NickG Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 did well, better team first half. concede two awful goals quickly its concentration RL - every will have opinions, I will live and die by mine. He is the main reason we got to prem, love the guy, I am the only person to look at. Boruc - came well for crosses in 1st half, was commanding in development games, thought his experience would count. Fox - injured. we are going to play 4/3/3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 I thought he sounded lost. Like a dead man walking into an abyss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 we are going to play 4/3/3 even though the players dont look comfortable with it and we aren't very good playing it. Oh well, back to The Championship we go....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 I said he would be sacked by December. Could well be gone this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Such a shame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jampot Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Does worry me when he said " we didnt change it because we were in the ascendancy when 2 nil down." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Such a shame I agree. I'm still unsure how much of this is his fault, even if he says it is all down to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 even if he says it is all down to him. A truly honourable man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 I said he would be sacked by December. Could well be gone this week. .should we quote you on that?......Who did you have lined up for a replacement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamplemousse Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Does worry me when he said " we didnt change it because we were in the ascendancy when 2 nil down." To be fair, we were. And we scored in that period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 That interview did nothing for my confidence in him. I'm of the opinion we should let him put right his wrongs in Jan, when he can strengthen and to be fair, he made it quite clear when asked about strengthening that we can't concede goals like that, which was as close as a 'yes, we need to strengthen' as we're going to get. But to then go on to say, bluntly, we are going to carry on playing 4-3-3 without even a hint of considering change, of dropping his opinion on this in order to win, without coming close to mentioning he will look at other ways of playing if it gets the results, my confidence dropped, quickly. I really admire the desire to want to play great football, but as he has said himself, it's about 'winning games of football' and since we don't seem to be able to do it playing 4-3-3, bloody change it. His justification for not playing Ricky from the start worries me too. It seemed to simply be 'we have other players'. Well, yes, but that doesn't mean you have to play them if it's not the right thing to do. Playing the right way, for your opponent, is more important than playing your star player... but not playing him just because we have others is crazy. That's exactly how it came across in this interview. Perhaps he is being put under pressure to play our new boys? He said with great passion that the team, transfers, tactics, selections and style of play are 100% down to him and him alone and he will live and die by those decisions... but then refuses to entertain the idea of changing. Something doesn't add up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Im sorry but he was talking a load of rubbish. Loved him last two years but hes completely lost the plot. I think its time to go. It was lowes fault we went down not harrys, hed be good, curbs has great record, good managers around at mo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 That interview did nothing for my confidence in him. I'm of the opinion we should let him put right his wrongs in Jan, when he can strengthen and to be fair, he made it quite clear when asked about strengthening that we can't concede goals like that, which was as close as a 'yes, we need to strengthen' as we're going to get. But to then go on to say, bluntly, we are going to carry on playing 4-3-3 without even a hint of considering change, of dropping his opinion on this in order to win, without coming close to mentioning he will look at other ways of playing if it gets the results, my confidence dropped, quickly. I really admire the desire to want to play great football, but as he has said himself, it's about 'winning games of football' and since we don't seem to be able to do it playing 4-3-3, bloody change it. His justification for not playing Ricky from the start worries me too. It seemed to simply be 'we have other players'. Well, yes, but that doesn't mean you have to play them if it's not the right thing to do. Playing the right way, for your opponent, is more important than playing your star player... but not playing him just because we have others is crazy. That's exactly how it came across in this interview. Perhaps he is being put under pressure to play our new boys? He said with great passion that the team, transfers, tactics, selections and style of play are 100% down to him and him alone and he will live and die by those decisions... but then refuses to entertain the idea of changing. Something doesn't add up. There is a remit through all levels of the football club to play a specific way, with a specific formation. This goes round down to the U-14 level teams. The change in the tactics was a club-wide change, not a first team change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 .should we quote you on that?......Who did you have lined up for a replacement? I don't know anything, it's just an opinion. Would it surprise