Draw a line under it.....and move on

[BigShadow]

After the emotions of yesterday, let today be the start of a new positive phase of the Cortese/Liebherr plan. The Adkins phase is over, and we will be forever grateful, but we draw a line under it and move on to the Pochettino phase.

 

As Saints fans we are used to Premier League relegation battles and occasional mid-table obscurity. Nicola Cortese is not. He has higher ambitions for this club - I never fully believed he seriously harboured dreams of taking Saints into Europe - but today I do believe that. Good players are discarded for better ones and no-one bats an eyelid - why should it be so different with a manager. Cortese may be a ruthless, nasty piece of work (spelled **** by some), but he has a bloodymindedness that is sometimes needed to be successful. If he is successful then Saints will be too. One thing I am sure of - he will not be the remotest part perturbed by fans calling him names, booing him, whatever and to be honest, I think he deserves a lot of credit for getting us this far.

 

So, on Monday, by all means give recognition and thanks to Nigel -'One Nigel Adkins' for the first couple of minutes of the game, but then draw that line - let the team and Mauricio know that we are behind them, and lets continue to enjoy the ride as we have done these past few years. Lets not self-destruct, becoming divided and bitter. Our Chairman may have acted like Abramovich, but we are a better club than Chelsea, especially as fans - WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

[Avenue Saint]

After the emotions of yesterday, let today be the start of a new positive phase of the Cortese/Liebherr plan. The Adkins phase is over, and we will be forever grateful, but we draw a line under it and move on to the Pochettino phase.

 

As Saints fans we are used to Premier League relegation battles and occasional mid-table obscurity. Nicola Cortese is not. He has higher ambitions for this club - I never fully believed he seriously harboured dreams of taking Saints into Europe - but today I do believe that. Good players are discarded for better ones and no-one bats an eyelid - why should it be so different with a manager. Cortese may be a ruthless, nasty piece of work (spelled **** by some), but he has a bloodymindedness that is sometimes needed to be successful. If he is successful then Saints will be too. One thing I am sure of - he will not be the remotest part perturbed by fans calling him names, booing him, whatever and to be honest, I think he deserves a lot of credit for getting us this far.

 

So, on Monday, by all means give recognition and thanks to Nigel -'One Nigel Adkins' for the first couple of minutes of the game, but then draw that line - let the team and Mauricio know that we are behind them, and lets continue to enjoy the ride as we have done these past few years. Lets not self-destruct, becoming divided and bitter. Our Chairman may have acted like Abramovich, but we are a better club than Chelsea, especially as fans - WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

 

You are not alone in your views.

 

Up the Saints!

[hypochondriac]

You are not alone in your views.

 

Up the Saints!

 

However you are in a small minority.

[Avenue Saint]

However you are in a small minority.

 

You wish hippo.

 

You always were and forever will be the forum clown :-)

[hypochondriac]

You wish hippo.

 

You always were and forever will be the forum clown :-)

 

Have you not read the mountain on posts from numerous posters on this subject today? I think you can clearly see what the most popular views are.

[Avenue Saint]

Have you not read the mountain on posts from numerous posters on this subject today? I think you can clearly see what the most popular views are.

 

Be honest, you're loving every minute of this aren't you?

[pap]

Have you not read the mountain on posts from numerous posters on this subject today? I think you can clearly see what the most popular views are.

 

Translation: "Of course I'm right. Just ask anyone else on the bandwagon if you don't believe me"

[hypochondriac]

Translation: "Of course I'm right. Just ask anyone else on the bandwagon if you don't believe me"

 

So the 94.8% of forum users who consider the sacking of Adkins to be wrong are bandwagon jumpers?

[Avenue Saint]

Translation: "Of course I'm right. Just ask anyone else on the bandwagon if you don't believe me"

 

It's like all his birthdays came at once today.

[pap]

So the 94.8% of forum users who consider the sacking of Adkins to be wrong are bandwagon jumpers?

 

They are entitled to their opinion, but that's all it is.

 

By the end of the season, they'll either be right or wrong.

[Avenue Saint]

So the 94.8% of forum users who consider the sacking of Adkins to be wrong are bandwagon jumpers?

