The Mirror: 'Tensions over transfers saw Adkins sacked'

[The Kraken]

Articles with someone called "source" or merely "The Mirror understands that..." should be treated with some caution.

 

However, if the last paragraph is true then NC can't be blamed for not being ambitious enough: Di Matteo and van Maarwijk are relatively big names!

 

Exactly. Lets go along with the positive stuff, but be cautious with the stuff that is less happy clappy. Congratulations, you qualify for the wine soaked Frank's Cousin's acceptabilty of SFC stories club.

[NickG]

The keeper thing doesn't tie in with Akdins comments that he wanted 'one maybe two keepers' l

 

Are you saying don't believe article? (Not sure whether I do or not, but clearly says NA wasn't keen on NC's view that top keep a priority)

[Frank's cousin]

To be fair Frank, didn't you say yourself that you had drunk too much that time you had your last forum meltdown?

 

'meltdown'? not sure what that really is, but getting pished off with constant moronic wind up happens to all eventually. On some occasions you dont even need to have had a glass or 2...

[Frank's cousin]

Exactly. Lets go along with the positive stuff, but be cautious with the stuff that is less happy clappy. Congratulations, you qualify for the wine soaked Frank's Cousin's acceptabilty of SFC stories club.

 

Would you care to point out where I have 'doubted' this article? more BS from you Kraken, you are slipping - the need to resort to insults is a sign of running out of ideas.

[Turkish]

Would like to see where I 'trumpet positive news from roof tops' or even state I believe it... but since when did that matter... - The point is a very simple one - If there is positive rumours on here such as big name signings' date=' its interesting, but until it happens its just rumour, harmless as it has no negative impact...no need to spend ages dismissing it and jumping all over it because it means didly squat apart form generate a bit of excitement - which some enjoy (except those determined it seems not to enjoy anything)... rumours of disharmoney, negative issues etc, by their very nature can be divisive, and cause trouble, so its only natural that if you spread them you will be questioned more about them. Anyone sober or otherwise can see that is a simple concept.[/quote']

 

But the rumours that you dismissed have now got substantial evidence backing them up haven't they? It's in the national media. The evidence you demanded is there for all to see. Unless of course you beleive, like some did, that it's a national media wide wind up? I know it's not been an easy few days for you and a few dreams have been shattered and I know what that might mean and what some of your type resort to to deal with, but surely even you can see that there is some considerable truth to the rumours ou dismissed out of hand.

[The Kraken]

Would you care to point out where I have 'doubted' this article? more BS from you Kraken' date=' you are slipping - the need to resort to insults is a sign of running out of ideas.[/quote']

 

Did I accuse you of doubting this article, Farnck?

[Crab Lungs]

He has fantastic potential and another Club will benefit from it. I hate that.

 

Likewise.

 

I don't think some people really understand what we've lost.

 

Never mind.

[Turkish]

Are you saying don't believe article? (Not sure whether I do or not, but clearly says NA wasn't keen on NC's view that top keep a priority)

 

I think there is some considerable truth to it and confirms what I said in August. Anyway, I'm off to bed, got a run tomorrow morning i need to be up for, can't stay up drinking all night unlike some people.

[Frank's cousin]

But the rumours that you dismissed have now got substantial evidence backing them up haven't they? It's in the national media. The evidence you demanded is there for all to see. Unless of course you beleive, like some did, that it's a national media wide wind up? I know it's not been an easy few days for you and a few dreams have been shattered and I know what that might mean and what some of your type resort to to deal with, but surely even you can see that there is some considerable truth to the rumours ou dismissed out of hand.

 

Laughable.. seriously you must be ****ed in the head - 'your type resort to to deal with'? Heh? Jeez...

[Lazlo78]

Exactly. Lets go along with the positive stuff, but be cautious with the stuff that is less happy clappy. Congratulations, you qualify for the wine soaked Frank's Cousin's acceptabilty of SFC stories club.

 

Well, I think you misread my posting. I wanted to point out that Cortese had set his sights on some big names, but I also wanted to point out, that maybe the article was wrong about those names.

