New Portsmouth manager Tony Adams said late last week that he would quit if Portsmouth sold Jermain Defoe. While I’m sure that most Pompey fans would agree that Defoe needs to stay, Adams’s comment shows his immaturity as a manager.
Threatening your new owners after recently getting the job is no way to impress the owners, especially your record as Portsmouth manager hasn’t been spectacular. He’s won one game, drawn two and lost two.
To me, Adams’s comment smacks of a person thinking that he’s larger than the club. In tough economic times when the future of the club is in uncertainty, the last thing the Pompey board needs is a manager mouthing off to the press and putting undue pressure on the club.
Sure, Jermain Defoe should stay. He’s the best thing that’s happened to Portsmouth in ages. But Tony Adams has really put his foot in his mouth by saying such a ridiculous comment. The fact is that players sometimes leave against a manager’s wishes. Putting your neck on the line by saying you’re going to quit is a stupid thing to do. Don’t expect Tony Adams to stay in charge at Pompey that long whether it’s by his choice or not.
Yet another ill-informed media hack/blogger! Did you actually listen to Tony's interview or just decide to rehash an opinion based on what you read in the red-tops?
One: Tony Adams should not have said what he said because some people will listen to snippets and jump to conclusions. On that basis, you are correct. He will regret saying what he said, even though he didn't really put all of the emphasis on Defoe's potential departure.
Two: Tony Adams still has a lot of learning to do in regards to the press. You can call it immaturity. Personally, I think that's a little harsh. I think of it as inexperience. He'll learn.
Three: Tony Adams realizes that when the club is sold, which will probably be before the January transfer window, that his job is on the line. Most likely he will be replaced as soon as a sale goes through.
Four: If the club is sold, don't expect the rumored firesale to happen. Some players will leave, yes, but only if good offers are made and the club can be improved with the money acquired. That's just good business. Every club in the world operates that way. ManU will sell Ronaldo as soon as it's in their best interests to do so.
The club is in turmoil, what with Harry's departure and the rumored financial issues. Knowing the club will be sold soon doesn't help either. One of the players, and I can't remember who, recently said that he came to Portsmouth not because of Harry, but because the club had a concrete plan both for now and for the future, but doesn't have an obvious plan at the moment. A new ownership group will have to have that plan in place and communicate it effectively to everyone involved in order to move the club forward.
May you live in interesting times…
wot a dreadful thing to say
your showing your immaturity as a reporter
Adams never said that – it was the media spinning his comments.
Ha Ha. Well come on then Tony collect your P45 on the way out. All the other numpties that suggested he didn't say it . . . . . . your wrong. Enjoy the Coca Cola league.