What d'you think of nigel Adkins now

[dune]

Most people on here were happy when he was appointed, but there were some who were disapointed - it's footie we're all entitled to have a view.

 

He's been in for a couple of weeks and he's managed to get that side I saw at Swindon playing like a team, and winning games. Now that is a big achievement in such a short period because we were woeful, so that says to me that NA is a motivator and a man who tries to instill his hungry ambition into the team. You cannot transform perormances so quickly on the training ground, we have seen a mental improvement above all else,

 

That is why I so wanted AP out last season and was glad Nicole fired him. I don't like Pardew much as a person anyway because he always comes accross as having the arrogance of a manager that considered himself a member of an elite circle of managers - part of the cream of the crop and we should've been grateful and unquestioning of him as he'd lowered himself from his natural level to manage little Southampton and I felt that he wasn't hungry for success like he would have been in his early days - it happens all the time with managers be they football managers of managers in a factory who've done 20 years - they slow down and reach a point where they get stuck in their ways and stubborn - We lost points last season at places like Brighton because Pardew had selected a crazy team and system and he wasn't going to change it because he'd have sooner bitten off his nose to spite his face rather than make the necessary and oh so obvious alterations that would've benefitted SFC and fans were calling for, he left things not woring and hoped something would come from nothing so as not to dent his grossly inflated ego. It was at this point that I thought he had to go because it was so clear with that attitude he didn't have the old fire in his belly to win at all costs - it almost seemed to have become chor and he was comparable to an old boy plodding along and counting the days till retirement watching that chink of light through the tunnel get slowly bigger and brighter, and as he became less and less hungry the players would have sensed it and mirrored him just like poor employees in any environment are a reflection their managers. There is of course the Italian argument and they do OK with old managers and you can cite fergie as getting by, but it is still a fact a high numbers of managers in any environment burn out early.

 

With NA we have got just the sort of manager I have wanted for a long time. English and desperate to deliver for the fans and the chairman and for himself and his squad - he wants all of us to buy into a positive can do attitude and I like that a lot - that is the way of the world now and with NA we are like a state of the art ship with a captain who knows what nobs to press, and he has got where he has from being a decent and loyal manager at Scunny and hasn't forged his managerial career on the back of a playing career as such, he's worked tirelessly and done it the hard way and you have got to admire any man who reaches a high point from a lower than average start point that has so many more obstacles to negotiate - that shows desire and focus driven by a feeling of wanting to be the best by doing things the best way.

 

I really do think we now have a manager that can get on with the chairman (as they're both from the same modern school of business), and staff and players and fans as we all admire NA teams for their unstinting effort, and the players will play with a smile on their faces as NA thrives on pressure and will absorb it and turn it into positive energy turning our team into a slick match winning machine that is confident and wily.

 

Won Drew Won in the last 3 games - Welldone Nigel - That is a very impressive turnaround - everyone involved should feel proud of what they have achieved and now show that we can take the small step from being a good team and become a clinical steamroller that respects any given opposition but never fears playing anyone at home or away. A team that thrives on ripping into a team that comes to St marys to sit behind the ball - that is our achiles heel, and therefore it can be a huge advantage if we learn how to exploit teams sent out with a negative attitude and like the likes of Man U and Chelsea we should be looking for three goal cushions and sending a message out to try something different and when they do hit them even harder to make it even more difficult to prepare for a trip to St Marys. Leeds did this and the only way of playing them was by matching their quality and going for their throats. SMS has got a bit of a reputation as a ground Saints don't like playing at - and I think that's fair comment. Banishing the ghosts and mending the achiles heel of breaking down defensive teams will be the key factor this season on whether we finnish in the top two or not and we can beat it simply by playing good football - it's not rocket science - it's a simple game and I think this is what NA will be emphasising and encouraging the team to work as a confident happy unit - that is all there is to it, tactics and all the other peripheral details pale into insignificance in comparison. Bill Shankly used to say here's the ball, now play with it. I like manages like that, although with NA I can see it being a bit more technical that that, but essentially I see in NA an old school motivator but with a few more strings to his bow. He is going places IMO and I hope it's with us.

