HNA approval/disapproval of NA

[Wycombe Royal]

Back to Adkins - his biggest problem IMHO is that he's a bellend. Reading fans will never truly warm to him because he comes across as such a helmet. I still think he'll be successful with the right backing from the owner but I literally can't bear to hear him speak, always turn the radio off if he's about to come on.

Although I probably wouldn't be quite as harsh as that I totally agree with what you saying. I couldn't stand listening to him speak when he was at Southampton and he seems to be getting worse. Sometimes I just want to hear a bit of passion from him, criticise the players (collectively), criticise himself for getting tactics or substitutions wrong, sound gutted when we've lost a match we should have won and maybe be a bit more miserable occasionally.

[Hoop Blah]

Back to Adkins - his biggest problem IMHO is that he's a bellend. Reading fans will never truly warm to him because he comes across as such a helmet. I still think he'll be successful with the right backing from the owner but I literally can't bear to hear him speak, always turn the radio off if he's about to come on.

It's pretty much the same with most managers isn't? McDermott was less so, and Coppell one of the rare exceptions, but they all talk rubbish most of the time.

The thing that grates with me about Adkins is he uses too many words at times, presumably to make his points seem more important. After the game on Saturday he made a comment about getting "McLeary into some good positions on the field of play". Why he needs to add the 'on the field of play bit' I don't know. Makes him sound too much like a management consultant.

If he hadn't been successful elsewhere before, and have a long history in the game, I'd worry that he can't connect with the players talking like that.

He still needs time to shape the squad as he wants it, and missing the likes of Bridge and Drenthe has certainly stunted the progress, creativity wise, so it's far too early to get on his back. I don't get the lack of opportunity for McAnuff though.

[ZacNaloen]

It's because he writes it down and rehearses it before speaking to the media, often sounds like that anyway. They aren't necessarily his honest appraisal of the game, that stays in the dressing room. Does make him sound silly sometimes though, but never hurt any politicians.

[Hoop Blah]

It's because he writes it down and rehearses it before speaking to the media, often sounds like that anyway. They aren't necessarily his honest appraisal of the game, that stays in the dressing room. Does make him sound silly sometimes though, but never hurt any politicians.

True, his style behind closed doors could be very different. I hope so.

Not sure it never hurt politicians though, they're hardly held in high esteme these days!

[Big Foot]

It's because he writes it down and rehearses it before speaking to the media, often sounds like that anyway. They aren't necessarily his honest appraisal of the game, that stays in the dressing room. Does make him sound silly sometimes though, but never hurt any politicians.

True, his style behind closed doors could be very different. I hope so.

Not sure it never hurt politicians though, they're hardly held in high esteme these days!

Not sure - if you look at our 2nd half performances/results, I wonder what he says to the players at Half Time!

[loyalroyal4life]

Not sure who you all think would come in and do a better job? PDC??

Only manager I can think of won't come to us!! Ride it out with NA i think he will come good (if he can sign some players he wants in Jan)

[Hoop Blah]

Not sure - if you look at our 2nd half performances/results, I wonder what he says to the players at Half Time!

Well there is that!

Seriously though, I think we've probably won more points in the second half than lost them, so isn't it just perception that we've had a load of shockers in the second half of games.

Generally it feels like he could be guilty of over complicating things though. BUt obviously that's just guess work from the things he says publically.

[Cureton's Volley]

Brian was a good manager. But his performance drastically dipped so we got rid. Correctly.

1) Brian's 'performance' didn't dip, we were simply playing against 19 teams who were all better than the ones we played the previous season (thanks to Brian)
2) The players we were able to bring in were not sufficient to bridge the gap

Obtuse comments about Brian's tactics, formations, and style being responsible for the relegation are complete BS. Furthermore, the people claiming that he had to go for those reasons cannot turn round and eulogize Adkins for doing any better thus far.