 

When did he say sacking Adkins was right?

 

Have you lost the ability to read now too?

[hypochondriac]

When did he say sacking Adkins was right?

 

Have you lost the ability to read now too?

 

What bandwagon jumping is he referring to then?

[pap]

When did he say sacking Adkins was right?

 

Have you lost the ability to read now too?

 

Last time Adkins future was really in doubt, couldn't vote either way on the poll.

 

Haven't voted either way in this one either.

[theyin]

I'm as shocked, disgusted and appalled as anyone. Wouldn't say I'm ashamed to be a Saint as some are saying though.

 

Fact of the matter is, our Nige ain't coming back and it's a proven fact that home support on the back of new management does no one any favours.

 

By all means show support for Nigel, if I was there, I'd have joined any protest at the front gates of Cortese's pile this weekend but to throw bile towards him throughout the game on Monday and moving forward will be just plain crazy. Five minutes of 'One Nigel Adkins', waving of the hankies or whatever and then let's get on with the job in hand of proving the bookies wrong and staying up for a starters.

 

Once we've all calmed down, hopefully if, no when Mauricio Pochettino brings us relative success (Champs League hahaha), we'll grow to love and appreciate the fella.

 

Any talk of wishing us to go down is simply preposterous. We've got a sh1t for chairman but if it needs a bastar-do to bring us the success we crave, then so be it. It's the way of the world and unfortunately nice boys don't, on the whole make it nowadays, no matter what we want or think.

 

Get behind THE TEAM

 

ONE NIGEL ADKINS, ONE SAINTS

 

COYR

[Avenue Saint]

I'm as shocked, disgusted and appalled as anyone. Wouldn't say I'm ashamed to be a Saint as some are saying though.

 

Fact of the matter is, our Nige ain't coming back and it's a proven fact that home support on the back of new management does no one any favours.

 

By all means show support for Nigel, if I was there, I'd have joined any protest at the front gates of Cortese's pile this weekend but to throw bile towards him throughout the game on Monday and moving forward will be just plain crazy. Five minutes of 'One Nigel Adkins', waving of the hankies or whatever and then let's get on with the job in hand of proving the bookies wrong and staying up for a starters.

 

Once we've all calmed down, hopefully if, no when Mauricio Pochettino brings us relative success (Champs League hahaha), we'll grow to love and appreciate the fella.

 

Any talk of wishing us to go down is simply preposterous. We've got a sh1t for chairman but if it needs a bastar-do to bring us the success we crave, then so be it. It's the way of the world and unfortunately nice boys don't, on the whole make it nowadays, no matter what we want or think.

 

Get behind THE TEAM

 

ONE NIGEL ADKINS, ONE SAINTS

 

COYR

 

Fair post.

 

Hypo, you thick tank, take note of the 'majority view'!

[pap]

What bandwagon jumping is he referring to then?

 

You're trying to prove you are right by using the sheer weight of supporting opinions that complement your own, hypo.

 

I thought it was obvious.

[UpweySaint]

No matter what league we're in next season im still appalled and ashamed by yesterdays events and I imagine im certainly not alone. If you want to draw a line under it thats fine and I respect your decision to do so as a fellow fan but dont be shocked if plenty of others arent so ready to let this one drop.

[hypochondriac]

They are entitled to their opinion, but that's all it is.

 

By the end of the season, they'll either be right or wrong.

 

Not really. Even if we climb up the table until the end of the season, that doesn't make the decision to sack Adkins in this manner correct.

[Avenue Saint]

Not really. Even if we climb up the table until the end of the season, that doesn't make the decision to sack Adkins in this manner correct.

 

In that event we'll just conveniently forget we've had a successful season then to suit our agenda.

 

As, in the list of priorities, finishing in a strong position won't be anywhere near the top of the priority list will it!

 

Cortese MUST GO!!!

[Nigel=God-Poyet=Sod]

Not really. Even if we climb up the table until the end of the season, that doesn't make the decision to sack Adkins in this manner correct.

 

I'm with you in this but won't take it out on the new manager. Been a terrible day.

[hypochondriac]

In that event we'll just conveniently forget we've had a successful season then to suit our agenda.

