is better than L1.

[saint lard]

Thats my feeling. Nigels done good but really he should have done, most expensive team in the history of league one, PL trainning and support facilities. Even with injuries we've been able to bring players of the bench that would walk into any other team in this league we have had a big advantage over most teams in this league.

 

Not trying to take anything away from Nigel , he was brought in to a job and he has done it, but I'm not quite ready to declare him the messiah yet. Lets see how we do in a league were we are much more on par with the teams around us.

 

This,spot on,imo.

[Gingeletiss]

Well done Nick, for the admission, a few more on here should be doing the same.

[Minty]

Some interesting posts above, and with respect, I am glad that some of you aren't a football manager!

 

As has been shown in football many, many times, having the players and resources is one thing, but if you are unable to knit them together, motivate the team, pull them through the tough times, and maintain momentum through the good, deal with challenging individuals, work with the chairman, etc, etc, then that means nothing. I really do think too many people underestimate what is required.

 

As of now, Adkins deserves praise for his achievement, end of story. His future challenges and achievements are for another discussion. He has done an excellent job in a tough league, in the face of a lot of pressure from fans. He has only been in the job since 12th September, less than EIGHT months, and has got us promoted despite this being one of the toughest promotion battles for many years.

 

I have no problem at all that people like OldNick had doubts about Adkins when he first arrived... that's entirely natural. But the very fact that Adkins is so at ease with managing individuals and working with the team to create a positive environment is what gave me confidence early on. Having good players means nothing if they won't work with you or each other, and Adkins has brought a real positive vibe to the place, and I am confident that that can be carried into next season too and see us finish at LEAST top half, and I would suggest, probably play offs.

 

But that's next season. As of now, Adkins deserves appropriate praise for delivering promotion and bringing such a positive culture to the club IMO.

[Saint_clark]

Thats my feeling. Nigels done good but really he should have done, most expensive team in the history of league one, PL trainning and support facilities. Even with injuries we've been able to bring players of the bench that would walk into any other team in this league we have had a big advantage over most teams in this league.

 

Not trying to take anything away from Nigel , he was brought in to a job and he has done it, but I'm not quite ready to declare him the messiah yet. Lets see how we do in a league were we are much more on par with the teams around us.

 

It's not the most expensive in the history of league one.

[hypochondriac]

It's not the most expensive in the history of league one.

 

Which one is?

[OldNick]

Some interesting posts above, and with respect, I am glad that some of you aren't a football manager!

 

As has been shown in football many, many times, having the players and resources is one thing, but if you are unable to knit them together, motivate the team, pull them through the tough times, and maintain momentum through the good, deal with challenging individuals, work with the chairman, etc, etc, then that means nothing. I really do think too many people underestimate what is required.

 

As of now, Adkins deserves praise for his achievement, end of story. His future challenges and achievements are for another discussion. He has done an excellent job in a tough league, in the face of a lot of pressure from fans. He has only been in the job since 12th September, less than EIGHT months, and has got us promoted despite this being one of the toughest promotion battles for many years.

 

I have no problem at all that people like OldNick had doubts about Adkins when he first arrived... that's entirely natural. But the very fact that Adkins is so at ease with managing individuals and working with the team to create a positive environment is what gave me confidence early on. Having good players means nothing if they won't work with you or each other, and Adkins has brought a real positive vibe to the place, and I am confident that that can be carried into next season too and see us finish at LEAST top half, and I would suggest, probably play offs.

 

But that's next season. As of now, Adkins deserves appropriate praise for delivering promotion and bringing such a positive culture to the club IMO.

I think his psychology has been a big plus. Very early on he kept mentioning how the fans were backing the team, even though in my opinion they were lukewarm. He then upped that by saying how our backing had helped the team etc and that seemed to help change our more negative mindset when things were going badly to a positive. i have no doubt that a season or so ago , if we had been 2 goals down at home to MKDons we would have turned on the team. The fans that day were fantastic and instead of being negative sung the team to victory. Hence our home form has been impressive. if he did this to the fans mindset no doubt he was able to get the players minds in a positive frame and they showed real grit under pressure from Huddersfield run.

[Saint_clark]

Which one is?

 

Pretty sure it was Fulham, the rest of league one were banging on about it on footballforums last season.

