I don't agree with this bit. I don't think Cortese would have made such a decision based on a cup game, and I suspect his mind had actually been made up before that game. I imagine that the main factor was a disagreement between Cortese and Adkins on how to move the club forward, rather than results which were clearly acceptable, and there was probably a significant amount of time during which Cortese was actively searching for a new manager who shared his philosophies. Furthermore, I don't believe that the sacking came as a shock to Adkins like a lot of media reported. I suspect he knew it was coming for a while.
I'm not really replying to the overall thread and sorry to nit pick. But it really wasn't that poor a start to the league one season we had 4 points from 3 games, yes not great but really just two bad games.
I agree with the last point, I think its obvious from Adkins' post-Chelsea interview (not press conference) that he knew that was his last game or the end was very near. I remember thinking he didn't look right when I first saw that interview so I can't see him not knowing.
I think he knew a long time ago especially as it 'appears' Christian Gross had accepted back then. I think Cortese has been looking since March or so when we were floundering a bit. That would tie in with the club's new formations that Adkins obviously didn't like. The post match interview after the West Brom game said it all really. I think the way he was suddenly so positive and bouncy again the game following was more a case of Adkins being free from the pressure. May well be that Cortese and Adkins had been speaking about things much much more all the way along and it was accepted what was going to happen. I don't believe the 'found out on TV' stuff. That is not Nicola's style. Money talks and there is no doubt in my mind that if Pardew had only got the remainder of his contract paid up he would have told the world to get sympathy and air time. Pardew obviously got a lot more than just his contract paid up and I assume so did Adkins. To the poster above who is spot on. Pardew failed. -10 yes but he would've failed to even make the play offs with by far the largest budget in the division. And much as I would've like Nigel to continue I also remember how angry I a myself after that Reading game. My reaction then was 'I am sick of Saints being runners up' (And I mean through history by that. I said I want to celebrate a victory. I guess on reflection Cortese had the same opinion. Much respect for Nigel. Sad he is gone but I guess maybe I was guilty of being a Saints fan and being happy that Adkins could keep us afloat in this league. Nicola is not happy with just 'staying afloat'. A big wake up to us all!!!
You know what..? I don't agree with that. What Pardew did was create a winning mentality. We had got used to losing and it didn't seem to matter anymore, and he most definitely changed that. He got most of the players out who were driftwood and tightened the whole structure down. He made that League One squad an effective force for the next season, and kickstarted Nigel, who did take on a slow starting team from the 22nd position in League One to promotion, but Saints were better than that position anyway. Pochettino will undoubtedly benefit from what Adkins built before, and I hope he takes us to the next tier. Anyone already thinking of the next managerial level..? No, neither am I.
That point about Pardew's season is wrong. Without the points deduction we would have finished 5th, just 3 points off the automatic promotion places. Considering the mess we were in at the start of the season I don't think that was a failure.
maybe my maths is wrong still think it was a failure though with the budget we had. Lost a lot of games through the season not just at the beginning.
I don't remember exactly but I think we took about 10 games to get back to zero so I'd say the start of the season was what did for us. However, your general point is probably still valid. We did splash the cash in January and I think Pardew may well have told Cortese that spending so much would get us in the play-offs at least.
Cortese is a great believer in targets..he thinks it makes it clear. Doubt he's tolerant of failure. Poch has said the target he's been set is Europe...as he is on a 2.5 yr contract, he has a tough job.
