Thoughts on Adkins now.

[sammysaint]

Good manager who learned from his mistakes, happy its working out for him at the moment, if he signs the right 2 players in jan we will stay up with ease and help us build into next season.

[eurosaint]

Sadly there are still many people who base their judgement on solely on the last result !

It is almost impossible to rise from div 3 to the top league in consecutive seasons and continue to win consistently !

We all had opinions on which players were able to make the step up and which were not, but in reality you only know for sure when this is tried and tested !

Likewise tactics and substitutions, everyone is an expert and views differ enormously !

Sensible thinkers will take a longer term view and be confident that stability will bring rewards, those who call for the guillotine after a run of say 4 or 5 defeats, are nothing more than kneejerk

reactionaries who should reflect more on the genuine efforts of those who strive for success on behalf of us all !!

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Nice one, thanks for that. Clearly my tiny brain couldn't ever riddle that one out.

 

So in short, your point was to join the thread to start a row with people that don't exist?

 

Decent.

 

You're welcome.

[merrimd]

Actually think he is becoming an even better manager than last year.

 

Was thinking earlier. It would have been amazing to see MLT play for Adkins. Playing in the Ramirez role. Would that have caught the england managers eyes or what?

[Charlie Wayman]

The fat lady is not ready to do her turn yet......

[Mouldy Coat]

I'd honestly rather go down with Adkins playing our good football than stay up with Pulis/ Allerdice hoofball. He's earned the right to be backed long term. I'm old fashioned though.

 

Agree entirely.

[Stud mark of doom]

I'm sure the manager knows better, but if anyone on here really was foolish enough to think we're out of trouble then I suggest they take a look at the post Xmas fixture list. Between the new year and the start of March we have just 3 PL home games - Arsenal, Everton, and Man City! In all honesty can't see us getting much change out of that lot, so the away games against Villa, Wigan, and Newcastle may well decide whether we enter the 'run in' marooned in the relegation zone, or not.

 

The greatest test of Nigel Adkins managerial credentials lays not in the past - but ahead.

 

Fortunately the run in is a doodle.

 

A quick study of the fixture list before the season started suggested a very difficult start followed by a relatively easy run of fixtures in November and December with a good chance to put some points on the board. Then another difficult couple of months and a surprisingly straightforward run in.

 

Amazingly, in practice the very difficult start coincided with NA making a number of errors which were clearly identifiable by some of our expert posters, whilst the easier run of fixtures has seen him learning from his mistakes (no doubt having read what he should have been doing on here).

 

Stand by for more "errors of management" to be identified in January and February, from our double promotion winning genius of a manager.

[Dr Who?]

Right man for the job at the start of the season, and the right man for the future. My stance has NEVER changed.

[Dig Dig]

Fortunately the run in is a doodle.

 

A quick study of the fixture list before the season started suggested a very difficult start followed by a relatively easy run of fixtures in November and December with a good chance to put some points on the board. Then another difficult couple of months and a surprisingly straightforward run in.

 

Amazingly, in practice the very difficult start coincided with NA making a number of errors which were clearly identifiable by some of our expert posters, whilst the easier run of fixtures has seen him learning from his mistakes (no doubt having read what he should have been doing on here).

 

Stand by for more "errors of management" to be identified in January and February, from our double promotion winning genius of a manager.

 

Even more remarkable is the the fact that our experts called everything right with a fraction of the info which Adkins has. You know, nice to know info but not essential like how well a player has been training, fitness, injury, player instructions, oppo scouts reports, player attitude and confidence etc.

[egg]

I honestly believe that his tactics and possibly team selection earlier this season were influenced by others.

 

We're now employing sensible tactics and team selection.

 

Our shape recently has been superb. We thoroughly outclassed reading and looked a decent team.

 

Credit to Adkins for turning it around. Aside of his obvious tactical sense, he hasn't panicked and has shown real dignity and class. We're lucky to have the man.

[Dalek2003]

I'll hold my hands up. I was calling for Adkins head. But then I consider myself to be a standard football fan that gets sucked into the moment. It's a results business and the thing that frustrated me was the way in which he stuck with players that were making stupid errors out of which felt like a misguided sense of loyalty.

