It's fair to say a little piece of me died inside (and many other Saints fans, too) when we saw NA at the unveiling. The blue tie, the cheeky quips, the trademark honesty and integrity - we still miss that and will likely always will do.
I thought I'd stop by and give you a personal low-down on NA both as a person, manager and what can you expect in the upcoming months. But first, I feel I must flesh out this post a little bit before I continue.
When NA arrived at Saints, we were completely underwhelmed. The Scunny fans told us that we'd got a real gem but most of us were Googling him trying to find out more about him not just as a manager, but as a person. We'd expected a bigger name, a thoroughbred if you like and we ended up with what we perceived was a lucky physio.
How absolutely wrong we were and as you all know, his stock has risen quite considerably since the B2B promotions and his first venture into the PL.
Anyway, I digress. The first couple of months were painful, progress-wise. We looked like we regressed initially as a team, with stuttering performances and unconvincing results. The one constant was NA's positive and infectious attitude - he kept drumming on (to some, it was irritating but to others, it was clear he was changing the focus and mentality of the club for the better) about being "Together As One". This was textbook PMA and as a club, the supporters and players responded by buying into his mantra.
Not to soon after, results took a positive upturn. We began to look like a side fighting as one, a side who'd run through a brick wall for their manager. It was clearly evident within 3-4 months that NA's influence was beginning to show. We started to play attacking, free-flowing, exciting football. It was very rare to walk away from St. Mary's or elsewhere that season without thinking you'd got your money's worth and more.
After promotion to the Championship, NA continued to repeat his PMA slogans ad infinitum whilst steadily adding to a fairly capable squad. Notably, he bought players with exceptionally solid backgrounds (a family, settled) and never hankered after notorious trouble makers or any big names. He chose players with the right attitude, of good character and equally importantly, solid, technically gifted footballers.
Well, you know what happened that season in nPC. You won the league, but we were momentously happy to get a return to the Premier League as well. We'd like to think that we too done it in style, playing attractive, free-flowing, passing football - a type of football we hadn't seen since the 80's. Arguably he's the best manager we've ever had achievements wise - this, however, is countered by people who can remember a bit further back but for the likes of me and my generation, it was the most fun we've ever had as Saints supporters.
This was almost entirely down to Nigel and his staff.
We were absolutely gutted when he was relieved of his duties - and it still upsets quite a few people to this day. He was a fantastic manager, person and motivator and he'll have you playing attractive, winning football if you buy into his methods and mantras and back him 100%. You're lucky to have him, we'll miss him, that's for sure.
So what for you guys? How will his reign begin? Personally, I think you're two games short of giving it a real good go. If there was ten games left, I'd have said he'd have a half-decent chance of pulling you clear. As it stands, there's only 8 games left and I'm not sure if you can make up the points difference in time (though I hope you will as it'd be delightful to see Aston Villa, QPR and ANother go down).
However, if the worst does happen and you are relegated, be sure to know that you'd be in safer hands than us (I'm not really sure I could trust MP in the nPC, despite the way we've been playing recently). He's an astute manager and he knows the league (and the ones below) and more often than not, a good tactician (though some Saints would disagree with that).
The pretty, winning football won't happen over night. It'll be a good month or so before you seen any of this bear fruition but soon you'll be noticing the patterning-of-play changing and quick, passing, football being installed. You'll be ropey at the back sometimes, sure but you'll create more than enough opportunities to win games. I'd bet that if you start Le Fondre and you're creating chances then you'll have a good, fighting chance.
Whatever happens, good luck for the rest of the season. Look after NA for us, he's a real treasure!
PS: If there's anything else you want to know that I haven't mentioned, just ask - I'll try fill in the gaps if I can.