 

As, in the list of priorities, finishing in a strong position won't be anywhere near the top of the priority list will it!

 

Cortese MUST GO!!!

 

I don't have a win at all costs mentality. Far more important IMO for the club to be run with integrity and show loyalty towards successful staff (like Adkins) than win a lot of games in a season. You will disagree with me and it's fine that you base saints being successful purely on their league position but please respect that quite clearly not everyone feels that way.

[hypochondriac]

I'm with you in this but won't take it out on the new manager. Been a terrible day.

 

Cheers. No I do agree. Not sure if I mentioned much about the new manager this morning although I may have done in my frustration. As I said earlier though, if we are wildly successful now that is almost an endorsement of the way this has been handled and what has happened and that would be a great shame.

[UpweySaint]

I don't have a win at all costs mentality. Far more important IMO for the club to be run with integrity and show loyalty towards successful staff (like Adkins) than win a lot of games in a season. You will disagree with me and it's fine that you base saints being successful purely on their league position but please respect that quite clearly not everyone feels that way.

 

Spot on. Would winning a bit of silverware be amazing? You bet! But it's not always that black and white what we count as "success" ...

[pap]

Not really. Even if we climb up the table until the end of the season, that doesn't make the decision to sack Adkins in this manner correct.

 

So if you know you're going to sack Adkins, what is the correct manner for the club to do it?

 

NA finding out via TV is a disgrace, I admit. Apart from that, what would you have changed? When would be the perfect time to sack him? Do you line a manager up first or do you sack him with no replacement in mind and put spotters on the roof of SMS in case Phil Brown shows up?

[Nigel=God-Poyet=Sod]

Cheers. No I do agree. Not sure if I mentioned much about the new manager this morning although I may have done in my frustration. As I said earlier though, if we are wildly successful now that is almost an endorsement of the way this has been handled and what has happened and that would be a great shame.

 

Very true, Cortese has acted very poorly over this. Nigel himself proved that you don't have to be nasty to be successful.

[hypochondriac]

So if you know you're going to sack Adkins, what is the correct manner for the club to do it?

 

NA finding out via TV is a disgrace, I admit. Apart from that, what would you have changed? When would be the perfect time to sack him? Do you line a manager up first or do you sack him with no replacement in mind and put spotters on the roof of SMS in case Phil Brown shows up?

 

They should have done it in the summer or next summer (though preferably not at all.) Doing it now IMO is terrible timing and as you said the manner of the sacking is disgraceful.

[BigShadow]

So the 94.8% of forum users who consider the sacking of Adkins to be wrong are bandwagon jumpers?

 

For the record - I am one of the 95% who voted that the decision was wrong. However, there is a difference between disagreeing with what Cortese has done and wanting him hung, drawn and quartered for it.

 

I don't like what Cortese did - but I will support the Saints and I will give the new guy every chance to show why Cortese wanted him.

[Avenue Saint]

For the record - I am one of the 95% who voted that the decision was wrong. However, there is a difference between disagreeing with what Cortese has done and wanting him hung, drawn and quartered for it.

 

I don't like what Cortese did - but I will support the Saints and I will give the new guy every chance to show why Cortese wanted him.

 

Some good posts on here tonight

[hypochondriac]

For the record - I am one of the 95% who voted that the decision was wrong. However, there is a difference between disagreeing with what Cortese has done and wanting him hung, drawn and quartered for it.

 

I don't like what Cortese did - but I will support the Saints and I will give the new guy every chance to show why Cortese wanted him.

 

Again though, there is a difference between giving the new guy a chance and being appalled at the timing and manner of the sacking.

[Avenue Saint]

They should have done it in the summer or next summer (though preferably not at all.) Doing it now IMO is terrible timing and as you said the manner of the sacking is disgraceful.

 

Sack him 'in the summer' before you even know how he'll do in the coming season...

 

Your genius of reasoning never ceases to amaze.

[BigShadow]

Again though, there is a difference between giving the new guy a chance and being appalled at the timing and manner of the sacking.

 

Agreed - but that shouldn't be displayed though Matchday anger toward Cortese. Anyway - what is the end game? Getting Cortese to resign? Then what? Be careful what you wish for.