Edited 5 October, 2010 by dune

[NickG]

so far..

 

impressed. when interviews has identified issues. Showed he would take on players if they didn't play his way - taking off Harding and Puncheon (was it?) when they didn't play wide. Changed the shape with Fonte going into RB position when KD has the ball.

 

Last 4 games - P4 W2 D2 L0 F4 A1

 

Won't be far off if we carry on like that.

[dubai_phil]

An opinion which also calls into question a different issue on the forum of late.

 

Has NC pulled off a gem?

 

Still too early to say, but as Nick mentions, the clear but simple change in the shape of the team, the width and the lack of hoofball, all areas that we as fans "had issues with" seem to have been resoleved.

 

The CB's pulling wide to receive the ball isn't rocket science, just shows that NA possibly watched Spain in the WC and LEARNT.

 

For me it is that last word that will define whether he will be a real success, as I am not sure that AP ever "took onboard the lessons in a game" and simply stuck with the same formula.

 

I await the time when NA needs a plan B during a game, but so far I have seen much needed change and it looked damned good on Saturday. Still early days but I am still happy to be in the whelmed category at his appointment

[ToreSF]

Nigel Adkins seems to have a few more strings to play on. Very happy to have him!

[Teddy Nutkins]

The man has acted with dignity and intelligence from day one of him being linked with us.I expected a bigger name to manage us, but i am pleasently suprised how far we have come with him and Crosby in such a short time.

 

Rickie Lambert as we all know has struggled so far, for whatever reason.Saturday i saw the famous old "green-shoots", of improvement in what i believe to be a slightly different role.To me he appears when we play 2 up to play much deeper than last season,which means we pass the ball through him, linking the midfield and therefore playing a more passing game than the big hoof up to his head.Rickie's first touch is still not there yet, but i am hopeful.

 

Nigel Adkins appears to be the right man at the right time and i for one are happy.The first 20 minutes of Saturday's first half, from both sides, were the best i have seen in a long while, long may it continue.

[John B]

I think Adkins will do very well he seems intelligent and modern in his approach

 

Although I felt it was harsh on Pardew when he was sacked I never really felt that he was the man for SFC despite loads of fans thinking differently.

 

In fact I was pretty ****ed off with all the comments in Pardew we trust he did OK but felt that he could have done better with the players he had at his disposal

[JustMike]

1st impressions are all positive but as we all know in football its results based. I was pleased when he signed and the way the team is beginning to play is good. But the real test will come when we are 1-0 down away from home on a shocking pitch and his passing style isnt working.

[dune]

I think the immediate test has just materialised with players and drinking. That needs nipping in the bud. It seems they have been given responsibility they are not fit to manage themselves, so it's up to NA to manage them 24/7 until they become more responsible. We're a team and and even if only a couple stepped out of line, the whole squad should feel the ramificaions - that can innitially cause some disharmony, but in the long run it'll breed togetherness and a collective spirit because if anyone steps out of line in the future they'll be not just be letting themselves down, but their team mates too. And this fear will lead to leadership and responsibiliy manifesting throughout the squad - it is what is known as professionalism and it is what makes a man. It was this that turned an average squad into a good squad under Strachan - we all saw that it worked a treat then, so it would work a treat again.

Edited 5 October, 2010 by dune

[dubai_phil]

Solely in the context of

 

New manager Syndrome....

 

Would you rather be a Saints fan or a Liverpool fan today?

 

Had to lol last night when my youngest (brainwashed into being a Liverpool fan by the ex & her family) came up with this gem...

 

Wish we'd had the foresight to bring Adkins in....

 

(And yes I know Hodgson had many many more problems and yes I know it would be too big a jump from Scunny but it was funny after the past weeks)

[Dellman]

'nipping in the bud'? you mean the night club drinking and all that is new? I doubt it ,and PA will have a helluva job to stop it. How can you control the habits of grown men, its hard enough with kids

[alpine_saint]

Low-key manager who seems to have what is really needed - getting his existing players performing and sticking to a plan, rather than splashing money about.

 

I agree - the sort of manager we have been crying out for.

[georgeweahscousin]

Impressed.

