Waffle!!

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I am a fan of NA but I do agree with the OP.

His after game analysis are long but are rarely insightful. I always look for a managerial quote to go with the stats of the game but so far struggle to get anything meaningful from him.

[JustMike]

I am a fan of NA but I do agree with the OP.

His after game analysis are long but are rarely insightful. I always look for a managerial quote to go with the stats of the game but so far struggle to get anything meaningful from him.

 

I am going to judge him on results and performance on the pitch and not what he may or may not say off it

[lethallee]

Football is a simple game and that's what adkins get's across well in his interviews. AP approach was totally different which reflected in his interviews as they didn't always make sense.I think it's quite refreshing to hear NA interviews even though he does repeat himself a lot !!

[Saint Fan CaM]

I am a fan of NA but I do agree with the OP.

His after game analysis are long but are rarely insightful. I always look for a managerial quote to go with the stats of the game but so far struggle to get anything meaningful from him.

 

I do agree - there is not much substance to his game analysis. I do also agree that I much prefer the performance on the pitch to do his talking for him.

[Chez]

I'm a bit bored of hearing that we have "an honest and hard working set of players" now. I found it especially strange that he started saying it after just two days. How the hell can you tell if players are honest in two days? He basically undermined himself and now every time he says it it has no meaning whatsoever to me.

The rest of what he says, well its lots of the usual fluff, but isn't that always the way with managers before games? I think in recent years only Pearson has impresed me with his pre and post match interviews. He was very measured, brutally honest and to the point. None of the standard fluff. I guess WGS was interesting, but in the end even he started to grate a little. Personally I've stopped reading the `Thursday manager/player interview' stuff, not because of Adkins, but players/managers in general have very little to say. Maybe its my age and the fact after 25 years of following football I've heard pretty much all of it before.

[jasonb]

I think it's been alluded to already by a previous poster but I think the stock answers and manerisms are as a result of some awful interviewing. Seriously - managers are asked the most ridiculous and repetitive questions which the interviewer knows full well can not be fully answered.

 

I have to do press frequently as I make video games for a living and the world-wide gaming press are in the main idiots!! I get asked the same redundent questions over and over - you don't want to be cliched but at the end of the day (see what I did there ) it's all the morons will listen to generally.

 

For example, NA said in one of his first interviews that he likes to keep injury/team news out of the public domain (for obvious reasons) and yet in all his pre-match interviews the lame reporters have repeatedly asked him about it.

[Petersfield Saint]

Listen, we have a hard working bunch of professional posters posting on here. We need everyone to stick together and be a team. Be a team together. We need to work hard and keep working for Southampton Football Club and this forum. This is a big forum for a big club and other posters are going to come here trying to make things difficult for us. But we're a big forum and if we post well, it will give us the opportunities to push on. Never underestimate those posters who want to ruin threads by hijacking them. If we all get behind the posters then we can all enjoy the opportunities that good posting can bring. Listen, when I came into this building there were a bunch of hard-posting professionals here and with the fresh start we're working hard to push-on towards, we can all enjoy winning more friends and climbing to the premier league of forums.

 

Get behind Saint Fan CaM FFS!!!

[Viking Warrior]

I see the scottish team has been leaked to the media against bulgaria and theres quite a debate up here about certain players on the bench or have been picked

 

with that in mind did i not hear that either NA or NC where not gouing to let the media etc know his team formations in advance of the game as it plays into the hands of the opposition. Im not suprised that NA in his OS interview giving very little away.

Thats the sign of true professional manager, Keeping his cards close to his chest. Good on you Nigel

[eurosaint]

I see the scottish team has been leaked to the media against bulgaria and theres quite a debate up here about certain players on the bench or have been picked

 

with that in mind did i not hear that either NA or NC where not gouing to let the media etc know his team formations in advance of the game as it plays into the hands of the opposition. Im not suprised that NA in his OS interview giving very little away.

Thats the sign of true professional manager, Keeping his cards close to his chest. Good on you Nigel

 

Here's another great leak - they're playing the Czech Republic !

[damers]

Reminds me very much of my M.D. who is in himself a top class salesman and motivator, if you go over the positive's enough the team will start to believe in it and themselves. He is saying all the right things at the right times, eg seeing the same flaws as everybody else and setting out to improve those areas.

I know exactly what the O.P. is saying it can sound like waffle after a while but this will be accepted while we are improving, it just worries me how it will be taken during a bad run.

 

For what it is worth I am really impressed so far with the team and what he is saying!

