Adkins plea to Reading fans.

[CFSFC]

Wants the supporters to stay with them when the ball goes astray. If they try and out football us there in for a hell of a beating saturday.

[Bearsy]

i believe the expression he used was "together as one"

[Appy]

He really does talk utter ****e.

[stardustonmyfeet]

If Reading lose it won't matter to Nigel.

 

5 positives: Defeat to the team which Atkins took over at the bottom of L1, and subsequently 1. gained promotion. 2. gained promotion from the NPC. 3. reached a stable position in the EPL after a difficult start.... doesn't look so bad.

 

Throw in a couple Adkinisms for 4. "here to win games of football" and 5. "all aboard the mad stad rollercoaster"

 

Blue line. Look to the next game.

 

Hope they finish above QPR.

[Bucks Saint]

Atkins

 

Report to the SWF punishment committee immediately for sentencing, to avoid ever repeating this shocking basic error

[pingwing]

I miss his rambling nonsense interviews sometimes...

[Colinjb]

Mind games.

 

He knows what he's saying. Trying to rally the home fans while trying to lull us into a state of excessive confidence. I think the game on Saturday will be a classic.

[pap]

But but but.... Adkins only spoke in cliches because he was a tactical genius keeping the oppo at bay, right?

 

Either that or he was so scared by the iron fist of NC that he was forced into them!

 

So why is he doing it as Reading?

[CFSFC]

He done fantastic for us, but our performances under Pochettino have outweighed anything I saw from us under Adkins.

 

In cortese we trust.

[Ken Tone]

Wants the supporters to stay with them when the ball goes astray. If they try and out football us there in for a hell of a beating saturday.

 

Is this because they can't use the muliti-ball system any more? Just how inaccurate are they?

[DT]

1-1 all over it

[Window Cleaner]

Wants the supporters to stay with them when the ball goes astray.a

 

why, is he afraid they'll run off with it and sell it on E-Bay ?

[lillyflo]

When Nigel left us, everyone was gutted, confused, and disappointed, but as time has gone on I am seeing more and more negative comments toward Nige, what's that all about? Yea he rambled, used the same terms every time such as "endeavor" and "strive" but he was our Nige, he did an awesome job with us, he loved us dearly as we loved him. I really like how we have played under MoPo and agree that it appears to be of a better quality and higher intensity than we had under Adkins, but please don't slate him

[Appy]

When Nigel left us, everyone was gutted, confused, and disappointed, but as time has gone on I am seeing more and more negative comments toward Nige, what's that all about? Yea he rambled, used the same terms every time such as "endeavor" and "strive" but he was our Nige, he did an awesome job with us, he loved us dearly as we loved him. I really like how we have played under MoPo and agree that it appears to be of a better quality and higher intensity than we had under Adkins, but please don't slate him

 

I thought he talked utter ****e when he was in charge of us.

 

Still a good manager.

[pap]

When Nigel left us, everyone was gutted, confused, and disappointed, but as time has gone on I am seeing more and more negative comments toward Nige, what's that all about? Yea he rambled, used the same terms every time such as "endeavor" and "strive" but he was our Nige, he did an awesome job with us, he loved us dearly as we loved him. I really like how we have played under MoPo and agree that it appears to be of a better quality and higher intensity than we had under Adkins, but please don't slate him

 

When Adkins was sacked, opinions very quickly polarised. Many made bold statements about the characters of people who supported the decision. Some even said Stoke were a better run team, more or less the ideal role model for a plucky underdog like Saints.

 

It's the omission that does my nut in, I think. The pro side yell "back to back promotions", but leave out all the cash we spent or the fact we almost threw it away. They yell "winning percentages!" in much the same way, once again forgetting that most of the numbers making that percentage up come from the Champ or L1. The dire start to the Premiership is glossed over.

[Minty]

It amazes me that so many people do not see Adkins' talk for what it was - deliberately designed to focus on key messages of being 'together as one', being positive, and encouraging everyone connected with the club to think positively. And it worked. His background and study of sports psychology shows he knows what he is doing, and as much as some people don't like it, agree with it, or see a need for it, there is clear evidence that this approach can work.

 

So it's no surprise to see him doing something very similar at Reading. But he is now Reading's boss and as such I'm really not fussed about what he says for their benefit. It shouldn't affect us and our game - we have a new direction under a new manager which is working well for us, and long may that continue.

 

The King is dead, long live the King.

[Dig Dig]

When Adkins was sacked, opinions very quickly polarised. Many made bold statements about the characters of people who supported the decision. Some even said Stoke were a better run team, more or less the ideal role model for a plucky underdog like Saints.

