Knives sharpening for Adkins already

[SaintRichmond]

I will be very surprised if he is given 18 months.

 

Pardew was surprised too

[Minsk]

On here.. The old nudge nudge wink winks an the comments on how Nige has not won the dressing rooms

 

Players rolling their eyes etc

 

Moaning at his media skills

 

How sad that after a couple of months in charge.. A fair few wins some fans are already sharpening their verbal knives for the new manager

 

 

Sometimes I think we deserve to be in division 3... The only common link with all out failures in the last few years is our moaning fan base

 

Without reading a single other post on this thread.......

 

It has been obvious that some posters on here were sharpening their knives from the day he was appointed. I'm sure you have noticed who they are. Very sad individuals IMO.

[thorpie the sinner]

Adkins will take us up, then the anti everything brigade will be moaning our team isnt strong enough to stay in Championship!! It will never change

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Backing Adkins but surprised that a bloke with Sports Psychology qualifications sent out a side that wasn't mentally prepared and wasnt prepared to work hard and close down last Saturday.

[Viking Warrior]

What with the Rickie Lambert thread and now this what is up with some of you guys

 

do you take pleasure in being negative. Do you have an alternative manager lined up if you get your wishes and nigel is sacked? FFS

 

I now understand NC commnets re dark forces at work . they are certainly present on this forum thats for sure

[Window Cleaner]

It happens sometimes. It's impossible to ensure it never happens, they key is the reaction in the next game and ensuring it doesn't happen again.

 

but why does it happen, perhaps we should give up traipsing round the hospital in the days before.

Why was a third division roustabout like Gary Alexander allowed to pass through both Lallana and Dickson without either of them getting a meaningful challenge in, there are other examples from Saturday's game, do our players suffer from the cold? are they unwell? are they thinking about next week, next season. Something wasn't right on Saturday what it was who knows.

[Thedelldays]

have people forgotton that we are division 3..and winning like barcelona is impossible.....and the reason we have division 3 players is that days like last saturday will happen

[SaintRichmond]

but why does it happen, perhaps we should give up traipsing round the hospital in the days before.

Why was a third division roustabout like Gary Alexander allowed to pass through both Lallana and Dickson without either of them getting a meaningful challenge in, there are other examples from Saturday's game, do our players suffer from the cold? are they unwell? are they thinking about next week, next season. Something wasn't right on Saturday what it was who knows.

 

The players think they are better than they are

 

They THINK they should win every match, without giving the 100% effort necessary to do so

 

They THINK they are better than Division Three, without giving the 100% effort to actually get out of it

 

They are always one Dream away from REALITY and it's about time someone read the riot act to them and explain, quite simply that the ONLY way to get Promotion is to think of the PRESENT, not to Dream of the future

[Window Cleaner]

The players think they are better than they are

 

They THINK they should win every match, without giving the 100% effort necessary to do so

 

They THINK they are better than Division Three, without giving the 100% effort to actually get out of it

 

They are always one Dream away from REALITY and it's about time someone read the riot act to them and explain, quite simply that the ONLY way to get Promotion is to think of the PRESENT, not to Dream of the future

 

In fact I see that Jose is saying on the OS that if they can get out of this league they'll pass straight through the NPC into the Prem. That's confidence for you.

[CB Fry]

Look, it simply about winning games of football. Nigel Adkins knows that winning games of football is all that counts and since he has come into the building he has worked very hard so that we win games of football. Nigel Adkins has a good set of lads who are all working hard to win games of football and when we win games of football Nigel Adkins will make the fans very happy. This club is special with a good support lets all work together and win some games of football.

 

 

It's as simple as that.

[SaintRichmond]

In fact I see that Jose is saying on the OS that if they can get out of this league they'll pass straight through the NPC into the Prem. That's confidence for you.

 

The only way they will "pass straight through" anything is if they have Diarrhoe'a

[Pat from Poole]

Is this serious?

 

How does an away league game compare to a wembley game we were huge favourites for? Jesus. It's as if you win a fixture once, you should win it every time. We beat Man Utd at home a lot, does that mean we were **** for not winning at Old Trafford? Huddersfield was at home, didn't we lose away last season too? Did Pardew not get any **** results? Because I seem to remember a poor result occuring EVERY time we had a chance to get within touching distance of the playoffs. It was no coincidence.