[jam]

I think it's been alluded to already by a previous poster but I think the stock answers and manerisms are as a result of some awful interviewing. Seriously - managers are asked the most ridiculous and repetitive questions which the interviewer knows full well can not be fully answered.

 

I have to do press frequently as I make video games for a living and the world-wide gaming press are in the main idiots!! I get asked the same redundent questions over and over - you don't want to be cliched but at the end of the day (see what I did there ) it's all the morons will listen to generally.

 

For example, NA said in one of his first interviews that he likes to keep injury/team news out of the public domain (for obvious reasons) and yet in all his pre-match interviews the lame reporters have repeatedly asked him about it.

 

The press are always going to ask about injuries in case they get lucky and NA lets something slip. Their job isn't to help NA get an advantage, they're paid to try and get a scoop.

[Viking Warrior]

Eurosaint.

 

I heard the debate on radio 5 this morning and definatley said Bulgaria. I have know Idea who they were playing so thanks for the correction. See even radio 5 is full of waffle especially that Alan green who is so far up his own arse

[Rory]

Nerves probably. I'd like to see any of you lot in an interview.

[Charlie Wayman]

Is it just me or does anyone else think our Nigel speaks a load of waffle?

 

Don't get me wrong as I think he is great for us and promotion is back on the cards this season. But he just seems to go on and on talking about winning a game of football!! Like we all thought it was going to be a game of ping pong or something.

 

I'm not suggesting he should do anything differently or it's a bad thing but I read the OS and struggle to get to the end of anything he says.

 

Anyone get what I mean?

 

 

He should be reminded of the old adage, the longer the message the less important the content

 

or bull**** baffles brains

 

or if he talks non-stop (drivel) all the time (one mouth) , what is happening with his other critical brain inputs of listening (two ears) and observing (two eyes)

 

Come on Adders you've talked the talk, now ge on with walking the walk!

[Charlie Wayman]

"They will be a difficult test"

"Its about winning a game of football"

"Never underestimate the opposition"

"Since (I/he) came in the building"

"The lads have worked hard this week"

"We have an honest group of players here (s******) who want to do well"

And repeat next week, and the next, and so on.

 

You forgot

 

No easy games

If we keep the ball, they can't play football

This is big club and many teams who come here will respond to that by raising their game

At this stadium teams like (T*******) coming here will set themselves up defensively; it'll be hard to break them down but we've got to learn to deal with that...

etc

 

 

When does the learning start Adders?

[saintjay77]

He should be reminded of the old adage, the longer the message the less important the content

 

or bull**** baffles brains

 

or if he talks non-stop (drivel) all the time (one mouth) , what is happening with his other critical brain inputs of listening (two ears) and observing (two eyes)

 

Come on Adders you've talked the talk, now ge on with walking the walk!

 

I think he is walking the walk though as the team is visably playing better and we are looking more and more like we are going to "win a game of football" Just noticed the same lines being said often enough to make me not want to bother reading so much of the pre-match stuff.

 

I would have thought he is positive to the team and saying the right things but without the manners and reservation that he obviously has for the press. Thats a good thing and not a moan btw.

 

I think some managers you can listen to every word and look forward to hearing what they have to say. With NA I look forward to what his team will do and have lost some interest in hearing what he has to say about it.

[dubai_phil]

He should be reminded of the old adage, the longer the message the less important the content

 

or bull**** baffles brains

 

or if he talks non-stop (drivel) all the time (one mouth) , what is happening with his other critical brain inputs of listening (two ears) and observing (two eyes)

 

Come on Adders you've talked the talk, now ge on with walking the walk!

 

You forget one major point. He's talking to football fans....

 

While us lot on here may be literate(ish) he does have to cater for the entire fanbase, which will of course include many of those that posters often moan about - the Neanderthal "Yoof" (or for that matter the "as criticised in another thread" - the not very bright footballers we employ)

 

As for the "Positive Attitude" No brainer for someone who has studied as much as he has. Standard amateur psychology or NLP techniques.

 

Brits are Whingeing Poms, so someone with a permanent positive attitude is really freaky and while often annoying can infect and induce change in any organisation

[david in sweden]

Is it just me or does anyone else think our Nigel speaks a load of waffle?

 

Don't get me wrong as I think he is great for us and promotion is back on the cards this season. But he just seems to go on and on talking about winning a game of football!! Like we all thought it was going to be a game of ping pong or something.