 

Talks the talk in interviews, then delivers it on the pitch. I think we have the genuine article, I just hope we back him in January and give him the time required to get us where we want to be.

[lordswoodsaints]

I will still maintain that we will be looking for another manager before his contract expires (probably next summer)......there is obviously still a problem with fitness and discipline and things are not as rosy behind the scenes as some think.

[Wes Tender]

Early days yet, but on the face of it a bold and imaginative appointment that has the potential to be a masterstroke if it comes off. Of course it was a gamble, but Adkins is a rarity in the game, somebody with lots of intelligence and qualifications in skills that should be a real benefit to the team, his knowledge of motivational skills and background as a physio. He comes across as unassuming and fair, likeable and grounded. The players seem to respect him and his abilities and he appears to have turned around shattered confidences in the squad in a short time. If we're still moving in the same direction by the turn of the year, then things will be looking very bright and optimistic for us.

[westmidlandsaint]

OK i am more than happy to say I was wrong. I wasn't wowed by Adkins when linked I did think a so called bigger name would be better at the time I would have gone for MoN/Keegan/Shearer over Adkins.

But I have been really impressed so far with Adkins, he seems to know what he is on about, he comes across brilliantly in interviews doesn't have the ummmmm's and errrrr's every time he's asked a question like AP. He seems intelligent and I agree with the OP that he seems someone that Cortese will get on with and is more in his mould.

Time will tell but I believe Cortese may have pulled off a gem, I just hope that some of Cortese's critics may get off his back a little if NA does prove to be a gem.

[West End Saint]

I was sorry to see Pards go but was happy with the appointment with NA so far very impressed like the way we are moving the ball I am starting to believe he will get this season back on track.

 

Keep up the good work Nige

[Foxstone]

Very impressed by him:

 

 

NA is clearly a good tactician and an effective coach but more importantly he thinks and he motivates !

 

I also subscribe to Dune's view that his hunger for success will drive and motivate him !

 

He is indeed a very good choice.

[Badger]

I will still maintain that we will be looking for another manager before his contract expires (probably next summer)......there is obviously still a problem with fitness and discipline and things are not as rosy behind the scenes as some think.

 

Depends entirely on a promotion, or not.

 

So far,so good as far as NA is concerned in my book. Although I agree with you about fitness and issues behind the scene,these are not of NA's making, although inevitably he is likely to be judged on how he overcomes them.

[Goalie66]

I think that Adkins is a bright intelligent and forward looking manager. No complaints whatsoever. I also thought that Pardew did a fantastic job in turning a losing team around and to get us to Wembley as well as getting us close to the playoffs. If , as Pardew claims, he was dismissed for footballing reasons and not for a serious breach of conduct, then Adkins , as with all managers is on borrowed time. Cortese wants results and wo betide those who do not deliver. But as we all know in football, only very rarely do things go to plan !!!

[JackFrost]

Very encouraged by the start he's made

[Special K]

He's presented himself very well and seems like a decent manager. His team management and selection has been good and his influence is already noticeable. I am pleasantly suprised by what he has done thus far, but i hope that he gets the chance to blossom further under NC's rule.

[doddisalegend]

So far he is doing ok nothing spectacular but he had steady the ship somewhat. I think he will do well for us once he gets in his stride, I'm still concerened about a lack of goals from open play from a team that last season where knocking them in for fun but our striker situation isn't helping that. I was very dissapointed to see AP go but Nigel seems to be a good replacement. Based on his first few matches I think we will have less off days with Nigel than we did with AP but I also think we will also have fewer of those big free scoring wins a lot more 1-0 nils as oppossed to 3-1s I think.

 

Oh and I wish he wouldn't say "well listen" quite so much in interviews other than that so far I'm happy.

[Weston Saint]

I will still maintain that we will be looking for another manager before his contract expires (probably next summer)......there is obviously still a problem with fitness and discipline and things are not as rosy behind the scenes as some think.

I think he wil be here for a long term. Of course he has to earn the respect of the more senior players but he appears to be going about it the right way.

 

He seems to be working on fitness. His comments on Saturday about respecting the ref suggests he sees discipline as a way forward. However you cannot just come in and change everything from day 1. His way is for his team to evolve and the Barnard situation will hopefully bring that home to squad.

