It will be a walk in the Prenton Park for Nigel to keep Tranmere in League 2. Apparently Tranmere's Technical director had the final vote at the interview 🤔
Never understood Adkins, growing up I thought he was an absolutely phenomenal manager with what he did at Southampton.
Nothing since really... Wonder what makes someone go from being that good to that mediocre
Think he got a bit lucky with Southampton - turned up and they had about 5 future top team internationals in a L1 squad, Lallana, Lambert, Oxlade Chamberlain, Fonte, Schneiderlin.
That said, I still think about 3/4 of the managers out there are probably decent, not amazing but will do well if the club is doing well and badly if they're a mess like us.
Adkins did well at 3 or 4 clubs, badly at a other 3 or 4. He's alright as a manager.
Never understood Adkins, growing up I thought he was an absolutely phenomenal manager with what he did at Southampton.
Nothing since really... Wonder what makes someone go from being that good to that mediocre
I have a working theory that most managers don't progress after their first taste of sustained success. The fact that it rhymes is a coincidence.
The Southampton team that Adkins took up the divisions were full of talent that ended up playing above L1/Championship. He set them up well, they were good, and then they upgraded on him as soon as they felt they could. And it doesn't feel like he's changed much in the last decade. Set teams up solidly, keep the ball a bit and hit teams on the counter, that sort of thing. He's failed pretty much everywhere since with maybe the exception of Hull where he did alright when the club were in a bit of turmoil.
The November nominations for the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month Award are:
Nigel Adkins (Tranmere Rovers)
Taking the manager role on a permanent basis, Adkins used his experience and knowledge of the club to simplify tactics, introduce players from within and restore hope at Prenton Park. The result was eight points from four unbeaten games.
Lee Bell (Crewe Alexandra)
Bell’s quiet revolution at Crewe continues to bring through young players in the club tradition, produce results and keep the Alex in the League Two play-off positions. His side collected seven points from their three November fixtures.
Pete Wild (Barrow)
Wild has galvanised not just an entire football club, but a whole town with the spirit and camaraderie he inspires. His side had a perfect November, winning all four games as they equalled a club record EFL winning run stretching back to 1967.
Mike Williamson (Milton Keynes Dons)
Having inherited a side in freefall, Williamson has restored a pleasing passing style at Stadium MK with results now beginning to follow. Three unbeaten games produced five points and allowed the Dons to climb back into the top half.
Never understood Adkins, growing up I thought he was an absolutely phenomenal manager with what he did at Southampton.
Nothing since really... Wonder what makes someone go from being that good to that mediocre
Think he got a bit lucky with Southampton - turned up and they had about 5 future top team internationals in a L1 squad, Lallana, Lambert, Oxlade Chamberlain, Fonte, Schneiderlin.
That said, I still think about 3/4 of the managers out there are probably decent, not amazing but will do well if the club is doing well and badly if they're a mess like us.
Adkins did well at 3 or 4 clubs, badly at a other 3 or 4. He's alright as a manager.
You could say that about any "decent manager". Surely you need good players to have some success.
Prior to being appointed, Tranmere had picked up 10 points from 16 games (0.63 points per game) and looked certainties to go down. Since then they have picked up 20 points from 9 matches (2.22 points per game) and are now 13 points above the drop zone.
Prior to being appointed, Tranmere had picked up 10 points from 16 games (0.63 points per game) and looked certainties to go down. Since then they have picked up 20 points from 9 matches (2.22 points per game) and are now 13 points above the drop zone.
I think that ship has sailed because nothing has changed with us in reality and he would be treated by the fanbase as if we were going backwards (again) in re-appointing him.
One only has to look, in hindsight, at the lack of quality we had then and have now to realise that there is only so much a manager can bring to the table. In his final season Adkins had at his disposal (when fit) the likes of Gunter, Davison, Lee, Lavelle, MacGilvray, Stockley, Arter, Purrington, Morgan, Washington, Gilbey, Jaiyesimi, Leko, Matthews, Pearce, Watson, Clare, Souare, JFC and Inniss. I would hesitate to suggest that many of those were good enough (even if fit) then let alone now as evidenced by what has happened to them subsequently - they've all either retired, dropped down a level or had somewhat limited success in this same division.
The only one used by Adkins and now holding down a place at a higher level is Famewo. When we had that very good run at the end of the previous season Adkins also had Amos, Maatsen, Millar and Aneke but they all moved back to their parent club or moved at the end of that season. If we added a fit and firing JFC, as he was at the time, then what sort of difference would those six make to our current squad - a keeper, CB, LB, CM, WM and a fit super sub. We never really replaced those players prior to the start of the following season albeit that Aneke would return in the January window after Adkins had been sacked.
Looking at our lineup for Lincoln away under Adkins, I'm really convinced he was stiffed the worst of all our managers when it came to personnel. We had that lovely little run at the end of the season, then he was foisted with a barrage of absolute nonsense. The one who wasn't nonsense (Dobson) he managed to convince himself was too, doubtless given how awful the rest were. I don't even really blame Sandgaard; money was exchanged, it's just that the scouting was a trashfire. Okay, Sandgaard using his own son to do the scouting was probably suboptimal. Aaaaargh
Looking at our lineup for Lincoln away under Adkins, I'm really convinced he was stiffed the worst of all our managers when it came to personnel. We had that lovely little run at the end of the season, then he was foisted with a barrage of absolute nonsense. The one who wasn't nonsense (Dobson) he managed to convince himself was too, doubtless given how awful the rest were. I don't even really blame Sandgaard; money was exchanged, it's just that the scouting was a trashfire. Okay, Sandgaard using his own son to do the scouting was probably suboptimal. Aaaaargh
Summed up by Sandgaard telling us Kirk was going to be even better than Millar.