 

For the record, I think the manner and timing of Adkins dismissal is atrocious and I think Cortese is a real nasty piece of work. I also think that he is quite possibly a very competent chairman.

 

So please leave me out of the black/white "with us or against us" discourse that honestly doesn't do anyone much good. Peace and all that

[Crazy Diamond]

Likewise.

 

I don't think some people really understand what we've lost.

 

Never mind.

 

I'll be honest, this is a very challenging time for me as a supporter of this Club. It's hard to get behind something you disagree so badly with. I don't wish to be melodramatic, I am genuinely unsure what to do. I'll always back the team but ultimately, as we are discussing, this team is the product of something quite rotten.

 

On Thursday night I thought to myself that I was a lucky guy because of this Club. Amazing how things change.

[Alain Perrin]

I don't think that the issue is that we had gaps, I suspect it was how/ with whom we chose to fill them. Adkins' first direction was to sign young British talent from the lower leagues OR people he had prior experience of (Gazza, Jay R, Hooper, Forte etc.).

 

I'd argue that that approach works well in the lower leagues, less well in the Premier League. NC wanted marquee signings, Adkins didn't mind - but that wasn't his instinct. NA was probavly too nice - preferring to keep faith in Kelvin than get a new Number 1. Gazza was a classic NA signing (all except for the British bit).

 

Nigel was neither a big enough 'name' to attract big players, nor did he instinctively want them.

 

Cortese is a man in a hurry, and he seems to have a plan that doesn't want to be slowed by loyalty. He wants results quickly. Too quickly? And what does it mean for SFC if the plan doesn't work out? Time will tell.

 

No-one though can suggest that NC shirks unpopular decisions in puruit of what is his goal. The easy ride would be to keep NA, but that wouldn't get you there faster (nor perhaps at all).

[shurlock]

Little to see here as it cherry picks one or two examples -and the most obvious ones.

 

Thus it was pretty clear even at the time that NA didn't have much involvement in the Gaston deal -there's nothing revealing here. The Yoshida story is news but one transaction among many is small fry (arguably NA not wanting a first class keeper is a more interesting revelation which validates the need for a committee and wisdom of many approach). Just as important, what about some of our British buys -Rodriguez, Davis, Clyne. Am pretty sure these were consensus decisions -and if anything were heavily informed by NA, a long-time admirer of the likes of Jrod. The article is ultimately weaker for not examining our entire transfer history.

 

You win some, you lose some -surprise, surprise that's the nature of doing transfers by committee. Some wet-behind-the-ears-types on here who somehow think otherwise.

[Crab Lungs]

I'll be honest, this is a very challenging time for me as a supporter of this Club. It's hard to get behind something you disagree so badly with. I don't wish to be melodramatic, I am genuinely unsure what to do. I'll always back the team but ultimately, as we are discussing, this team is the product of something quite rotten.

 

On Thursday night I thought to myself that I was a lucky guy because of this Club. Amazing how things change.

 

That's absolutely how I feel. I've basically just responded to someone else with the following;

 

We won in style, played fantastic football and had a great journey. Like you, for me, it wasn't just about results - it was about Nigel as a person as well. Never have I seen a manager so positive, possessing such great integrity, honesty and dignity - even if the darkest of hours this season.

 

That is what hurts the most - and the thought he'll never be our manager again. I know for some the reaction is a bit "Princess Diana" but those who are saying it will probably come to this same conclusion when they realise, later on down the line, what a fantastic ambassador and human being Nigel is.

 

He's made us all proud and it just feels like the journey has ended way too soon.

 

Someone, somewhere is going to benefit from this horrible situation.

 

But there is also other factors, such as how it was done. From being a staunch advocate of Cortese and his Champions League ambitions, I've almost gone full circle. Now it feels all a bit hollow, a bit empty. I'm sure in time (and with results) things do get better but for some reason, this situation more than most has really irked me.

 

It's left me doubting what I'd actually prefer; regular European football (if we even get that far) or a team that shared the finest qualities of it's manager.

 

It's all still a bit hard to compute to be honest. On one hand, I know we have to be successful (to an extent) to keep our best players - but at what cost do we chase "success"?