[niceandfriendly]

For the record - I am one of the 95% who voted that the decision was wrong. However, there is a difference between disagreeing with what Cortese has done and wanting him hung, drawn and quartered for it.

 

I don't like what Cortese did - but I will support the Saints and I will give the new guy every chance to show why Cortese wanted him.

 

Yep, I'm also in the 95% but it doesn't mean I want Cortese out, nor will I join in any protests or dummy-spitting incidents we may or may not see on Monday night.

[UpweySaint]

Sack him 'in the summer' before you even know how he'll do in the coming season...

 

Your genius of reasoning never ceases to amaze.

 

Sack him "mid season" after he had the team playing well, bringing through two of the most exciting young talents we've seen of late, picking up points and looking one or two signings short of being a very strong side ...

 

Your reasoning amazes me!

[Avenue Saint]

Sack him "mid season" after he had the team playing well, bringing through two of the most exciting young talents we've seen of late, picking up points and looking one or two signings short of being a very strong side ...

 

Your reasoning amazes me!

 

Look mate, if I had it my way, I wouldn't have sacked him at all.

 

But neither I or you call the shots, Cortese does.

 

But to call for his head is plain pathetic, he's been a cock but on the whole, he's results do the talking and you can't fault that!

 

Now stop being silly.

[pap]

They should have done it in the summer or next summer (though preferably not at all.) Doing it now IMO is terrible timing and as you said the manner of the sacking is disgraceful.

 

Finding out via TV is specifically what I was saying is disgraceful. If that is an intentional snub (as opposed to genuine timing cock up) then it deserves condemnation. If someone's face doesn't fit, you should tell them to their face.

 

What's done is done.

 

In every other respect it has been seamless. Timing is fine. Still in a transfer window, so time to close deals, etc. The real question is whether Pochettino is the step forward NC says we need.

 

Everything ends badly hypo. If you want to spend the rest of the season venting, that's your lookout, but NA walks out of here with his head held high and should waltz into another job.

 

This BBC piece examines the issue dispassionately. NA's Prem record is not great.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21084754

 

If NC felt he had to go, was never going to be anything but messy.

[hypochondriac]

Sack him 'in the summer' before you even know how he'll do in the coming season...

 

Your genius of reasoning never ceases to amaze.

 

Cortese would have replaced him with RDM in the summer if he had the chance. As reported in the mirror this evening, he made Adkins aware that he wasn't Premiership class and Adkins' reaction after Coventry shows that he knew Clotese wanted him out.

[Avenue Saint]

Cortese would have replaced him with RDM in the summer if he had the chance. As reported in the mirror this evening, he made Adkins aware that he wasn't Premiership class and Adkins' reaction after Coventry shows that he knew Clotese wanted him out.

 

You still here?

[CanadaSaint]

Sack him "mid season" after he had the team playing well, bringing through two of the most exciting young talents we've seen of late, picking up points and looking one or two signings short of being a very strong side ...

 

Your reasoning amazes me!

 

We don't know what's happened inside the club. During our horror run at the start of the season, one of our key vulnerabilities was Fox. Having seen Shaw acclimatize so damn well makes me wonder why he didn't get his chance earlier. Cortese may have wanted to see exactly that (his internally-developed talent focus), but the coaching staff didn't feel he was ready. Hypothetical? Yes, but it could be one of the things behind Cortese's decision, just as over-commitment to the Paint Cup might have been part of Pardew's undoing.

 

I'm just being open-minded here because I don't think Cortese would have taken such a massive risk unless he thought he had good reason - and I completely agree that the manner of Nigel's dismissal (and probably the timing as well) was disgusting.

[UpweySaint]

Look mate, if I had it my way, I wouldn't have sacked him at all.

 

But neither I or you call the shots, Cortese does.

 

But to call for his head is plain pathetic, he's been a cock but on the whole, he's results do the talking and you can't fault that!

 

Now stop being silly.

 

When did I call for his head exactly? Timesaver, I didnt. What im after is a change in the way things are done, a bit of transparancy, and perhaps even a proper thank you for NA other then the pitiful "acknowledgment" he got on the nonsense statement put out.

