Adkins appointed

[Spudders]

Would have voted no compared to my expectations a few weeks ago, however as the last week or so has progressed, and after hearing Adkins speak, he seems a good man and I do have a good feeling he'll be with us for some time into the future which is exactly what we need. Therefore he gets my vote.

[rallyboy]

not the glamorous appointment I was hoping for but he seems to be an educated man who has done very well thus far so I'm prepared to give him at least twenty minutes before ripping out my season ticket stubs and shouting abuse from beneath a pile of stewards.

 

This whole escapade can be judged in May.

 

Difficult to identify good managers from a CV - Tony Adams, Bryan Robson - two great leaders who learned the game under brilliant managers - whoops.

 

 

I note that even as he announced the new manager Cortese made sure he reminded Bournemouth that their version of events looks shaky.

The spin gives the overlooked Howe some street cred on his own patch, but not much elsewhere.

[landford.saint]

As FF has alread stated, to predict how this season/Adkins will turn out is mostly guesswork with a small amount of intuition/knowledge thrown in. Adkins does appear to have all the right credentials to get us promotion. How long will it take him to 'bed-in' (maybe the wrong term in this situation). However we have seen other mmanagers parachuted into clubs in dire straights late in seasons and seen them survive. At least Adkins has 7/8's of the season left to run. Still plenty of time for promotion if he has all the attributes that we all hope he has. This club is never boring I'll give it that.

[northam soul]

Interesting comment from cortese about how we didnt have a high calibre of applications the last time round, was that a dig at Pardew.

Lets hope Adkins can get us up and running at MK this week and i look forward to another new era.

[Saint_John]

IMO I think this will turn out to be a very good appointment.

 

If only we could get to the old databases, I remember posting on here in late Jan 2008 (before we appointed Nigel Pearson) that Nigel Adkins would be a good choice because his teams play good football.

They play as a TEAM, the way it should be played with lots of players making runs off the ball, and less reliance on individual play. Whether the players are fit enough after their poor pre-season is another question.

[Colinjb]

In the poll I voted yes.

 

This was however just as much due to the relief that we have someone definitive in charge again rather then any real belief in his managerial credentials.

[Lets B Avenue]

As a supporter of a 3rd division side (and a not-very-good one at that) I am delighted with this appointment.

 

The fact that "Charlie Wayman" is firking of to The Gooners is cause for double celebration.

 

Good riddance.

[SaintRichmond]

Will Pulis get a chance under Adkins? This will be his 4th manager.

 

The Acid Test

 

Does Nigel put him in the Squad for Wednesday or not ????

[Topcat]

In the poll I voted yes.

This was however just as much due to the relief that we have someone definitive in charge again rather then any real belief in his managerial credentials.

 

Very true.

[Toomer]

I voted unsure as I feel that if we do not get promotion this season we will be looking for another Manager next summer, hope I am proved wrong. But needles to say I will get right behind Nigel and the team.

[Webby]

I've not questioned anything that NC has said or done but this has made me curious: "..a very high volume and quality of applications, the majority of which came from well respected managers currently working in the top two divisions of English football and abroad."

 

So, I want to know who are these Prem League managers that applied. It would be very dodgy for that statement to be factually incorrect.

[Webby]

I've not questioned anything that NC has said or done but this has made me curious: "..a very high volume and quality of applications, the majority of which came from well respected managers currently working in the top two divisions of English football and abroad."

 

So, I want to know who are these Prem League managers that applied. It would be very dodgy for that statement to be factually incorrect.

 

Reading it again, it would be true even if only the abroad managers were in the top div I guess.

[buctootim]

I've not questioned anything that NC has said or done but this has made me curious: "..a very high volume and quality of applications, the majority of which came from well respected managers currently working in the top two divisions of English football and abroad."

 

So, I want to know who are these Prem League managers that applied. It would be very dodgy for that statement to be factually incorrect.

 

That statement doesnt say any premiership managers applied.