 

It's the omission that does my nut in, I think. The pro side yell "back to back promotions", but leave out all the cash we spent or the fact we almost threw it away. They yell "winning percentages!" in much the same way, once again forgetting that most of the numbers making that percentage up come from the Champ or L1. The dire start to the Premiership is glossed over.

 

We spent far less than some of our promotions rivals in the championship season and we were top two all season so I don't really see your point about throwing it away.

 

Aren't you doing exactly what you are accusing others of, just from a different angle?

 

Whatever you feel about the decision now in comparison to then, the way NA was sacked was not right and I still maintain that Adkins deserved until the end of the season even if I am impressed with MP to date.

[Colinjb]

It amazes me that so many people do not see Adkins' talk for what it was - deliberately designed to focus on key messages of being 'together as one', being positive, and encouraging everyone connected with the club to think positively. And it worked. His background and study of sports psychology shows he knows what he is doing, and as much as some people don't like it, agree with it, or see a need for it, there is clear evidence that this approach can work.

 

So it's no surprise to see him doing something very similar at Reading. But he is now Reading's boss and as such I'm really not fussed about what he says for their benefit. It shouldn't affect us and our game - we have a new direction under a new manager which is working well for us, and long may that continue.

 

The King is dead, long live the King.

 

Bang on Minty.

[View From The Top]

It amazes me that so many people do not see Adkins' talk for what it was - deliberately designed to focus on key messages of being 'together as one', being positive, and encouraging everyone connected with the club to think positively. And it worked. His background and study of sports psychology shows he knows what he is doing, and as much as some people don't like it, agree with it, or see a need for it, there is clear evidence that this approach can work.

 

So it's no surprise to see him doing something very similar at Reading. But he is now Reading's boss and as such I'm really not fussed about what he says for their benefit. It shouldn't affect us and our game - we have a new direction under a new manager which is working well for us, and long may that continue.

 

The King is dead, long live the King.

 

^^^^This^^^^

[hutch]

Report to the SWF punishment committee immediately for sentencing, to avoid ever repeating this shocking basic error

I heard our club President call him Nigel Atkinson live on tv on Monday evening.

[stardustonmyfeet]

Ultimately it doesn't matter what Nigel Aktins says. History shows he took us into the premier league way ahead of schedule, and managed to steady the ship after a rocky early period. The fact that he did it by focusing on positivity rather than acting like a psycho with anger issues (Roy Keane, et al) just makes him that much better in the eyes of the supporters. Or at least, some of them. I know what sort of character I'd rather have for a boss.

[pap]

We spent far less than some of our promotions rivals in the championship season and we were top two all season so I don't really see your point about throwing it away.

 

Aren't you doing exactly what you are accusing others of, just from a different angle?

 

Whatever you feel about the decision now in comparison to then, the way NA was sacked was not right and I still maintain that Adkins deserved until the end of the season even if I am impressed with MP to date.

 

Not really. I mentioned both sides when making my case.

 

What specifically bothered you about his sacking so much?

[Ken Tone]

It amazes me that so many people do not see Adkins' talk for what it was - deliberately designed to focus on key messages of being 'together as one', being positive, and encouraging everyone connected with the club to think positively. And it worked. His background and study of sports psychology shows he knows what he is doing, and as much as some people don't like it, agree with it, or see a need for it, there is clear evidence that this approach can work.

 

So it's no surprise to see him doing something very similar at Reading. But he is now Reading's boss and as such I'm really not fussed about what he says for their benefit. It shouldn't affect us and our game - we have a new direction under a new manager which is working well for us, and long may that continue.

 

The King is dead, long live the King.

 

You're talking sense yet again Minty. Spot on.

[Dig Dig]

Not really. I mentioned both sides when making my case.

 

What specifically bothered you about his sacking so much?

 

NA finding out via the press before being told by Cortese directly and also him knowing that Pochettino had been lined up weeks in advance whilst still doing a decent enough job for us at the time (12 games unbeaten in the league).

 

In general, Cortese should have either made the change last summer or this summer IMO.

[pap]

NA finding out via the press before being told by Cortese directly and also him knowing that Pochettino had been lined up weeks in advance whilst still doing a decent enough job for us at the time (12 games unbeaten in the league).

 

In general, Cortese should have either made the change last summer or this summer IMO.

 

Fair enough, Dig Dig. I don't agree with you but you've listed your reasons.

 

I still maintain NA knew the score back in the summer, chose to continue in the role regardless, had his chance and unfortunately came up short.