 

I'm not suggesting he should do anything differently or it's a bad thing but I read the OS and struggle to get to the end of anything he says. Anyone get what I mean?

 

 

just what ...do you want him to say?

 

maaybe you can come up with a better script for his next interview...!

[eurosaint]

Eurosaint.

 

I heard the debate on radio 5 this morning and definatley said Bulgaria. I have know Idea who they were playing so thanks for the correction. See even radio 5 is full of waffle especially that Alan green who is so far up his own arse

 

The moral of the story is "never believe what you read in the papers or hear on the radio", if you want accurate details just log on to the Saints Web Forum

[saintjay77]

just what ...do you want him to say?

 

maaybe you can come up with a better script for his next interview...!

 

TBH I have no idea, I wouldn't like to be in the situations where the same questions get asked each week as it would only lead to me repeating myself. But I thought NA was repeating himself allot before he even took over as our manager. Were only 3 weeks in and it's like the pre match interviews are scripts set out by a positivity preacher!

Like I said before, it's not necisarrily a bad thing, it's great to hear someone speaking about our team so positively. It's just some of the quirky ways he says things that seem to stick out for me. It sometimes sounds like he is reading it out of a book on positivness and can sound detached from real thoughts.

 

IMO behind closed doors he might be more honest in what he says, positive yes but maybe also more personal. Something he obviously avoids (and with good reason) in the interviews.

 

As long as he connects with the team and results go our way it doesn't matter if I get how he comes across in an interview. It doesn't matter if it goes any other way either as I can do naff all about it. What's important is what's on the pitch and not a few mannerisms. Just wandered if anyone else had noticed other than just me?

[buctootim]

He does repeat himself, and it can be a tad annoying, BUT as Phil says, its a way of reprogrammimg the mind set of players and fans. Play as a team, work hard, defend and attack as a team, have plans A, B and C. Its not rocket science, but it needs to be drilled in until it becomes second nature.

[niceandfriendly]

He does repeat himself an awful lot, making his answers anodyne and dull, but if you listen carefully enough his message is right, and I absolutely believe he is the right man for the job.

 

]Is this thread a joke?

 

Do you have Saintsplayer? You should, it's good. You get a lot more of the interviews rather than just the edited "highlights" in text form, and then you'll understand what we're on about. The OP is spot on, but it doesn't mean Adkins is a bad manager. Chill.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Dare I say this but one person who handles the media really well, calls a spade a spade and usually has something entertaining to say is our old mate Harry. He certainly looks more relaxed than any other current manager.

Strachan could be funny but he could be arrogant too.

Burley was soberly dull , Pardew spoke well and made an effort to know about our past.

Sturrock I can't really remember while Wigley was just Rupert's mouthpiece. Souness was always straight to the point while Hoddle you never felt meant what he said. David Jones was a straight talker but the best was of course Lawrie Mac who usually managed to hit the nail on the head.

Like some wise bird said though, NA can waffle as much as he likes as long he gets us out of this League. 3 point stomorrow is a neccesity.

[niceandfriendly]

Sturrock I can't really remember

 

I can't remember anything of what Sturrock said, but I think that was because I was freaked out at his bizarre 'straight down the camera' stare!

[scotty]

Eurosaint.

 

I heard the debate on radio 5 this morning and definatley said Bulgaria. I have know Idea who they were playing so thanks for the correction. See even radio 5 is full of waffle especially that Alan green who is so far up his own arse

 

+1, alan green is a tw*t of the first order. And I bet he supports the munichs which is probably why he's so coy about disclosing his team

[RonManager]

+1, alan green is a tw*t of the first order. And I bet he supports the munichs which is probably why he's so coy about disclosing his team

 

Macclesfield.

[Chicken With A Banjo]

Is it just me or does anyone else think our Nigel speaks a load of waffle?

 

Don't get me wrong as I think he is great for us and promotion is back on the cards this season. But he just seems to go on and on talking about winning a game of football!! Like we all thought it was going to be a game of ping pong or something.

 

I'm not suggesting he should do anything differently or it's a bad thing but I read the OS and struggle to get to the end of anything he says.

 

Anyone get what I mean?

 

Agreed.

 

Furthermore he's not as clever as Iain Dowie or Barry Horne.

[scotty]

Macclesfield.

 

is that correct? (he's still a tw*t either way;))

[Miltonaggro]

What drives me mad is that in every interview he says: 'You don't have to be mad to work here, but it helps!' ad nauseum!

 

Unbelievable...