[DT]

I've not questioned anything that NC has said or done but this has made me curious: "..a very high volume and quality of applications, the majority of which came from well respected managers currently working in the top two divisions of English football and abroad."

 

So, I want to know who are these Prem League managers that applied. It would be very dodgy for that statement to be factually incorrect.

Not sure a FOI request would get it. Doubt we'll ever know. But I must say I read that statement and thought it was really petty, and almost passive aggressive. It does not reflect well on Cortese, who has more than a touch of the Rupert in his relationship with the press etc. I'm imagining him tearing off his mask at the end of Scooby Doo to reveal his real Lowe identity and saying 'I'd have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you fans'

[Topcat]

So I am one of the 7.93% who thinks this is a disaster for Saints and typically another deal done on the cheap. I'll stick to my prediction that this is a sticking plaster job so that Cortese can tie up all the loos ends before he clears off in January with the club up for sale thereafter.

Not feeling as negative, but the scale of what Adkins has to do to win automatic promotion does need to be quantified. It is worse because of the appalling start.

 

1. A win ratio of 60%.

2, A draw ratio of 25%

3. Only lose 15% of games.

Would get us to 88 points. Previous 5 years, 2nd slot needed 79 to 89 points.

 

The win ratio (I believe) is better than any other Saints Mgr record.

[Sour Mash]

That statement doesnt say any premiership managers applied.

 

Exactly. it's worded in a way that actually tells us very little at all.

[carljack]

I voted unsure as I feel that if we do not get promotion this season we will be looking for another Manager next summer, hope I am proved wrong. But needles to say I will get right behind Nigel and the team.

 

It all depends on whether we have become a poor side overnight (I do not think we have) or maybe we need to find a couple of wide speed merchants ASAP we miss Papa and Antonio Big Time! if he can get players in on loan ASAP we might still make the Play Offs,this is why I am also in the unsure camp.

[Webby]

Widely known? ........

 

The OS said the club had: "..a very high volume and quality of applications, the majority of which came from well respected managers currently working in the top two divisions of English football and abroad." It is widely understood that there were some 30 applicants, with two from clubs currently in the Prem.

[saintbletch]

Not feeling as negative, but the scale of what Adkins has to do to win automatic promotion does need to be quantified. It is worse because of the appalling start.

 

1. A win ratio of 60%.

2, A draw ratio of 25%

3. Only lose 15% of games.

Would get us to 88 points. Previous 5 years, 2nd slot needed 79 to 89 points.

 

The win ratio (I believe) is better than any other Saints Mgr record.

 

Good stats. You 100% need to get out more.

 

Agreed though, it does looks scary when you put it like that.

 

Not sure how I feel about the appointment to be honest. Pleased we're no longer rudder-less. Quite excited that NA looks like a footballing purist and seems to have 'something'. Concerned that his success at Scunny was down to the fact that he had nothing to lose and was known, and probably liked and respected by everyone at the club already.

 

Good luck Nigel.

Edited 13 September, 2010 by saintbletch
typo

[ottery st mary]

Not my cup of tea and voted accordingly......but WILL CHEER HIM AND THE SIDE ON THROUGHOUT...

 

I will STILL be praying for our Nige..I want him and the club to be back up there..

 

I am a Saints supporter and invariably back the manager ,CEO and players/staff 100%........

 

Sorry was against Rupes from day one and his idiotic selections...Dutch treat etc..

 

I wish Nigel Adkins and our team lots of great results and a rapid rise up the league(s)

 

Best of luck Uncle Nige.......

 

Saints please tell me the truth......You said you will keep Sir Less AWAY from Ist team affairs?

 

I hope that is a TRUE statement and without any conditions.......Nigel is a big boy and must be the Manager/coach all the way..

 

Nigel Adkins deserves a chance to crack on with his new job..WITHOUT INTERFERENCE OR MEDDLING.

 

Come on you Saints....