 

As I've said before, if we'd started the Prem like we'd started in the Champ, this wouldn't even be a discussion.

[Sour Mash]

As I've said before, if we'd started the Prem like we'd started in the Champ, this wouldn't even be a discussion.

Constantly in the top 2 of the league? Not very realistic.

[pap]

Constantly in the top 2 of the league? Not very realistic.

 

Yeah, I was talking more broadly. The team surprised everyone last year in terms of expectation vs achievement.

 

If we'd have been consistently top half, I reckon NA would still have his job.

[Window Cleaner]

In general, Cortese should have either made the change last summer or this summer IMO.

 

Perhaps we had a player who Cortese wanted to keep but wouldn't stay past the end of January with NA in charge. Just a wild speculation you understand, not a known scenario. However 1 of our players was watched by a top top club at least 3 times

in late December/January plus of course in our game against them which also fell into that period..

[Brussels Saint]

It's not that complex.

 

Nige was and is a great manager. Did an excellent job for Saints and always seemed both decent and honest.

Pochettino appears a step up in quality. (tbc)

Cortese knows what he's doing.

[Wes Tender]

It amazes me that so many people do not see Adkins' talk for what it was - deliberately designed to focus on key messages of being 'together as one', being positive, and encouraging everyone connected with the club to think positively. And it worked. His background and study of sports psychology shows he knows what he is doing, and as much as some people don't like it, agree with it, or see a need for it, there is clear evidence that this approach can work.

 

So it's no surprise to see him doing something very similar at Reading. But he is now Reading's boss and as such I'm really not fussed about what he says for their benefit. It shouldn't affect us and our game - we have a new direction under a new manager which is working well for us, and long may that continue.

 

The King is dead, long live the King.

 

Spot on. Adkins was a master at positive thought and it wore off on the players too. Even now, when scoring goals, it is immediately evident from the body language of the players that they are a unit, pleased for their team mates when they succeed and ready to console them if they mess up. I would put our team spirit as amongst the best in the division and Adkins probably played a large part in that.

 

Even though Adkins manages our rivals, I won't hear a bad word said against him for what he did for us. I note that some point to the lost opening matches and lay the blame at his feet for that, but nobody had expected before the matches that we would be 2-1 up at one point against both United and City. And hindsight shows that a major cause of the poor results at the start of the season was due to the absence of Jack Cork. Things picked up for us when he came back in. Adkins' record in the dozen or so matches before his sacking was pretty good, although after a slow start, I confess that Pochettino's style of high pressing play is attractive to watch and effective. Whether Adkins would have achieved those wins against Liverpool, City and Chelsea is debateable, but we had come back from 2 down against Chelsea away under him.

[pap]

I certainly wouldn't argue with NA's positivity. I do think it can be a case of diminishing returns though.

[Window Cleaner]

I certainly wouldn't argue with NA's positivity. I do think it can be a case of diminishing returns though.

 

Dr Pangloss was a pronouncer of positivity in all things, didn't he finish up a syphilitic beggar ?

[paris]

Adkins was a fantastic manager for us , MO PO is warming to the job and i'm starting to like what i see ......

[pap]

Dr Pangloss was a pronouncer of positivity in all things, didn't he finish up a syphilitic beggar ?

 

I work with Americans who are very optimistic in general. It can lead to crisis because people make assumptions based on what they want to be true instead of what the situation actually is. Most Europeans aren't as wide-eyed as our transatlantic cousins, are much more risk aware and better at spotting problems early on. As you point out, optimism isn't always a great thing.

 

My diminishing returns point is as much about repetition as anything else. Someone saying the same stuff all the time; perhaps when it's not justified, is bound to get on your teats after a bit.

[LostBoys]

Turn up on Saturday

[Dark Munster]

When Adkins was sacked, opinions very quickly polarised. Many made bold statements about the characters of people who supported the decision. Some even said Stoke were a better run team, more or less the ideal role model for a plucky underdog like Saints.

 

It's the omission that does my nut in, I think. The pro side yell "back to back promotions", but leave out all the cash we spent or the fact we almost threw it away. They yell "winning percentages!" in much the same way, once again forgetting that most of the numbers making that percentage up come from the Champ or L1. The dire start to the Premiership is glossed over.

What is glossed over by the anti-Nige brigade is that most of us did not expect to be promoted automatically, yet alone in the top 2 for the whole of last season:

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?31596-2011-12-Season-End-Predictions

 

If we were such huge spenders, why wasn't everyone (except Dalek of course) confident of first place before the season even started?

 

When the season ended, most of us thought Nige had done a brilliant job.

