oh yes it is!

[saint lard]

i admire him for that a man who wants to say his farewell to his friends,players just hope he takes the job now.

He been on the training ground with scunny this morning,very little chance he will join us now,imo.

Tbh,i am not saddened by the fact he probably won't become our next gaffer.

[Special K]

I call it Berlusconi-lite

 

If NC was, he'd have no problem with any of his staff poking it up whatever sort they liked and maybe AP would still be manager.

[Webby]

Of course - but there are many other days he could have done that, next Monday for example.

 

Exactly. I'd have given him a hug if that's what he wanted.

[exit2]

From NC's point of view, yeah. You know, come on Nigel, where's yer loyalty? What it says is that he doesn't care about our next fixture.

 

Sorry but again that shows NC being childish again. So lets pull the plug on the deal because NA wouldnt be here for one day, so now NC's little tantrum has cost us again. One day would not had made a difference

[Webby]

Sorry but again that shows NC being childish again. So lets pull the plug on the deal because NA wouldnt be here for one day, so now NC's little tantrum has cost us again. One day would not had made a difference

 

It's not tantrum. All agreed terms. Jobs yours Nigel. Can you start tomorrow? Er, no, I wanna go home and say goodbye to my old staff. Um, hello? Do you want the job or not? Pillock.

[solentstars]

Sorry but again that shows NC being childish again. So lets pull the plug on the deal because NA wouldnt be here for one day, so now NC's little tantrum has cost us again. One day would not had made a difference

 

thats what i have thought especially if he was here for the long term.

[Chin Strain]

Sorry but again that shows NC being childish again. So lets pull the plug on the deal because NA wouldnt be here for one day, so now NC's little tantrum has cost us again. One day would not had made a difference

 

Yeah...if true. When NC comes out and says that was the reason, then fine, let rip. However, 'reported' on South Today (they're always right, after all) doesn't equal fact.

 

FFS this is all ludicrous.

[Puddings and Monkeys]

Sorry but again that shows NC being childish again. So lets pull the plug on the deal because NA wouldnt be here for one day, so now NC's little tantrum has cost us again. One day would not had made a difference

 

Please explain how you know this to be true.

[Chin Strain]

Please explain how you know this to be true.

 

+1.

[Special K]

South Today just reported that Adkins and his assistant agreed to the job around midnight last night and that NC wanted them to stay in Southampton and take training/meet the players this morning. Adkins wanted to go home and 'say goodbye' to staff and players at Scunny and did so against NC's wishes.

 

If that is the case, then IMO Adkins is in the wrong. His allegiance should switch immediately and he should do everything in his power to take Southampton forward, even if that meant starting at 8am this morning. I can't believe he went home!!

 

If true, then Adkins is a mug. Maybe he wants to kiss his players bye-bye, but he can do that in his own time. FFS, it's not like he's emigrating down under. All this misplaced fecking loyalty ****** does my napper in. If he wanted the job, he'd have done what Cortese asked and stopped acting like a pansy. Let him go and cry to his mouthy old chairman about the nasty southerners and let's hope NC concentrates on getting a proper fella in.

[Webby]

I don't feel NC has done anything wrong in wanting his new guy to start ASAP. This is what he apparently requested and was refused.

 

Would you go for a massive new job that you dearly wanted, get offered that job, and refuse your new bosses request to start the next day?

[buctootim]

Sorry but again that shows NC being childish again. So lets pull the plug on the deal because NA wouldnt be here for one day, so now NC's little tantrum has cost us again. One day would not had made a difference

 

Its not childish. As soon as Adkins agreed to come his first priority is to the Saints and the game on Saturday, not saying goodbye to your mates which could have been done at any time. It demonstrated a lack of judgement and commitment imo.

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Wasn't Adkins due to make a statement? Has this been released yet? Wasn't there also a rumour that he's been placed on gardening leave, as a result of this episode?