[shurlock]

Adkins said he wanted to bring in 'one maybe two keepers'

 

CBs maybe -don't remember the quote about keepers.

[Lets B Avenue]

The keeper thing doesn't tie in with Akdins comments that he wanted 'one maybe two keepers' l

 

You and your sidekick keep mentioning this but have never produced a direct quote. I recall NA said "one or two centre-halfs" when questioned back in August. But never goalies.

 

No doubt you will be able to furnish us all with the appropriate link, or shall we start to think you are merely winding up Frank for your kicks for tonight?

[Pilchards]

I don't think that the issue is that we had gaps, I suspect it was how/ with whom we chose to fill them. Adkins' first direction was to sign young British talent from the lower leagues OR people he had prior experience of (Gazza, Jay R, Hooper, Forte etc.).

 

I'd argue that that approach works well in the lower leagues, less well in the Premier League. NC wanted marquee signings, Adkins didn't mind - but that wasn't his instinct. NA was probavly too nice - preferring to keep faith in Kelvin than get a new Number 1. Gazza was a classic NA signing (all except for the British bit).

 

Nigel was neither a big enough 'name' to attract big players, nor did he instinctively want them.

 

Cortese is a man in a hurry, and he seems to have a plan that doesn't want to be slowed by loyalty. He wants results quickly. Too quickly? And what does it mean for SFC if the plan doesn't work out? Time will tell.

 

No-one though can suggest that NC shirks unpopular decisions in puruit of what is his goal. The easy ride would be to keep NA, but that wouldn't get you there faster (nor perhaps at all).

 

Totally agree, Cortese is a winner & he will **** on anyone to get there.

[skintsaint]

Reading that then you can understand why NA was let go, NC wants to aim at the top linking us with better players and even he couldn't understand why NA didn't want to get a better keeper in!

 

Also it doesn't say why we didn't buy the guy from Anderlecht, from all we know we could of asked how much and they could of asked for silly money which probably wouldn't have been worth that.

 

Anyway..NA has gone..time to move on ....sad state of affairs but hopefully onwards and upwards with MP...

[brmbrm]

Why has he got to be nice ? As long as he achieves results.

 

Well, I hope that when you are lying on your death bed you might come to appreciate there is more to this mortal coil than merely being a total @r$3h0l3, making money, and being me me me all your life. Nil sum gain....

[JustMike]

Hold on, I thought we weren't to believe anything we read in the papers, or is that only if it fits certain agendas.

[CB Fry]

Hold on, I thought we weren't to believe anything we read in the papers, or is that only if it fits certain agendas.

 

 

 

Especially the Mirror.

 

They make stories up out of thin air purely driven by their anti-Saints agenda.

 

I mean that stuff on Friday morning about Adkins being replaced was entirely made up by a reporter who just happens to be a Pompey fan. Just ask the "intelligent posters" on here. They saw right through it.

[Saint Martini]

And a goalkeeper, what a ******! I think many on here would agree our failure to bring in a new goalkeeper / loyalty to Kelvin cost us deaf at the start of the season.

 

Anyone know anything about Bram Nuytick?

 

Bram Nuytinck (I assume this is who they mean) is a good player. I guess he's a younger version of Heitinga but quite a bit taller. He signed for Anderlecht in Belgium on the last day of transferwindow in August and has been a good signing for them but then the Belgian league is hardly better then the Dutch. I'd say there isn't that much between him and Yoshida so my guess is that it was about the price.

[Avenue Saint]

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

 

In the world of Nicola Cortese there is no room for sentiment.

The Southampton chairman's decision to dispense with Nigel Adkins as manager was as swift as it was ruthless - the statement to confirm the news said it all: "New first team manager appointed."

The news that Adkins had been "relieved of his duties" was saved for the bottom of the first paragraph.

Even Adkins was caught cold. As the news began to leak out of St Mary's on Friday morning, it became clear the man who led the club from the lower reaches of League One to the Premier League in less than two years had not been told.

