A bit smug but he's ours - do we love him yet?

[floyd__streete]

How can anyone not be happy with a management team that's achieved 4 promotions in 5 seasons?

True, but law of averages means he will fail with Reading. In my mind, he is dead-man walking.

[Royal Lady]

Don't really give a f*ck what he sounds like so long as his team delivers results on the pitch. If he gets results, he'll be liked. He's got to go some way to reach the love stakes in Harris Towers though. Think I'll struggle to love someone like I did Steve Coppell.

Oh this times a million Handbags - Coppell can never be matched, in my eyes.

[Royal91]

Lets be honest people only thought he was a smug twat at Southampton because we all wish our team could play in their attractive manner.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with bloke. Do I love him yet? No I don't but I will come the end of the season because I am confident he will get us into the play-off or beyond.

[Royal91]

How can anyone not be happy with a management team that's achieved 4 promotions in 5 seasons?

True, but law of averages means he will fail with Reading. In my mind, he is dead-man walking.

By law of averages he will fail at Reading. What oxf*rd planet are you on?? Got any evidence to back up those statements or you just going to continuously spout shit as usual

[floyd__streete]

Lets be honest people only thought he was a smug twat at Southampton because we all wish our team could play in their attractive manner.

I really wished our team could play in their attractive manner that time we won 3-1 at St Mary's to go top of the league.

[Big Foot]

Lets be honest people only thought he was a smug twat at Southampton because we all wish our team could play in their attractive manner.

I really wished our team could play in their attractive manner that time we won 3-1 at St Mary's to go top of the league.

Yup & whilst they choked the league title.

Being honest, I just hate everything about Adkins. Even his eyes wind me up.

[Royalclapper]

Not sure I get the love/hate Marmiteness of Adkins. He seems more of a neutral type manager to me and he's obviously competent in football management. There's a hint of a working man's Mourinho about him, all pretty harmless though.

[The Goat was fed]

Until he drops the flipcharts and David Brent-speak, can't love him.

[LoyalRoyal22]

I like him. No love yet though.

[RoyalBlue]

It's no surprise that some Reading fans struggle to tell the difference between confidence and smugness. His self-belief doesn't sit well with the small club mentality that we are trying to move on from.

I can't remember the last time I was so excited about a forthcoming season.

Pretty much sums up my view.

But f*ck it! Let's go back to someone who doesn't project confidence and self-belief! I'm not sure how that will make our players perform better (in fact I am sure it will have the opposite effect) but at least those who cant tell the difference between confidence and smugness will be happy.

Seems to me that an awful lot of the best and most successful managers project a similar level of confidence, sorry, smugness!

[Simon's Church]

Being smug when you're one of the best and most successful people in your field >>>>>>> Being smug when you've recently been sacked by Southampton and been relegated in your next job.

[RoyalBlue]

Being smug when you're one of the best and most successful people in your field >>>>>>> Being smug when you've recently been sacked by Southampton and been relegated in your next job.

Another who can't spot the difference between being confident and being smug!

And credit where credit is due - Brian did all the foundation work that got us relegated.

[Royal Rother]

What a bizarre discussion.

made all the more so because I find myself on the same side of the fence as Avon Royal and Royal Blue!!

[Hampshire Royal]

I didn't like him when he was at Southampton, he just came over as being a smug git. Now he's here, I do like him and the clichés he comes out with.

As I said on another thread, he might be a smug git, but he's our smug git, and if the rumours are true about some of the players he's going to sign, he can do no wrong for me.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Not sure I get the love/hate Marmiteness of Adkins. He seems more of a neutral type manager to me and he's obviously competent in football management. There's a hint of a working man's Mourinho about him, all pretty harmless though.

^ That statement is bang on the money - totally agree. Where does this hate come from? The fact he is fcuking good at what he does and has a bit of self belief? I just don't get it.

Very weird responses on here I think.

[AirRaidSiren]

Not sure I get the love/hate Marmiteness of Adkins. He seems more of a neutral type manager to me and he's obviously competent in football management. There's a hint of a working man's Mourinho about him, all pretty harmless though.

^ That statement is bang on the money - totally agree. Where does this hate come from? The fact he is fcuking good at what he does and has a bit of self belief? I just don't get it.

Very weird responses on here I think.

Agree. I do not get the hate or dislike towards Adkins, it's as if he(Adkins) personally raped their(the haters) mother.

Weird responses indeed. The fickleness is beyond laughable. McDermott isn't coming back, get over it.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

I'm over it

This season is going to be bloody entertaining - promotion or not.

[madstadblues]

I hated Adkins with a vengence at Saints and relished everytime they lost and he suffered. Now he's our leader (and he was my 1st choice after BMac left) I think he's a breath of fresh air as he hasn't come 'through the club' and is looking at the squad / setup with fresh eyes and ideas. Couple this with the new owner seemingly prepared to back his man and having much more of a football perspective than Mr Madj. I haven't looked forward to a season like this one for ages.

I openly admit to being fickle but have backed my optimism with a cheeky 11:1 bet at Bet Victor for us to win the Championship and a bet on us to get promoted ( any which way) to cover my stake with the free 25.00 bet.

[winchester_royal]

The reason we (myself incuded) didn't like him at Saints was because they were one of our main rivals, both locally and competitively, and he was doing a good job.

[W&E Royal]

I liked him at Southampton and I love him at Reading. Was my first choice to take over from BM so I was obviously delighted. I like the strange things he says, I like the poetry and the orange tan. I've always wanted our players to get hold of the football and pass the football. I'm also delighted as I also like to draw blue lines under things.

So, to sum up. I heart Nigel.