 

Results arent the only factor for me. Important yes but i'd hope you'd agree not everything. Southampton were always prided on doing things the right way and this aint it. Results yes but not at all costs.

 

Look im not being silly or unrealistic im just not happy with how our clubs being run, fair?

[UpweySaint]

We don't know what's happened inside the club. During our horror run at the start of the season, one of our key vulnerabilities was Fox. Having seen Shaw acclimatize so damn well makes me wonder why he didn't get his chance earlier. Cortese may have wanted to see exactly that (his internally-developed talent focus), but the coaching staff didn't feel he was ready. Hypothetical? Yes, but it could be one of the things behind Cortese's decision, just as over-commitment to the Paint Cup might have been part of Pardew's undoing.

 

I'm just being open-minded here because I don't think Cortese would have taken such a massive risk unless he thought he had good reason - and I completely agree that the manner of Nigel's dismissal (and probably the timing as well) was disgusting.

 

Valid point. To be fair though if that was the reason then i'd have liked NC to come out in a press conference and say "this is what I did, I've done it properly, this is why. not popular by judge me on results". Dont get me wrong I wouldnt be jumping for joy but I could accept that and not be such a big girls blouse about it all

[Avenue Saint]

When did I call for his head exactly? Timesaver, I didnt. What im after is a change in the way things are done, a bit of transparancy, and perhaps even a proper thank you for NA other then the pitiful "acknowledgment" he got on the nonsense statement put out.

 

Results arent the only factor for me. Important yes but i'd hope you'd agree not everything. Southampton were always prided on doing things the right way and this aint it. Results yes but not at all costs.

 

Look im not being silly or unrealistic im just not happy with how our clubs being run, fair?

 

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, on the whole, our club is in a fantastic place. Cortese had a lot to do with that!

 

MY opinion.

[CanadaSaint]

Valid point. To be fair though if that was the reason then i'd have liked NC to come out in a press conference and say "this is what I did, I've done it properly, this is why. not popular by judge me on results". Dont get me wrong I wouldnt be jumping for joy but I could accept that and not be such a big girls blouse about it all

 

I think we'll all be whistling a lot of Dixie if we wait for Cortese to explain himself about anything to anyone. Yes, it would make things better but it's just not his style and it's all part of his horrible arrogance. Jeez, I doubt that he even did it for Nigel so we've got no chance of an explanation.

[Dr Octopus]

After the emotions of yesterday, let today be the start of a new positive phase of the Cortese/Liebherr plan. The Adkins phase is over, and we will be forever grateful, but we draw a line under it and move on to the Pochettino phase.

 

As Saints fans we are used to Premier League relegation battles and occasional mid-table obscurity. Nicola Cortese is not. He has higher ambitions for this club - I never fully believed he seriously harboured dreams of taking Saints into Europe - but today I do believe that. Good players are discarded for better ones and no-one bats an eyelid - why should it be so different with a manager. Cortese may be a ruthless, nasty piece of work (spelled **** by some), but he has a bloodymindedness that is sometimes needed to be successful. If he is successful then Saints will be too. One thing I am sure of - he will not be the remotest part perturbed by fans calling him names, booing him, whatever and to be honest, I think he deserves a lot of credit for getting us this far.

 

So, on Monday, by all means give recognition and thanks to Nigel -'One Nigel Adkins' for the first couple of minutes of the game, but then draw that line - let the team and Mauricio know that we are behind them, and lets continue to enjoy the ride as we have done these past few years. Lets not self-destruct, becoming divided and bitter. Our Chairman may have acted like Abramovich, but we are a better club than Chelsea, especially as fans - WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

 

I couldn't agree more. Some of you people need to get a grip of yourselves, I bet most were calling for NA's head when we were on a bad run.

 

I'm as shocked as everyone else at the timing and was always behind him and wanted him to be successful with Saints. All this anti NC stuff is crazy, if it weren't for him we may not be here now.

 

I loved NA but we need to move on, I will chant his name before the game then get behind the team.

 

Lets stick together for the sake of the club.

[positivepete]

After the emotions of yesterday, let today be the start of a new positive phase of the Cortese/Liebherr plan. The Adkins phase is over, and we will be forever grateful, but we draw a line under it and move on to the Pochettino phase.

