Looks like Adkins may be in charge of Reading by the time we get there

[Crab Lungs]

Here's my best assumption on what what happened to Adkins;

 

2010-11: Adkins takes over. Charged by Cortese to win the league. We come up just short.

Summer 2011-12: Overlooking missing out on the L1 title, Adkins is advised that promotion is the target. A good start potentially undermines Adkins position a bit.

Mid 2011-12: Given the commanding position, Cortese now wants the league title.

Early 2013: Rumours that Adkins had been sacked after losing 0-2 to Leicester at home. Reed apparently the "peace maker" between the two. Relationship now strained.

April 28th 2012: Saints promoted, Adkins makes his famous "eventual parting of ways" comment and is notably tearful in interview after promotion (relief of stress?). Icy handshake between Cortese and Adkins before the "parting of ways" comment. Rumours abound regarding Di Matteo - someone Cortese is personally close with. Chelsea put an end to this, agreeing a deal with Di Matteo to become FT manager after the Champions League triumph.

Summer 2012: Transfer committee overrule Adkins' on his top transfer target. Little is known on how much input he had over Yoshida, Mayuka and Ramirez deals.

Early 2012-13 Season: Brave performances fail to mask a woeful start, culminating in a showdown with Cortee after the defeat at WBA. Adkins appears to buy himself some more time.

18th January 2013: Despite improved performances and results, Adkins is sacked, presumably not meeting the target Cortese had set. Cortese appearing to want his Southampton to be totally fearless and competing, not just "brave losers". Reports of possible player mutiny, fans outraged. Pochettino brought in.

Post-Adkins: Numerous players have since commented on the welcome arrival of Pochettino and his methods etc, leading to speculation that perhaps he wasn't well liked.

 

Reading between the lines, I'd say Adkins was possibly a victim of his own success and Cortese's ruthless ambition. I don't believe for a second the players didn't buy into his methods or philosophy, or that he wasn't well-liked - especially considering how rapidly things improved after the WBA game... for me, they were playing for him 100%. However, like any workplace, he probably wasn't as liked by some as he was others.

 

In addition to the above, I think a few of the senior/stalwart players had been sounded out (or had heard rumblings) that he was being lined up to be replaced. Players in the loop, such as Lambert, Schneiderlin, Fonte, Puncheon, Davis and Lallana (interestingly, all captains this year at some point) - players that have been with the club since the start of his tenure and could accurately gauge the dressing room feeling.

 

Adkins' was great for us but perhaps, just perhaps and as much as it pains me to say it, Cortese has once again pulled a blinder? Who knows, it's only 9 games into Pochettino's tenure and it's still too early to say, but the signs are promising.

 

Summary: Adkins failed to meet Cortese's targets (L1 and latterly, the nPC title) which strained their relationship. Stay of execution because RDM took the Chelsea job in May extended NA's stay, but he could have gone at any moment. Cortese had obviously had this in mind for some time as Pochettino was sounded out months before NA's dismissal, as were the players. NA was well-liked but understand NC's "vision" of competing with the top clubs (interestingly, this also matches all players ambitions I would have thought).

 

Another observation made was that some of those senior players who may have been sounded out have earned a nice little extended contract for all of them. Aside from that conspiracy-laden reasoning, NA also couldn't meet Cortese's targets or convince him he could take Saints to the next level. No real player-driven agendas, IMO (apart from maybe the odd goalkeeper selections).

Edited 31 March, 2013 by Crab Lungs

[CB Fry]

It was there, and easy to spot in hindsight, as everything is.

 

I remember the Everton pre-match press conference. We'd just beaten Villa 4-1 at our place, and one of the journalists asked a question along the lines of "well, Nigel - a week ago you were getting sacked". NA proper flew off the handle - "Who says I'm getting sacked?". This was a press conference FFS, the one place you're supposed to be on your best behaviour. After seeing him go off one like that in a press conference, I can well believe he might have shouted a couple of players down if they'd disagreed with his points. Over time, that can lead to resentment.

 

Was that the press conference when Nigel threatened to stab that Sky cameraman?

 

Nigel Adkins. Effing nutcase. Angry man. So, so angry.

