How would you like your Manager to be?

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Seen on a few threads thoughts on some of Nigel's post & pre match comments & it's made me wonder what sort of manager style (PR-wise) others would prefer? I think Nigel's "on the bus", "in the building" & "endeavouring to win football matches" are quite endearing although some would consider them a little dull considering how brilliantly he's done for us. To give some options, in (fairly) recent years we've had:

 

Nigel's Nigelisms

Harry Redknapp's front & bullsh*t

Gordon Strachan's directness and (at times caustic) wit

Lawrie McMenemy's larger than life personality

Alan Ball's excitement and enthusiasm

Steve Wigley's clueless clown act*

 

*also purveyed by Ian Branfoot and Stuart Gray

 

Any thoughts, anyone?

[hypochondriac]

I like nigel's comments but it would be good if he made some more interesting comments after each game. As long as he keeps winning its just a very minor point though.

[dubai_phil]

Exactly how it is.

It works.

At the end of the Season IF we have actually achieved anything THEN he can talk about how it was done.

 

He should NEVER do anything than look to the next game. Even if we get promoted it will be all about building on the squad and spirit and making sure we have the ability and resources to win the next game.

[brmbrm]

TBH, I like a manager in a suit and tie, not a track-suit. OK OK OK, suits are **** etc, i never wear one (apart from funerals and interviews) but it does give the aura of a man above the normal day-to-day crap, and the manager needs to gove that image.

 

I would rather have NA than any one of these other "good young managers" for the way he portrays himself in public - basically intellectually superior, thoughtful, intelligent, rather than physical and unthinking.

[Crab Lungs]

The only time I heard Nigel break the mould and let his guard down was after we best Mk Find last year.

[Dalek2003]

Glenn Hoddle, supreme tactician. Probably the best manager saints ever had.

[Chez]

Can't stand Adkins interview style, he just puts a PR front on and doesn't really say what he really feels at all. I think he has only done so once and that was when he was fuming after a defeat, donny away perhaps, and in it you got to see the real Nigel. To be honest I get close to switching off whenever he comes on the radio. The one game at a time line is so ******* boring. But hey, who cares? It's what the team does that matters and whatever he says to them away from the microphone it is working. So carry on.

[pressingon]

I like nigel's comments but it would be good if he made some more interesting comments after each game. As long as he keeps winning its just a very minor point though.

 

I heard Adam Blackmore say recently after an interview with Nigel "That was hard work" seemed a guarded reference to not been able to divert Nigel from his standard cliches. I think it reflects more on Blackmore's interview skills. It's lazy to ask the same questions pre and post games and then blame NA for giving the same answers.

[Dr Who?]

Nigel would drive me mad if he was my manager. He would be all blue sky thinking, all text book.

 

It works for Saints though, so long may it continue.

[dubai_phil]

 

Think Billy wrote this about our Nige

 

Don't go changing, to try and please me,

You never let me down before,

Don't imagine, you're too familiar,

And I don't see you anymore.

 

I could not leave you, in times of trouble,

We never would have come this far,

I took the good times, I'll take the bad times,

I'll take you just the way you are.

 

Don't go trying, some new fashion,

Don't change the colour of your hair,

You always have my, unspoken passion,

Although I might not seem to care.

 

I don't want clever, conversation,

I never want to work that hard,

I just want someone, that I can talk to,

I want you just the way you are.

 

I need to know that you will always be

The same old someone that I knew,

What will it take till you believe in me,

The way that I believe in you?

 

I said I love you, and that's forever,

And this I promise from the heart,

I couldn't love you, any better,

I love you just the way you are.

 

I don't want clever, conversation,

I never want to work that hard,

I just want someone, that I can talk to,

I want you just the way you are.

[Chez]

I heard Adam Blackmore say recently after an interview with Nigel "That was hard work" seemed a guarded reference to not been able to divert Nigel from his standard cliches. I think it reflects more on Blackmore's interview skills. It's lazy to ask the same questions pre and post games and then blame NA for giving the same answers.

 

behave, its like getting blood out of a stone. Ask any question you like and he'll say, its not about individuals/opposition/manager/Ricky/decisions and then get back to his one game at a time line. I don't even think he believes in what he is saying its just become his defacto response. Could be worse, he could whine like Clot

[Sour Mash]

Can't stand Adkins interview style, he just puts a PR front on and doesn't really say what he really feels at all. I think he has only done so once and that was when he was fuming after a defeat, donny away perhaps, and in it you got to see the real Nigel. To be honest I get close to switching off whenever he comes on the radio. The one game at a time line is so ******* boring. But hey, who cares? It's what the team does that matters and whatever he says to them away from the microphone it is working. So carry on.

That'd my take on it. All very professional & if we're winning other really doesn't matter, but I can't be bothered to watch them anymore.

[Dr Who?]