[trousers]

Just been looking at Adkin's relegation season with S****horpe.....they got off to a decent start - they were in 9th position at the end of October. But they then started to fall away sharply, not winning a single game in November or December: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S****horpe_United_F.C._Season_2007-08 (bloody swear filter....replace **** with ****) ;-)

 

Perhaps they had a problem with the strength in depth of their squad. A good start followed by a slump would suggest a problem with injuries perhaps.

 

Anyway, squad depth won't be an issue with us, hopefully, so I think we can safely dismiss Nigel's record in the Championship as something largely out of his control.

[doddisalegend]

Which one is?

 

The current one of course should have called it division 3.

[doddisalegend]

Some interesting posts above, and with respect, I am glad that some of you aren't a football manager!

 

As has been shown in football many, many times, having the players and resources is one thing, but if you are unable to knit them together, motivate the team, pull them through the tough times, and maintain momentum through the good, deal with challenging individuals, work with the chairman, etc, etc, then that means nothing. I really do think too many people underestimate what is required.As of now, Adkins deserves praise for his achievement, end of story. His future challenges and achievements are for another discussion. He has done an excellent job in a tough league, in the face of a lot of pressure from fans. He has only been in the job since 12th September, less than EIGHT months, and has got us promoted despite this being one of the toughest promotion battles for many years.

 

I have no problem at all that people like OldNick had doubts about Adkins when he first arrived... that's entirely natural. But the very fact that Adkins is so at ease with managing individuals and working with the team to create a positive environment is what gave me confidence early on. Having good players means nothing if they won't work with you or each other, and Adkins has brought a real positive vibe to the place, and I am confident that that can be carried into next season too and see us finish at LEAST top half, and I would suggest, probably play offs.

 

But that's next season. As of now, Adkins deserves appropriate praise for delivering promotion and bringing such a positive culture to the club IMO.

 

I would say the history has all so shown many times that the bigger budget wins through, it's not the be all and end all but it is a big, big advantage. Look at Brentford the other day several injuries they couldn't even put out a full bench. Saints several injuries but can still put out a team that is far better than most in this league.

 

Nigels done well no denying it but IMO he should have done.

[View From The Top]

Folk giving thanks through gritted teeth without the balls to say they were wrong.

[tobes8]

I was really doubting him earlier in the season, its great to be proved wrong once in while! well done nigel!

[merrimd]

I think he has done an awesome job. Lets not forget that 'the most expensive squad in league 1 history" (it was Fulham by the way) was built last year, he has hardly added to it. What we had this year is focus, which is 100% down to the man at the top. I felt that the team got carried away last year with the 2 cup runs whereas this season we have nailed it in the league. As has been said before, having good players is handy, but you have to turn them into a team and that is what NA has done. I wonder how we would have done last year without Adam, Lee, The leagues best winger , Morgan and Rickie Lambert with 1/3rd less goals! It is how he has dealt with that that makes me think he could become a great manager at SMS.

[dubai_phil]

And to all the "Most Expensive Team should have walked the League anyway" brigade, I say simply

 

Man City

And to an extent, Chelsea this season.

 

There is more to management of people than pressing buttons on a Computer Simulation, that is where NA appears to have his strength. I'm sure if he walked into the Stamford Bridge Dressing room he would get eaten alive right now, but I think the true nature of his success this year is :-

 

He has taken AP's players and turned them into a Football Team.

[Minty]

I would say the history has all so shown many times that the bigger budget wins through, it's not the be all and end all but it is a big, big advantage. Look at Brentford the other day several injuries they couldn't even put out a full bench. Saints several injuries but can still put out a team that is far better than most in this league.

 

Nigels done well no denying it but IMO he should have done.

 

I'm not saying the budget and resources are unimportant or insignificant... clearly they are. However, to simplify things, if we take the two key things discussed here, namely a 'big budget squad' and an effective manager, which is more essential to success? I would say the latter.

 

We have all seen supposedly poorer squads 'overachieve' (look at Brighton and Bournemouth this season) because of the way the manager has knitted them together and got them playing, but we rarely see 'big budget squads' achieve anything with a poor manager.

