I bumped into Nigel when he was walking from the local shop back to his house in Compton with his lad. I told him that I was gutted as were most saints fans. He said he was was also gutted and genuinely shocked by what had happened. I said that our loss would be someone else's gain as he would achieve great things. He said he really wanted to have done that with saints. I shook his hand and wished him all the best.
Adkins was caught unawares as the rest of us ... he obviously didn't know what has been happening the past month from Mr Cortese.
Potentially. I was reading some Espanyol forums and fansites earlier and some of them stated that the wheels had been in motion since before Xmas. Now whether NA was fully aware or not, we do not know. But Pochettino has supposedly been watching on and studying for weeks. We also now know that Wilkins told Echo reporters at Stamford Bridge that NA knew he was leaving after that game. So, at what point did NA find out about Cortese's scheming? All we know is it is some time before the Chelsea game. It also explains some weird comments, e.g. Forren when asked about whether VF was coming "ask the men who knows". Vegard then said yesterday he spoke to Mauricio the other day??? Interesting. Coutinho? There's enough about that to suggest that may well have been someone that had their name put forward by Mauricio. It's an odd and interesting situation. Sure, if Nigel knew early enough it was coming (but not totally sure of when), it was not a case of "Nigel Adkins - Manager" but "Nigel Adkins - Caretaker Manager" whilst we awaited the arrival of our new manager. It's a bit hard to stomach for us fans, and possibly Nigel - but I just wonder WHEN did Nigel find out....
He probably knew all wasn't well, but not that the axe was about to fall. He probably became aware that he wasn't being involved with Forren's signing. Some may call it scheming, but no doubt Nicola would call it planning...no point in leaving Saints without a manager in case he didn't get Poch. He would call it being sensible, but very hard on a good and honourable man.
Well I said when the announcement came (after expletives and total shock) that "at least we aren't in limbo with a caretaker".
That's where I lived before I came to uni and go back there regularly. I have seen him before and I may have seen you before!
Thanks for voicing our thoughts to him. Don't think I would have been able to, I think I would have just broken down and sobbed
Whereabouts does Nigel live in Compton then? I have to go to the college in shepherds lane on a Friday.
This has been posted elsewhere but you may have missed it http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21084201
I would have grabbed his cuff, not let go and force him to let me live with his family forever who i am sure are all as positive as him.. oh who am i kidding i wouldn't have to force him he would probably offer to let me stay himself, especially with it being so cold