[ZacNaloen]

I said when we got promoted that without a change in the way we handle the midfield we'll get relegated, and I'll say the same now. This work in progress of Adkins is very slow and if we somehow snuck promotion this year we'd get relegated straight away again.

[Cureton's Volley]

Generally it feels like he could be guilty of over complicating things though. But obviously that's just guess work from the things he says publicly.

Supported with empirical evidence:

- Number of changes to the starting lineups (numerous and not seemingly performance related)
- Number of changes to the formation during a game (we used at least 3 this weekend)
- Playing players out of their preferred positions to fit his formation

I would almost go as far to say Adkins behaves as a narcissist with his top-down management approach - in a similar way to Brendan Rodgers. He appears to base his decisions only on what he wants, with little regard for our strengths as a squad and the feelings of individuals. This is in stark contrast to Coppell and McDermott who were both very pragmatic, played to the strengths of our squad, and each individual within it, wherever possible.

[Wycombe Royal]

I would almost go as far to say Adkins behaves as a narcissist with his top-down management approach - in a similar way to Brendan Rodgers. He appears to base his decisions only on what he wants, with little regard for our strengths as a squad and the feelings of individuals. This is in stark contrast to Coppell and McDermott who were both very pragmatic, played to the strengths of our squad, and each individual within it, wherever possible.

That may well be very true, but I also believe that the "narcissistic" approach has more chance of long term success, whilst the "pragmatic" approach provides short term benefits.

[floyd__streete]

Good to read that many of you are waking up to the fact that progress has been non-existent.

I can't warm to Adkins whatsoever and he does himself no favours in changing the starting XI every single game. He is perhaps unfortunate to be here during a time of uncertainty over the ownership but if he had a shred of decency and felt he'd been misled then he should have resigned by now.

[ZacNaloen]

non-existent is too strong for me, not fast enough to get us up this year? I'd say that.

It's been very slow. But we are better in midfield than we have been since Coppells Hey day

[surrounded by saints]

Good to read that many of you are waking up to the fact that progress has been non-existent.

I can't warm to Adkins whatsoever and he does himself no favours in changing the starting XI every single game. He is perhaps unfortunate to be here during a time of uncertainty over the ownership but if he had a shred of decency and felt he'd been misled then he should have resigned by now.

spot on!!

[Green]

Are many fans voicing disquiet at the games or is it mainly limited to cyperspace for the moment?

Genuine question I've not been to a home game this year.

[ZacNaloen]

It just dead quiet at the games.

due to look of goal mouth action.

[Wimb]

Few muffled boos at HT/FT, no real booing during the game just a few vents of frustration when we do something utterly useless.

Fans generally seem to be behind the side but as Zac said, the players aren't doing much to inspire the crowd.

[wingnut]

non-existent is too strong for me, not fast enough to get us up this year? I'd say that.

It's been very slow. But we are better in midfield than we have been since Coppells Hey day

Balls. It's been the midfield that's causing us most problems.

[Wimb]

Good to read that many of you are waking up to the fact that progress has been non-existent.

I can't warm to Adkins whatsoever and he does himself no favours in changing the starting XI every single game. He is perhaps unfortunate to be here during a time of uncertainty over the ownership but if he had a shred of decency and felt he'd been misled then he should have resigned by now.

Do tend to agree but in fairness has there been an XI that's really proved itself to be the best?

Especially when you take injuries into account I struggle to think of an eleven that's screamed 'play me every week!!!'

Every time it's looked like we might be getting there somebody major seems to get crocked

Adkins does need to stop tinkering but hopefully now that he's got Drenthe, Williams and Sharp all fit you'd like to think he starts committing to a side and giving it time to grow.

Sadly that won't start on Saturday because Guthrie got a stupid booking.

[Big Foot]

Are many fans voicing disquiet at the games or is it mainly limited to cyperspace for the moment?

Genuine question I've not been to a home game this year.

No home game attendance from me until this bellend is sacked or does the decent thing and resigns.