 

As Saints fans we are used to Premier League relegation battles and occasional mid-table obscurity. Nicola Cortese is not. He has higher ambitions for this club - I never fully believed he seriously harboured dreams of taking Saints into Europe - but today I do believe that. Good players are discarded for better ones and no-one bats an eyelid - why should it be so different with a manager. Cortese may be a ruthless, nasty piece of work (spelled **** by some), but he has a bloodymindedness that is sometimes needed to be successful. If he is successful then Saints will be too. One thing I am sure of - he will not be the remotest part perturbed by fans calling him names, booing him, whatever and to be honest, I think he deserves a lot of credit for getting us this far.

 

So, on Monday, by all means give recognition and thanks to Nigel -'One Nigel Adkins' for the first couple of minutes of the game, but then draw that line - let the team and Mauricio know that we are behind them, and lets continue to enjoy the ride as we have done these past few years. Lets not self-destruct, becoming divided and bitter. Our Chairman may have acted like Abramovich, but we are a better club than Chelsea, especially as fans - WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

 

Spot on

[Sour Mash]

I couldn't agree more. Some of you people need to get a grip of yourselves, I bet most were calling for NA's head when we were on a bad run.

 

I'm as shocked as everyone else at the timing and was always behind him and wanted him to be successful with Saints. All this anti NC stuff is crazy, if it weren't for him we may not be here now.

 

I loved NA but we need to move on, I will chant his name before the game then get behind the team.

 

Lets stick together for the sake of the club.

Hardly anyone was shouting for Adkins head either on here or at matches. The vast majority backed him, even at our lowest points this season.

 

And of course we would still be here without NC. It's sad to see that some really do accept absolutely anything the chairman of their football club does.

[Faz]

If, and I accept this is a big "if", NA had lost the next three gaems and we were back in the bottom three, how many people would be castigating NC for not taking action earlier?

 

NA's job, so far as I read it, was to get us to the PL. He alluded to it after Coventry. He completed his project at least a year early, and was given a chance in the PL. After our summer spend, NC wanted more I guess.

 

Throughout football, in all countries, managers come and go with the possible exception of three in the PL; most go with fans on their back and the media heaping pressure. NA goes with his reputation and honour in tact, and the PL on his CV. I'm grateful, and I wish him well; he will walk in to a fantastic job at a big NPC club like Leeds or Leicester. But, as MP said, now we move on to the next project.

[Faz]

Hardly anyone was shouting for Adkins head either on here or at matches. The vast majority backed him, even at our lowest points this season.

 

And of course we would still be here without NC. It's sad to see that some really do accept absolutely anything the chairman of their football club does.

 

Actually there were plenty on here saying he wasn't up to it. It was in the real world of fans who go to games that he got his backing.

 

I wouldn't take too much notice of all the faux emotion on here around his sacking either.

[Sour Mash]

Actually there were plenty on here saying he wasn't up to it. It was in the real world of fans who go to games that he got his backing.

 

I wouldn't take too much notice of all the faux emotion on here around his sacking either.

No, there weren't plenty on here, just a vocal handful. And as you say, those at the games completely backed Adkins.

 

It's no 'faux emotion' people are genuinely p*****d off with the decision and have had enough with.the way our club is run.

[Dr Octopus]

Hardly anyone was shouting for Adkins head either on here or at matches. The vast majority backed him, even at our lowest points this season.

 

And of course we would still be here without NC. It's sad to see that some really do accept absolutely anything the chairman of their football club does.

 

I know people were calling for his head, I heard it with my own ears, especially after some losses with what looked like bad substitutions costing us thaw game. Don't get me wrong I am disgusted at the way it all happened but just like when AP got sacked we have to give the new man a chance and hope the decision by NC was the correct one.

[Sour Mash]

I know people were calling for his head, I heard it with my own ears, especially after some losses with what looked like bad substitutions costing us thaw game. Don't get me wrong I am disgusted at the way it all happened but just like when AP got sacked we have to give the new man a chance and hope the decision by NC was the correct one.

Ah right, you must have missed our whole away support at West Brom, QPR the Northam most home games singing his name throughout.