[saintjay77]

He does repeat himself an awful lot, making his answers anodyne and dull, but if you listen carefully enough his message is right, and I absolutely believe he is the right man for the job.

 

 

 

Do you have Saintsplayer? You should, it's good. You get a lot more of the interviews rather than just the edited "highlights" in text form, and then you'll understand what we're on about. The OP is spot on, but it doesn't mean Adkins is a bad manager. Chill.

 

Spot on! It's not a dig and no I don't have saints player so I'll admit I'm mainly going on the text version of his interviews. His interview while still with scunny initially made me think he is a good talker and speaks sense. Within about 10 mins everyone noticed the third person type speaking.

 

This is just a continuation of that really. I like what he has to say while thinking most of it is waffle in answer to the same old questions. I doubt it will change but his interviews are not what we need to get behind so as long as the team keeps improving generally it will be and should be, just something to laugh at or run a book on what phrases he will say the most in his next interview.

[saintjay77]

I can't remember anything of what Sturrock said, but I think that was because I was freaked out at his bizarre 'straight down the camera' stare!

 

I kind of remember his soft Scottish accent but nothing if what he said. Didn't exactly get many chances to say something mind.

[Miltonaggro]

In interviews Luggy did always look like he had been surprised in a bus station at 2am...

[HornseySaintsFan]

He uses lots of cliches yes. And he wins.

[saint_bert]

"I want us to pass the football"

[alehouseboys]

Dare I say this but one person who handles the media really well, calls a spade a spade and usually has something entertaining to say is our old mate Harry. He certainly looks more relaxed than any other current manager.

 

Not so sure, every time I see his ugly mug on the telebox he seems a bit twitchy to me...............................

[saint_bert]

Dare I say this but one person who handles the media really well, calls a spade a spade and usually has something entertaining to say is our old mate Harry. He certainly looks more relaxed than any other current manager.

Strachan could be funny but he could be arrogant too.

Burley was soberly dull , Pardew spoke well and made an effort to know about our past.

Sturrock I can't really remember while Wigley was just Rupert's mouthpiece. Souness was always straight to the point while Hoddle you never felt meant what he said. David Jones was a straight talker but the best was of course Lawrie Mac who usually managed to hit the nail on the head.

Like some wise bird said though, NA can waffle as much as he likes as long he gets us out of this League. 3 point stomorrow is a neccesity.

 

O RLY?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fulsHPpBr1U&feature=related

[sadoldgit]

It is football. Apart from Shankley, Clough and Strachan (at times), who says or said anything we haven't heard a million times before?

[hypochondriac]

I am going to judge him on results and performance on the pitch and not what he may or may not say off it

 

No one suggested otherwise.

[stardustonmyfeet]

He could be a member of mensa and he could talk about hot cross buns in his interviews for all I care. What matters to me most is that he gets the team winning.

[miserableoldgit]

"They will be a difficult test"

"Its about winning a game of football"

"Never underestimate the opposition"

"Since (I/he) came in the building"

"The lads have worked hard this week"

"We have an honest group of players here (s******) who want to do well"

And repeat next week, and the next, and so on.

These "quotes" could apply to 99.9% of all football managers. Adkins is no better or worse in that respect.

[Lighthouse]

Mr Adkins dancing to Hi Ho Sheffield Wednesday, quality.

 

Made me laugh too. Looked like he was just having an nice day out in Sheffield.

[dubai_phil]

Well, the really good thing about this thread.

 

At least it spells the end of Camel Toes & Muffins on the match day thread we all know what to post pictures of on there

[hughieslastminutegoal]

I think he is walking the walk though as the team is visably playing better and we are looking more and more like we are going to "win a game of football" Just noticed the same lines being said often enough to make me not want to bother reading so much of the pre-match stuff.

 

I think some managers you can listen to every word and look forward to hearing what they have to say. With NA I look forward to what his team will do and have lost some interest in hearing what he has to say about it.

 

Absolutely. Can anyone really remember good old Ted Bates constantly commenting? I suppose someone like him would not have fitted into todays media-driven world that wants to trivialise everything. And if you try to trivialise something that in reality starts out as pretty trivial, is it any surprise what we end up with? It's the X Facor/Britains Got Talent/Big Brother world we live in.

[saintjay77]

Officialsaints on twitter are at it now!! Lol

 

"Another impressive half of football under Nigel Adkins #saintsfc"

 

As opposed to the half game of tiddley winks we were playing. Lol

 

[benjii]

It's just a load of Giant Cheese Taco.