 

It feels like he has changed this now by bringing in Shaw over Fox and now Davis over Gazza (although Davis as a replacement? Still think we need a new keeper in January). I think the moment it changed for me was when we lost to West Bromwich and saw the fans backing the team. I thought to myself then that I should be with them instead of getting on Adkins back.

 

Very happy to be proved wrong in this situation.

 

I was very vocal in my backing for NA and so were a few others, dispite a torrent of abuse. We have a long way to go and some hard days ahead as well. I hope the bedwetters and doom mongers hold their nerve in future.

[alpine_saint]

And our thoughts on NC now, seeing as he hasnt simply knee-jerked and given him the boot ??

[BadgerBadger]

And our thoughts on NC now, seeing as he hasnt simply knee-jerked and given him the boot ??

 

Well done for not sacking NA - is there anything else...........

[pingwing]

After watching Newcastle this evening, Adkins is still miles better than Pards.

 

Best sacking ever made.

[Dig Dig]

After watching Newcastle this evening, Adkins is still miles better than Pards.

 

Best sacking ever made.

 

But his post match interviews are so good!

[KelvinsRightGlove]

And our thoughts on NC now, seeing as he hasnt simply knee-jerked and given him the boot ??

 

I've always said that I think NC, has done a good job. His track record speaks for itself for me.

 

Edit: did mean to mention that I do think he has made some mistakes, but everyone does.

 

I did fear, and after WBA was convinced, he would sack Adkins. I was wrong on this, but happy it didn't happen as I didn't want Adkins to go.

 

So, is Adkins still tactically inept, and out of his league? Does he still need to go? Are we going to be cut adrift by January?

 

If I remember correctly, this is what you said to me on a thread a while back?

[SaintBobby]

I think there's every chance we'll go down.

 

But I'm sanguine about it.

 

It's not Adkins I'm worried about, it's that we've spent an absolute mint.

 

If folk expect us to spend another £10m or so in the transfer window in Jan, we are surely betting the ranch?

[Jack]

I think there's every chance we'll go down.

 

But I'm sanguine about it.

 

It's not Adkins I'm worried about, it's that we've spent an absolute mint.

 

If folk expect us to spend another £10m or so in the transfer window in Jan, we are surely betting the ranch?

 

We've got a much better transfer policy than just about all of our relegation rivals, in that we'd actually be able to sell our big players if it came to it, and recoup most of the money spent on them.

 

Try selling Cisse, Pogrebnyak, Bent, Fletcher, Zamora etc for anything like what was paid for them, and even then there's the eye-watering wages they're on.

 

Not saying it wouldn't hurt if we were relegated, but it wouldn't ruin us like it could do to some of the other sides.

[Cabrone]

My views on NA haven't really changed, having got us up 2 divisions he earnt the right to manage us for at least 1/2 a season and have a crack at the premiership and the 19/20 game mark was when I might have started to question his performance.

 

I think he's performed above expectations so far, how some fans wanted him sacked after the first 10 games which were as tough as you could get was more of an inditement on their lack of patience than NA.

 

He's found his feet and I'm now more confident that he's capable of steering us to safety.

 

The only blot on the copybook is the GK situation.

 

To pick Gazza above Boruc or even Davis for as long as he did seems a bit odd but I think he's now getting that right.

 

I can only guess that Boruc has done something very wrong behind the scenes as he's easly the best we have.

[Ohio Saint]

So far this season I have learned a lot more about my own faults as supporter Than I have NA's attributes as a manager.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

My views on NA haven't really changed, having got us up 2 divisions he earnt the right to manage us for at least 1/2 a season and have a crack at the premiership and the 19/20 game mark was when I might have started to question his performance.

 

I think he's performed above expectations so far, how some fans wanted him sacked after the first 10 games which were as tough as you could get was more of an inditement on their lack of patience than NA.

 

He's found his feet and I'm now more confident that he's capable of steering us to safety.

 

The only blot on the copybook is the GK situation.

 

To pick Gazza above Boruc or even Davis for as long as he did seems a bit odd but I think he's now getting that right.

 

I can only guess that Boruc has done something very wrong behind the scenes as he's easly the best we have.