 

WIFM

[saint lard]

I voted unsure as I feel that if we do not get promotion this season we will be looking for another Manager next summer, hope I am proved wrong. But needles to say I will get right behind Nigel and the team.

my sentiments also,hence i voted unsure.

[Ian the Red]

It really is quite amazing that fans are already criticising NA, his apointment and his ability. Surely he needs to be given a chance. I would expect a performnace from the players on Wednesday, they are now playing for their places, hopefully will have a clear idea of tactics, will know how NA wants them to play. He willneed a few weeks to identify what he needs to compliment the squad through loans. Give him a chance!!

 

As for the comments concerning the magitude of the job NA has to complete this season let's put it into prespective. Last season after 5 games we had -8 points and were around 15-18 points off the play offs and at least 23 points off top team Leeds. This season we are mere 8 points from the top and 6 points from the play offs with a game in hand. Automatic promotion is definitely feasible; it is simple: get behind Nigel Adkins, the team , the Chairman and the Club and enjoy this promotion season. As for the moaners, ignore them and hope they do what Charlie Wayman has done - f£$% off!!

[Minsk]

On the surface i can see why many people are underwhelmed, but i think people need to take a step back and assess the situation in its entirety without giving quick knee-jerked views. (Which i have been guilty of in the past few weeks, i will hold my hands up to that now)

 

It seems clear to me now that the Pardew sacking was not planned; i think we all assumed it was at the time and that's why there was a lot of anger and frustration vented. I think it's fair to say that Nicola was probably put in an extremely difficult situation, a situation he didn't really want to find himself in so soon after the death of such a close friend and colleague in Markus.

 

It seems to me that the appointment of Adkins is well thought out and a lot of time has been taken into ensuring that the right man takes this club forward, and sometimes the experienced names aren't always the best option. WGS was a ''big name'' appointment at Middlesbrough, but it's not really worked out for him for one reason or another - so appointing an experienced name doesn’t' always guarantee success.

 

I think Adkins has proven he's competent, intelligent and forward-thinking in his approach to management and I feel that approach could work really well here. Looking at Scvnthorpe’s squad, how he’s managed to keep them in the championship - and competitive - is a downright miracle and he's got to have something about him to have achieved that.

 

I'm quite excited by his appointment, he seems enthusiastic and very passionate for the job here and people say the managers thoughts often transfer to the way the team play - i hope we can see the results of this soon.

 

All in all, it's a good, solid appointment. Some people will see it as a gamble, but i largely don't see it in that way. All of the current ''big'' managers got their big break somewhere - let's hope this is Adkins chance as i believe he has a big future.

 

Great post. Very well put.

 

As the days have gone by I have been thinking more and more that if NA wasn't appointed we would be missing out on him. I'm glad he his here. Come on Nigel, show us all what you're made of!

[Flyer]

I've not questioned anything that NC has said or done but this has made me curious: "..a very high volume and quality of applications, the majority of which came from well respected managers currently working in the top two divisions of English football and abroad."

 

So, I want to know who are these Prem League managers that applied. It would be very dodgy for that statement to be factually incorrect.

 

I was told Avram Grant and Ian Holloway.

[alpine_saint]

Why are some of you making comments about "looking for another manager in the summer" ?

 

NC has clearly had his fingers burnt over Pardew's contract, especially if he had to go and explain the need for more money to the Liebherr family, yet he has offered Adkins a 3 year contract. This suggests to me that NC is VERY confident that Adkins is going to work out. And he had the time this time round to really think it over it seems.

 

Seems to me to be good news all round, just hope Adkins can connect to the team very quickly.

[SaintRichmond]

Not feeling as negative, but the scale of what Adkins has to do to win automatic promotion does need to be quantified. It is worse because of the appalling start.

 

1. A win ratio of 60%.

2, A draw ratio of 25%

3. Only lose 15% of games.

Would get us to 88 points. Previous 5 years, 2nd slot needed 79 to 89 points.