you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 I am really sad for him, but he's got to go. Good man, but we can't concede this many goals and stay up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 There is a remit through all levels of the football club to play a specific way, with a specific formation. This goes round down to the U-14 level teams. The change in the tactics was a club-wide change, not a first team change. That's brilliant and worrying at the same time. It's brilliant that we want to bring players through playing the same style, so they can drop straight into the team and understand the style of play... but what if it doesn't work for the first team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 The fact that RL,who seems to be the only player who has adapted to the PL is either subbed or on the bench. He causes the opposition problems and it has been a disgrace the points lost by subbing him.I will never accept that we would have lost had RL stayed on against MAn u. The confidence just a point in that game would have given would be very telling.NA yes the live and die by your decisions, it seems you are reckless with your job, perhaps BOlton or BUrnley seem a good future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jampot Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 To be fair, we were. And we scored in that period. Well ok yes briefly, then changed it a few minutes later.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 That interview did nothing for my confidence in him. I'm of the opinion we should let him put right his wrongs in Jan, when he can strengthen and to be fair, he made it quite clear when asked about strengthening that we can't concede goals like that, which was as close as a 'yes, we need to strengthen' as we're going to get. But to then go on to say, bluntly, we are going to carry on playing 4-3-3 without even a hint of considering change, of dropping his opinion on this in order to win, without coming close to mentioning he will look at other ways of playing if it gets the results, my confidence dropped, quickly. I really admire the desire to want to play great football, but as he has said himself, it's about 'winning games of football' and since we don't seem to be able to do it playing 4-3-3, bloody change it. His justification for not playing Ricky from the start worries me too. It seemed to simply be 'we have other players'. Well, yes, but that doesn't mean you have to play them if it's not the right thing to do. Playing the right way, for your opponent, is more important than playing your star player... but not playing him just because we have others is crazy. That's exactly how it came across in this interview. Perhaps he is being put under pressure to play our new boys? He said with great passion that the team, transfers, tactics, selections and style of play are 100% down to him and him alone and he will live and die by those decisions... but then refuses to entertain the idea of changing. Something doesn't add up. In a radio solent blog before the start of the season, one of the commentators said that off the record he made it clear that he wasn't in charge or everything at the club and they suggested that he was being told what formations to play. That interview I reckon makes it clear that he has been told to play 4-3-3. May not be the case but that's what I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 He's gone, but he will always have a place in my heart........Pussy alert!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Sounded like a dead man walking IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Im sorry but he was talking a load of rubbish. Loved him last two years but hes completely lost the plot. I think its time to go. It was lowes fault we went down not harrys, hed be good, curbs has great record, good managers around at mo. I would rather get relegated than appoint Harry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 In a radio solent blog before the start of the season, one of the commentators said that off the record he made it clear that he wasn't in charge or everything at the club and they suggested that he was being told what formations to play. That interview I reckon makes it clear that he has been told to play 4-3-3. May not be the case but that's what I think. If it is the case, it limits any potential replacements massively. It means we can only attract managers who don't mind having this dictated to them or who only want to play 4-3-3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 That was the most deflated I have ever heard NA in an interview. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corky morris Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Just listened to Adkins. I have backed him, but no more. Your 4-5-1' because it ain't 4-3-3 is not working. Time to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 I would rather get relegated than appoint Harry. Bizarre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Does anyone know where that blog is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Just listened to Adkins. I have backed him, but no more. Your 4-5-1' because it ain't 4-3-3 is not working. Time to go. Club decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Bizarre. In your opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 That was the most deflated I have ever heard NA in an interview. He was a ghost. Nothing more. I feel bad for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 If it is the case, it limits any potential replacements massively. It means we can only attract managers who don't mind having this dictated to them or who only want to play 4-3-3. Why ffs do we have a fixation for playing this way ? Ridiculous. 