 

I fear for those Reading players. Do you think the PFA should step in before someone gets hurt?

[colehillsaint]

As I said, just passing on information. JWP wasn't playing that much in Nigel's final months, maybe that had something to do with it. However now I'm speculating which I don't want to do.

 

I was as surprised as u though, but there's no doubting that NA was a bit if an odd ball, remember that poem in his post match interview?

 

Power and success make people into odd balls. You believe your quirks are what is making the right recipe and you begin to exaggerate them. If you think Adkins is alone in being an odd ball premiership football manager I think your wrong. I bet they're all as mad as a barrell of frogs. Anyway, there aren't normal blokes managing top football clubs.

[pap]

Was that the press conference when Nigel threatened to stab that Sky cameraman?

 

Nigel Adkins. Effing nutcase. Angry man. So, so angry.

 

I fear for those Reading players. Do you think the PFA should step in before someone gets hurt?

 

CB Fry. Angry man. So, so straw man.

 

Our recent success must be like acid in your eyes!

[saint lard]

**CONTROVERSIAL POST **

 

I was chatting to JWP brother last night and supposedly our Nigel wasn't that well liked by the players (to an extent that they watched him on the reading news conference in the canteen and there was many a mention of c**n). His man management was supposedly poor, he was often condescending and rude, and in a lot of ways a slightly odd individual.

 

Now this massively surprised me but could give alot more credibility to why he got sacked, why the chairman didn't seem to like him, and why all the players looked so happy in the training shoots the day after his sacking.

 

This isn't trolling, just thought I'd share sons genuine behind the scenes info, take as you will.

 

 

yeah,I was saying this months ago,but it got its usual 'what a load of bollix ' by the usual suspects.

 

i find it ironic that Alex Pearce was one of a few that divulged to me that NA was not all what he seems and seen by many as quite a strange character ,I posted it on here,but again met with the usual derision,......and now he plays under NA.

[Graffito]

yeah,I was saying this months ago,but it got its usual 'what a load of bollix ' by the usual suspects.

 

i find it ironic that Alex Pearce was one of a few that divulged to me that NA was not all what he seems and seen by many as quite a strange character ,I posted it on here,but again met with the usual derision,......and now he plays under NA.

 

Serves him right for opening his big gob then.

[pap]

yeah,I was saying this months ago,but it got its usual 'what a load of bollix ' by the usual suspects.

 

i find it ironic that Alex Pearce was one of a few that divulged to me that NA was not all what he seems and seen by many as quite a strange character ,I posted it on here,but again met with the usual derision,......and now he plays under NA.

 

I've just re-read that thread.

 

In hindsight, you look like one of the only sane people on it.

 

It is a case study in the sort of mental leg-work people will do to support a position they want to be true.

[The Kraken]

I've just re-read that thread.

 

In hindsight, you look like one of the only sane people on it.

 

It is a case study in the sort of mental leg-work people will do to support a position they want to be true.

 

It's quite funny the amount of people that are so quick to jump in and claim something as "bullsh*t" just because they don't like the content, or its source. And I think there are some who get genuinely angry that others get to hear snippets of ITK info. Its quite bizarre, but funny nonetheless.

 

Edit: here's the link: http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?37998-Alex-Pearce-from-reading/page2&highlight=lard+alex+pearce

 

And also funny to see precious little Jimmy D shutting it down as he didn't like the content!!

[pap]

It's quite funny the amount of people that are so quick to jump in and claim something as "bullsh*t" just because they don't like the content, or its source. And I think there are some who get genuinely angry that others get to hear snippets of ITK info. Its quite bizarre, but funny nonetheless.

 

Edit: here's the link: http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?37998-Alex-Pearce-from-reading/page2&highlight=lard+alex+pearce

 

And also funny to see precious little Jimmy D shutting it down as he didn't like the content!!

 

I know. Many lols await.

 

Nine times out of ten, speculation is just talking sh*t in advance, so I'm amazed how people can repeatedly assert stuff with no evidence whatsoever.

 

I'm a fence sitter on most of the big football questions on here; it's rare that I'll stick my next out. The Ramirez transfer was one of them, but that was a bit of fun. All you can do is make an educated guess based on past experience. Sometimes, all that knowledge will completely betray you regardless, and you'll end up getting it wrong anyway. Mark Lawrenson has this problem a lot.