[Petersfield Saint]

I think he has done an awesome job. Lets not forget that 'the most expensive squad in league 1 history" (it was Fulham by the way) was built last year, he has hardly added to it. What we had this year is focus, which is 100% down to the man at the top. I felt that the team got carried away last year with the 2 cup runs whereas this season we have nailed it in the league. As has been said before, having good players is handy, but you have to turn them into a team and that is what NA has done. I wonder how we would have done last year without Adam, Lee, The leagues best winger , Morgan and Rickie Lambert with 1/3rd less goals! It is how he has dealt with that that makes me think he could become a great manager at SMS.

 

Sums up my feelings - and I admit I was underwhelmed at his appointment

[JackFrost]

if we'd have had a 10 point deduction this season we'd currently be in 4th, easily into the play-offs

[PokingFun]

My view is simple, he has effectively overcome a 10 points deficit to gain automatic promotion to the CCC as that was the start he had been landed with when he arrived. In effect, a similar position to AP when he started last season. Nothing short of a fantastic achivement to overhaul that disadvantage after 15% or so of the season had already been wasted.

 

A great achievement and one that means he should be afforded money and time to move us up in the CCC. Play-offs should be the minimum target but it would not surprise me if we were pushing for automatic with the right squad improvements. I think NA has got what it takes to take us all the way but only time will tell on that.

[St Lej]

Some interesting posts above, and with respect, I am glad that some of you aren't a football manager!

 

As has been shown in football many, many times, having the players and resources is one thing, but if you are unable to knit them together, motivate the team, pull them through the tough times, and maintain momentum through the good, deal with challenging individuals, work with the chairman, etc, etc, then that means nothing. I really do think too many people underestimate what is required.

 

As of now, Adkins deserves praise for his achievement, end of story. His future challenges and achievements are for another discussion. He has done an excellent job in a tough league, in the face of a lot of pressure from fans. He has only been in the job since 12th September, less than EIGHT months, and has got us promoted despite this being one of the toughest promotion battles for many years.

 

I have no problem at all that people like OldNick had doubts about Adkins when he first arrived... that's entirely natural. But the very fact that Adkins is so at ease with managing individuals and working with the team to create a positive environment is what gave me confidence early on. Having good players means nothing if they won't work with you or each other, and Adkins has brought a real positive vibe to the place, and I am confident that that can be carried into next season too and see us finish at LEAST top half, and I would suggest, probably play offs.

 

But that's next season. As of now, Adkins deserves appropriate praise for delivering promotion and bringing such a positive culture to the club IMO.

 

Spot on.

[Wes Tender]

Folk giving thanks through gritted teeth without the balls to say they were wrong.

 

This.

 

I can well recall the wrist-slitters and those preparing to throw themsleves from the Itchen Bridge when we weren't top by Christmas, saying that we'd blown our chances of promotion or not even reaching the play-offs. I can recall making the analogy at the time that a season is a marathon, not a sprint.

 

Minty is quite right; we might have the most expensive squad of players in the division, but that doesn't necessarily translate to success on the pitch. In any event, our most expensive buy has been Lambert and at £1 million, that isn't exactly the equivalent of buying Messi, even in this division. Many of our players though, like Lallana and Chamberlain might have a very high residual value to them, but are home grown. Are we to feel a bit embarrassed that we have such quality in them too?

 

Credit To Pardew for laying the basis of the squad, but what has made it easier is the number of players who have been captains of their former teams. To that extent only, it might be argued that the job of motivation was reduced, as players who have the credentials to be captain are arguably professional enough to motivate themselves as well as their team mates. But the choice of team and the tactics are firmly in Adkins' grasp, so well done to him for getting it all right, at the right time.

 

By all means, judge him on his performance next season, but not having the good grace to credit him with a marvellous performance this season makes it look grudging and petty.

[doddisalegend]

My view is simple, he has effectively overcome a 10 points deficit to gain automatic promotion to the CCC as that was the start he had been landed with when he arrived. In effect, a similar position to AP when he started last season. Nothing short of a fantastic achivement to overhaul that disadvantage after 15% or so of the season had already been wasted.

 

A great achievement and one that means he should be afforded money and time to move us up in the CCC. Play-offs should be the minimum target but it would not surprise me if we were pushing for automatic with the right squad improvements. I think NA has got what it takes to take us all the way but only time will tell on that.

 

Most defaintly Nigel has earned the right to show us what he can do in the championship. I'd be happy with a top half finish and very happy with playoffs.