 

Cortese will want this to work. The Pardew issue has not helped his credibility. He will make sure Adkins gets what he wants (within budget restaints)

 

So far so good. Best man for the job for me.

[shurlock]

Agree with the spirit of the OP, let's see where we are on Nov 2 after we've negotiated another six games including three tough away trips. Let's also see if we can start scoring more freely especially now that Barnard is a concern but I've rated NA from day one.

[thesaint78]

Seems to have worked wonders with our defence, 1 goal conceded in 4 games and that was a penalty.

[Saint Billy]

Done really well so far but still early days. If he can beat the xmas jinx then I will really be won over.

[rooney]

I must say that the football we played last Saturday V Bournemouth was the best I have seen us for a very long time. Even Kelvin has been made to throw the ball out more rather than hoof it upfield to nobody. At one stage in the second half, Seabourne was shaping for a hoof but must have heard his managers words in his ears, and changed this to a pass out of defence.

[Shroppie]

Impressed so far. He seems intelligent, knows how he wants the team to play and can get that through to them and has the ability to change things during a game if needs be. Think he's also getting the respect of the players but I'll be interested to see how he deals with LB once we actually know what his involvement was.

[stthrobber]

I will still maintain that we will be looking for another manager before his contract expires (probably next summer)......there is obviously still a problem with fitness and discipline and things are not as rosy behind the scenes as some think.

 

Well, when Strachan came in, it took several weeks for him to get the players fit and results to turn after a disastrous start to the season, so I wouldn't expect any improvement to be gradual rather than instant.

 

I don't suppose you'd care to elaborate about your "not as rosy" comments? I'm not going to bandy round the ITK thingy, but I would be interested to know where you are coming from with that

[Brussels Saint]

So far so good and I was one of the ones who originally wanted a bigger name. Have not been to SMS yet to see in person a NA team but hope to rectify that soon. Reports from those in the stadium so far sound really encouraging.

 

Hoping to be able to say I was wrong on this one and so far it seems I was (Hooray!)

[Bartosz Bialkowski]

He is winning me around, keep it up and I may start going to games again.

[del boy]

The CB's pulling wide to receive the ball isn't rocket science, just shows that NA possibly watched Spain in the WC and LEARNT.

 

I have it on good authority from a mate who serves at Costas that the Spaniards had been watching S****horpe

[Under Weststand]

Very encouraged by the start he's made, he has tightened up the defence (crucial at the moment with our inability to score many goals). And not only does he want us playing good football he is demanding it from the players. To many times under AP we started a game playing good football only for some inexplicable reason to switch to hoof-ball or resorted to that when going a goal down. it may take another few weeks to get it ingrained into the players but the signs are very encouraging. Must admit to feeling a little underwhelmed by his appointment, but talking to a Scunny fan on holiday was more encouraged as he sung his praises & was gutted to lose him. he also said NA will get us playing good football. Lets hope the improvement continues.

[RedAndWhite91]

I am very happy with Adkins.

[Crispypie]

I wonder how long he'll stay

[corsacar saint]

Right man,right time,well pleased with the way things are moving forward.NA knows what he wants,and I see no reason,why he will not achieve his ambitions with us.

[saintbenny]

Very impressed by NA. Looking forward to seeing the team at my next game (Huddersfield) to see how far we have progressed. My personal feeling is that NA is a future England manager in the making....but what do I know. On a completely separate note I had an ale with he singer/song writer of the Men They Couldn't Hang on Saturday night and he told me he wrote one of his songs "Rivertown" for saints fans! Wanted it to become a terrace anthem....

 

Can't find a link for it but lyrics as follows..

 

River town you've always been a part of me

River town you flow through the heart of me

And now I Know

I love you so

River town

[Ian the Red]

Excellent OP Dune!

 

I wasn't completely sure of NA appointment but I have been very impressed so far. Not only does he talk a great deal of sense, he is obviously passionate and has a strong desire to succeed. Coming home from Yeovil last week, to hear NA comments were a real eye opener - he wasnt happy with a draw, said why and clearly stated that the players would play his way. On Saturday we saw the players holding the ball and passing much better and not giving the ball away so often - the main problem at Yeovil.