 

I remember that thread when it first came out. Honestly? My opinion at the time was its probably b*****ks, but exactly the same thought process was going on; didn't want it to happen. However, I didn't know anything worth adding to the discussion, so didn't participate.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Yep, exactly as was shared by me several times on here and i was told I was wrong every time and given the usual trolling, negative WUM abuse at the time.

 

I wonder if we have the same source...

[Turkish]

I wonder if we have the same source...

 

We don't, I've read the description of yours and its a different person.

[shurlock]

We don't, I've read the description of yours and its a different person.

 

Is that your Chelsea-supporting client who happened to read the Nixon article that broke weeks, if not months before you posted about it on here

[Turkish]

Is that your Chelsea-supporting client who happened to read the Nixon article that broke weeks, if not months before you posted about it on here

 

Sneer all you like, I've been proven right on a number of occasions. I presume you're referring to the member of the Chelsea board I know who tipped me off a couple of times regarding goings on at the club, which of course were dismissed out of hand as people didn't like what they heard.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

We don't, I've read the description of yours and its a different person.

 

Ah, fair enough. People will continue to criticise as they are jealous...

[The Kraken]

Sneer all you like, I've been proven right on a number of occasions. I presume you're referring to the member of the Chelsea board I know who tipped me off a couple of times regarding goings on at the club, which of course were dismissed out of hand as people didn't like what they heard.

 

How many times do you have to be told that Roberto di Matteo was not approached by Saints. No matter how many times you PMd me this news, it simply didn't happen, ok? Saints weren't looking to replace their manager; not at the start of the season, and not in December/January. Just get that into your head, will you.

[Turkish]

How many times do you have to be told that Roberto di Matteo was not approached by Saints. No matter how many times you PMd me this news, it simply didn't happen, ok? Saints weren't looking to replace their manager; not at the start of the season, and not in December/January. Just get that into your head, will you.

 

True. There was also no issue between the chairman and Adkins regarding transfers Adkins chose them all and agreed to them all. Boruc was lying when he said that wasn't the case in an interview given two weeks ago.

[The Kraken]

True. There was also no issue between the chairman and Adkins regarding transfers Adkins chose them all and agreed to them all. Boruc was lying when he said that wasn't the case in an interview given two weeks ago.

 

Exactly. You should heed little Jimmy's words and stop stamping all over people's dreams with your blatant lies of ITK truth.

[Turkish]

Exactly. You should heed little Jimmy's words and stop stamping all over people's dreams with your blatant lies of ITK truth.

 

Attention seeking trolling.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Looks like Warnock is gone. Should have waited for that one, in my opinion.

[the saint in winchester]

21:32 Confirmed : Warnock walks. Taxi for Adkins? One way from Otterbourne to Leeds?

[adrian lord]

Looks like Warnock is gone. Should have waited for that one, in my opinion.

 

Quite - I thought Adkins had Leeds written all over him for ages, Warnock was doomed since Xmas.

[Alain Perrin]

Regardless of the background, which in truth we'll never truly know (_if_ anyone tells it is likely to be spun), Adkins will be a good manager for Reading.

 

He will get them playing good football - but I doubt he can do that by next week. Reading have been defensively suspect and reliant on luck / counterattacking of Le Fondre, they don't play the Adkins way; but give him a few months and he could get them promoted next season.

 

Next week will be interesting, not least because he should be the best informed manager we play against. Conversely, how Reading will set up will likely be a bit of a mystery to us - will it be a refinement on old Reading, or will NA change things.

 

If they play as they normally do, it'll be interesting to see how MP's style will work against a defensive Reading.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

I think next week will be an interesting game to see how the Poch deals with real pressure.

[VectisSaint]

Looks like Warnock is gone. Should have waited for that one, in my opinion.

MP fast becoming one of the longest serving managers in the English League system. Must be in the mid 80s now.

[Olallana]

MP fast becoming one of the longest serving managers in the English League system. Must be in the mid 80s now.

