Adkins Favourite for the Chop

[hypochondriac]

I could see it.........cant see many of our fans too chipper if it happens lol

If it happened it would be the end of my involvement with the club until the day he left again. Won't happen though.

[SaintRobbie]

Would suit Redknapp now, only failed here because the chairman at the time was a ****. It is close to his home has now got ambitious chairman . . You heard it here first.

 

Though to be truthful im more "in the pub" than "in the know"

 

Stranger things have happened. The fans would hate it, unless he did what he always does with a well-backed Chairman and buy talent before achieving success. Then we'd love him again as we did when he first arrived. Still the best English manager on the market by a country mile....

 

but Redknapp wouldnt be my choice! What's more I doubt he'd take it. 'Arry strikes me as being a man who likes to be loved, he isn't loved here. He doesnt need the hassle. He's unlikely to want the hassle.

[Windmill Arm 2]

Not really.

 

Hasn't done any impressive business in the transfer window (so far), has an ambitious chairman who has stated his rather optimistic ambitions for the club in public and has also proven in the past that he's not afraid to sack a popular manager. I'd say on paper he probably is one of the favourites to go. The only reason Big Sam isn't ahead of him is because WHU owners showed loyalty to him last season when he was under pressure.

 

Yeah, the signings of Hooiveld and Sharp did nothing to enhance our promotion chances, and Tadanari Lee is crap !! (sigh)

[St_Tel49]

At least with Redknapp we'd stop trying to sign the whole NPC Team of the Season 11/12.

... and try signing the Champions League team of the season instead leading to huge success in a year and bankruptcy in two. That's the usual pattern isn't it?

[hypochondriac]

Because a) they just picked from the promoted clubs and b) they think foreign chairman sack people easily. I doubt they've bothered to actually give it more than 5 seconds thought.

 

Which is why Newcastle were favourites last year...

[The9]

I'd be betting on Steve Clarke personally. Taking over from a very accomplished manage, a long time assistant with no previous Prem management experience and a West Brom side that may have just got comfortable in mid table for a year or two and forgotten what it's like to fight.

[hypochondriac]

... and try signing the Champions League team of the season instead leading to huge success in a year and bankruptcy in two. That's the usual pattern isn't it?

 

Hoe about buying some premier ship experience or some established proven quality rather than just potential in order to establish ourselves in this league.

[lordswoodsaints]

Are you all saying that he shouldn't be sacked even if we are losing every week by large score lines and end up in bottom place with no hope of getting out of it?

I would be bitterly disappointed if it didn't happen tbh,I would feel for the fella as upto now he's done a decent job,but to limp along with a manager who is out of his depth would be a silly thing to do.

[It's There]

Personally I think too many underestimate the quality of NA. We will be fine this season and surprise many- including the big three. We will finish in the top 10.

[Yeovil Saint]

I think the bookies have got this one fairly right, Nigel Adkins being the first manager fired is about 20% in my book. Someone always goes before Christmas and I don't think that any newly appointed manager will go so quickly, likewise there's some managers that look unsackable and they have to go on a bad run before they use up their credit. So there's only a very few managers that are in the firing line and NA is one of them.

 

My shortlist: Martin Jol, Roberto Mancini, Alan Pardew, Mark Hughes (imho the favourite to go), Adkins and BFS

[theyin]

Stranger things have happened. The fans would hate it, unless he did what he always does with a well-backed Chairman and buy talent before achieving success. Then we'd love him again as we did when he first arrived. Still the best English manager on the market by a country mile....

 

but Redknapp wouldnt be my choice! What's more I doubt he'd take it. 'Arry strikes me as being a man who likes to be loved, he isn't loved here. He doesnt need the hassle. He's unlikely to want the hassle.

 

He was hated at Pompey when he returned. What did he do? Brought them success and he was loved again (though not as much).

 

You can't get much more of a fickle person than a football fan so I would suggest if he came, blew NC's millions and brought us a modicum of success then even the Northam will be singing his name in praise.

 

He has already shown he has the front to make a return, I also think his ego is big enough to come back if he was offered the chance. He certainly wouldn't be worrying about fans getting on his back.

 

God forbid it never happens though.

 

I'd also suggest that if we have been whopped 5 games into the season, it is more likely to be the actions of the fans that will ultimately determine NC's response. The Northam especially. Whatever your feelings, 5 games is not enough to determine the season going forward so anyone thinking of venting their anger (ridiculous given the task at hand in the first 5 games), should keep their mouths shut and look at encouraging the team and not getting on their backs....or NA's.