4-4-2 has been our success in two seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Merrington mentioning it now. He has been told to play it I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 In all the time Adkins has been with us, that was the most telling interview in terms of what he DIDN'T say. He will be gone soon...a shame yes - however life at Saints will go on without him. If he is being asked to do something that is beyond him, then simply put, he's been found out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 That was the most deflated I have ever heard NA in an interview. Hes got every right to be. He got the tactics spot on for that game and was let down by two unforced errors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSaint Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 If it is the case, it limits any potential replacements massively. It means we can only attract managers who don't mind having this dictated to them or who only want to play 4-3-3. Maybe we need to bring in a manager who isn't afraid to fight his corner if the rumours are true and NC is imposing his will upon the tactics and team selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corky morris Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Merrington mentioning it now. He has been told to play it I'm sure. What makes you say that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Maybe we need to bring in a manager who isn't afraid to fight his corner if the rumours are true and NC is imposing his will upon the tactics and team selection. What will that achieve though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 What makes you say that? The way Adkins ended his interview, the blog that mentioned it before the start of the season (wish I could find it!) and the fact that we are persisting with it in every game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 What is the name of the Solent bloke on twitter with a pukka pie as his picture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 The way Adkins ended his interview, the blog that mentioned it before the start of the season (wish I could find it!) and the fact that we are persisting with it in every game. http://bigadamsport.blogspot.co.uk/ I think.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 What is the name of the Solent bloke on twitter with a pukka pie as his picture? Adam Blackmore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Thanks Rob. Suggest everyone reads that it is very interesting now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Hes got every right to be. He got the tactics spot on for that game and was let down by two unforced errors. Don't disagree about the "errors" letting them down, but for all the posseion etc and tactics 'winning' the first half, how many efforts did we produce on goal ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Just saw his sky interview.he seemed deflated but not beaten. To have to watch that smug BIg Sam after was galling.he knew he had got out of jail and loved mentioning that they were 10points ahead of us now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 I don't know anything, it's just an opinion. Would it surprise you? it would sadden me. ANY new manager would have the same players at his disposal.....and wouldn't be likely to do better. It's the players fault and not the manager's... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSaint Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 What will that achieve though? Can't get us achieving any less than we are at the moment. If the current manager is allowing the Chairman to run rampant and pick the team and tactics unopposed as rumoured, there's only going to be one outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 it would sadden me. ANY new manager would have the same players at his disposal.....and wouldn't be likely to do better. It's the players fault and not the manager's.... To a degree it is the players fault, but the manager makes the team selection. To change the keeper yet again, and not play the only real goal threat is bad management. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 it would sadden me. ANY new manager would have the same players at his disposal.....and wouldn't be likely to do better. It's the players fault and not the manager's... Hmm I'm not sure I agree. Tactics and selections have been lacking as well as player ability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 it would sadden me. ANY new manager would have the same players at his disposal.....and wouldn't be likely to do better. It's the players fault and not the manager's... rubbish...utter utter rubbish.... why did WGS do so well when he came in and saved us....why did arry take us down....why did NA get into 2nd place and pardew could not get into the playoffs....why did branfoot nearly destroy the club yet ball change it about..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingbattigger Posted 20 October, 2012 Share Posted 20 October, 2012 Is It The Southampton Way or the highway For Nigel Adkins? Southampton make their return to the Premier League this week, and fans of the club are full of optimism after two years of almost constant success under the guidance of Nigel Adkins. Whilst as a journalist I have found myself wishing sometimes he would stray from his script and give me the occasional golden nugget, he's constant positivity has been re-assuring for players and fans alike. He is a genuinely good bloke ( as all our local league managers are currently), and Harry Redknapp has called him a future England manager. He has secured four promotions in six seasons in the Football League, and his back to back promotions have catapulted Saints back to the big time fully two years ahead of the club's