Adams: Saints safe with Gray

The Albion boss has hailed Southampton's management team, spearheaded by his former Saints team-mate Stuart Gray, as "three good football people."

Adams was strongly linked with the post vacated by Glenn Hoddle after steering the Seagulls to the Third Division title last season.

He even stayed away from Albion's clash against Saints in the last ever match at The Dell at the end of May to avoid fuelling the speculation.

Adams later admitted he was disappointed not to be considered for an interview after Gray was upgraded from coach and then caretaker to Hoddle's permanent replacement.

But he insists: "The speculation was created by journalists and agents.

"I never applied for the job and I never spoke to anybody at Southampton, so as far as I was concerned it was just a non-starter.

"I didn't want to go down to the last game at The Dell, because I didn't want to fuel the speculation. It got embarrassing, being linked every day.

"In my opinion they have three good football people in charge. I played with Stuart Gray at Southampton and was there when he had to pack in.

"Denis Rofe (coach) has been there for years on and off and Mick Wadsworth (assistant) is a football man, so the club in terms of football is in safe hands.

"The problem is if you tot up the years of management, in terms of running teams not coaching, they are a little bit short but that will come."

Adams was in his hotel room at Tranmere, prior to setting off for the League trip to Prenton Park, when the draw for the second round was made.

He could hardly have hoped for a more fitting reward for Albion's shock first round home win against Wimbledon than Tuesday's sell-out showdown with the Saints at Withdean.

"I wanted Fulham or Southampton, so it was ideal for me," he said.

Adams spent six and a half happy years at Southampton, all of them in the old First Division.

"I signed from Leeds for Chris Nichol. They hadn't won a game for ages or kept a clean sheet and he signed three of us at the same time, me, 'Razor' Ruddock and Barry Horne.

"It was where I relaxed as a player and played my best football with some quality footballers, like the Wallace brothers, Ruddock, Le Tissier and Shearer.

"I would like to think the Southampton fans at Withdean will give me a good reception.

"I've got nothing but happy memories of them. They are fiercely loyal, as the Brighton fans are, and I always tried my best for them.

"When I go and see my family the people around Southampton always speak to me and welcome me back."

Although his stint with the Saints was an enjoyable experience, the manner of Adams' departure to Stoke, instigated by another Southampton legend, still rankles.

"Alan Ball came in and decided I wasn't for him as managers do. I don't think I was given a chance.

"That is the one thing I have learnt off Lawrie McMenemy and Alan Ball, don't go into a football club with pre-conceived ideas. Have a look at what you've got.

"I think I've become a better manager because I've sat back and tried to give everyone a chance. This fella came in and there were a few of us he wanted out."

Adams is as intrigued as all Southampton fans about the impact of their move from the fortress which was The Dell to a spanking new stadium at St Mary's, where they lost to Chelsea in their first home match in the Premiership.

"They had to get out of The Dell, because it was an outdated stadium," he said. "They were falling behind lots of teams in terms of revenue.

"To really compete in the Premiership they had to get more people in, but The Dell was a place where you got used to playing.

"I don't think the pitch was any smaller than anywhere else, but it was just an intimidating place for teams.

"I wouldn't say they didn't fancy it, they could just be caught out by it.

"The move to St Mary's is a big move for them and they have really got to get used to the surroundings very quickly.

"What they have got to realise also is that teams are going to fancy going there and that is their big problem."