Can't stand Adkins interview style, he just puts a PR front on and doesn't really say what he really feels at all. I think he has only done so once and that was when he was fuming after a defeat, donny away perhaps, and in it you got to see the real Nigel. To be honest I get close to switching off whenever he comes on the radio. The one game at a time line is so ******* boring. But hey, who cares? It's what the team does that matters and whatever he says to them away from the microphone it is working. So carry on.

 

It is more about protecting the team, I think he is doing great, and you last point sums up how most of us feel. I try not to listen to any post match interviews with any manager as it is always the same depending on win, lose or draw.

 

If we were losing I would question it more. Used to love WGS interviews, but he took it to far at Middlesbough.

[Avenue Saint]

Would like my manager to be like...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NIGEL ADKINS!!!!

[K,Billy's supersound]

successful

[musesaint]

Nigel

 

Perseverance

 

Our endeavour

 

Blue Lines

 

Buses

 

Boats

 

The man is legend ....oh yea .....and the best manager we've had in years !

[saint lard]

Can't stand Adkins interview style, he just puts a PR front on and doesn't really say what he really feels at all. I think he has only done so once and that was when he was fuming after a defeat, donny away perhaps, and in it you got to see the real Nigel. To be honest I get close to switching off whenever he comes on the radio. The one game at a time line is so ******* boring. But hey, who cares? It's what the team does that matters and whatever he says to them away from the microphone it is working. So carry on.

 

This.

 

I find most of what he says cringe worthy and nauseating.

But it is what the side does on the pitch that matters.

[Sour Mash]

I heard Adam Blackmore say recently after an interview with Nigel "That was hard work" seemed a guarded reference to not been able to divert Nigel from his standard cliches. I think it reflects more on Blackmore's interview skills. It's lazy to ask the same questions pre and post games and then blame NA for giving the same answers.

Whoever does those Saints Player/Solent interviews really doesn't help, rubbish questions, badly paced.

[Manuel]

I sometimes think he comes across as not too bright, or not having a footballing brain, as has been said he's full of standard answers and nauseating chiches. Personally I suspect he's just made up his mind that he's not going to give a single thing away, he knows he's got to talk to the press so rattles off the same old waffle. It's a ruse to keep tactics tight and letting as little information out as possible.

[doddisalegend]

I stopped bothering with Nigel's interviews they're pretty pointless lots of talk without really saying anything. Sometimes I catch one on Solent pre match and his interviews really haven't changed in two seasons. Sometimes I wish he'd be a little more honest (show a little more emotion about ****y reffing and such like) and say what he means but then I think I'd rather he just got on and won games and leave the talking ******** to a nob like Holloway..

Edited 24 March, 2012 by doddisalegend

[david in sweden]

Seen on a few threads thoughts on some of Nigel's post & pre match comments & it's made me wonder what sort of manager style (PR-wise) others would prefer? I think Nigel's "on the bus", "in the building" & "endeavouring to win football matches" are quite endearing although some would consider them a little dull considering how brilliantly he's done for us. To give some options, in (fairly) recent years we've had:

 

Nigel's Nigelisms. Harry Redknapp's front & bullsh*t. Gordon Strachan's directness and (at times caustic) wit.Lawrie McMenemy's larger than life personality

Alan Ball's excitement and enthusiasm. Steve Wigley's clueless clown act* *also purveyed by Ian Branfoot and Stuart Gray

Any thoughts, anyone?

 

 

I think we see a little of all of these " qualities " in Nigel (from time to time) but essentially he is "his own man" and that's what I like about him most.

[david in sweden]

I think we see a little of all of these " qualities " in Nigel (from time to time) but essentially he is "his own man" and that's what I like about him most.

..whatever it is that he's doing right ..(?) ..I wouldn't want to change it .

[Secret Site Agent]

I think based on the 'If they can keep up' comment he made regarding Brighton and the sheet thrown at him afterwards, I don't blame him for being guarded.

 

I prefer my managers to be like me - Flamboyant, eccentric, unique and interesting, and sometimes crazy. An individual who stands out and who is the type that people follow because they want to, not because they have to. It has it's draw backs of course, sometimes coming across as arrogant, out of control and embarrasing. But while Adkins is keeping to the party line, he isn't becoming a target for others, which is a good thing.

[um pahars]

Would have to say a McMenemy style for me (but of course that only works if you're successful), closely followed by Strachan.

 

But at the end of the day managers are judged by their results and so I'm more than happy to be supporting a more restrained and less flamboyant Adkins as he certainly is doing the business. I'm still not convinced we've got the "best players" in this division, so have to give Adkins all the credit for moulding the best team and keeping them going (even through a couple of rough patches).

[shurlock]

He does my head in

 

BUT

 

The Solent interviewers are too ambitious in their questions. They should know by now that asking certain types of questions -say on transfers- is pointless and focus on those topics where answers are slightly more forthcoming. For example, experience shows that, if asked about tactical changes during a game, NA will answer the question relatively truthfully. Not tremendously exciting perhaps but at least its info. The same is true of certain other questions as well.