There was an air of resignation as friends and journalists called to ask him whether it was really true. Nothing would come as a surprise to Adkins. Only the board at St Mary's knew what was coming. At 07:00 GMT on Friday, calls were made to key Southampton officials, "get to work" - a storm was brewing. A few hours later, at 11:54, the news was confirmed and a new manager appointed.

There was widespread disbelief among supporters and former players on social media. Saints legend Matthew Le Tissier summed up the mood on Twitter: "The saddest part of Nigel's sacking is that I wasn't even surprised #laughingstock."

Bookmakers immediately cut Southampton's odds to be relegated.

But the question on everyone's lips was, why now?

In November, the vultures had circled after eight defeats in Southampton's first 10 Premier League matches. Meetings were held, Adkins's future was considered - but Cortese chose to support his manager rather than unsettle him. Results picked up. Southampton eased away from the relegation places, losing only twice in 12 league matches.

Behind the scenes, however, talks continued. Mauricio Pochettino, the 40-year-old Argentine who left Spanish side Espanyol in November, was identified and it was decided that, were a change to be made, it would be seamless.

Adkins has always known that life under Cortese is demanding. The Italian is fiercely ambitious and expects as much of his staff and he does of himself. He has even told friends that Southampton can be a top-four club in the foreseeable future.

But he is far more than a caricature of a ruthless godfather figure.

His background is in finance. The 44-year-old ran the sports business desk for Credit Suisse in Geneva, a job that brought him into contact with many of the game's big players, including Silvio Berlusconi. He had switched to Banque Heritage, where he managed the finances of billionaires, when he spotted the potential of Southampton.

In 2009, with Southampton sliding towards administration, the Italian negotiated a deal to buy the club for Markus Liebherr, a Swiss billionaire. Liebherr died two years ago but Cortese is determined to realise his friend's dream.

On arriving on the south coast, Cortese set out a clear vision for Southampton, then in the third tier of English football. Within five years he expected the club to be in the Premier League, playing attractive football with a group of young footballers, the majority of them home-grown. In 2010 Adkins took over with the club 22nd in League One. They won promotion to the Championship and then joined the top flight at the first attempt - and all with a fluent, young team.

Cortese has engendered a sense of purpose at St Mary's in that time, inspiring the staff and players to belief anything is possible. He had believed Adkins, the man who made the unlikely leap from physiotherapist to manager, had the potential to grow in stature and succeed in the top-flight where others with reputations forged at a lower level had failed.

But history shows Cortese is not afraid of making tough decisions - Alan Pardew was sacked two years ago after winning the Football League Trophy, prompting angry criticism and protest. And yet, Southampton went on to better things.

Now there is another outcry and no doubt it will rumble on. But this was not a snap decision, nor one based on short-termism.

Those close to Cortese say Pochettino shares his new chairman's ambition and his vision. The Argentine is a young, dynamic manager committed to playing attractive football and building a club that does not want merely to survive in the Premier League but to thrive in it.

Emotion would say it is wrong but sentiment was not a factor; this was a cold-eyed, business decision.

Only time will tell whether Cortese has got it right again.

[saint_bert]

To base your opinion of Les Reed solely on a brief skint in charge of Charlton when they were desperate is very shortsighted.

 

This is a man who questioned Steven Gerrards ability.

[CB Fry]

This is a man who questioned Steven Gerrards ability.

 

 

 

Did he? Apart from two lines in Gerrard's autobig about how vewwy lonewey he felt on his first England away trip, what else have you got to suggest what you say is even remotely accurate?

 

Can't recall anything myself.

[Halo Stickman]

Remind me again, why did the hard-nosed, egotistical Italian banker with ambitions to meddle in football strategies, styles of play, formations and transfers, convince the Liebherrs to invest so much of their money in SFC?

[saint_bert]

Did he? Apart from two lines in Gerrard's autobig about how vewwy lonewey he felt on his first England away trip, what else have you got to suggest what you say is even remotely accurate?

 

Can't recall anything myself.

 

I've just read the passage again and I may have been a tad hasty with that. Seems Gerrard has little respect for LR. So I admit I jumped the gun.