 

I can understand the stance re: Boruc.

 

The way I see it, is that Adkins and the coaching staff see the players in training everyday. It may not be (though equally, you may be right that something we don't know about has occured) a behind the scenes issue. It may be that he just isn't as good as he used to be. Or it may be that he is extremely out of shape/off the pace.

 

If I remember correctly, he wasn't signed til about September? After the Arsenal game? Is this right?

 

If he really was as good as he once was, or some suggest - why would a former international Goalkeeper, on a free transfer not have a queue of suitors lining up to sign him up?

[ozzmeister]

I think the order of fixtures is the most interesting variable. Had we had our Nov/Dec run in at the start of season and start of season run now (maybe similar to what West Ham are about to face) but the results were the same would people be of the same opinion (NA's doing alright as were now in some form) or would people be saying now that we are in bad form, NA is clueless, we've lost heavily 3/4 games in a row etc etc?

[KelvinsRightGlove]

I think the order of fixtures is the most interesting variable. Had we had our Nov/Dec run in at the start of season and start of season run now (maybe similar to what West Ham are about to face) but the results were the same would people be of the same opinion (NA's doing alright as were now in some form) or would people be saying now that we are in bad form, NA is clueless, we've lost heavily 3/4 games in a row etc etc?

 

It would probably be a similar split, IMO.

 

Those calling for his head, and saying he was out of his debt often chose to ignore who we had played. So it would probably be fair to guess that switching the order of fixtures would probably just mean that the calls for his head would be coming about now.

 

Funny how quiet/absent a certain small but loud minority are now. Fair play to those that have said they wanted Adkins out, and explained their stance/change of opinion since. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes eh?

[Danbert]

Prehaps, but at Liverpool by all accounts it hadn't worked for 60 minutes, so not quite sure why he though it was suddenly going to change if this is the case. At Norwich it was clear some players were fading and we needed to freshen things up, that didnt happen for whatever reason and on another day it could have cost us as Norwich were on top for a lot of the second half whilst we looked jaded.

 

I thought Adkins was doing a good job until I watched the first half of the Liverpool game - we weren't at the races and he did nothing. Still, I guess he had his reasons. I'd certainly far rather the club stuck with him than brought in some muppet. His man management and coaching skills and the way he brings on young players and gives them confidence makes me think he's the right man for the job in the long term.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

I can understand the stance re: Boruc.

 

The way I see it, is that Adkins and the coaching staff see the players in training everyday. It may not be (though equally, you may be right that something we don't know about has occured) a behind the scenes issue. It may be that he just isn't as good as he used to be. Or it may be that he is extremely out of shape/off the pace.

 

If I remember correctly, he wasn't signed til about September? After the Arsenal game? Is this right?

 

If he really was as good as he once was, or some suggest - why would a former international Goalkeeper, on a free transfer not have a queue of suitors lining up to sign him up?

 

I've made this point numerous times, I think Tajjuk or whatever his name is knows why...

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

I can understand the stance re: Boruc.

 

The way I see it, is that Adkins and the coaching staff see the players in training everyday. It may not be (though equally, you may be right that something we don't know about has occured) a behind the scenes issue. It may be that he just isn't as good as he used to be. Or it may be that he is extremely out of shape/off the pace.

 

If I remember correctly, he wasn't signed til about September? After the Arsenal game? Is this right?

 

If he really was as good as he once was, or some suggest - why would a former international Goalkeeper, on a free transfer not have a queue of suitors lining up to sign him up?

 

I've made this point numerous times, I think Tajjuk or whatever his name is knows why...

[Dr. Kucho]

After the Arsenal and Everton game I said Cortese should consider moving Adkins on. I am glad I was wrong and Cortese stuck with Adkins.

Think Adkins is a great manager and like the football we play, would just like to see more emotion at times in his post match interview.

[London Saint]

So far this season I have learned a lot more about my own faults as supporter Than I have NA's attributes as a manager.

 

This. I admit I thought Adkins should have gone after the 4-1 defeat to West Ham, which was just awful. He seemed a dead man walking then and has done well to turn things round...happy to admit that I should have had more faith in him when things were bad!