 

As they've spent the longest time with NA, you would assume that Blackmore and co. would have clocked all this; yet they persist in asking the same, unsavvy questions as if NA is suddenly going to change tack and give them a headline and so the cliche, cat-and-mouse pressers continue.

Edited 24 March, 2012 by shurlock

[pressingon]

We don't expect Frost v Nixon but I think Blackmore could be a bit more imaginative with the questions.

Maybe they have to submit the questions first & it's more than their job's worth to ask something that would upset the club (NC)

As others have said it's all about results and given the journey from when he arrived to where we are now who cares what cliches are flavour of the week.

[hypochondriac]

Nigel

 

Perseverance

 

Our endeavour

 

Blue Lines

 

Buses

 

Boats

 

The man is legend ....oh yea .....and the best manager we've had in years !

 

It's quite possible to love the bloke for what he has done on the pitch whilst at the same time be pretty nonplussed by his interviews. As I said, largely it doesn't matter but it would be nice to know what he really thinks and feels every once in a while.

[RobM]

Nigel with some of Strachans comments would be the ultimate for me. I like the fact that Nigel doesn't give much away, it's reassuringly professional. But with Strachan, you were always waiting in anticipation for the humour that was bound to come.

 

Check this out for a reminder: http://mywordsonly.blogspot.co.uk/2006/04/great-gordon-strachan-quotes.html

 

Strachan: I've got more important things to think about. I've got a yoghurt to finish by today, the expiry date is today. That can be my priority rather than Agustin Delgado.

[Wilf]

If we are judging managers on their interviews in the media then I'd go for Pardew; always interesting and prepared to give genuine insights into the team, individual players and performances, the support we've given and his own feeling about things. Really interesting and entertaining.....

 

but....

 

I think Nigel is doing something much more important when he's interviewed....he's continuing the positive messages that he uses in managing the team and the club, and he is always completely congruent and consistent and that is what true leadership is about.

 

When players watch him being interviewed they will hear and see and feel the same messages being sent, absolutely consistently, every time. And Nigel wants us to be part of it too, because we have a big role to play.

 

For the neutral he must be dull as ditchwater, but I feel he is doing absolutely the right thing for us to get the best possible results on the pitch;

 

How many managers indulge themselves by trying to become "personalities" in front of the camera? Nigel knows it's more important to put everything behind the team.

 

I enjoy his interviews because they reassure me that we have a true leader running the team; I don't expect any insights but I enjoy the waves of

positivity he sends out and I enjoy his skill as he ignores the content of the question to put across his consistent messages every time.

[sfc4prem]

I like his interviews. There, I said it.

 

The professionalism oozes out of him during the post-match and pre-match interviews, he isn't willing to let anyone see behind the determined, focused and efficient front that he, the backroom staff and players have built. I think It's great, and the perfect way to maintain a top-of-the-league campaogn consistently throughout a whole season.

[CWD]

He does my head in

 

BUT

 

The Solent interviewers are too ambitious in their questions. They should know by now that asking certain types of questions -say on transfers- is pointless and focus on those topics where answers are slightly more forthcoming. For example, experience shows that, if asked about tactical changes during a game, NA will answer the question relatively truthfully. Not tremendously exciting perhaps but at least its info. The same is true of certain other questions as well.

 

As they've spent the longest time with NA, you would assume that Blackmore and co. would have clocked all this; yet they persist in asking the same, unsavvy questions as if NA is suddenly going to change tack and give them a headline and so the cliche, cat-and-mouse pressers continue.

 

I don't really think you can blame the solent guys tbh, I mean they have to ask those questions. If they weren't harassing NA throughout January about transfers then they'd start getting angry texts from fans criticising them for not asking!

 

I agree that NA's interviews are a waste of time though, as hypochondriac said, it doesn't really matter to me and it is a tactic that obviously works, but I do wish he'd open up a bit more. I remember in preseason was the only time I heard him be truly honest about transfers. With virtually no provocation he came out with "we are the only team with an offer accepted by Chelsea for Jack Cork", and it was so nice to hear some real news from him for a change!

[paulwantsapint]

Nigel is nuts but he is our nutter

Yes I would love a few WGS style one liners buti don't dislike Nigel's catchphrase interviews, I love the way that his actions in getting the results speak a lot louder than words

[FreemantleSaint]

I'd choose Adkins style, can't understand why so many Saints fans have a problem with it. He comes across as bright, courteous and confident but not cocky. He doesn't give anything away tactically and never seems to let our rivals see any pressure that he's feeling. This guys is on the verge of taking us to two successive promotions and I can't believe some people are still looking to knock him.

[Dig Dig]

Nigel is class. Very deliberate and professional in what he says. Either way, don't know why people pay so much attention to it as it's pretty irrelevant really.