“He’s going to be a strong asset for us on the left wing and create even more chances. We know from his history that he has the ability to score goals. What we had last season in Liam Millar we now have Charlie Kirk, who I think is an even bigger talent.”
Adkins is the one manager I could be convinced was just a case of (potentially) right person but wrong time. If he'd had backing from owners like the current guys (the actual owners not the SMT) I think he'd have made a much better job of things.
All a bit sliding doors and what-ifs really and certainly wouldn't swap him for Jones but he always did seem a genuinely decent guy at least.
Haven’t thought about the Adkins era for a while. Still to this day thought we should have gone straight to Jackson after Bowyer left. Felt the decision to then keep him as assistant undermined Adkins a lot, because you knew it wouldn’t take long for the fans to want Jackson in the job. Remember calls for Jackson to be in charge about 7 or 8 matches before he eventually got the sack.
Haven’t thought about the Adkins era for a while. Still to this day thought we should have gone straight to Jackson after Bowyer left. Felt the decision to then keep him as assistant undermined Adkins a lot, because you knew it wouldn’t take long for the fans to want Jackson in the job. Remember calls for Jackson to be in charge about 7 or 8 matches before he eventually got the sack.
That alsonsuggestsbthatbadkins should have been sacked 7 or 8 games earlier
Comments
Apparently Tranmere's Technical director had the final vote at the interview 🤔
Nothing since really... Wonder what makes someone go from being that good to that mediocre
That said, I still think about 3/4 of the managers out there are probably decent, not amazing but will do well if the club is doing well and badly if they're a mess like us.
Adkins did well at 3 or 4 clubs, badly at a other 3 or 4. He's alright as a manager.
The Southampton team that Adkins took up the divisions were full of talent that ended up playing above L1/Championship. He set them up well, they were good, and then they upgraded on him as soon as they felt they could. And it doesn't feel like he's changed much in the last decade. Set teams up solidly, keep the ball a bit and hit teams on the counter, that sort of thing. He's failed pretty much everywhere since with maybe the exception of Hull where he did alright when the club were in a bit of turmoil.
The November nominations for the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month Award are:
Nigel Adkins (Tranmere Rovers)
Taking the manager role on a permanent basis, Adkins used his experience and knowledge of the club to simplify tactics, introduce players from within and restore hope at Prenton Park. The result was eight points from four unbeaten games.
Lee Bell (Crewe Alexandra)
Bell’s quiet revolution at Crewe continues to bring through young players in the club tradition, produce results and keep the Alex in the League Two play-off positions. His side collected seven points from their three November fixtures.
Pete Wild (Barrow)
Wild has galvanised not just an entire football club, but a whole town with the spirit and camaraderie he inspires. His side had a perfect November, winning all four games as they equalled a club record EFL winning run stretching back to 1967.
Mike Williamson (Milton Keynes Dons)
Having inherited a side in freefall, Williamson has restored a pleasing passing style at Stadium MK with results now beginning to follow. Three unbeaten games produced five points and allowed the Dons to climb back into the top half.
https://www.efl.com/news/2023/december/05/sky-bet-league-two-manager-and-player-of-the-month--november-nominees/
I liked him. Hope he does well.
One only has to look, in hindsight, at the lack of quality we had then and have now to realise that there is only so much a manager can bring to the table. In his final season Adkins had at his disposal (when fit) the likes of Gunter, Davison, Lee, Lavelle, MacGilvray, Stockley, Arter, Purrington, Morgan, Washington, Gilbey, Jaiyesimi, Leko, Matthews, Pearce, Watson, Clare, Souare, JFC and Inniss. I would hesitate to suggest that many of those were good enough (even if fit) then let alone now as evidenced by what has happened to them subsequently - they've all either retired, dropped down a level or had somewhat limited success in this same division.
The only one used by Adkins and now holding down a place at a higher level is Famewo. When we had that very good run at the end of the previous season Adkins also had Amos, Maatsen, Millar and Aneke but they all moved back to their parent club or moved at the end of that season. If we added a fit and firing JFC, as he was at the time, then what sort of difference would those six make to our current squad - a keeper, CB, LB, CM, WM and a fit super sub. We never really replaced those players prior to the start of the following season albeit that Aneke would return in the January window after Adkins had been sacked.
Adkins got a red card after saying something to the ref, who asked him to walk...
“He’s going to be a strong asset for us on the left wing and create even more chances. We know from his history that he has the ability to score goals. What we had last season in Liam Millar we now have Charlie Kirk, who I think is an even bigger talent.”
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/thomas-sandgaard-outlines-charlton-athletic-transfer-plans-and-backs-big-talent-charlie-kirk
All a bit sliding doors and what-ifs really and certainly wouldn't swap him for Jones but he always did seem a genuinely decent guy at least.
Why has Stockley been dropped?