 

It's got bugger all to do with which games you win, it's about how many you win.

 

 

I think you've got a bit carried away and misunderstood The9's post.

 

Methinks he's not slating Adkins himself, but merely putting forward a piece of questionable logic that he was anticipating Adkins-slaters would be using.

[david in sweden]

On here.. The old nudge nudge wink winks an the comments on how Nige has not won the dressing rooms

Players rolling their eyes etc

Moaning at his media skills

How sad that after a couple of months in charge.. A fair few wins some fans are already sharpening their verbal knives for the new manager

Sometimes I think we deserve to be in division 3... The only common link with all out failures in the last few years is our moaning fan base

 

 

Think you're a bit ahead of the field on this one TDD,

I'm quite impressed with his perfromances aside from the obvious lost points in a few games. TBF he hasn't had an on -form Lambert or a fully-fit Barnard, and the midfield still isn't clicking .

 

As for media skills...what the ***k is wrong? What do you expect him to say..should he give interviews in sackcloth and ashes after a poor result?..or blame the ref. ? ..or rant and rave about missed chances.

 

He strikes me as a man possessed and hopefully his family are as enthusastic as he is ...'cos he sounds like a workaholic to me

his enthusiasm comes over .

 

So what is an "acceptable " media image for you TDD ? ..what should he say, instead?

I think he says what.s wrong, like it or not and doesn't pull punches on analysing things ..until after he's seen the video:

[Legod Third Coming]

Look, it simply about winning games of football. Nigel Adkins knows that winning games of football is all that counts and since he has come into the building he has worked very hard so that we win games of football. Nigel Adkins has a good set of lads who are all working hard to win games of football and when we win games of football Nigel Adkins will make the fans very happy. This club is special with a good support lets all work together and win some games of football.

 

Now that's funny. Well don, helped to put the misery of Saturday behind me

[Legod Third Coming]

Yawn. No it isn't. Change the record.

 

Adkins took the job on the understanding that the club is promoted to the Championship this season. That's his brief. He's got the resources to achieve just that and no one forced him to take the job. And he'll be well paid to boot.

 

That's the real world of professional football in 2010. That's right, 2010. You want to try living here some time.

 

Spare us the 215th reading of your Ted Bates/Lawrie Mac lecture.

 

He came in CB and said he understood why he was here. The ONLY objective was/is automatic promotion. The Executive Chairman has stated that his target is to WIN the league.

 

Yet the moment the fans complain about pi ss poor performances, we are suddenly off message?

 

Well guess what, I bet I've got more patience than Mr Cortese... I wouldn't be suprised if Adkins hasn't had a late night visit from a horse's head already...

[adrian lord]

We had a great season last year, all things considered.

 

This season is shaping up to be a disappointment, with quite possibly no promotion and no cup win.

 

Lieberrs then sell club.

[RobM]

There isn't a manager in the world that would stop this forum moaning like little girls about everything.

[Dr Who?]

Could not believe we sacked Pardew, was not sure about Adkins but was happy to welcome him and hope for success under him. I think he is doing an ok job, but no better than I would think Pardew would be doing. I hope out of all hope we go on a good run and the whole fan base get behind him. I know in the staduim people are pretty happy with what he is doing, and only a few on here the minority that are unhappy.

 

I think out of the 30 thousand or so Saints fans only a few hundred are unhappy with him if that! This board really does give the wrong impression of the feeling towards him.

[doddisalegend]

Could not believe we sacked Pardew, was not sure about Adkins but was happy to welcome him and hope for success under him. I think he is doing an ok job, but no better than I would think Pardew would be doing. I hope out of all hope we go on a good run and the whole fan base get behind him. I know in the staduim people are pretty happy with what he is doing, and only a few on here the minority that are unhappy.

 

I think out of the 30 thousand or so Saints fans only a few hundred are unhappy with him if that! This board really does give the wrong impression of the feeling towards him.

 

There was plenty of grumbling around me in the chapel on saturday mostly about us not trying to change things in the second half. Having said that there is alot of difference about grumbling about a poor performance and wanting the manager sacked.

Edited 15 December, 2010 by doddisalegend

[John B]

There isn't a manager in the world that would stop this forum moaning like little girls about everything.