[Lord Duckhunter]

It's pretty standard practise that the departing manager goes and says his goodbye's and thanks to his former team. In fact one of the problems with Hoddle's departure was that he just buggered off without a thought to the players or staff he'd left behind. IF this is the true reason for the deal being called off, then I'm afraid I'm with Adkins on this one. I can not believe that this is the reason, and if it is casts NC and Reed (who surely knows this is the done thing) in a very poor light.

[OldNick]

IMO, Cortese wouldn't comment if it wasn't to help himself. He commented on the Pardew speculation last season and said he wouldn't be sacked etc., but that turned out not to be true. This time, I think he needs to show other people that Adkins wasn't first choice, when it's fairly obvious he was. It's gone tits up and now it's damage limitation. Otherwise I don't see he'd have commented on it.

Fulham had the same situation recently when the press said Martin jol had the job but Fulham ended up with M Hughes. it was staed then that Hughes was not second choice, they got on with it and it is forgotten

[buctootim]

Wasn't Adkins due to make a statement? Has this been released yet? Wasn't there also a rumour that he's been placed on gardening leave' date=' as a result of this episode?[/quote']

 

Gardening leave thing was a post I read on Scunny forum. Speculation atm I think.

[aintforever]

Fair play to Adkins for having some decency and loyalty. If what is reported is true then he's probably relieved to not be working for such a ****.

[OldNick]

Wasn't Adkins due to make a statement? Has this been released yet? Wasn't there also a rumour that he's been placed on gardening leave' date=' as a result of this episode?[/quote']

 

perhaps they are quickly learning from their mistakes in the last 12 hours, stay stumn

[Webby]

Fair play to Adkins for having some decency and loyalty. If what is reported is true then he's probably relieved to not be working for such a ****.

 

Loyalty is exactly what he's failed to show. Christ, he can say goodbye anytime! This is business. New job. Start now. We've got a game on sat FFS. THIS IS YOUR NEW CLUB! Act like it is man!

[del boy]

If true

 

[100%Red&White]

Ooooh juicy one, South Today will get hammered for that if it's not 100% correct, wouldn't be in their shoes if they've made that up or even exagerated a teensy weensy bit.

 

I believe this was first reported on Solent this morning not long after the 'Official' Sc_unthorpe statement.

 

IF everything had been agreed and compensation was the only issue I can't believe SFC would have pulled out so easily. IF we had decided Adkins was the number one choice then it wouldn't have been a problem with NA and surely Cortese would have just negotiated until he was happy with paying up the contracts.

 

The only way I could see us "withdrawing our offer" if he was previously picked above everyone else linked with the job, if he was that good, is something like defying the new chairman on your first day at work. We have a game in 2 days we desperately need a result from, if Cortese wanted him here 8am this morning then there's only one place he should have been.

[Webby]

I believe this was first reported on Solent this morning not long after the 'Official' Sc_unthorpe statement.

 

IF everything had been agreed and compensation was the only issue I can't believe SFC would have pulled out so easily. IF we had decided Adkins was the number one choice then it wouldn't have been a problem with NA and surely Cortese would have just negotiated until he was happy with paying up the contracts.

 

The only way I could see us "withdrawing our offer" if he was previously picked above everyone else linked with the job, if he was that good, is something like defying the new chairman on your first day at work. We have a game in 2 days we desperately need a result from, if Cortese wanted him here 8am this morning then there's only one place he should have been.

 

100% agree

[Dig Dig]

It's pretty standard practise that the departing manager goes and says his goodbye's and thanks to his former team. In fact one of the problems with Hoddle's departure was that he just buggered off without a thought to the players or staff he'd left behind. IF this is the true reason for the deal being called off, then I'm afraid I'm with Adkins on this one. I can not believe that this is the reason, and if it is casts NC and Reed (who surely knows this is the done thing) in a very poor light.

 

I can see the senitment but we have a big game on the weekend which should be the first priority for everyone at the club. Im sure NA could have arranged to say good bye at another time rather than wasting valuable time with our players rather then scunny's....if all true of course!

