BOSS NIGEL ADKINS ON HIS TRANMERE CHALLENGE
HAVING kept Tranmere Rovers in the Football League this season, it’s no surprise that Nigel Adkins has his sights set on a promotion push next term.
This, after all, is a man who twice led Scunthorpe United out of League One and led Southampton to back-to-back promotions to reach the Premier League.
True, those successes all came more than a decade ago and subsequent appointments at Reading, Sheffield United, Hull and Charlton failed to hit the same heights, but the fire is still burning in a man renowned as one of the most positive people in football.
Having initially been hired as Rovers’ technical director last May, Adkins stepped in as interim manager when Ian Dawes was sacked in September following a poor start to the season.
Appointed permanent boss in November, the 59-year-old, who hails from Birkenhead, led Tranmere out of choppy waters and they lay a comfortable 15th heading into yesterday’s final game of the season at Accrington.
After almost two years out of the dugout since leaving Charlton, it’s been a creditable return to management.
“It’s what I do, I love it, and I’m very thankful for the opportunity that was bestowed upon me,” he said. “The owner Mark Palios asked me to steady the ship and I’d like to think we’ve done that.
“The remit was to make sure we didn’t get relegated. We probably would have been fifth in the division from November, so we’ve been consistent in what we’ve been doing.
“This is where I’m from and Tranmere Rovers is a club I supported as a youngster. I made my debut as a 17-year-old.
“It was important that we didn’t end up back in the National League because the club worked so, so hard to get out of it.
“We managed to get things rocking in the right direction and it’s great credit to the players. We’ve scored a lot of goals, the fans have got behind us and we’ve won games.
“It’s been fun, it’s been enjoyable. From my point of view, we’ve given ourselves that optimism going forward.
“It’s been pleasing how we managed to change it round and go in the right direction, getting smiles on people’s faces, engagement with the supporters. I already know the season cards for next season are up - more than 3,000 have already committed - which is really pleasing.”
With Stockport, Wrexham and Mansfield – all teams that Tranmere have beaten this term – all going up, there is a feeling that League Two may be a more level playing field next season. But Adkins won’t be taking anything for granted.
“Chesterfield will come up and they will be well financed, it will be the same for Carlisle coming down,” he said. “We’re not going to be at the top of the budge