 

If you are happy about this season thats fine but I expect that you are in the minority as Adrian Lord says above last season was great but this season has been extremely dissappointing especially as all the hype from Cortese is of good football and promotion.

 

We have replaced a pretty good manager with far less experience

[NickG]

Do you honestly think we have?

I can't see a lot of difference. Maybe my expectations were higher after AP left which is clouding my judgement but I don't see us any further forward performance wise. Sorry.

 

maybe not improved on last season but hugely improved on the games up until MK

[NickG]

No we have not.

 

You can show as many facts as you like,again,i am not convinced we have moved on in any shape or form.

If anything we are worsening,at best we are stagnating.

 

this sums it up!

[sfc4prem]

The players think they are better than they are

 

They THINK they should win every match, without giving the 100% effort necessary to do so

 

They THINK they are better than Division Three, without giving the 100% effort to actually get out of it

 

They are always one Dream away from REALITY and it's about time someone read the riot act to them and explain, quite simply that the ONLY way to get Promotion is to think of the PRESENT, not to Dream of the future

 

Think you just hit the nail on the head mate.

[saint lard]

this sums it up!

 

Please don't edit my posts,debate your reasoning it is far more engaging.

 

I take on board what you say and you make your point,to a degree,when you say Adkins has this % and that % but it does not alter the main point,we are underachieving hugely.

 

% mean jack if we are not playing well,making progress and no one is fulfilling their potential,for this i lay at Adkins' door.

[John B]

Please don't edit my posts,debate your reasoning it is far more engaging.

 

I take on board what you say and you make your point,to a degree,when you say Adkins has this % and that % but it does not alter the main point,we are underachieving hugely.

 

% mean jack if we are not playing well,making progress and no one is fulfilling their potential,for this i lay at Adkins' door.

 

Yes I feel like that too

 

Pretty dissappointing after last season

[Saint in Paradise]

I have to admit that when George Burley was appointed I was quite happy for a while but gradually I became

fed up with him. I was also pleased about Nigel after reading about him, of course it is still early days

and too soon to start getting as fed up with him as I was with George BUT if in 4 months time Saints

are not at least in the top three I am sure I will be very peed off. Unlike you youngsters I haven't got

years and years to live and I want to see Saints back in the Prem before I pop off this mortal coil.I want

Saints promoted this season and can then put up with 2 maybe 3 years of Divn 2 but no longer. Then I want conciliation in the Prem.

 

Makes me sound a bit like Mr C doesn't it? :lol:

 

.

[West End Saint]

I would hate to see us get rid of NA I didnt want Pardew to be sacked I thought he was doing ok I like NA & think that he will be a good manager for us but I get the feeling if we dont go up he will be sacked.

 

NC seems to be the sort of man who gives you a objective & if you dont get there you are gone that might be ok in the world of business but I dont think it is the way to go in football.

 

It is time we put our faith in the manager & give him enough time to do the job the best managers have the long term backing of there clubs Ferguson Wenger Moyes ect hire & fire is not the way to build a club.

 

Fair enough we have the squad to get promoted & if we dont it will be a massive disappointment & a failure but does that justify keep changing the manager.I hope we dont have to face that problem and we get promotion it is still very much withinour grasp and in our hands for a number of reasons it is vital we go up if we are going to move forward as a club.

[up and away]

I would hate to see us get rid of NA I didnt want Pardew to be sacked I thought he was doing ok I like NA & think that he will be a good manager for us but I get the feeling if we dont go up he will be sacked.

 

NC seems to be the sort of man who gives you a objective & if you dont get there you are gone that might be ok in the world of business but I dont think it is the way to go in football.

 

If you look back, Cortese was far more generous to Pardew than the vast majority of chairmen out there. When Pardew said he prioritised the cups, after being specifically told the league was only priority, he should have been a goner, there and then. In any other walk of life he would have been sacked immediately and no one would have any qualms about doing as such. I understand this does not mean he cost us promotion, but he cost us the best chance of promotion.

 

Cortese then had to decide what to do for this season, looked at the alternatives, the good and bad of Pardew, then decided on what he thought was best for Saints. Irrespective of his previous spat with Pardew, he looked at the cold hard facts and did not let the emotions confuse the issue.