[doddisalegend]

And to all the "Most Expensive Team should have walked the League anyway" brigade, I say simply

 

Man City

And to an extent, Chelsea this season.

 

There is more to management of people than pressing buttons on a Computer Simulation, that is where NA appears to have his strength. I'm sure if he walked into the Stamford Bridge Dressing room he would get eaten alive right now, but I think the true nature of his success this year is :-

 

He has taken AP's players and turned them into a Football Team.

 

Interesting what were they last season ...... a cricket team

[dubai_phil]

Interesting what were they last season ...... a cricket team

 

.

[Dig Dig]

Fair play Nick. It's interesting reading back on the NA appointment threads around the time. Some absolute hysterics going on. Some nutters were even suggesting Shearer and similarly shocking candidates with not much management experience just because of their "big" names.

[doddisalegend]

Fair play Nick. It's interesting reading back on the NA appointment threads around the time. Some absolute hysterics going on. Some nutters were even suggesting Shearer and similarly shocking candidates with not much management experience just because of their "big" names.

 

What ever happened to that old has been O'neil anyway?

[Pat from Poole]

Folk giving thanks through gritted teeth without the balls to say they were wrong.

 

I was wrong. I thought Adkins lacked the presence to inspire some of the more experienced members of the squad. However, they have all clearly been giving 100% for him. To see Lallana charging around harassing Plymouth players when we were 3-0 up was fantastic, and Fonte has been immense. There is a real unity within the squad, partly driven by winning, partly by Puncheon not being there maybe. Either way, Adkins has to take great credit for having them all "on the bus".

 

Fair play to Adkins and Cortese, although the timing of Pardew leaving and us being in limbo before appointing Adkins could so easily have led to us being in the play-offs.

[Dig Dig]

What ever happened to that old has been O'neil anyway?

 

He's still holed up in a hotel on the outskirts of soton. Think NC forgot to call him

[doddisalegend]

he's still holed up in a hotel on the outskirts of soton. Think nc forgot to call him

 

lol

[Window Cleaner]

What ever happened to that old has been O'neil anyway?

 

Waiting around for the next EPL manager merry-go-round.Spending his pay off from Villa.

 

 

If I had to put in a forecast I'd say he'll go to Blackburn if they stay up.

[doddisalegend]

Waiting around for the next EPL manager merry-go-round.Spending his pay off from Villa.

 

 

If I had to put in a forecast I'd say he'll go to Blackburn if they stay up.

 

Bet they're glad the got rid of big Sam..........

[Guan 2.0]

Folk giving thanks through gritted teeth without the balls to say they were wrong.

 

This. How Hard can it be? But some go on saying next year will be the real test. Because taking a club from 22nd to 2nd with someone else's team doesn't invalidate their opinion that Adkins isn't up to the job of Manager. He's just an idiot Physio.

[Legod Third Coming]

Whatever you think of the wrongs and rights of his recruitment, and irrespective of the tools at his disposal, Nigel Adkins has done a very good job. He came in to get us promoted and has delivered. The gap to Brighton was created by Dean Wilkins and Cortese. Had we started with Adkins, I don't think there's much doubt we would have creamed this league.

 

It's wrong to credit the basis of the team being built by Pardew (and I am/was one of his biggest fans) as plenty of other managers have inherited great squads and then singularly proceeded to feck it up big time!!

 

It's as much of a challenge to win over another man's wife as it is to woo one from scratch my friends - most often harder!!!

 

Adkins has proven he is a top class League One Manager - end of.

 

Now he has to prove he is a top class Manager end of.

 

And as a gambling man, despite interviews that sound like cliché bingo!, I wouldn't back against him just yet....

[david in sweden]

When NA was appointed i felt it was a poor choice compared to having Eddie Howe.

In the main I have been uninspired by him but i have to hold my hand and admit i was wrong.

Well done yet again NC and your judgement spot on.

Well done Nigel and let the bus roll on.

I also was wrong about needing new players to guarantee promotion, as the injury to LB became a blessing in disguise as a fit Connelly injected more bite to our attack

 

 

Fairs fair..you and a few other have come out and said the same. That's honest.

 

You weren't really wrong about extra players, either. I said the same thing.

We did sign Stephens, and N'Guessan on loan, and Forte (thank good ness for his two (sub.) goals at SMS v. MK Dons.