 

The win ratio (I believe) is better than any other Saints Mgr record.

 

Worst case scenario Aiming for Sixth

 

S Weds are currently 6th, with 10 points from 6 matches

Saints are currently 22nd, with 4 points from 5 matches

 

SO, we are 6 points from our Minimim Goal, with a game in hand

 

Doesn't look quite so bad IMHO

 

Winning on Weds is vital though

[rudi-skacel]

this early into the season and people are saying we wont get promoted,UNBELIEVABLE,look at what norwich done last season.to many pessamists on here.

[SaintRichmond]

I was told Avram Grant and Ian Holloway.

 

 

Both West Ham and Blackpool's Chairmen must be really chuffed about that

[Saint Keith]

wholly underwhelmed

[SparkySaint]

if we win the next three games, which I think is very possible, then we'll be fine. Its easier to chase than be chased

[Ian the Red]

Worst case scenario Aiming for Sixth

 

S Weds are currently 6th, with 10 points from 6 matches

Saints are currently 22nd, with 4 points from 5 matches

 

SO, we are 6 points from our Minimim Goal, with a game in hand

 

Doesn't look quite so bad IMHO

 

Winning on Weds is vital though

 

Another point missed by many is that Leeds won their first 9 games, Norwich went on a winning run that was immense; no one this season has pulled away - until Nigel Adkins red n white army go on a 41 league game unbeaten run!!!!!

[buctootim]

Seems to me to be good news all round, just hope Adkins can connect to the team very quickly.

 

Good news indeed. Given our poor start and the team obviously misfiring currently, cant help but think getting into the playoffs this year would be success, (although Id expect us to end the season strongly and be favourites for promotion from playoffs) .

[up and away]

To write someone off without giving them a chance is madness.

To predict he will be a massive success again madness.

 

He will need time to settle and get to know the players unfortunately, which will mean promotion is nothing like as assured as it was (even if it was).

 

My big fear is that he turns out to be really good and then is poached by a Prem club before we get a chance to once more challenge for a place amid the elite.

 

I like the sound of him, he is obviously intelligent, I like it that his teams play football and as long as he is allowed to manage without undue interferance then maybe we can once and for all put this ridiculous managerial merry-go-round to bed.

 

You must check under the bed every night for undue interference, because most of this is coming from your own imagination. Just because Lowe gave Poortvliet a list of players that could not be used if they insisted upon their playing bonus or could be relied upon to still be there, it's not interference when the club is free falling towards administration, it's common sense. As with Cortese when he tells his manager that the top, top priority is promotion, nothing else really matters. The fact Cortese is Italian and we sign players from that country does not mean interference, especially when the manager knew all about the player for ages before hand and was singing his praises. The fact the manager kept explaining to the press he wanted to wait until the quality players became free on he transfer market, rather than jump in immediately sounds very much his own idea when you look in detail.

 

Adkins is the very practical solution to the job we have in hand, to get out of this league. A proven commodity who I expect will take a very practical approach of getting out of this league. Not planning for a CCC squad, but primarily of getting out of this league. No idea how he will turn out long term, but perfect for the job in hand.

[Topcat]

Just because Lowe gave Poortvliet a list of players that could not be used if they insisted upon their playing bonus or could be relied upon to still be there, it's not interference when the club is free falling towards administration, it's common sense.

 

It was not good business sense. A team competing in the Championship would have had gates 5k higher which would have more than covered the extra appearance money. Admin came in when we were doomed for relegation.

[buctootim]

Anyway, Adkins will have to do remarkably well to produce a worse few games than Wilkins won't he. No goals, from a squad boasting quite a few goalscorers, no points, basically no clue.

 

2 wins this week, even a draw and win, and we'll be back on track. Normally I'd want to win wednesday, but I think even a draw to immediately stop the ridiculous 'obvious loss' mentality of recent games would be alright.