 

The real test will come when we play on an appalling pitch on a cold winter night and go 1 down, then we will see if a plan B exists........... which I do believe NA has already worked out is simply waiting to be used!!!

[Baird of the land]

He's done reasonably. A couple of wins and a couple of draws is the very least this squad of players should be delivering. Just because we had the Wilkins Zero zone before shouldn't mean we go overboard with his start. To me the real test will be the quality of his signings and where the team finishes at the end of the season. I was generally quite impressed by pardew's signings and am hopeful that it will continue with the new regime as Chaplow loan excited me.

[derry]

Nigel Adkins was my no1 choice after seeing how his team played three years ago against Saints. Ever since then I have been following his performances along with Sean O'Driscoll, Lee Clarke and latterly Eddie Howe. I hated the way Pardew played and excused some dire performances and abject tactics by blaming pitches. FFS nobody forced him to play narrow up the muddy bits. Adkins won't be doing this, on the bad pitches he'll have the team playing right out on the touchlines.

 

Since he has arrived he has addressed all the issues I had with Pardew's battering ram aerial bombardment. Width, possession, insisting that the ball isn't given back to the opposition, playing out from the back, leaving two players up defending corners, attacking corners with movement and starting outside the penalty area instead of just standing in the six yard box, Kelvin Davis trying to help out with crosses.

 

Adkins is a breath of fresh air and the football the team are trying to play will get better, slicker and quicker as they get more used to it. I'm delighted we have got rid of Pardew because I thought from early on in his tenure that he was a bull****ter that didn't have much depth or talent as a manager, unlike Nigel Adkins, and really wasn't going to take us where the management wanted to go. I personally think the major issue that the management had with Pardew, was that they hated the way he had the team playing. Markus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese were brought up watching European teams passing the ball and retaining possession and found the Davis to Lambert difficult to understand and just didn't want their team to play that way. Hence the statement in May about a more compelling style of football. It was obvious that Pardew either couldn't, wouldn't, or didn't have a clue how to deliver the passing game they wanted, which is the way Nigel Adkin's teams play and why Pardew was sacked and Adkins brought in.

[The9]

He says exactly what I'd say in interviews, so that's nice.

 

Having only seen us at home so far, the jury's out on the whole motivation thing, as anyone can claim the AFCB game could mean something (even if we're not all that bothered), and that was the minimum I'd have expected for even a plastic derby match.

 

Specific things I've liked so far :

 

1) Sensible use of Chamberlain (left out to allow the more defensive Puncheon to help negate AFCB's main weapon and best player so far Pugh on Saturday, brought on when there was space to exploit).

 

2) His ability to identify a flaw in the gameplan and work on it (don't tell me they haven't been coaching Puncheon on moving the ball on immediately after he did every time he got it on Saturday, and it meant we were attacking a disorganised defence rather than an organised back 10).

 

3) His ability to sneak tactical trends like "inverted wingers" and "false nine" / 4-6-0 formations past the man in his seat without it becoming a big deal. Both Puncheon and Lallana could have played on opposite wings just as well, and the last 10 minutes with Guly as a focal point for a 4-6-0 / 4-5-1 was just what we needed to see out the game at 2-0 up.

 

4) Most of all though, the balls to substitute Lambert and the luck to have Lallana back so quickly.

 

Oh, and seeing as I've just seen it, I don't think I agree with derry on anything about Pardew, especially the cobblers about us "playing narrow through the mud" when our usual plan was to get the ball wide at all times and cross to Lambert / Hammond coming in late.

[The boy done well]

Nigel Adkins was my no1 choice after seeing how his team played three years ago against Saints. Ever since then I have been following his performances along with Sean O'Driscoll, Lee Clarke and latterly Eddie Howe. I hated the way Pardew played and excused some dire performances and abject tactics by blaming pitches. FFS nobody forced him to play narrow up the muddy bits. Adkins won't be doing this, on the bad pitches he'll have the team playing right out on the touchlines.