[Chin Strain]

IMO, Cortese wouldn't comment if it wasn't to help himself. He commented on the Pardew speculation last season and said he wouldn't be sacked etc., but that turned out not to be true. This time, I think he needs to show other people that Adkins wasn't first choice, when it's fairly obvious he was. It's gone tits up and now it's damage limitation. Otherwise I don't see he'd have commented on it.

 

Do you know, factually, why he was sacked then? Ever considered that something may have changed since May? He wasn't sacked in May, he was sacked 4 months later for reasonsd that pretty much nobody on here can say for sure.

[Gingeletiss]

Gotta love this forum, 300+ posts condeming our chairman for having the audacity, to want to sign an up and coming manager, now another 130ish, condeming the same chairman, for failing to appoint said manager, that most of you were slagging off, this forum is priceless at times.

[ladysaint]

I admire Adkins for his loyalty and wanting to go and say his farewell to his players and staff, if the statement above is true. I wouldnt walk out on a job I like with people I like without saying goodbye. There is little loyalty left in the game now so respect Adkins for showing some.

[OldNick]

I admire Adkins for his loyalty and wanting to go and say his farewell to his players and staff, if the statement above is true. I wouldnt walk out on a job I like with people I like without saying goodbye. There is little loyalty left in the game now so respect Adkins for showing some.

that is all well and good but it is thursday, he would not have got to training until tomorrow. Hardly the preparation before a game. Surely he could go and say goodbye sunday or monday.

[Webby]

I admire Adkins for his loyalty and wanting to go and say his farewell to his players and staff, if the statement above is true. I wouldnt walk out on a job I like with people I like without saying goodbye. There is little loyalty left in the game now so respect Adkins for showing some.

 

Loyalty is exactly what he's failed to show. Christ, he can say goodbye anytime! This is business. New job. Start now. We've got a game on sat FFS. THIS IS YOUR NEW CLUB! Act like it is man!

[buctootim]

I admire Adkins for his loyalty and wanting to go and say his farewell to his players and staff, if the statement above is true. I wouldnt walk out on a job I like with people I like without saying goodbye. There is little loyalty left in the game now so respect Adkins for showing some.

 

And two days before his new teams vital game at Swindon was the ONLY time he could say goodbye?

[exile on main street]

this is ace. i haven't laughed so much in years.

[dubai_phil]

Sorry but again that shows NC being childish again. So lets pull the plug on the deal because NA wouldnt be here for one day, so now NC's little tantrum has cost us again. One day would not had made a difference

 

Totally disagree.

 

can you imagine the uproar if it was the other way around.

 

NC says - Wilkins is preparing the team for Saturday because I let NA go back and take a final training session and pack his bags?

 

Also, what does it say about NA's judgement - the quote says the meeting finished at around Midnight. As I recall trains and planes stop at about 11pm so that would mean a 5 or 6 hour drive home instead of a night in a hotel in Southampton and a quick trip to the training ground so that they can see everything and let Wilkins know what they want him to work on as well as doing the Press Conference.

 

No, IF it is as reported then that shows damned poor judgement. You are being offered the job and the Boss says I really need you to do this it is really important and you say - ah no, actually boss I have something more important to do, jeez who WOULDN'T query that sort of response?

 

We need promotion we need(ed) a result at Swindon not a nice set of handshakes.

[solentstars]

I admire Adkins for his loyalty and wanting to go and say his farewell to his players and staff, if the statement above is true. I wouldnt walk out on a job I like with people I like without saying goodbye. There is little loyalty left in the game now so respect Adkins for showing some.

 

i agree hes a loyal guy who spent years with his club rather then those chancers who leave at a drop of a hat.

old fashioned morals compared to dump on your neighbour attitude we seem to have.

[OldNick]

i agree hes a loyal guy who spent years with his club rather then those chancers who leave at a drop of a hat.

old fashioned morals compared to dump on your neighbour attitude we seem to have.

i cna see both sides but are we a bunch of pussies. We have started the season badly and so need a manager getting the side prepared for an important game. Yes he should go and say his goodbyes but immediately before a game ????

[ladysaint]

What I cant understand is when Hoddle did exactly the same to us we were all up in arms now when the boot is on the other foot its different, make your minds up.