 

Wilkins hasn't had any goalscorers though. RL totally off form, Lallana injured and Barnard banned. With those three in the side and playing to ability, results would have been very diffrent.

[SO5 4BW]

Good news - above all because Adkins is the sort of manager who will (hopefully) stay around for a while - and what the club is crying out for is stability

 

Some stats - in the twelve seasons 1999/2000 to 2010/2011 we've changed manager mid-season in NINE of them

In those same seasons we've only had three single-figure finishes in the league. Any guesses which ones...?

 

Or decades - 1960s 1 manager; 1970s 2; 1980s 2; 1990s 6; 2000s; 12.

 

In many ways it really doesn't matter WHO the manager is (within reason - Gray, Wigley etc), so long as he STAYS

 

All the best Nigel - hope you're still here at the end of your contract

[Pip]

I don't understand this "we need an experienced prem manager" business. we have taken on a young, intelligent manager who has the ability to change tactics to suit the opposition etc, is very enthusiastic and keen to learn. He will get us out of this division because he's done it before and then back to the Prem, by which time he will be more experienced and know his team inside out. All managers are "inexperienced" in the Prem when they first get there but having a secure, stable club behind them when they arrive must be an advantage.

 

The more I think about it the more I like this appointment. I'm optimistic for the first time in months. Good luck Nigel.

[View From The Top]

Snap. Paul Sturrock springs to mind.

 

Sturrock was managing a L1 team when we were in the EPL.

 

Adkins is managing a NPC team whilst we are in L1.

 

Prehaps you are one of our dillusional fans who thinks were are still in the EPL and should have appointed MON?

[georgeweahscousin]

Thoughts in my blog for Shoot magazine.

 

http://www.shoot.co.uk/news/latest_article/C52/latest_news/southampton_land_new_manager

[martel]

Just got up, logged on and read the news, please, please, please, no more drama for Saints, just good football, winning games and getting promoted.

[Turkish]

I don't understand this "we need an experienced prem manager" business. we have taken on a young, intelligent manager who has the ability to change tactics to suit the opposition etc, is very enthusiastic and keen to learn. He will get us out of this division because he's done it before and then back to the Prem, by which time he will be more experienced and know his team inside out. All managers are "inexperienced" in the Prem when they first get there but having a secure, stable club behind them when they arrive must be an advantage.

 

The more I think about it the more I like this appointment. I'm optimistic for the first time in months. Good luck Nigel.

 

I do, it comes from one the ones that are unrealistic and deluded. Who think just because we may have a few quid we should offer every player and manager we want Man City wages and everyone in the world wants to join us.

[View From The Top]

. I've already posted my request for a refund on my ST for what' s left of this season. I'm out of here

 

The good news just keeps on coming.

[derry]

Since seeing S****horpe play here three years ago I have followed Nigel Atkins managing record. For me for the last 18 months he has been the standout overachiever in the lower divisions. Not only is he extremely well qualified, he comes over as highly intelligent. I have hated the sort of narrow crappy hoofball adopted by Pardew and was delighted when he went. I am now looking forward to decent players no longer underperforming in a straitjacket of a team and encouraged to get out and play across the whole pitch. Being an ex goalkeeper I wonder how long it will be before Bart or someone else is brought in or Davis changes his style if he is able to. I am looking forward to going to SMS and seeing a team playing proper football using all the pitch.

[Alain Perrin]

It was not good business sense. A team competing in the Championship would have had gates 5k higher which would have more than covered the extra appearance money. Admin came in when we were doomed for relegation.

 

ORLY? In Lowe's day the club said the average ticket price was £14 (once you take into account OAPs, kids, comps etc.)

 

5000 * £14 gives you a mere £35000 per game which doesn't go very far when you've got people on £12K per week. Granted we don't know what their appearance / goal bonuses were but they weren't going to be £50 of M&S vouchers and a Mars Bar.