 

Pardew over did pre-season training and did so much damage to the squad, that we are still suffering from those effects even now. Pardew was warned by other members of the football and medical staff, but he ploughed on regardless. Even though Cortese was made aware, he still considered Pardew as manager and let him fall or stand by his decisions.

 

When the season started and it was obvious to all the extent of the damage, Pardew was history. This is not to mention the dumb comment after the league cup game, "it was not a priority game, but we treated it as such". The damage Pardew has done could well extend the full length of of this season and considering everything, he was treated too well by Cortese. So looking at Cortese's history, it's more the opposite is true to what you are insinuating!

[Gemmel]

If you look back, Cortese was far more generous to Pardew than the vast majority of chairmen out there. When Pardew said he prioritised the cups, after being specifically told the league was only priority, he should have been a goner, there and then. In any other walk of life he would have been sacked immediately and no one would have any qualms about doing as such. I understand this does not mean he cost us promotion, but he cost us the best chance of promotion.

 

Cortese then had to decide what to do for this season, looked at the alternatives, the good and bad of Pardew, then decided on what he thought was best for Saints. Irrespective of his previous spat with Pardew, he looked at the cold hard facts and did not let the emotions confuse the issue.

 

Pardew over did pre-season training and did so much damage to the squad, that we are still suffering from those effects even now. Pardew was warned by other members of the football and medical staff, but he ploughed on regardless. Even though Cortese was made aware, he still considered Pardew as manager and let him fall or stand by his decisions.

 

When the season started and it was obvious to all the extent of the damage, Pardew was history. This is not to mention the dumb comment after the league cup game, "it was not a priority game, but we treated it as such". The damage Pardew has done could well extend the full length of of this season and considering everything, he was treated too well by Cortese. So looking at Cortese's history, it's more the opposite is true to what you are insinuating!

 

Ive read some tosh on this site in my time, but that jumps staright into the Top Ten.

[The9]

Is this serious?

 

How does an away league game compare to a wembley game we were huge favourites for? Jesus. It's as if you win a fixture once, you should win it every time. We beat Man Utd at home a lot, does that mean we were **** for not winning at Old Trafford? Huddersfield was at home, didn't we lose away last season too? Did Pardew not get any **** results? Because I seem to remember a poor result occuring EVERY time we had a chance to get within touching distance of the playoffs. It was no coincidence.

 

It's got bugger all to do with which games you win, it's about how many you win.

 

You obviously didn't read the rest of the original post. Like I said, "a cynic would point to...". I then went on to make a case for Adkins being perfectly competent. Still plenty of knee-jerking cynics out there by the looks of it.

 

I wasn't much impressed with Adkins' failure to make significant changes on Saturday v Brentford, but having spotted him try something by swapping Guly and Chamberlain over, you only had to look at the bench to see his options beyond that would have involved taking a punt on a kid with little experience to turn things around, or Connolly, who is barely fit and probably an injury risk. There wasn't much he could do, because Schneiderlin was having a mare and there was an enormous hole in the middle of the park every time we went forward.

 

FWIW, I thought Lambert looked pretty motivated and effective for the first 20-25 minutes, more than in any other match I've seen this season. He was on a par with the rest for the remaining 70 ( until taken off).

 

I MIGHT have liked to see Gobern for Schneiderlin - because he couldn't have been much worse, and I'd have liked to see Doble get a run - totally as a nothing to lose gamble - though not sure who I'd have taken off, and I'm sure Adkins knows what he can do better than I can, having only seen him play for 45 minutes 18 months ago.

 

Chaplow's a huge miss, and not having Fonte to rely on for a safe backwards ball and defensively was a big loss too. But mostly we missed Barnard's movement creating uncertainty in their defence and creating space for others with his movement and pressurising the ball high up the pitch, meaning we always had to build from the back - and most goals come from turnovers of possession in the opposition's half.

[NickG]

Please don't edit my posts,debate your reasoning it is far more engaging.

 

I take on board what you say and you make your point,to a degree,when you say Adkins has this % and that % but it does not alter the main point,we are underachieving hugely.

 

% mean jack if we are not playing well,making progress and no one is fulfilling their potential,for this i lay at Adkins' door.

 

Think the opposite - win %'s and points are the main thing he will be judged on, and they are pretty good at the moment

[doddisalegend]

Think the opposite - win %'s and points are the main thing he will be judged on, and they are pretty good at the moment

 

What like pardew was? if that was all that mattered he would still be here.