 

For that's the story the media will ring in about us.

[chivvy1664]

Redknapp when given the cash gets results you cant tell me spurs are not a better team now. He took over the relegation season having sold beattie and didnt exactly have the pick of players. We where desperate. If lowe had given him more money in first year in the championship we would have stood a chance . You could tell lowe was the problem. He had no interest in fighting with both hands tied behind his back.

 

He has been pretty successfull eveywhere else. He was the people choice for England manager. He is vastly experienced in the premier league.

 

Im not saying i want him and just putting across a balanced view point of the man. You cant blame him for our relegation entirely.

[This Charming Man]

Yeah, the signings of Hooiveld and Sharp did nothing to enhance our promotion chances, and Tadanari Lee is crap !! (sigh)

 

I was referring to our business dealings in this transfer window and strengthening our side for Premiership survival.

[West End Saint]

I would not be surprised at all to see NA gone before the end of September I don't think NC see's him as the man to take us on in the prem & I dont think he trusts his judgement on buying players maybe that is why we havent seen the big signings we thought we would get & will need if we are going to stay in the Prem.

 

I like Nige & think he has done a great job & deserves a good crack at the Prem but I have a feeling if we take a couple of hiddings which given our opening 4 games is likely he will get the chop.

[alpine_saint]

IMO something has gone very wrong at the club over the second part of this close season. What, I dont know. From appearing energetic and proactive in the transfer activity, we have disappeared off the scope. Maybe we blew our budget on J-Rod, I dont know. But the team has significant weakness still, is playing a new system and struggling to come to grips, so if it all goes tits up over the first dozen games and we part company with NA, I would not be surprised.

 

Would be a real shame.

[DT]

I really hope NC has not withdrawn financial support so it's easier to sack NA when the results (mainly from having an inadequate defence) don't come about. Hope that's too cynical a reading.

[This Charming Man]

I think the bookies have got this one fairly right, Nigel Adkins being the first manager fired is about 20% in my book. Someone always goes before Christmas and I don't think that any newly appointed manager will go so quickly, likewise there's some managers that look unsackable and they have to go on a bad run before they use up their credit. So there's only a very few managers that are in the firing line and NA is one of them.

 

My shortlist: Martin Jol, Roberto Mancini, Alan Pardew, Mark Hughes (imho the favourite to go), Adkins and BFS

 

Mancini has just signed a new 5 year deal, there's no way he's going anywhere unless they have a truly horrific season which I can't see happening. Hughes would be up there for me, never really done it as a manager, just living off his reputation as a player.

[This Charming Man]

I really hope NC has not withdrawn financial support so it's easier to sack NA when the results (mainly from having an inadequate defence) don't come about. Hope that's too cynical a reading.

 

As Cortese proved with sacking Pardew, he's not afraid to make an unpopular decision. Would be too much of a risk to ensure we headed into the season with a weak squad, only to sack Adkins. If a new manager was to come in, he'd have to rely on signing loan players and that would go against Cortese' principles in what he's trying to do here.

[lordswoodsaints]

I'm with this,anybody who blames redknapp for our relegation need to think long and hard about it,Lowe was the problem....he didn't give Harry any money but expected him to perform miracles on a shoestring ,and all those who don't want him because of his Pompey connections need to grow up.

Staying in the premiership is everything and to say otherwise shows no ambition,if Adkins is not upto the job then we need somebody who is.its obvious to everybody that something is not right at the club,either we can't attract the players we need because of cortese/Adkins or we are not willing to bow to the pressures of spending decent money,perhaps there is something else going on,who knows but what we do know is that we arent ready for the task ahead.

Change is good,if it's not working then fix it,if you can't fix it then change it.

[Window Cleaner]

Funny how so much can change in such little time.

 

Adkins was 'GOD' like 3 months ago. Now, 5 games and he should be gone if he fails.

 

5 games might be a bit scroogish, probably get 10 at least but the recruitment has been poor in some areas, CB for instance where NA has said we would definitely be strenghening and that hasn't happened so far. All depends really whether the players we have brought in and those confirmed in their positions (like KD) have been NAs doing.

[doddisalegend]

As Cortese proved with sacking Pardew, he's not afraid to make an unpopular decision. Would be too much of a risk to ensure we headed into the season with a weak squad, only to sack Adkins. If a new manager was to come in, he'd have to rely on signing loan players and that would go against Cortese' principles in what he's trying to do here.