 

We went bust because of a bounced cheque of £small - we were that close to the bone. Lowe's interference in the playing side was inevitable and not doing so would have been a dereliction of duty.

[rudi-skacel]

anyway won't barnard be back soon

[OldNick]

If you understand win percentages mean nothing, you wouldn't have commented on the 42%.

 

It's very poor with Chelsea for example, average with Villa, poor with Saints in League 1, excellent with Saints in the top flight, poor with scunny in League 1, but good with scunny in the championship.

 

Overall it's ********. Surely no-one can have any doubt he's done an outstanding job at a very small club with little budget? We bang on about it all the time when it's missing, but he's someone who might actually get us playing to potential, and it's a long time since a manager got the squad playing consistently to potential. That's always the frustrating thing with saints, it's usually a complete mess rather than a simplistic 'not good enough'.

Of course I understand win %'s and how they can be skewed but 42% is still average if you factor in Scunny's low budget etc. He has done very well at a small club, but that tells us nothing about his capabilities at a larger club.

My feelings are that it would have been the same gamble taking Howe on who has IMo achieved as much with far more constraints, and is younger and perhaps more steely to give the so called stars a kick.

From the bit i know of Howe he is not to be messed with and is very determined to make it big.

[OldNick]

Since seeing S****horpe play here three years ago I have followed Nigel Atkins managing record. For me for the last 18 months he has been the standout overachiever in the lower divisions. Not only is he extremely well qualified, he comes over as highly intelligent. I have hated the sort of narrow crappy hoofball adopted by Pardew and was delighted when he went. I am now looking forward to decent players no longer underperforming in a straitjacket of a team and encouraged to get out and play across the whole pitch. Being an ex goalkeeper I wonder how long it will be before Bart or someone else is brought in or Davis changes his style if he is able to. I am looking forward to going to SMS and seeing a team playing proper football using all the pitch.

We all wish for more width but that is not the major problem as we were winning plenty under AP with his game. the difference now is the pace of Antoinio and theunpredictablilty of Waigo is missed. I laugh at the constant dig at KD, you will in time be able to say you are right when a KD makes a gaff (all keepers are prone to it) but go back and look at the match reports over the last 3 seasons and you will see time and again 'fantastic stop by Kelvin' etc etc.

Adding that you were a keeper means nothing, you may be brilliant at it or utter sh## doesn't mean you know the whole game, and if you believe that to be the case, i was a midfielder and attacker and so my thoughts on that override yours.I doubt you would agree in that case though. Paverotti was a wonderful singer, i didn't need to sing at the Albert hall to realise that.

[Leicestersaint]

A very good appointment - mark my words!

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Since seeing S****horpe play here three years ago I have followed Nigel Atkins managing record. For me for the last 18 months he has been the standout overachiever in the lower divisions. Not only is he extremely well qualified, he comes over as highly intelligent. I have hated the sort of narrow crappy hoofball adopted by Pardew and was delighted when he went. I am now looking forward to decent players no longer underperforming in a straitjacket of a team and encouraged to get out and play across the whole pitch. Being an ex goalkeeper I wonder how long it will be before Bart or someone else is brought in or Davis changes his style if he is able to. I am looking forward to going to SMS and seeing a team playing proper football using all the pitch.

 

Well said.

[Topcat]

ORLY? In Lowe's day the club said the average ticket price was £14 (once you take into account OAPs, kids, comps etc.)

 

5000 * £14 gives you a mere £35000 per game which doesn't go very far when you've got people on £12K per week. Granted we don't know what their appearance / goal bonuses were but they weren't going to be £50 of M&S vouchers and a Mars Bar.

 

We went bust because of a bounced cheque of £small - we were that close to the bone. Lowe's interference in the playing side was inevitable and not doing so would have been a dereliction of duty.

 

You omit the extras which bring it up to well over £50k for 5,000. Appearance money for CC would be in the range of £3k to £7k so at an average of £5k we get 10 players appearance money.