Since our promotion to the Premier League, Adkins has undergone a sea change in his mannerisms. It was if he underwent a makeover during the summer and wants to be seen as a serious manager. I miss his off the wall quotes, the bus, and players coming into the building. I do understand that he wants to avoid ridicule, but I miss our Tigger.
Do miss him because i believe the things you mention were due to us winning week in week out. Its much harder to be chirpy when your team has lost I'm thinking. Feel he hasnt consciously changed, but the pressure of being in a relegation battle takes its toll.
I considered that, but he came out quite serious from the beginning, but, if you're right, will he come out all chirpy when we win the title? Hasn't worked for Fergie! I think he made a decision to change because he wants to be taken seriously...he has still kept some of his positivity which I think is one of his greatest assets.
He had to get some rhino skin, didn't he. But yes, I miss the way he was. Everything was easier back then, all those years.......errr....months ago.
Makes you realise how far we have come this time last year we were losing our home record to Bristol City!
I'm hoping that next Christmas when we are midtable PL we will all have a laugh and say, 'Do you remember last year when we were worried about Stoke.'
It has to make a difference when the team is struggling to keep its head above water in this league, but winning regularly in the leagues below. I dont watch every press conference that Adkins does, but from what i have seen he seems to pitch it about right for the circumstances. I like Steve Clark at WBA as he is well grounded but his speeches have changed a little too since they have lost a few games. If we manage to beat Arsenal on Tuesday then i reckon you will see a Nigel turn up for the press conference in a nice shiney red bus !
I don't understand what you are so gloomy about.You only have to avoid 18th place and Wigan look set on making iot their own.Surely you expected to be in or around the relegation spots?We certainly did at Norwich both last season and this.I think you will survive Ok,it's not as if you are QPR.
Don't think Saints fans are gloomy. We are surprisingly upbeat considering we are one point above the relegation zone. I consider relegation a possibility, but am confident we will be fine.
It's simple really, you can do that cheeky chappy act when you're winning, doesn't come across so well if you're struggling.
I dont think that most of us are gloomy, not in this thread anyway - just remarking about Nigel Adkins change in demeanour at press conferences etc, and the reasons why. We are about where i thought we would be at this stage, although i thought we might have had perhaps 3 points more. It could go either way realistically but still quietly confident.
Totally agree Dman a few points shy of where I thought we would be. We will stay up though. A couple of signings in the next couple of weeks nad up the table we will go!
Not wishing to cause trouble, but just out of interest really, bearing in mind your next 8 fixtures are: Stoke away Arsenal home Villa away Everton home Man U away Wigan away Man city home Newcastle away How would you feel about Adkins if he only manages 4 points from that lot leaving you on 20 points from 26 played? It is a very possible scenario and I just wondered if you would still back him or would you finally concede its time for a change? I have a pal who is a saints fan and he says he backs him for now but if you are losing touch of safety by the end of January then it may be time for change. Of course it may be the case that you spring a few surprises and rack up 12+ points but I just wondered how far your loyalty to a manager who is clearly a fans favourite will go if relegation started to look likely?
God Trix that was quick! TBF I said something similar about Sunderland and they beat us and City to be sitting pretty now. If it turns out as you suggest then I would see no point in changing. Nigel would be the best man to get us back up. I really don't think we will go down though.
He's still the same guy. Considering how much pressure he's under, he's still remarkably upbeat. In answer to Trixter's question, I'm happy to stick with Nigel through thick and thin. If we go down, he'll be the guy to get us back up. If we stay up, he'll have learned enough to push on to mid table next season.
But if results over the next 8 didnt go well, with the tough run of fixtures of out the way, confidence low, do you not think a new man could provide the lift the players would need for the run in of winnable games?
