Alan Pardew was good for Southampton........he built the foundation of a side from scratch. Not many managers get the chance to do that. It took a while for the team to gel but eventually they came good. We sadly did not do well enough in his first season. Then, next preseason was quite a disaster, all that had been built and worked on the previous season, had gone out the window. I am still not sure any of us fans could quite understand what had happened to the team in the break and preseason. They certainly were not firing on all cylinders that's for sure! There was rumours of "dressing room problems" arguments on the training field and disagreements with other members of the training staff. The next thing we hear is that Alan Pardew was sacked. A lot of us had very mixed feelings about that, a few actually voiced them. Nigels appointment was greeted with equally mixed feelings, his first game in charge he lost to MK Dons away, his next a draw against Colchester at home. So he did not get off to a flyer! Somehow though, when you listened to him post match he didn't seem to make excuses, he made some slight adjustments and started to get some decent results. Although it seemed saints were still prone to letting themselves down against some of the lesser sides. His first Foray into the transfer markets paid dividends from the off. Guly and Chappers comes to mind maybe Forte. By this time he had definitely won the fans over by his pure enthusiasm and the style of play the team were playing. It was also clear by this time he had the backing of the majority of the team. The exception being it would seem of Puncheon. He did not make rash promises or use fake innuendos. He made mistakes but was the first to admit he had done so. The team continue to improve and the latest additions seem in the main to be working. There is no doubt that with the backing of Cortese and presumably the Family at this level he will undoubtedly get Saints promoted to the premier at some time. At that level though, the judges will be out again to deliberate. Personally I have no doubt he will continue to prove himself to be the special manager he is. Then of course he will be linked to every job going and eventually the England job. Until then he is Saints manager that has the full backing of the fans and the board.
when we're about 60 we'll be reminiscing about the adkins days, touching his statue outside st marys after every game
Jen, when you are 60, can you have "Fatletiss RIP" in your signature please - I'll be long gone by then :-(
Pardew did a good job turning us around and I am not surprised by how well he is doing at Newcastle. They have great fans and it's good to see them doing well even though most of the fans thought it was a terrible appointment. Most Saints fans were probably underwhelmed when Adkins was appointed too. However, I personally think he will win the Premier League one day and manage in the Champions League. I won't say it will be with Saints although I would not be surprised if he did take us to the Champions League either. He is that good. As it has been said by so many others. He has a pan B, plan C, etc and when we do lose he never criticises the team, he never criticises the officials, he just analyses and moves on. And every time we have lost we have gone on to win the next game. I'm sure that won't always be the case but I personally think he is the best manager we have had since Lawrie. I also think our love for Strachan is a bit over the top. He did a good job but he was no genius like Adkins.
Jen, this board is not the preserve of the young, you know. I've been "about 60" for a while now! But I agree with your sentiment
I don't think any of us will ever "look back" on the Adkins era, because our beloved Nigel will be the Saints manager for at least the next 100 years, and lead us to so many consecutive Champions League titles that UEFA will have to invent a new competition that Southampton aren't eligible for. Statue? It will have to be a bloody big one!
I've never had so much love for a man. It's weird. I'm worried for my health. And reputation. And various other things. Long live the KINGGGGGG! That is all.
Nigel Adkins : how good is he?....well think of Brian Clough's motivational skills, Terry Venables' tactical brain and Bobby Robson's charm and charisma and you won't be far off....In fact Saints remind me a lot of the great Forest team that won promotion to the old First division and went on to win the League the following season, no obvious 'stars' (apart from Shilton) but a strong team ethic and to play beautiful but clean football. Of course we are in a different era and the days of getting promoted and winning the Premiership the next season are now impossible.
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. Well observed fatletiss, totally agree with those sentiments. Makes me think of a quote I heard about Hoddle, who always seemed a bit in love with himself, that if he was an ice cream, he'd lick himself
Yeah, I agree. When AP was appointed I was really pleased, because I like his attitude. Bear in mind that some people think Pardew is trouble, and he is undoubtedly flawed, but his positives easily outweigh his negatives. While he was with us he lived and breathed SFC, so I was sorry to see him go. I feel we still don't exactly know the reasons for his departure, but whatever they were, water under the bridge and all that. So credit to Cortese for getting Nigel Adkins in, who has taken the side places that even Pardew might have struggled to achieve. I do think you have a very good manager there at Newcastle, so stick by him. If you do, you may still not win a trophy, but he will definitely bring the feel-good-factor back to Toon. EDIT: Oops, forgot to mention. Adkins is BRILLIANT..!
Are you sure on this one? Quite a simple error in tactics for me was......... .1 minute from penalties at Euro 96. The world's No1 penalty taker is on the bench. Substitute is ready and its...............Oops told the wrong one to take off the tracksuit!!!! Adkins wouldn't make that mistake so not agreeing at all with Venables I would liken him more to Fergie in tactics (attack and strategy) Wenger in the modern ways, Strachan in the humour stakes and Adkins in the personality stakes i.e. Cannot think of anyone who is as happy, cheery as him all the time etc.......maybe his wife is as happy though
Wow! Thanks to everyone who has posted. I never expected such a large response... Good luck Saints - see you next season!
