Rob Lee has been speaking to Football FanCast about Charlton Athletic’s recent appointment of Nigel Adkins as manager.
Earlier this week, Adkins was confirmed as Lee Bowyer’s successor after the former Addicks boss took up the reins at Birmingham City.
Bowyer led Charlton to promotion from League One, but they were relegated from the Championship after one season last term, and they were in eighth place when he left the club.
So, things didn’t quite go to plan this season; however, it seems that Lee had ‘forgotten’ all about Adkins.
He said: “It’s surprised me a little bit. I thought the owner might have gone for a foreign manager since he’s Scandinavian.
“Out of all the names that were mentioned, that I heard, it just seems this is one that’s come out of the blue, really.
“Of all the managers that were mentioned, I don’t remember Nigel Adkins being one of them. If I’m being honest, I had forgotten about Nigel Adkins.
“It wasn’t one of the names where you immediately thought yeah, okay, that makes sense, and he’s got no association with the club.
“Maybe he had a great reference, or he did a great interview, I don’t know. The thing is it’s always that somebody knows somebody at a club but, I hope he does well.”
Do you think Adkins is a good appointment?
Yes, he should do well
No, I am not convinced
TIF Thoughts on Adkins…
Adkins has been out of work since he left Hull City in 2019 and has had success in League One before while achieving promotion with Southampton in 2010/11.
However, he also failed to achieve promotion from League One with Sheffield United, who were constantly in promotion contention prior to his arrival.
So, it is unclear what is to be expected of him at The Valley as Charlton’s new boss.
The race for a play-off spot is intense as Charlton currently sit in sixth but have played two more games than those directly below them – so there is plenty of work for Adkins to make the play-offs and win over the slightly sceptical Lee.