[View From The Top]

What is glossed over by the anti-Nige brigade is that most of us did not expect to be promoted automatically, yet alone in the top 2 for the whole of last season:

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?31596-2011-12-Season-End-Predictions

 

If we were such huge spenders, why wasn't everyone (except Dalek of course) confident of first place before the season even started?

 

When the season ended, most of us thought Nige had done a brilliant job.

 

He did do a great job but we've certainly kicked on since he left.

[Window Cleaner]

What is glossed over by the anti-Nige brigade is that most of us did not expect to be promoted automatically, yet alone in the top 2 for the whole of last season:

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?31596-2011-12-Season-End-Predictions

 

If we were such huge spenders, why wasn't everyone (except Dalek of course) confident of first place before the season even started?

 

When the season ended, most of us thought Nige had done a brilliant job.

 

 

All this poll showed is that many did not and probably still do not realise just how good some of the players in our squad really are. Class is permanent. They stepped up from the drudgery of League 1 to provide a brilliant start to our campaign in the NPC.

Then the manager tinkered too much and would not change the weakest link so the start to our PL campaign was dreadful. Since that has been corrected we look like a decent side. Lambert,Schneiderlin,Fonte,Lallana and Davis I suppose were here before NA and they're still here after he's gone.

[The Outsider]

Dr Pangloss was a pronouncer of positivity in all things, didn't he finish up a syphilitic beggar ?

 

Bizarre point of reference to quote a fictional character, created as a literary tool by a philosophical author to deconstruct the Liebnizian premise of 'philosophical optimism', as in, the belief that this world is the optimum and best of all worlds because God is perfect and he made it, therefore there can be no evil in a world created by a perfect God. Voltaire was not trying to say if you are positive disposition you will end up with an uncomfortable urinary tract.

[The Outsider]

or an sti even (was thinking of cystitus!)

[Window Cleaner]

Bizarre point of reference to quote a fictional character, created as a literary tool by a philosophical author to deconstruct the Liebnizian premise of 'philosophical optimism', as in, the belief that this world is the optimum and best of all worlds because God is perfect and he made it, therefore there can be no evil in a world created by a perfect God. Voltaire was not trying to say if you are positive disposition you will end up with an uncomfortable urinary tract.

 

 

Pangloss's misfortune derives from his lessons of "experimental physics" given to Paquette but that's neither here nor there. Voltaire (or Dr Ralph) tries to show that permanent optimism (original title of the work is Candide or Optimism) does not equip you well for life (or at least I think it does).

Edited 4 April, 2013 by Window Cleaner

[scotty]

why, is he afraid they'll run off with it and sell it on E-Bay ?

 

"Collectors Item. The match-ball Reading last scored with during their brief spell in the EPL.

 

Signed by the goalscorer, Adam Le Fondre."

[adrian lord]

It amazes me that so many people do not see Adkins' talk for what it was - deliberately designed to focus on key messages of being 'together as one', being positive, and encouraging everyone connected with the club to think positively. And it worked. His background and study of sports psychology shows he knows what he is doing, and as much as some people don't like it, agree with it, or see a need for it, there is clear evidence that this approach can work.

 

 

Yes, but when it is delivered with such relentlessness, and using repetitive, simplistic and trite vocabulary it loses any power eventually. The audience switches off.

[pap]

What is glossed over by the anti-Nige brigade is that most of us did not expect to be promoted automatically, yet alone in the top 2 for the whole of last season:

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?31596-2011-12-Season-End-Predictions

 

If we were such huge spenders, why wasn't everyone (except Dalek of course) confident of first place before the season even started?

 

When the season ended, most of us thought Nige had done a brilliant job.

 

I've praised NA for his season in the Championship, and rightfully so.

 

Came screaming out of the blocks, and it was really the early season form that kept us in the automatic spots.

 

From a start of season perspective, you can't argue with results - promotion was achieved. From a mid-season perspective, it could be argued that the team underachieved in letting Reading overhaul us.

 

I've had some of my best moments as a Saints fan under NA's tenure, and full respect - he got the job done. However, I'm not blind to some of the problems we had when he was setting up the team and have been impressed with MP's apparent disdain for the winning chances of big teams.

[shurlock]

Yes, but when it is delivered with such relentlessness, and using repetitive, simplistic and trite vocabulary it loses any power eventually. The audience switches off.

 

It works brilliantly well when you're winning but you need to change your tune and tack when results go against you. The disconnect between rhetoric and reality will eventually make you look a bit silly and your credibility will suffer. Would love to have known what Nige said or did during our poor spells.