 

Since he has arrived he has addressed all the issues I had with Pardew's battering ram aerial bombardment. Width, possession, insisting that the ball isn't given back to the opposition, playing out from the back, leaving two players up defending corners, attacking corners with movement and starting outside the penalty area instead of just standing in the six yard box, Kelvin Davis trying to help out with crosses.

 

Adkins is a breath of fresh air and the football the team are trying to play will get better, slicker and quicker as they get more used to it. I'm delighted we have got rid of Pardew because I thought from early on in his tenure that he was a bull****ter that didn't have much depth or talent as a manager, unlike Nigel Adkins, and really wasn't going to take us where the management wanted to go. I personally think the major issue that the management had with Pardew, was that they hated the way he had the team playing. Markus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese were brought up watching European teams passing the ball and retaining possession and found the Davis to Lambert difficult to understand and just didn't want their team to play that way. Hence the statement in May about a more compelling style of football. It was obvious that Pardew either couldn't, wouldn't, or didn't have a clue how to deliver the passing game they wanted, which is the way Nigel Adkin's teams play and why Pardew was sacked and Adkins brought in.

 

Couldn't have put it better myself. Totally agree. With the exception of the odd game I struggled greatly watching Pardew's football. No way was it ever going to fit the "southampton style" for which ML and NC were looking. No need for the neck brace any longer on Saturday evenings!

[Matthew Le God]

Low-key manager who seems to have what is really needed - getting his existing players performing and sticking to a plan, rather than splashing money about.

 

He joined after the transfer window closed, so couldn't exactly "splash any money about".

[eelpie]

A steady, promising beginning. NA says the right things and his teams are doing the right things on the pitch (except score in open play, but that is hardly Nigel's fault because the chances have been created). All except Lambo are looking sharper and fitter and the team are playing for and with each other and look in better shape. How NA gets Lambo energised will be the best measure of the new manager's skill imo. We'll never know if AP's teams would now be higher up in the league than we are at present, though I believe Pardew would have got us promoted via the play-offs despite obvious recurring flaws. But that is speculation and Nigel's teams are ironing out faults which needed to be sorted, and have the better chance of the highest place come the end of season, imho.

Where there was despair I now have grounds to be optimistic. I am enjoying the season again.

[slickmick]

So far so good. He's starting to win me over.

[The9]

He joined after the transfer window closed, so couldn't exactly "splash any money about".

 

Not to mention that we'd already splashed money about to get the team off the bottom the previous season very successfully and were odds-on favourites for promotion so there wasn't much that needed spending anyway.

[The9]

His job is easy as long as he can get the players running around a lot with and without the ball. As I've been pointing out for about 6 weeks, we'd been playing stand-still football at a snail's pace (except Ox-Cham), and teams had time to get organised and were easily able to stop us.

 

What I hadn't really noticed was how little we were working in front of the back 4, but Saturday's performance saw Schneiderlin and Hammond re-energised (and Chaplow showed the right amount of effort too). Schneiderlin always comes back from France duty playing at a much higher tempo anyway, so that should help.

[Toadhall Saint]

My view has not changed - he is the man for the job.

[The boy done well]

Interesting comment I remember hearing from Steve Coppell when asked how he achieved such success at Reading. He said it was because of the players he had inherited from Pardew. I thought he was just being modest at the time but there may well be some truth in it to the extent that he got Pardew's players to play.

 

You can almost see this happening now with NA. Hammond is a good example and Schneiderlin (though not a Pardew buy) is a completely different player. This has to be because they have space to pass in and are not constantly by-passed by the tactic of repeatedly hoofing it up to the forwards both from the goalkeeper and the centre backs as well. They don't have to constantly win a war of attrition to get the ball. It's actually passed to them and the they have time to think. Using the whole pitch creates space in which to play. It's as simple as that to quote NA!

[SuperSAINT]

Just been really pleased with him.

 

He was a welcome appointment, in my view. I'm just delighted the team have picked up under him - It would created much more pressure. He's got some good tools to work with, and he seems to be getting the belief back. Plus, he's trying to change the way we play (which is no easy task).

 

Signs are good, fingers crossed the progress continues.