Nigel Adkins' View of the Game

Adkins: Credit both teams

Nigel Adkins says both sets of players deserve credit after a 1-1 draw away to Barnsley.

An excellent Hal Robson-Kanu goal was equalised by a late Chris O'Grady strike, and both sides had chances to win the game, but a defeat would have been harsh on either club.

The Tykes especially belied their position in the table and played very well indeed, and Adkins said, "I think it's an excellent point away from home, I thought Barnsley were very good and played well above their position in the division, they started brightly and moved it about, we couldn't get a grip of the game.
"Ten minutes before half time we changed the shape to a diamond because we hadn't had a touch, soon after half time Alfie went through and could have scored but the keeper made a great save, then we got in front with a thunderous strike from Hal Robson-Kanu which was very good.

"Their keeper made another good save from Alfie, we hit the bar through Morrison and the game was very open at the end. Alex had to make some saves in fairness and Barnsley deserved something from the game, they showed a desire to work for their manager which is important, they've brought some good new players in who performed well."

Asked if he was happy with a point, the boss said, "Our mindset was to come here for all three. We had a good meeting today and talked about the importance of going away from home and winning games. The preparation for the game and the warm-up were excellent.

"We remain undefeated in the last few games, we've picked up another point and keep ticking over. On another day we could have won, but we also could have lost. The lads worked extremely hard, we take the point and move on to the next one.

"From our point of view we wanted to control the game more. Give Barnsley a lot of credit, they are in there fighting and ran Leicester close on Saturday. Let's be positive about it, it's easy to be negative, we've come away on a Tuesday night and got a point. Give our players credit because it's always easy to knock people. The start to the season was the best in seven years so we're in the race."

 

Don't remember them hitting the bar

 

Credit to the bloke. No gloss on it in terms of excuses for not winning. A very balanced and rational assessment of the game I saw. Respectful of us unlike certain journalists before the game. Top manager.

 

They did, might have been a save that went onto the bar though, not sure, happened very quickly when the box was packed.

 

Yeah they did but it was pretty soft from memory though, it just kind of bounced on the top and then fell back in the box. Presumably we then cleared it.

 

Note what Adkins said, which all our fans who post on here, should remember. " it's always easy to be Negative, so lets be positive, give our players credit because it is always easy to knock people."

 

Well balanced comments from Adkins a good bloke and talented manager. I was rather surprised at the way they clogged Paddy second half seemed unusual for a team put out by him.

 

Second half when Butland flapped at a cross, totally missed it and a goalmouth scramble ended with them getting their shot away.

 

Good to read, like Adkins as a manager so its good to see him being respectful about our club.

 

I've always liked Adkins. Who needs Mourinho, we've got a physio.

 

On Sky Sports news they mentioned it shortly before we scored iirc.

I hate not being able to go to games.

 

Must have been at the far end. Didn't notice the bar being involved from my seat high in the Ponte End

 

Yes it was as it was just after they scored. It sort of looped up and it the top of the bar then dropped back into play and we got it away after a scramble.

Good comments by Adkins.

 

Always liked Adkins, always seems respectful and spoke kindly about us many times. He was used to being in our sort of predicament with Scunny, I think that helps him form judgements.

 

Just listened to his interview on ReadingPlayer (nothing on ours yet) and he was really, really complimentary about us - very refreshing.

 

Fine after a game, its bigging them up beforehand.

 

I used to like Adkins. Then I saw his team play last night. Really hope they don't go up this season.

 

Well spoken words by the best manager outside the top flight.