 

Many clubs out there has seen our improvement after switching manager and want to copy us

[John Smith]

Attention seeking trolling.

 

Oh my giddy aunt! I nearly fell over I was laughing so much. Turkish accusing someone else of trolling, stop, no! My aching sides, ow!

 

Just read it agin, yep, that's waht it says! LMFAO! No, can't take anymore, need to switch to saintsfc.co.uk for some sanity!

 

Damn, read it again, hahahahahahahahahahaha............

[capitalsaint]

whoosh?

[Doctoroncall]

Quite - I thought Adkins had Leeds written all over him for ages, Warnock was doomed since Xmas.

 

Colin was due to retire at the end of the season anyway. It gives the board, who didn't back him in the transfer window time to get the new manager in and for him get to know the strengths and weaknesses of the squad and be able to add to it assuming the owners are willing to spend (modestly) for promotion. I agree I though Adkins would have waited for a bigger club, although family ties/moving may have played it's part.

[hypochondriac]

Oh my giddy aunt! I nearly fell over I was laughing so much. Turkish accusing someone else of trolling, stop, no! My aching sides, ow!

 

Just read it agin, yep, that's waht it says! LMFAO! No, can't take anymore, need to switch to saintsfc.co.uk for some sanity!

 

Damn, read it again, hahahahahahahahahahaha............

 

Oh dear. Seems you have made a tit of yourself...

[John Smith]

Oh dear. Seems you have made a tit of yourself...

 

Sorry, but I only pop on here from time to time and I forgot that it was policed by the trolling brigade! You are right Hypo, total tit of myself, I should have pm'd you or one of the other sergant majors before posting on any thread I choose. This is clearly roped off for the elite few that dominate the thoughts and minds of all Saints supporters and reflect truely what I/we all think.

 

I am sick to death of the ridiculous, tedious postings of 'people' that really should have something less boring to do and let saints supporters talk about SFC here. But no, you carry on your patrol Mr Sergant Troll, I won't bother you, again by replying or responding as clearly you are the authority on this and all things of troll...

[Turkish]

Sorry, but I only pop on here from time to time and I forgot that it was policed by the trolling brigade! You are right Hypo, total tit of myself, I should have pm'd you or one of the other sergant majors before posting on any thread I choose. This is clearly roped off for the elite few that dominate the thoughts and minds of all Saints supporters and reflect truely what I/we all think.

 

I am sick to death of the ridiculous, tedious postings of 'people' that really should have something less boring to do and let saints supporters talk about SFC here. But no, you carry on your patrol Mr Sergant Troll, I won't bother you, again by replying or responding as clearly you are the authority on this and all things of troll...

 

Massive tsk.

[sotonjoe]

Sorry, but I only pop on here from time to time and I forgot that it was policed by the trolling brigade! You are right Hypo, total tit of myself, I should have pm'd you or one of the other sergant majors before posting on any thread I choose. This is clearly roped off for the elite few that dominate the thoughts and minds of all Saints supporters and reflect truely what I/we all think.

 

I am sick to death of the ridiculous, tedious postings of 'people' that really should have something less boring to do and let saints supporters talk about SFC here. But no, you carry on your patrol Mr Sergant Troll, I won't bother you, again by replying or responding as clearly you are the authority on this and all things of troll...

 

You're going to have to work harder than that if you want your trolling to go unnoticed.

[OldNick]

Sorry, but I only pop on here from time to time and I forgot that it was policed by the trolling brigade! You are right Hypo, total tit of myself, I should have pm'd you or one of the other sergant majors before posting on any thread I choose. This is clearly roped off for the elite few that dominate the thoughts and minds of all Saints supporters and reflect truely what I/we all think.

 

I am sick to death of the ridiculous, tedious postings of 'people' that really should have something less boring to do and let saints supporters talk about SFC here. But no, you carry on your patrol Mr Sergant Troll, I won't bother you, again by replying or responding as clearly you are the authority on this and all things of troll...

Hey John dont take any notice, i recall you leaving decent posts in the past and debating fairly. Everybody without exceprtion has made a tit of themselves on here (not saying you did by the way) Hypo can hardly be seen to be the pilar of light in the 'not making a tit of yourself' stakes