Nigel Loving life with Saints

[um pahars]

I haven't known the team to have such unity and team spirit for many a year, so perhaps Adkins is able to inspire that unity, but also the ability to select the players to join the team who have those attributes that make them team players too.

 

Would it be fair to say that we are "slightly"punching above our weight in that our results to date are better than what the individual names would suggest???

 

In which case I think a lot has to be due to the managers motivational and psychological skills, as I think he really has brought out the best in this team. There can be no doubt that the team spirit and unity is at its highest for years (although winning does help as well!!!!).

[um pahars]

Prehaps and i would say Billy Sharp appears to fit that category. However, the higher up the leagues you go the bigger the egos are and the less likely a player is to be delighted to get their dream move to a massive club like Southampton from the likes Bristol rovers and Colchester. I cant think of too many top sportsman that aren't arrogant with a bit of c*nt in them, that is what sets them apart, nice guys rarely make great players and there will have to come a point where to signifcantly improve on what we have then the persoanlity of the player in question might mean he isn't everyones pal.

 

You may have a point there.

 

I think Nigel's biggest challenge will be pushing us on even further, not just from the obvious results position, but as you say when he has to start managing egos and bringing in new players (as good as the current squad are, if we go up I would expect quite a few new faces to be brought in).

 

I agree with NA in that I think we needed to strengthen some key areas over the summer, but as he alluded to in that interview, it's not just as easy as going out and buying players. Apart from financial issues there is the impact it might have on the squad. In the CMS thread I said I would have liked him to have come here, but would he have been happy beign third choice??? I don't think it's easy being a manager (even if you're successful!!!!).

 

However, as we stand here today he's done a great job getting us out of the third tier and has started this season in a similar fashion. I like his positive attitude, can forgive him the odd cliche, and am really glad he is in charge.

[Cricketphilly]

Do you think he alluded to Puncheon with regard to individuals who damage the ethic they have?

[saintpat]

He's a f'ing nutcase, but he's our f'ing nutcase, and I'm absolutely delighted, may he continue on the bus to be our f'ing nutcase for years.

[David Strover]

As far as I know Jesus (assuming he existed) did not speak English. So if you want to attribute the quote correctly the best you can say it was by the person who translated the Bible (whether that was the Venerable Bede or John Wycliff is open to debate).

 

I think you'll find that Jesus was white and spoke English with an American accent. Next you'll be suggesting he was arabic in appearance - if indeed he did exist which is very much up for debate.

 

Luckily Nigel Adkins does exist. I can't help thinking how much this forum will change should we be unfortunate enough to lose four or five games on the trot........we shall see.

[PhilippineSaint]

I think you'll find that Jesus was white and spoke English with an American accent. Next you'll be suggesting he was arabic in appearance - .

 

As the self proclaimed King of the Jews I hardly think he would have been liked to have been called arabic in appearance but with a hook nose and a dress with a red and white tea towel on his head I could see how you would think this.

[Frank's cousin]

Chez and those worried he is a bit 'staged ' in such interviews.. I actually agree that it may well be 'reheraesed to some extent, but I think it would be naive to think he is not perfectly capable of dishing it out and telling players exactly what the issues are behind closed doors... and doing it the right way, understanding the psychology of each player and not taking a blanket approach... I know he can sound like a record at time as its a constant mantra, but for me that is actually a good thing. The public face is teh same, we dont wash the dirty linen in the media etc and I suspect that culture of , 'quietly going about your business' is a very strong ethos at the club right now, and despite the sterotypical comment, perhaps an influence of our Swiss ownership.

 

Add to that his obviously genuine infectious enthusiasm, the fact he has demonstrated he aint half bad at coaching players and managing as side and I have to pinch myself that we are lucky to have him. I think its pretty much a very good shout that he is a genuine really nice bloke, and would be a good laugh (if a little bonkers ;-) tio share a pint and a chinwag with. Top bloke!

[CanadaSaint]

Prehaps and i would say Billy Sharp appears to fit that category.

 

I think you're dead right, Turkish. He's the one I've always thought we turned down, rather than the other way around. Sharp's side of the story was that the move wasn't right for him, but the OS had an interesting quote from Adkins to the effect that "after some discussions we decided not to take our interest any further." It was lost in the "Why do players keep turning us down?" angst but my first thought was that it didn't happen because Nigel didn't think he'll fit in with us - as a person rather than a player. Adkins has clearly worked very hard to build that dressing room and the spirit inside, and he's not going to risk it just for a big signing.

 

If we're competitive "player for player" with our rivals, and I think we are, this is a very powerful factor that may well give us the separation we need.

[david in sweden]

Very interesting bit about being wary of bringing the 'wrong' kind of players in. Wonder how much we can read into that.

 

I'm inclined to think that may have been the reason why Fontaine DIDN'T sign ...?

[Turkish]

I think you're dead right, Turkish. He's the one I've always thought we turned down, rather than the other way around. Sharp's side of the story was that the move wasn't right for him, but the OS had an interesting quote from Adkins to the effect that "after some discussions we decided not to take our interest any further." It was lost in the "Why do players keep turning us down?" angst but my first thought was that it didn't happen because Nigel didn't think he'll fit in with us - as a person rather than a player. Adkins has clearly worked very hard to build that dressing room and the spirit inside, and he's not going to risk it just for a big signing.

 

If we're competitive "player for player" with our rivals, and I think we are, this is a very powerful factor that may well give us the separation we need.

 

That and Sharp coming out a week or so later with a "come and get me" plea, made me think it was our decision and not his. I cant imagine a player doing that after they'd decided they were happier at Doncaster.

[sammysaint]

'What's the most famous name on your mobile?'

 

'Nokia"

 

 

2nd that

[Macey_J2]

"what's the one thing you want to do this afternoon?"

"....make love to my wife"

 

top bloke!

 

laaaaad!