[Lord Duckhunter]

And two days before his new teams vital game at Swindon was the ONLY time he could say goodbye?

 

It's funny how supporters change their stance on things depending on which side of the "goodbye" they are affected by. Hoddle was slagged for going stright from the airport to Spurs, without saying goodbye to the players (I think Matt even commented on it in his book). Whther you agree with it or not, it's pretty standard practise in football and nearly all Managers do it, even if sacked or leave under messy circumstances ( I remember reading that Nigel Pearson came back and said goodbye to the staff outside as Lowe wouldn't let him in). He cant really be expected to turn up at Scunny next week, they may have a new man in place, may have suffered a heavy defeat Sat. Missing 1 days training is hardly going to make much difference, if so why did NC take so long to appoint anyone?

 

The other interesting thing is that IF this is true, all the posters claiming he is a yes man, seem a bit wide of the mark.

[Chin Strain]

Nope, it was just odd he came out and commented on it when it's not normally the way for him. There seemed to be unrest and it's hard to believe all was rosy when Pardew left so soon this season. Incident or no incident, I believe the relationship wasn't great before that. How long can we let every situation go by and not comment due to a lack of info though? It doesn't lead to informed opinions of course, but everything seems to be a mystery now, from friendly dates, ted bates trophy, shirt releases, media policy and now sackings.

 

Sometimes he really can't win though. He came out in May and made a statement (no lack of info there), which I think was the right thing to do because of the frenzy of rumours. If he hadn't there would have been people on here queuing up to bash him over the head. So what if the relationship wasn't great up until then. They're professionals and drew a line under last season and moved on.

 

If AP was sacked for what has been rumoured then I think NC was absolutely right. If he was sacked based on results I think NC was absolutely wrong. The point is, we just don't know, and may never know due to contractual arrangements.

[PokingFun]

that is all well and good but it is thursday, he would not have got to training until tomorrow. Hardly the preparation before a game. Surely he could go and say goodbye sunday or monday.

 

Jeez, you guys are nuts! There is very little influence he could have over the Swindon game by taking training for a couple of days. If NC has pulled the deal because NA wanted to go home to pick up some clothes etc and say goodbye then you have to question how much he really wanted him. In my opinion neither NA or NC would behave in this way. If the Deal was agreed, NA would need to make arrangements as to where to stay and so on so doubt he would be in a position to take training 8 hours after signing on the dotted line.

 

FFS people will believe any old rubbish on here!

[buctootim]

It's funny how supporters change their stance on things depending on which side of the "goodbye" they are affected by. Hoddle was slagged for going stright from the airport to Spurs, without saying goodbye to the players (I think Matt even commented on it in his book). Whther you agree with it or not, it's pretty standard practise in football and nearly all Managers do it, even if sacked or leave under messy circumstances ( I remember reading that Nigel Pearson came back and said goodbye to the staff outside as Lowe wouldn't let him in). He cant really be expected to turn up at Scunny next week, they may have a new man in place, may have suffered a heavy defeat Sat. Missing 1 days training is hardly going to make much difference, if so why did NC take so long to appoint anyone?

 

The other interesting thing is that IF this is true, all the posters claiming he is a yes man, seem a bit wide of the mark.

 

Of course there is going to be an element of double standards amongst fans, but I do think, given the pressure Cortese was under to get the job filled and announced and the proximity of the game at Swindon Adkins was just plain stupid to think saying goodbye was more important than meeting your new team.

[richardc]

What I cant understand is when Hoddle did exactly the same to us we were all up in arms now when the boot is on the other foot its different, make your minds up.

 

This situation is completely different - Hoddle was a complete C**t, who was always going to jump at the first opportunity, he clearly had no regard for SFC, never said a positive word about us afterwards and had the ignominy to take our best players. NA was leaving on amicable basis and clearly wanted the best for the club that he was leaving. I for one never want to see Hoddle step foot in St Marys

[sandwichsaint]

Looks like NC is not quite as good a judge of a 'yes man' as he thought he was?