[Sour Mash]

I've praised NA for his season in the Championship, and rightfully so.

 

Came screaming out of the blocks, and it was really the early season form that kept us in the automatic spots.

 

From a start of season perspective, you can't argue with results - promotion was achieved. From a mid-season perspective, it could be argued that the team underachieved in letting Reading overhaul us.

 

I've had some of my best moments as a Saints fan under NA's tenure, and full respect - he got the job done. However, I'm not blind to some of the problems we had when he was setting up the team and have been impressed with MP's apparent disdain for the winning chances of big teams.

We were pretty consistent throughout the year - hence never being out of the top 2. Take a look at our form in Feb & March - that is on a par, if not better than the start of the season.

[The Outsider]

Pangloss's misfortune derives from his lessons of "experimental physics" given to Paquette but that's neither here nor there. Voltaire (or Dr Ralph) tries to show that permanent optimism (original title of the work is Candide or Optimism) does not equip you well for life (or at least I think it does).

 

I know what your getting at, just thought your reference deserved to be acknowledged! Great book!

 

I find all this criticism of Adkins a bit of a shame. I think it would be nice if we could be a little more grateful for what he did, he was a success, one of the most succesful managers in our history. A qualified one? Perhaps, to the extremely cynical. Whatever way you slice it, taking us from relegation zone in league 1 to mid table in the Premier league in quickest conceivable time suggest his methods work a charm. 15th and on the up at the time of his sacking would also suggest there was no suffering of diminishing returns from his methods.

 

I personally prefer to be thankful for what he achieved rather than speculate as to what he could have done, it is done now and we continue on our way up. I hope Adkins career continues on an upward trajectory. It may take him a little longer with a backward step to the championship looking likely this year but it will be interesting to see if 'he can keep up with us' over the coming years and to see what he ends up achieving in football in comparison to what saints go on to achieve over the coming years. It would be nice if this weekend doesnt become about Pochettino v Adkins but its almost inevitable, the media are already stirring it as evidenced by that ridiculous question to Pochettino about thanking Adkins. For me, thats all irrelevant, this weekend is all about saints v reading, 3 points for us and at the same time, lets take the opportunity to say thanks to Nigel for all he did achieve with us.

[alehouseboys]

I know what your getting at, just thought your reference deserved to be acknowledged! Great book!

 

I find all this criticism of Adkins a bit of a shame. I think it would be nice if we could be a little more grateful for what he did, he was a success, one of the most succesful managers in our history. A qualified one? Perhaps, to the extremely cynical. Whatever way you slice it, taking us from relegation zone in league 1 to mid table in the Premier league in quickest conceivable time suggest his methods work a charm. 15th and on the up at the time of his sacking would also suggest there was no suffering of diminishing returns from his methods.

 

I personally prefer to be thankful for what he achieved rather than speculate as to what he could have done, it is done now and we continue on our way up. I hope Adkins career continues on an upward trajectory. It may take him a little longer with a backward step to the championship looking likely this year but it will be interesting to see if 'he can keep up with us' over the coming years and to see what he ends up achieving in football in comparison to what saints go on to achieve over the coming years. It would be nice if this weekend doesnt become about Pochettino v Adkins but its almost inevitable, the media are already stirring it as evidenced by that ridiculous question to Pochettino about thanking Adkins. For me, thats all irrelevant, this weekend is all about saints v reading, 3 points for us and at the same time, lets take the opportunity to say thanks to Nigel for all he did achieve with us.

 

A cynic might suggest that could have been written by NA himself or someone very close to him. Not that I disagree with any of it and I'd think you'd be hard-pushed to find many Saints fans that wouldn't thank and wish NA all the best for the future, I can't see anything but a warm welcome for him ever in Southampton.

 

I know he'll get a fantastic reception from our lot on Saturday but then it should be back to business and a big show of support for MP and the team.

 

Cheers Nigel.

[Turkish]

In truth we have little chance of a result On saturday. They have a man in charge who is the next great English manager, sure to be national coach one day and the new Alex Ferguson. With his motivational skills his side will be chomping at the bit to get to us and he is sure to out think our man tactically. The best we can hope for is to keep the score down I'm afraid.

[Patrick Bateman]

He done fantastic for us, but our performances under Pochettino have outweighed anything I saw from us under Adkins.

 

In cortese we trust.

 

Could not agree more!

Everyone I speak to says "but you were outraged that Nige was sacked" - my answer "football is fickle and Pochettino has come in and done exactly what he said - winning fans over through his football".

 

The guy is immense so far!