[Village Saint]

this sums it up!

 

You won't like it but the very simple fact is that since the team has been under Atkins' influence we have played 15 games; won 9; drawn 3; lost 3. That form from the start of the season would put us 2 points clear at the top and sustained over the season would make us champions. Good enough for me. Some crisis.

[Legod Third Coming]

I would hate to see us get rid of NA I didnt want Pardew to be sacked I thought he was doing ok I like NA & think that he will be a good manager for us but I get the feeling if we dont go up he will be sacked.

 

NC seems to be the sort of man who gives you a objective & if you dont get there you are gone that might be ok in the world of business but I dont think it is the way to go in football.

 

It is time we put our faith in the manager & give him enough time to do the job the best managers have the long term backing of there clubs Ferguson Wenger Moyes ect hire & fire is not the way to build a club.

 

Fair enough we have the squad to get promoted & if we dont it will be a massive disappointment & a failure but does that justify keep changing the manager.I hope we dont have to face that problem and we get promotion it is still very much withinour grasp and in our hands for a number of reasons it is vital we go up if we are going to move forward as a club.

 

Ordinarily I agree with you. But the Chairman has now made a rod for his own back. If we don't go up under Adkins, he really has no choice but to fire him.

 

I would hate for this to be the case. But equally, we SHOULD go up and at a canter. I take nothing for granted in life and know from bitter experience that just because you are equipped, able and competent to do something it doesn't always mean fate won't through a sizable spanner in your works.

 

But imagine that Ferguson was today appointed manager of Blackburn. And was then handed £150 million to bolster the squad in January. And then he took them down. I reckon there is an 80% chance he would be fired after six months, let alone a few seasons.

 

That's not the way I like to see football being run, but sadly it just is how football is now run. Adkins was given a target, accepted it, has the best, most expensively assembled squad (by pro rata comparison) in our history and if he fails, well... I'm sure he knows the outcome.

 

I think this does demonstrate what a bloody ridiculous decision the sacking of Pardew was. All the good work put in last season is effectively null and void if Adkins wants to play a different way, needs different players and has a different philosophy. And that's not just because I really admired what Pardew achieved here, I would be saying the same about ANY manager. If we should have learned one thing it is that you cannot build a house without a foundation...

[Thedelldays]

why has the chairman made a rod for his own back

has he said adkins will be fired if we dont go up..?

 

pardew was sacked for non footballing reasons....sooo, he was not fired for not delivering the playoffs

 

 

i do laugh at those who think they have cortese sussed...usually means they cant be further from the truth

[Window Cleaner]

You won't like it but the very simple fact is that since the team has been under Atkins' influence we have played 15 games; won 9; drawn 3; lost 3. That form from the start of the season would put us 2 points clear at the top and sustained over the season would make us champions. Good enough for me. Some crisis.

 

but surely 2 of the games were home cup ties against League 2 opposition???

 

NA in the League (which is all that counts))

P13 W7 D3 L3 5 away games 8 home games.

24 points from 13 games, which would just about put us into second place.

 

If you're going to use stats to make a point might as well get it right.

[Thedelldays]

but surely 2 of the games were home cup ties against League 2 opposition???

 

NA in the League (which is all that counts))

P13 W7 D3 L3

24 points from 13 games, which would just about put us into second place.

 

If you're going to use stats to make a point might as well get it right.

funny how penalty shoot outs against the mighty torquay arec ounted in pardews win column...ho hum

[Window Cleaner]

funny how penalty shoot outs against the mighty torquay arec ounted in pardews win column...ho hum

 

not by me though..

[Thedelldays]

not by me though..

 

try saying last year that we were dire against torquay and got lucky on penalties...and you would have been shouted down

so people remember that we would have finished 5th under pardew if we had our 10 points back...?

 

do people remember the great footballing displays at home to brizzle, brighton, oldham, brentford, swindon and the mighty aways days at gilligham, tranmere wycombe, colchester.....

 

lets not re write history and make out we were the best thing since sliced bread last year..

 

adkins in about par on what we did last year so far...that is without lambert (effectively) waigo and antonio..