 

When Pardew was sacked I seem to recall the club said the whole point of Les Reed and the committee was to have a team that any manager could take over. So the players bought aren't suppossed to be tied to one manager thus a new manager would be expected to work with the players he has rather than bringing in new players. Nigel turnned us round when he first arrived without bringing in any new faces straight away.

[doddisalegend]

I'm with this,anybody who blames redknapp for our relegation need to think long and hard about it,Lowe was the problem....he didn't give Harry any money but expected him to perform miracles on a shoestring ,and all those who don't want him because of his Pompey connections need to grow up.

Staying in the premiership is everything and to say otherwise shows no ambition,if Adkins is not upto the job then we need somebody who is.its obvious to everybody that something is not right at the club,either we can't attract the players we need because of cortese/Adkins or we are not willing to bow to the pressures of spending decent money,perhaps there is something else going on,who knows but what we do know is that we arent ready for the task ahead.

Change is good,if it's not working then fix it,if you can't fix it then change it.

 

Quite frankly any manager who needs an open cheque book to get results was totally the wrong sort of manager for saints during the Lowe years 'Arry was never going to be able to work under the sort of budget Lowe would spend.

[sidthesquid]

Redknapp when given the cash gets results you cant tell me spurs are not a better team now. He took over the relegation season having sold beattie and didnt exactly have the pick of players. We where desperate. If lowe had given him more money in first year in the championship we would have stood a chance . You could tell lowe was the problem. He had no interest in fighting with both hands tied behind his back.

 

He has been pretty successfull eveywhere else. He was the people choice for England manager. He is vastly experienced in the premier league.

 

Im not saying i want him and just putting across a balanced view point of the man. You cant blame him for our relegation entirely.

 

We were worse under him than Wigley and he signed some of the worst players ever to pull on the shirt. We had no team spirit under him and clearly didn't give a damn. As for the first year in the CCC he said publicly that if he couldn't sign Clinton Morrison (ffs!) there was no-one else he wanted to sign and didn't, even though was reputedly money available.

Over-rated as a manager, a gruesome human being whose main skill is knowing how to play the media, I hold him largely resposible for our relegation and I would tear up my ST if he came back.

[Secret Site Agent]

OK we're doing it again.

 

'NA aint signed no one. What's the matter with him, he knows we need a CB, but he just aint bothered to spend the cash.'

 

The truth is quite simple:

 

a) we don't know what players he is interested in, until they sign, or the manager makes upm stories about us tapping up their player, or they raise the price to 18 million

b) we don;t know who we HAVE approached and failed to sign

c) we don't know what deals are being done at the moment

d) we don't really know what are strategy is this season, what our target is.

e) we don't know if we're going to play the long game and wait until the January transfer window.

f) we don't know what foreign players may be on the radar, either permenant of loanees.

g) we don't know if Nigel has the cabability to manage in the Prem, but then again the likes of Sir Alec and Arsene weren't born in a test tube just to manage in the prem, everyone has to start somehow

h) we don't know if Nigel will walk instead of being pushed.

i) we don't know if Nicola has already given Nigel an ultimatum

j) we don't know if the 'success factor' will dribble down to the players and give them the boost to actually compete at this level.

k) we don't know the capabilities of the team. Judging them on a few pre-season games, where we constantly change the team and tactics, is like asking me to make a tower out of lego, mechano, straws, sand, bags of suger, then worry that I would have problems managing the construction of a new Tower block .

l) Bookies are just stataticians that work on the basis of probably. There isn't one who would give you more than 2/1 on the toss of a coin, where as science tell us that the odds of tails is higher than heads, (53/47) and they wouldn't give you more than 7/1 on an accident happening on a certain day, where as collected data tells us we have more accidents on a Wednesday than any other day, and just like the theory why the bumblebee can fly, science just can't prove it. But bookies have to make sure they cover risk, and it's easier on paper to prove Nigel, than it is to prove Sir Alex, will be the first to go.

 

So, based on the above above, how about we take this with a pinch of salt.

[DT]

OK we're doing it again.

 

'NA aint signed no one. What's the matter with him, he knows we need a CB, but he just aint bothered to spend the cash.'