[Dig Dig]

After the Arsenal and Everton game I said Cortese should consider moving Adkins on. I am glad I was wrong and Cortese stuck with Adkins.

Think Adkins is a great manager and like the football we play, would just like to see more emotion at times in his post match interview.

 

Why do people put so much weight on post match interviews?

Edited 11 December, 2012 by Dig Dig

[Bearsy]

TV adds 10 pounds.

[Dig Dig]

Good point Bearsy. Adkins is a great manager but just wish he looked a bit slimmer in his post match interviews, like Pardew.

[Saint Fan CaM]

I would say he has the potential to be the best young English Manager in the Prem over the course of the next 3-4 years. He loves this club and his job at this club - he deserves our support. The form table doesn't lie - something has changed and for a good reason. If we beat Sunderland, don't be surprised to see him win a 'best manager' award.

[Channonalltheway]

Reference the quotes regarding being tired at Liverpool and Norwich, I look at the bench and wonder what options NA has at times. The bigger clubs have a team, as good as our starting XI, on the bench or in the stands just watching. We don't have this. A year ago we had plenty of options, but in the premiership those options, when do they come on, get found out too quickly. I suggest we need to strenghen in various areas if we are to maintain this level over a season.

[Barry Sanchez]

I am no great fan of his to be honest, his quotes and his behaviour to appear different may do the team a favour by taking the heat away from them but he still looks a blurt when doing it, am very happy to be proved wrong on the pitch so he still should be in the hot seat no question but I still am not enamoured with him like others are.

[LostBoys]

All been done before - tough start but made worse by some amateurish mistakes and substitutions. Looking ok at the moment but another poor run the new year will probably get him the sack. I think relegation is still 50 50 as I did at the beginning of the season. We still need three players arguably four if you include a keeper

[Village Saint]

My views on NA haven't really changed, having got us up 2 divisions he earnt the right to manage us for at least 1/2 a season and have a crack at the premiership and the 19/20 game mark was when I might have started to question his performance.

 

I think he's performed above expectations so far, how some fans wanted him sacked after the first 10 games which were as tough as you could get was more of an inditement on their lack of patience than NA.

 

He's found his feet and I'm now more confident that he's capable of steering us to safety.

 

The only blot on the copybook is the GK situation.

 

To pick Gazza above Boruc or even Davis for as long as he did seems a bit odd but I think he's now getting that right.

 

I can only guess that Boruc has done something very wrong behind the scenes as he's easly the best we have.

 

The rather strange position people have on Boruc continues to puzzle me. He was rather ordinary for years at Celtic - frankly not good enough for the PL for certain. He went to Fiorentina as back-up and rather surprisingly found himself replacing Frey for two seasons. They clearly thought his day was run though and didn't offer him a new contract. Nor did anyone else. We were desperate for a third keeper and signed him but quite why we should expect him to be better than Davis or Gazza in these circumstances is puzzling. And it turns out he isnt!

[Thedelldays]

The rather strange position people have on Boruc continues to puzzle me. He was rather ordinary for years at Celtic - frankly not good enough for the PL for certain. He went to Fiorentina as back-up and rather surprisingly found himself replacing Frey for two seasons. They clearly thought his day was run though and didn't offer him a new contract. Nor did anyone else. We were desperate for a third keeper and signed him but quite why we should expect him to be better than Davis or Gazza in these circumstances is puzzling. And it turns out he isnt!

yet...god knows how many actual cetlic fans will tell you otherwise

[KelvinsRightGlove]

The rather strange position people have on Boruc continues to puzzle me. He was rather ordinary for years at Celtic - frankly not good enough for the PL for certain. He went to Fiorentina as back-up and rather surprisingly found himself replacing Frey for two seasons. They clearly thought his day was run though and didn't offer him a new contract. Nor did anyone else. We were desperate for a third keeper and signed him but quite why we should expect him to be better than Davis or Gazza in these circumstances is puzzling. And it turns out he isnt!

 

I could be wrong on this, but it was my understanding that PART of the reason for his departure from Fiorentina was as a cost-cutting exercise. Italian football, like the countries wider economy, is in the sh!tter.