[Barry the Badger]

 

But there is also other factors, such as how it was done. From being a staunch advocate of Cortese and his Champions League ambitions, I've almost gone full circle. Now it feels all a bit hollow, a bit empty. I'm sure in time (and with results) things do get better but for some reason, this situation more than most has really irked me.

 

It's left me doubting what I'd actually prefer; regular European football (if we even get that far) or a team that shared the finest qualities of it's manager.

 

It's all still a bit hard to compute to be honest. On one hand, I know we have to be successful (to an extent) to keep our best players - but at what cost do we chase "success"?

 

This.

[Faz]

There are some things in that article that just don't add up.

 

NC trumped NA by signing Gaston and Yoshida, but gave him free reign on the Goal Keeper, which he felt was a priority??

 

There were clearly issues and tensions from a long way back, but NA doesnt strike me as the type to just let himslef be dumped on.

[Window Cleaner]

Bram Nuytinck

 

Finally our mystery desired centre back from the summer has a name.

 

Interesting that it claims our lack of recruitment between the sticks was down to Adkins.[/FONT]

 

Something which I have told you all time after time. I know it's true because I got it indirectly from a former Saints keeper.

[Thedelldays]

If we are to believe these stories in the papers. Then we believe the part where NA thought a top keeper was not a priority

 

Yes he said we wanted 2.... We got two.

 

Gazza and cropper

[shurlock]

There are some things in that article that just don't add up.

 

NC trumped NA by signing Gaston and Yoshida, but gave him free reign on the Goal Keeper, which he felt was a priority??

 

There were clearly issues and tensions from a long way back, but NA doesnt strike me as the type to just let himslef be dumped on.

 

It does add up - its not an either/or. NA got his way on some transfers (no doubt the case with Jrod) and was overruled by the committee on others. Such is life when decisions are made by a group: you win some, you lose some.

[The Kraken]

CBs maybe -don't remember the quote about keepers.

 

You and your sidekick keep mentioning this but have never produced a direct quote. I recall NA said "one or two centre-halfs" when questioned back in August. But never goalies.

 

No doubt you will be able to furnish us all with the appropriate link, or shall we start to think you are merely winding up Frank for your kicks for tonight?

 

Same article as when Adkins mentioned bringing in defenders, so you're both wrong.

 

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/champions-league/news/article/-/14231323/southampton-boss-adkins-targeting-goalkeeper-and-defenders/

"We will bring another one if not two goalkeepers into the fold."

 

Apologise when you feel like it. Or not, of course.

[Bearsy]

“We’re going to improve the group,” he said. “It is fair to say we are going to need to bring another goalkeeper in as Bartosz (Bialkowski) did ever so well for us but didn’t play enough games.

 

“We’ve allowed him to move on to Notts County and I am sure he will have a great career up there. We will bring another one, if not two, goalkeepers into the fold."

 

Sounds like replacing Bart to me kraks

[krissyboy31]

If we are to believe these stories in the papers. Then we believe the part where NA thought a top keeper was not a priority

 

Yes he said we wanted 2.... We got two.

 

Gazza and cropper

But these were to replace Bart and Fourpast, as squad "ones for the future." He obviously wanted to go with Kelvin and Cortese like a lot of us didn't see him good enough for the PL.

[The Kraken]

“We’re going to improve the group,” he said. “It is fair to say we are going to need to bring another goalkeeper in as Bartosz (Bialkowski) did ever so well for us but didn’t play enough games.

 

“We’ve allowed him to move on to Notts County and I am sure he will have a great career up there. We will bring another one, if not two, goalkeepers into the fold."

 

Sounds like replacing Bart to me kraks

 

Just clarifying that Adkins himself stated we would bring in 1 or 2 GKs, Bear. Apparently that was in doubt.

[Window Cleaner]

Just clarifying that Adkins himself stated we would bring in 1 or 2 GKs, Bear. Apparently that was in doubt.

 

to sit on the bench exactly the same as the 2 they were replacing. It was something that NA wouldn't budge on. KD was his number 1 for the season, end of story. When it became evident that he wasn't a PL keeper, something that was already suspected, the "TC" brought in Boruc obviously against NA's wishes.