schedule. You cannot bluff your way to his success, and the constant smiley face and quips would not be enough alone to convince players to play for you, or to play with the attacking and entertaining brief of his they have succeeded in delivering. Great strides have been made off the pitch as well, and Adkins has delivered with considerable financial backing from Nicola Cortese and Markus Liebherr's estate. The club have put together one of the finest academy set-ups in Europe, have great facilties, and look perfectly poised to re-enter the Premier League with all this momentum they can build on, and turn it into a good first season back in the top flight. So, why have I felt compelled to share my worry for Nigel and the team? Let me caveat what I'm sharing with you by saying I hope my worries are unfounded and all is hunky dory for Saints(all our clubs in fact) all season. But there is something niggling away the more I speak to people on and off the record, and it also comes from things the manager has said in interviews I've done with him which I've read between the lines of (rightly or wrongly). As I said, he never says anything beyond the party line, but he is shrewd and has made sure recently we know which bits he's in control of at the club and which bits he's not ! Which brings me to "The Southampton Way" . An ambition by the club and of the chairman to emulate what Barcelona have done over the last decade with developing talent and the style with which they've done it. That ambition is an excellent one to have but I can't help thinking that Saints are in danger of rushing to make that happen , and that it could impact on this season. Nigel Adkins quotes recently: "We've played 4-3-3 all pre-season". "This pre-season we've implemented a different formation yet again, the youth teams from the under-21's down through the football club, that's the way they're used to playing. We want to get our youngsters through the system comfortable playing that way". "To have improved the way we have in the last two years with this group of players is testament to how well they've done". "We are still working to bring players in. I know the chairman is working very hard, and having spoken to him yesterday I'm very excited about what's on the horizon because I know how hard he's working to make things happen". "I imagine we'll be making more signings". Ok, so here's the nub of the above quotes. The chairman is well and truly responsible for making transfers happen, not the manager - which is fine in principle, as long as the manager is identifying the players - but if they don't fill the squad this window, it won't be Nigel's fault. There is a desire from above for the first team to play 4-3-3, because that is the ambition of The Southampton Way. It is a laudable ambition, and good to get players at lower levels of the club to play a certain way to fit into the first team's system. But this first team's system is 4-4-2, and the players brought in so far are comfortable like that as well. Did Saints really spend 7 million pounds on Jay Rodriguez so he could hug the left wing? If Barcelona started hoofing the ball up the pitch like Stoke and keep winning, what happens at Saints? The Southampton Way should be all it is trying to be without the formation - it should be an ethos and an ambition to find, nurture, develop talent and play attractive football. Now if Nigel is playing the system to give themselves more options, and at home they still start games playing two up front and change and adapt as matches go on, great. But what if his default position has to be 4-3-3, because it is deemed from above to be the way forward because that's what Barcelona do? He has a squad of players who've been successful, as he says, playing a certain way, and he has brought them in to be successful in his systems, not someone elses. To play like Barcelona, in that 4-3-3, you need to play at pace through the middle and be playing quick one-twos and triangles all over the attacking half of the pitch to shift defenders and create space. It will be a long season if Saints current first-team squad are suddenly expected to attempt that, against all their recent instincts, against Premier League opposition. Yes to evolution, bringing it through because the younger players are used to it, but imposing it from the top would be a grave error, unless the transfer targets between now and the end of August are top-class stars used to playing that way. My concerns may be unfounded - but would Nigel really choose to not change the formation having gone 3-0 down to Udinese in 35 minutes? How many time have you seen Rickie Lambert rise at the far post in pre-season to head the ball towards goal like we have become accustomed to? So far Nigel has "managed up" very well in his near two years at the club, but what if the team start the season badly - would any manager worth his salt let his reputation be tarnished by looking tactically naive when it's not his doing? I believe he has been questioned when he's gone off script in the past. I also have a genuine concern that all this brilliant momentum the squad have, may be being eaten into by having to play an "alien" brand of football. Hopefully I am over-worrying about a good bunch of players & a management team who are grounded and genuine. In the Saints changing room , there's a poster as you walk from the changing rooms that says, THE SAINTS, TOGETHER WE STAND. My over-riding concern is that if results aren't going well while the team & manager play a system that they've been asked to play, then that motto won't stand up to scrutiny, and it will be Nigel Adkins who pays the price for playing The Southampton Way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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