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THE START OF THE ADAMS ERA (Friday 7th November 2003)  It was the busiest press day at Adams Park since Wanderers prepared for the FA Cup semi-final in 2001. The arrival of Tony Adams to the Club attracted media representatives from more then 80 organisations and it was hailed by Wanderers Director Alan Parry as "the most exciting annoucement this Club has made since Martin O'Neill walked through the door here 13 years ago". Adams has agreed to retain the services of caretaker boss John Gorman as his assistant on what was described by Parry as an "open ended and flexible arrangement that will give Tony the chance to get to know the players and to get to know the Football Club and to get to know Division Two having spent his entire career at the top level."Parry went on to add in the introduction to the press conference "I hope everyone in football will agree that to attract two men of the calibre of Tony Adams and John Gorman to a Club that is currently bottom of Division Two is quite an achievement and I think it demonstrates that Wycombe Wanderers is still a progressive and ambitious club in spite of our recent set-backs and disappointments. We believe by combining Tony's leadership and John's experience, we've got pretty much the perfect team" Club Chairman Ivor Beeks also couldn't contain his pleasure in annoucing the deal by adding "I'm more excited now than I have been at any time during my time as Chairman. We think it is a great way forward with the dream team that we have got.". He hopes that Adams' playing experience will make up for any lack of managerial skills, adding "If you've played with the best, for the best, under the best - some of that has got top rub off." The thought of the Adams/Gorman combination also clearly delighted the Chairman as he enthused "This is a major coup for Wycombe Wanderers. We've got the former England captain and the former England assistant Manager working for us. It is a great day in the history of the club." 
Meanwhile, Tony Adams, who looked a bit shocked at the level of interest being shown in his appointment, dealt with the press in a calm and collective manner and stressed the importance of keeping on Gorman as his assistant. He said "I've been preparing for this and I feel ready. I had many meetings with the Chairman and I felt it important that John Gorman was there to help me. He's a decent human being and a good coach."Adams went on to say "Hopefully I can pass on my knowedge to the players. Managers peak in their late 40s early 50s and I am 10 years off that. I've got a lot to learn but I feel ready for it." Adams appointment at Wycombe came 20 years to the day that he made his Arsenal debut as a 17 year old. In the intervening years he has won more honours than any other current Manager in the Football League and he commented "I'm used to winning but I think there will be pressure on me because of my career and these fans will be calling for my head if I don't get them winning. I've been instructed they like to be entertained here, and we've got a conflict straight away because I like winning, but hopefully we can do both." He also joked "I think I've got the tools to deal with the pressure. I'm a member of alcoholics anonymous and in three weeks' time, if I've gone grey and I'm pulling my hair out, I'll probably go to a meeting." Adams, who take advice from Martin O'Neill and several of his own former Manager's, continued "Who knows what path this will take? When I started playing, I never thought I'd play for Arsenal for 19 years. You can't have that vision. All I know is I'll give it 100%. I can't be anybody except myself. You are what you are but I'll try and take bits from all the managers I've played under. It will be tough but I'll try to emulate George Graham's resillience, Arsene Wenger's sensitivity and man-management and the way Terry Venables puts his coaching ideas across." More - A warm welcome for Tony on his first match day. Click here for all the latest from chairboys.co.uk |
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