[BadgerBadger]

I just don't know who to believe anymore, the willy waving morons, the press or the club

[trousers]

If that article is to be believed, it's clear to me that Adkins wanted to retain Davis as his number one keeper whereas Cortese didn't. I don't see that position at odds with Adkins saying he wanted to bring in "one maybe two" keepers in addition to retaining Davis as No.1.

[Crazy Diamond]

It's being discussed on Sunday Supplement right now.

[The Kraken]

to sit on the bench exactly the same as the 2 they were replacing. It was something that NA wouldn't budge on. KD was his number 1 for the season, end of story. When it became evident that he wasn't a PL keeper, something that was already suspected, the "TC" brought in Boruc obviously against NA's wishes.

 

I see.

[Turkish]

Same article as when Adkins mentioned bringing in defenders, so you're both wrong.

 

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/champions-league/news/article/-/14231323/southampton-boss-adkins-targeting-goalkeeper-and-defenders/

"We will bring another one if not two goalkeepers into the fold."

 

Apologise when you feel like it. Or not, of course.

 

Thanks Krackers.

 

It really is proving to be a horrible few days for the CoC. Everything just seems to be going wrong for them. I await but dont expect an apology.

Edited 20 January, 2013 by Turkish

[Turkish]

If we are to believe these stories in the papers. Then we believe the part where NA thought a top keeper was not a priority

 

Yes he said we wanted 2.... We got two.

 

Gazza and cropper

 

Do you honestly believe when he said "one if not two" he was refering to bring in an 18 year old for the development team?

[trousers]

I see.

 

At last....

[trousers]

Do you honestly believe when he said "one if not two" he was refering to bring in an 18 year old for the development team?

 

We'll probably never know. Adkins was infamous for being obtuse as far as commenting on transfers was concerned.

 

Does Gazza satisfy the "one or maybe two" criteria?

[shurlock]

Same article as when Adkins mentioned bringing in defenders, so you're both wrong.

 

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/champions-league/news/article/-/14231323/southampton-boss-adkins-targeting-goalkeeper-and-defenders/

"We will bring another one if not two goalkeepers into the fold."

 

Apologise when you feel like it. Or not, of course.

 

A replacement for Bart then while Forecast was still on the books - not quite the same thing.

Either way, once Gazza came in, it was never the same priority as CBs (can't remember many, if any references thereafter), though many still saw it as a glaring weakness.

[shurlock]

Do you honestly believe when he said "one if not two" he was refering to bring in an 18 year old for the development team?

 

He was talking about keepers in the context of replacing Bart who had just signed for County and Forecast who was still around the club. Read your own quotes....

[The Kraken]

A replacement for Bart then while Forecast was still on the books - not quite the same thing.

Either way, once Gazza came in, it was never the same priority as CBs (can't remember many, if any references thereafter), though many still saw it as a glaring weakness.

 

I thought the focus might shift rather than admit the quote for "one if not 2 goalkeepers" was indeed out there. Never mind.

[shurlock]

I thought the focus might shift rather than admit the quote for "one if not 2 goalkeepers" was indeed out there. Never mind.

 

Context my friend, context.

 

"It is fair to say we are going to need to bring another goalkeeper in as Bartosz [bialkowski] did ever so well for us but didn't play enough games.

 

"We've allowed him to move on to Notts County and I am sure he will have a great career up there. We will bring another one if not two goalkeepers into the fold"

[The Kraken]

Context my friend, context.

 

"It is fair to say we are going to need to bring another goalkeeper in as Bartosz [bialkowski] did ever so well for us but didn't play enough games.

 

"We've allowed him to move on to Notts County and I am sure he will have a great career up there. We will bring another one if not two goalkeepers into the fold"

 

So what you're saying is Adkins really meant "I admit that our previous GK didn't play enough games so I want to bring in another one to do exactly the same".

 

We'll probably never know, but I don't buy that.

 

Adkins also mentioned that we'd lost Radhi Jaidi when he said we wanted to bring in one or two defenders. I don't think he had in mind bringing in another reserve as a replacement.