He has everything, including loyalty. He'll be around for a long time. After all, he pulls his curtains back each morning &.........
I'm starting to consider whether he's even better than Strachan. And I never thought I'd say that. I suspect that one day we'll be looking back on the Adkins era in the same way as we look back on the Lawrie Mac era now.
Adkins is a genius, no question. But what would the wee man and Lawrie have given for the sort of support that he gets from Nicola Cortese? Lawrie would have outstayed old Mr Southampton in my view if he had had support from the board to develop the club. If you read Strachan's excellent autobiography it is clear he failed to get support from Lowe and his cronies. As for Pardew, I remain a fan and am not unhappy to see him do well at Newcastle, especially as I have a soft spot for the team. He did a good job at SFC, but I don't think we'd have sustained that amazing run at the end of the season when Huddersfield were chasing so hard if Pardew had still been there. Adkins took us up a level.
You don't know how happy you have made us Saints fans by asking us to rave about our beloved Nige. Pardew was good and laid the foundation for success after coming in when we were rock bottom. We were all sorry to lose him and there was nearly a revolt againts Cortese, but what an appointment he made. Most fans asked, Who? Nigel is a terrific manager, great motivator, endlessly bouncy and amusing, but best of all he knows about making the right substitution. I cannot remember any Saints manager, including Pardew, who was so good at seeing what was happening and changing things. Pardew was apparently sacked because he wouldn't think outside the first team, whereas Nigel has bought fully into Cortese's dream for Southampton (that's another story). Both teams now have a manager that suits them and Pardew would undoubtedly get a good reception if you are unfortunate enough to draw Saints in a cup
Incredible man, and last year only sir Alex ferguson won a higher percent of games. Has us playing some amazing, quality and skillfull football, always has a plan b and c and d, etc. Pardew was good for us, installed a belief, formed the majority of our current team, won us a trophy and he was unlucky not to get us in to the play offs, if we didn't have -10 we would have finished 2pts off the autos. Didn't understand why pardew was sacked and we probably never will, but at this moment I wouldn't swap our nige, for anyone.
Nige is going to be an absolute legend at the club! He has an amazingly good understanding of the game, he can identify a problem and knows exactly how to correct it perfectly. One of my favorite stats is under Adkins we've never lost after going in ahead at half time...this could just be a bit of luck etc but I have so much faith in him and the current team that he analysis the first half so well he completely cracks down on any weaknesses and we come out and dominate. Never will I forget the 3-2 comeback against mk which started to make myself believe! IN ADKINS WE TRUST!
The fact that Southampton have broken numerous positive records (winning runs etc), means he's already cemented in club folklore.
Most fans liked Pardew, although there were a few concerns about tactics and subs, but on the wholw pardew was liked and respected. We were sorry to see him go, and noone really knows the reasons why, but probably a personality clash with our Chairman Nicola "The Don" Cortese (not a man to cross). there were a few raised eyebrows when adkins came in as many wanted a big name "marquee" manager. The reality is that Adkins is probably the best young manager in the whole world, but i'm not one to exagerate! He will manage a top team in the Premiership within the next 2 years, and that club will be on the south coast, play in red and white stripes, and....
The thing is with Adkins, he's a modern manager. He understands how a present day football club operates from top to bottom - he's not your typical chairman hating, shouting, swearing, disciplinarian, that believes that training at 8am on a Sunday morning in the freezing cold will some how help the team get better. While once upon a time in English football, that was the only way to do it, sadly nowadays the game has changed and those types of managers are a dying breed. Nigel is of modern manager stock, intellegent (not just in football), fair and well respected - he has the balance between being a good mate and being the leader down to a tee. He also understands the business needs of a football club aswell as having an exemplary knowledge of the game itself. He is a perfectionist also and analysises everything to the closest detail. His enthusiasm, ideas and visions when shared, are always believed in - that is one of his best qualities. All these things make Nigel Adkins an excellent manager and a huge asset to our football club.
or for a completely unbiased neutral and well thought out opinion you could ask the Brighton fans although take into consideration that they do not understand banter or sarcasm at all. everything that someone says about them is a dig, directed at them in all seriousness, means to irritate and cannot possibly be just a humourous little joke http://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?199759-Southampton-VERY-impressive
He absolutely laps it up [video=youtube;2wClfn1LL48]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wClfn1LL48[/video]
When Alan Pardew was appointed, I had four immediate thoughts: 1. A very good selection for us as he is way above league 1 management ability and a very good initial motivator 2. I was concerned he wouldn't be here for the long run and would use us to get back to a top flight club (this may have happened, but events meant he didn't make that choice) 3. I was always worried that his ego would get the better of him; before joining Saints he always struck me as a man who liked to strut and would check himself in the mirror before walking out into the stadium 4. Tactically at Charlton and West Ham he made some very strange decisions. I was warned by mates at those clubs that his substitutions would be bizarre and I think this was proven on several occassions (very early on, we were 2-1 down to Huddersfield away with 20 minutes left and he sent on a CB) Pardew put some belief back into the club and I'll be forever grateful for that wonderful day out at Wembley in the Paintpot final, but he never installed the believe in me that I now have with our team. Nigel Adkins oozes belief, confidence, dignity and professionalism. That recent BBC interview is incredible and no wonder I our boys are bouncing round the pitch as Adkins carries so much enthusiasm and excitement it is fantastic. One of the big differences I have seen between the two managers is humility. I always felt Pardew had one eye on the mirror, whereas Adkins has two eyes, two arms, two legs, his body, his heart and his sole thrown into everything he does or says about our club. Mrs Adkins must have had one seriously big smile on her face that afternoon!
Turner and Stokes were ugly - and I mean frightening children ugly - and one stopped United scoring while the other one scored our most famous goal! If "ugly" Nige has the same effect he'll never need a cross channel ferry to get to France!
Great motivationally an excellent blend of Hoddle and Strachan (our most successful managers in recent times). A keen advocate of promoting fitness and uses positivity well. Tactically he is usually good and he knows how to get the most out of players. Main question mark is his dabbling in the transfer market. Yes, he did add Cork who is excellent but Forte looks like a panic buy. I guess time will tell on De Ridder etc.