 

 

take rickies goals away from any team and they would be far worse fuked that us

 

edit...after getting within touching distance of the playoffs this time last year...we failed to make any more ground for the rest of the bloody season....that was the a fonte thrown in

Edited 16 December, 2010 by Thedelldays

[Window Cleaner]

try saying last year that we were dire against torquay and got lucky on penalties...and you would have been shouted down

so people remember that we would have finished 5th under pardew if we had our 10 points back...?

 

do people remember the great footballing displays at home to brizzle, brighton, oldham, brentford, swindon and the mighty aways days at gilligham, tranmere wycombe, colchester.....

 

lets not re write history and make out we were the best thing since sliced bread last year..

 

adkins in about par on what we did last year so far...that is without lambert (effectively) waigo and antonio..

 

 

take rickies goals away from any team and they would be far worse fuked that us

 

but the point is DD that it was stated that NA's record so far is over 15 games of which we had won 9,that is wrong.

Last season doesn't matter, the fact is that the stats used are wrong.If you take NA's league record with us we are by no means certain to obtain automatic promotion, neither would we be ahead of the field by 2 points.What is always missed in these stats based assumptions is that we are way way behind with our away games. I gave you all the true projection of our season the other

day based on home/away records. The only realistic assumption is that we'll obtain somewhere between 72 and 84 points if NA was in charge over the whole season.

[Thedelldays]

you can not assume anything in this game and this league..

 

 

we are a few points from second with a transfer window and about half a season to go...

lets worry come easter if we are no better off

[Window Cleaner]

you can not assume anything in this game and this league..

 

 

we are a few points from second with a transfer window and about half a season to go...

lets worry come easter if we are no better off

 

But I am entirely unconvinced that the transfer window will be well managed. I shall wait and see.

[Thedelldays]

But I am entirely unconvinced that the transfer window will be well managed. I shall wait and see.

 

what on gives you that idea..?

there must be something concrete (other than just plain hysteria) to make you "entirely unconvinced"....?

[Window Cleaner]

what on gives you that idea..?

there must be something concrete (other than just plain hysteria) to make you "entirely unconvinced"....?

 

Because I don't really trust either the Chairman or the Manager in the matter of recruitment.To me neither have a sufficient foottballing pedigree to be assured of getting it right.

[Thedelldays]

Because I don't really trust either the Chairman or the Manager in the matter of recruitment.

 

why...lambert, fonte, barnard, wiago, antonio, chaplow, connolly, dickson, richardson, butterfield

 

all shyt signings are they..?

please dont be so silly and say pardew hand picked these without scouts, agents reports etc..

[aintforever]

We could still easily finish the season as champions, strengthening the team in january would be vital.

 

I don't think Cortese making statements like "I am not contemplating anything other than automatic promotion" is helping in any way though. Reminds me of Lowe's "want to be challenging for Champions League" statement. Obviously promotion is more achievable than that but it still adds to the weight of expectation on the player's shoulders.

 

A couple of good signings and we will get promoted IMO.

[Window Cleaner]

why...lambert, fonte, barnard, wiago, antonio, chaplow, connolly, dickson, richardson, butterfield

 

all shyt signings are they..?

please dont be so silly and say pardew hand picked these without scouts, agents reports etc..

 

Pardew signings.....Pardew knows about football,I really am not sure that Adkins knowledge is as great, we shall see.Plus I think the chief scout was given the boot wasn't he??? Bill Green? Now at Leicester I think.

Edited 16 December, 2010 by Window Cleaner

[NickG]

You won't like it but the very simple fact is that since the team has been under Atkins' influence we have played 15 games; won 9; drawn 3; lost 3. That form from the start of the season would put us 2 points clear at the top and sustained over the season would make us champions. Good enough for me. Some crisis.

 

why won't I like it - I agree, think he is doing well so far

[NickG]

But I am entirely unconvinced that the transfer window will be well managed. I shall wait and see.

 

yep, only player Adkins attracted so far is Chaplow!

[Fitzhugh Fella]

why has the chairman made a rod for his own back

has he said adkins will be fired if we dont go up..?

 

pardew was sacked for non footballing reasons....sooo, he was not fired for not delivering the playoffs

 

 

i do laugh at those who think they have cortese sussed...usually means they cant be further from the truth

 

Is this an exclusive Dell Days - I thought the reasons AP was sacked are still ranked state secret status - a bit like Barnard's hernia (or not) operation?