[Hetfield]

NEW SAINTS MANAGER – KEVIN KEEGAN?

 

What a smoke screen from Cortese, unbelievable day – my cousin who works at Southampton Airport has just texted me to say Kevin Keegan is in Costa coffee there. Seems to me there could be another twist on its way. I note his odds have dropped massively, I can see this being King Kev in the hot seat with Shearer as his number two.

[Pancake]

NEW SAINTS MANAGER – KEVIN KEEGAN?

 

What a smoke screen from Cortese, unbelievable day – my cousin who works at Southampton Airport has just texted me to say Kevin Keegan is in Costa coffee there. Seems to me there could be another twist on its way. I note his odds have dropped massively, I can see this being King Kev in the hot seat with Shearer as his number two.

 

Did Tony Meola get lost between the airport and SMS then?

 

Biggest pile of bull**** ever. Ban this ***t.

[OldNick]

NEW SAINTS MANAGER – KEVIN KEEGAN?

 

What a smoke screen from Cortese, unbelievable day – my cousin who works at Southampton Airport has just texted me to say Kevin Keegan is in Costa coffee there. Seems to me there could be another twist on its way. I note his odds have dropped massively, I can see this being King Kev in the hot seat with Shearer as his number two.

shouldn't you be at Pompey dockyard?

[Shroppie]

NEW SAINTS MANAGER – KEVIN KEEGAN?

 

What a smoke screen from Cortese, unbelievable day – my cousin who works at Southampton Airport has just texted me to say Kevin Keegan is in Costa coffee there. Seems to me there could be another twist on its way. I note his odds have dropped massively, I can see this being King Kev in the hot seat with Shearer as his number two.

 

Yawn.

[OldNick]

Jeez, you guys are nuts! There is very little influence he could have over the Swindon game by taking training for a couple of days. If NC has pulled the deal because NA wanted to go home to pick up some clothes etc and say goodbye then you have to question how much he really wanted him. In my opinion neither NA or NC would behave in this way. If the Deal was agreed, NA would need to make arrangements as to where to stay and so on so doubt he would be in a position to take training 8 hours after signing on the dotted line.

 

FFS people will believe any old rubbish on here!

You think that 2 days on the training pitch , getting to know the players and go through some routines, is worse than having a new man in place our squad turning up to training expecting to meet the new man only to be told 'He doesn't want to meet you yet he thinks saying goodbye to his old team is more important'

I doubt he would make a massive difference, but any would be important. Again we dont know if this is truly the case but if so, a mistake.

[del boy]

Hows this for conspiracy theory - maybe NA came down for an interview and then....wait for it....went back home because the interview was over

 

Take your time to consider all the applicants? pah, crazy!!

[Dr Who?]

NEW SAINTS MANAGER – KEVIN KEEGAN?

 

What a smoke screen from Cortese, unbelievable day – my cousin who works at Southampton Airport has just texted me to say Kevin Keegan is in Costa coffee there. Seems to me there could be another twist on its way. I note his odds have dropped massively, I can see this being King Kev in the hot seat with Shearer as his number two.

 

I love Costa and until this week, i did not even know that the airport had one!! Now it comes up in many posts. Shame I live in Royston!

[for_heaven's_Saint]

NEW SAINTS MANAGER – KEVIN KEEGAN?

 

What a smoke screen from Cortese, unbelievable day – my cousin who works at Southampton Airport has just texted me to say Kevin Keegan is in Costa coffee there. Seems to me there could be another twist on its way. I note his odds have dropped massively, I can see this being King Kev in the hot seat with Shearer as his number two.

 

**** off

[DT]

NEW SAINTS MANAGER – KEVIN KEEGAN?

 

What a smoke screen from Cortese, unbelievable day – my cousin who works at Southampton Airport has just texted me to say Kevin Keegan is in Costa coffee there. Seems to me there could be another twist on its way. I note his odds have dropped massively, I can see this being King Kev in the hot seat with Shearer as his number two.

shouldn't you be getting back to processing the betting slips?

[theyin]

who is he?