' Cardiff City insist Nigel Adkins '

Cardiff City have moved to play down any significance surrounding Nigel Adkins’ presence in the directors’ box for Tuesday night’s 1-1 Championship draw with Blackburn.

Thurs 19th Feb 2015

Adkins, who took Southampton into the Premier League as manager, set tongues wagging when he was pictured in the VIP area of Cardiff City Stadium close to club chief executive Ken Choo, director Steve Borley and under-21 development manager Kevin Nicholson.

Social networking and messageboards were instantly full of speculation, Adkins’ presence in the ground coming at a time when Cardiff manager Russell Slade is under fire following poor results and performances.

Adkins himself took to social networking to tweet: “Tuesday night football under the floodlights in Wales. Thank you @CardiffCityFC for your hospitality tonight.”

But asked about Adkins being in the directors’ box, Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman emphasised: “We are always pleased to welcome football people like Nigel to Cardiff City.

Wonder if @TheNigelAdkins watching @CardiffCityFC tonight in the Directors Box means anything...? @BBCWalesSport pic.twitter.com/3uMf6WuUis

— Dean Ford (@Deano_4ord) February 17, 2015
“He was simply there as a guest and there is nothing more to it.”

A Bluebirds source said Adkins’ presence was connected to Football Association of Wales duty. Adkins watched Cardiff play better than they have done for weeks, although the Blackburn stalemate means they have won just one of their last 12 league games.

Manager Slade has come under fire from the fans, but has brought on board new head coach Paul Trollope to help out. There was a vast improvement in City’s team performance against Blackburn, with Trollope actively involved in the technical area.

Adkins made his name in management when he guided Southampton to the Premier League with back-to-back promotions between 2010 and 2012. He subsequently took over at Reading, but has been out of work since being sacked by the Royals in December.

People will see what they want to see, especially those calling for Slade's head.

There is nothing in this, IMO. Adkins is simply doing the rounds and watching some football as a neutral fan whilst he is out of work, this is not the first match he has been a guest at. Probably a good opportunity for networking and to enjoy his sport at the same time.

Read somewhere that Adkins was on a course down here hosted by the FAW and was just taking in a game as a fan.

He was at A game last night too, Boro apparently. Was at Fulham the week before too.

Crazy how obvious that there's nothing in it, yet people still speculate wildly.

He was at A game last night too, Boro apparently. Was at Fulham the week before too.

Crazy how obvious that there's nothing in it, yet people still speculate wildly.

Fans are desperate for a change, and our lot have been taking advice from DJ and Roeder.

If he impressed them I wouldn't be suprised if he is recommended to Tan, they could do a lot worse.

Always respected what he did at southampton----would love him at the city

He was at A game last night too, Boro apparently. Was at Fulham the week before too.

Crazy how obvious that there's nothing in it, yet people still speculate wildly.

I know. Loads of people believing he's our next manager!
There was even one guy - Blueminti or someone - who said Adkins was lined up because he was talking to someone on the phone!!
Delusional at best.

Thats a shame

I like him. Fair does what he did with Southampton

FAW were running a management course in Celtic Manor on the weekend. CB39 was there learning his stuff.

Seems like things are just being stirred up to aggravate Slade.

Why invite a well respected, out of work manager to watch the game in the directors box at a time where the current manager is under huge pressure and the team is on the end of a string of poor performances - people were obviously going to read into it?!

I share and understand everyone's frustration with Slade - But if I look at it from an outsiders point of view... this job was a huge ask in the first place and things aren't being made any easier for him!

If Blackburn had stuffed us then maybe more would have come of it but after what was apparently a very gd display I doubt we will change slade for now

Adkins is going to manage all the clubs.