Saints fans have been shocked and stunned today by the announcement that Nigel Adkins has been sacked, here we take a look at his Saints career and say thank you.
Nigel Adkins ironically arrived at St Mary's to a similar situation to the one that is occurring now, his predecessor Alan Pardew was adored by the supporters and despite an opening day defeat and a draw against Orient was generally seen to be getting back on track with a great result at Bristol Rovers, after his sacking the message boards were full of sentiments backing Pardew and suggesting that Nicola Cortese was a few sandwiches short of a picnic. The appointment of Adkins was not greeted with great enthusiasm and he was seen as perhaps third choice.
Indeed Nigel had a very bumpy start, his first game was at Swindon were he presided over a third straight defeat (2nd in League) since the sacking, in fact very early in his reign there were strong rumours that Adkins himself would be gone after not much more than half a dozen games.
In fact at various times during his tenure as manager rumours emerged of a tempestuous relationship between manager and Chairman and that on at least one occasion the manager had been sacked only to be reinstated, much the same as the rumours that dogged Pardew's time at the club.
Saints fans seemed to back Adkins though, an Echo poll was 80% for him only a few weeks ago and his name would be sung on every occasion by the fans, they appreciated that the fact that he had presided over back to back promotions had earned him the right to manage the club in the Premier, yes at times he was found wanting, but like his time in League ! and the Championship, he always seemd to learn from his mistakes and come back stronger, hence what a big surprise to find him sacked after perhaps the two best back to back results of the season, the Villa win was immense, but the Chelsea draw just as important as to many it signified we had finally arrived back in the premier and could compete with the big boys instead of be just lambs to the slaughter and hope to pick up enough points against the lower sides to stay up.
That is why its such a shock to find out he has been sacked, it has been done at the time when he seemed to have turned the corner and was taking the club forward, thats why Saints fans were shocked, long term aims were talked about by the Chairman in the statement announcing the managerial changes, the fans can see that, but the most important thing now is the short term aim and that is to stay in the Premier league, I just feel that has been dealt a blow today.
Thanks Nigel, you will be a Southampton legend for all you have done for this club, you leave on a high as like Gordon Strachan you achieved much and left before it turned sour meaning your popularity will always be high, you were in charge for a total of 24 games, of which you won 67, drew 25 and lost 32 and that is not a bad record.