 

The truth is quite simple:

 

a) we don't know what players he is interested in, until they sign, or the manager makes upm stories about us tapping up their player, or they raise the price to 18 million

b) we don;t know who we HAVE approached and failed to sign

c) we don't know what deals are being done at the moment

d) we don't really know what are strategy is this season, what our target is.

e) we don't know if we're going to play the long game and wait until the January transfer window.

f) we don't know what foreign players may be on the radar, either permenant of loanees.

g) we don't know if Nigel has the cabability to manage in the Prem, but then again the likes of Sir Alec and Arsene weren't born in a test tube just to manage in the prem, everyone has to start somehow

h) we don't know if Nigel will walk instead of being pushed.

i) we don't know if Nicola has already given Nigel an ultimatum

j) we don't know if the 'success factor' will dribble down to the players and give them the boost to actually compete at this level.

k) we don't know the capabilities of the team. Judging them on a few pre-season games, where we constantly change the team and tactics, is like asking me to make a tower out of lego, mechano, straws, sand, bags of suger, then worry that I would have problems managing the construction of a new Tower block .

l) Bookies are just stataticians that work on the basis of probably. There isn't one who would give you more than 2/1 on the toss of a coin, where as science tell us that the odds of tails is higher than heads, (53/47) and they wouldn't give you more than 7/1 on an accident happening on a certain day, where as collected data tells us we have more accidents on a Wednesday than any other day, and just like the theory why the bumblebee can fly, science just can't prove it. But bookies have to make sure they cover risk, and it's easier on paper to prove Nigel, than it is to prove Sir Alex, will be the first to go.

 

So, based on the above above, how about we take this with a pinch of salt.

Doesn't mean we can't speculate/express worries/discuss. Rather the point of this forum.

Point l) - bookies organise prices according to amount of bets placed, as well.

[Give it to Ron]

I'm with this,anybody who blames redknapp for our relegation need to think long and hard about it,Lowe was the problem....he didn't give Harry any money but expected him to perform miracles on a shoestring ,and all those who don't want him because of his Pompey connections need to grow up.

Staying in the premiership is everything and to say otherwise shows no ambition,if Adkins is not upto the job then we need somebody who is.its obvious to everybody that something is not right at the club,either we can't attract the players we need because of cortese/Adkins or we are not willing to bow to the pressures of spending decent money,perhaps there is something else going on,who knows but what we do know is that we arent ready for the task ahead.

Change is good,if it's not working then fix it,if you can't fix it then change it.

 

Really? I disagree about a few things there and I certainly am no Lowe Luvvie.

It wasn't Lowe that bought on Calum Davenport to play against the bully Carlton Cole, it wasn't Lowe that put in Brett Ormerod instead of Kevin Phillips.

It wasn't Lowe that put out young kids in a league cup game and slaughtered them the next day a side where most of that team got thrashed in a reserve game the week before.

 

Something isn't right...4 days to go and the main area that needs strengthening hasn't been addressed...why not as every fan, local media, ex player, ex manager etc etc thinks it.

[surrey1saint]

What I think for what it's worth,is that NC will give him 10 games or so in which to show some results,otherwise he will be out the door.

[Charlie Wayman]

Sounds like a good bet to me especially if we are bottom in December with Rodgers to follow through the exit at Liverpool

[Lighthouse]

I think there are much more likely bets out there.

 

Allardyce will have to get West Ham playing a lot better than last season if he is to keep them away from the drop zone.

Liverpool managers have a remarkably short lifespan if you're not either a cop legend or top of the league immediately.

Laudrup has a tough act to follow at Swansea and has a history of walking away/sackings Redknapp would be proud of.

Will AVB be any more popular in the Spuds dressing room than Chelsea?

McDermott had a fantastic second half of last season but his overall CV is much weaker than Adkins. Will he be a one-hit-wonder?

[This Charming Man]

Something isn't right...4 days to go and the main area that needs strengthening hasn't been addressed...why not as every fan, local media, ex player, ex manager etc etc thinks it.

 

People have been telling Wenger for years he needs a decent keeper and CB and he hasn't listened... Probably why they've won bugger all recently.

[Secret Site Agent]

Doesn't mean we can't speculate/express worries/discuss. Rather the point of this forum.

Point l) - bookies organise prices according to amount of bets placed, as well.

 

Oh no, don't get me wrong. I'm all for a lively debate, but half of us have sacked him already based on this.

 

And mentioned Harry in the same breath. His very name sends shivers down my back.

[Horley CTFC Saint]

Paddy Power on Talk Sport now. NA is favourite to be first manager to get sacked in the PL this season at 4/1. BFS second at 7's.