 

and Connolly is almost like a new signing. He's been out most of the season and I didn't expect to see him back so soon.

[Thedelldays]

i really dont get it when people say we never signed/spent in january..

 

forte's transfer was worth the goals against MK dons alone...

didnt n'guessen set up the winner at exeter..?

stephens has provided cover while happers was out of form and morgan injured..?

keeping guly has proved to be wise..?

 

what have I missed here..?

 

adkins has done brilliantly...they may well be the bulk of AP players...but this is for sure adkins team..deffo a different shape and style to anything last year..

 

to put in the run we have in the last few month was amazing....respect to that

we are leaving this season on phenomenal form..whilst brighton are whimpering at the end...will be interesting to see how both teams are fairing come xmas......afterall, they are so much better than us...right..?

Edited 3 May, 2011 by Thedelldays

[doddisalegend]

i really dont get it when people say we never signed/spent in january..

 

forte's transfer was worth the goals against MK dons alone...

didnt n'guessen set up the winner at exeter..?

stephens has provided cover while happers was out of form and morgan injured..?

keeping guly has proved to be wise..?

 

what have I missed here..?

adkins has done brilliantly...they may well be the bulk of AP players...but this is for sure adkins team..deffo a different shape and style to anything last year..

 

to put in the run we have in the last few month was amazing....respect to that

we are leaving this season on phenomenal form..whilst brighton are whimpering at the end...will be interesting to see how both teams are fairing come xmas......afterall, they are so much better than us...right..?

 

Nothing

 

We also kept Adam and Oxo. I suppose compared to the season before Fonte, Barney, Seborne and keeping Antonio on loan this season was just more low key.

[Dig Dig]

Nothing

 

We also kept Adam and Oxo. I suppose compared to the season before Fonte, Barney, Seborne and keeping Antonio on loan this season was just more low key.

 

The other thing is the "ITK's" talking up potential transfer targets which we were never likely to get...Austin this Jan etc. When the reality hits that we have signed Forte instead, peeps are often under whelmed by this and see it as a poor transfer window. Can't wait for the craziness to begin in July!

[doddisalegend]

The other thing is the "ITK's" talking up potential transfer targets which we were never likely to get...Austin this Jan etc. When the reality hits that we have signed Forte instead, peeps are often under whelmed by this and see it as a poor transfer window. Can't wait for the craziness to begin in July!

 

surely you mean May the 8th?

[Minsk]

This.

 

I can well recall the wrist-slitters and those preparing to throw themsleves from the Itchen Bridge when we weren't top by Christmas, saying that we'd blown our chances of promotion or not even reaching the play-offs. I can recall making the analogy at the time that a season is a marathon, not a sprint.

 

Minty is quite right; we might have the most expensive squad of players in the division, but that doesn't necessarily translate to success on the pitch. In any event, our most expensive buy has been Lambert and at £1 million, that isn't exactly the equivalent of buying Messi, even in this division. Many of our players though, like Lallana and Chamberlain might have a very high residual value to them, but are home grown. Are we to feel a bit embarrassed that we have such quality in them too?

 

Credit To Pardew for laying the basis of the squad, but what has made it easier is the number of players who have been captains of their former teams. To that extent only, it might be argued that the job of motivation was reduced, as players who have the credentials to be captain are arguably professional enough to motivate themselves as well as their team mates. But the choice of team and the tactics are firmly in Adkins' grasp, so well done to him for getting it all right, at the right time.

 

By all means, judge him on his performance next season, but not having the good grace to credit him with a marvellous performance this season makes it look grudging and petty.

 

Well said Wes, as per usual.

 

I also recall certain posters saying things like, 'Adkins has no respect from the players', 'Adkins hasn't got any tactical nouse' and 'Saints are only picking up points because of the players, despite Adkins NOT because of him'.

 

Well, if all it takes are the right players and no instructions from a manager then EVERY club in the football league is making a mistake. Why are Chelsea, Man City, etc, wasting good money on high wages for their managers? Surely, if these fonts of all footballing knowledge are correct, these clubs should just sack their managers and let the players get on with playing.

 

Or maybe they were wrong and that really Adkins has done a great job; and it's just that they aren't man enough - as OldNick clearly is - to admit as much.