 

Nice positive way to start the season.

 

To put it into perspective though, Pardew was favourite this time last year so could be a good omen!

I hear that PST have put all their money on this - good investment they say and will help to pay off Balram

[Legod Third Coming]

Doesn't mean we can't speculate/express worries/discuss. Rather the point of this forum.

Point l) - bookies organise prices according to amount of bets placed, as well.

 

Point 1 - cobblers. Bookies make a market based on odds-compilers. Prices then CHANGE based on the weight of money combined with the odds-compiler's view. But you can't price a market on a volume of trading that has yet to happen... Unless you're running a tissue. Which they won't on footballer managers.

 

Incidentally, manager markets are for mugs. They are by a country mile bookies most profitable markets. And if you're in the know, you can't get on!!!

[Legod Third Coming]

Sounds like a good bet to me especially if we are bottom in December with Rodgers to follow through the exit at Liverpool

 

 

Nah, my money is on Liverpool for relegation (you heard it here first) simply because Rodgers won't be sacked. The Americans can't afford to sack him and show that they have no strategy for the club.

I was in Liverpool last night and from what I could make out lichhhhe, they're all still mourning King Kenny...

[batterseasaint]

Anyone who thinks Cortese would employ Redknapp cannot fully understand what Cortese is trying to build here. Redknapp insists on total control over everything relating to the first team, including the formation we play. This does not fit with Cortese's strategy of having a 'Southampton Way' which the youngsters are indoctrinated into at a young age, so their transition into the first team is as seamless as possible. Which neatly leads into the next point; anyone remember Mansfield (?) when Redknapp picked the kids, we promptly lost and Redknapp said 'I told you so'?

 

Cortese and Redknapp (and throw in Les Reed as well) would be a match made in the fires of hell. And I'm pretty sure they'd all know that if they gave the idea even five minutes of consideration.

[CB Fry]

Anyone who thinks Cortese would employ Redknapp cannot fully understand what Cortese is trying to build here. Redknapp insists on total control over everything relating to the first team, including the formation we play. This does not fit with Cortese's strategy of having a 'Southampton Way' which the youngsters are indoctrinated into at a young age, so their transition into the first team is as seamless as possible. Which neatly leads into the next point; anyone remember Mansfield (?) when Redknapp picked the kids, we promptly lost and Redknapp said 'I told you so'?

 

Cortese and Redknapp (and throw in Les Reed as well) would be a match made in the fires of hell. And I'm pretty sure they'd all know that if they gave the idea even five minutes of consideration.

 

Sounds a hell of a lot like the Lowe way, what you've described there.

 

But you're right...highly unlikely Cortese would employ HR. Unless we were desperate and facing relegation. Like, well, Lowe did. But obviously HR has some, well, history with us now.

 

So employing HR, nope. Sacking NA? It's fairly easy to envisage the circumstances where that would happen.

[batterseasaint]

We are a top flight club with high ambitions. Even managers of clubs with lesser ambition are constantly under pressure to deliver. Throw into the mix a chairman who is not afraid to make unpopular decisions, and yes, I'm sure Nige realizes that he has to perform otherwise his position will be under scrutiny. Which is a shame, because I'm not sure that a manager can work best, with the long term good of the club at heart, if they are more worried about their own short term future. And equally, I believe that Nige is one of the best young managers to develop in this country for a good few years.

 

That said, we would live on as a club without Nige, and you never know, we may even improve without him. If Cortese really is hell-bent on achieving his stated ambitions, you wouldn't bet against a change of manager improving our position.

[Barry the Badger]

. His spending has not included any seasoned - quality - Premier pros and that concerns me. I'd be looking for experience to bolster our side not loads of Championship talent.

 

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Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis

[S-Clarke]

Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis

 

Who?

[melmacian_saint]

I honestly think that Cortese probably thinks that Adkins has something to prove. It's true he turned us around but it's equally right to say that without the financial backing we have now he probably wouldn't have pulled the trick so outstandingly.

 

It's a big test for any manager, and for any players or club for that matter. If the Liebherrs want to bring about real change to the club it can't just be about investment of bags of money with no solid foundations left for the club to run without it.

 

Hopefully he and the squad will be up to the task and after an initial struggle we can find our way and celebrate survival come May.

[sotonian]

Whilst I think it wrong, I'd be actually shocked if NA is still our manager at Xmas