CHE Adams, when asked to put it into his own words, could only describe last week as “mental”.
Within 72 hours of Monday morning, Saints had parted ways with former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl and secured the signature of Luton Town boss Nathan Jones as his replacement.
They had to scrape through Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup with Ruben Selles as the interim on Wednesday, before travelling to Anfield via Southampton airport on Friday evening.
Adams scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season and the first of Jones’s tenure just seconds after Roberto Firmino’s equaliser – but it was only consolation by full-time.
Read more: 'I know I can' - New manager Jones makes Adams promise
The calm 26-year-old experienced all of that with a record-low amount of sleep, having become a father for the first time in the midst of it all on Tuesday.
Whirlwind of a week, hugely disappointed with the result for the team. Personally one I will never forget, becoming a father Tuesday 8/11/22 ❤️ That was for you❤️ Thank you for your support Saints fans, see you soon 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/qnk4dbVouh
— Ché Adams (@CheAdams_) November 12, 2022
“It’s been mental, it’s probably something many other people haven’t been through,” Adams told the Daily Echo. “I loved that I was able to score for the baby.
“I think the changes in me will come in time, but I’m not looking forward to getting home and hearing the crying! Sleep has definitely been harder so it was nice to come away to Anfield.
“It’s more pressure for me as well,” the Scottish international joked, after the suggestion of having another person looking up to him as a provider and their pride.
“It’s a privilege and something I’ll thrive on, Saturday was great for me personally but for the team not so much so we’ve obviously got a lot of work to do.”
His strike-partner, Adam Armstrong, has followed a similar path to Adams during his Saints career – struggling to find the net after a well-deserved Premier League move from the Championship.
Arma, as he is known to those close to him, is also expecting his first child any minute – and he and Adams are good friends so, naturally, he has turned to the former Birmingham man for advice.
“It’s a conversation we’ve had a few times actually, I just tell him to get as much sleep as possible now because it’s going to be a lot harder soon,” Adams quipped.
Adams is looking forward to working with new manager Jones – despite a great deal of faith between the two, there were sometimes signs of a fractured relationship with Hasenhuttl.
Jones has already launched a defence of Adams and promises he can improve him, despite missed chances versus Wolves, Everton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
For all of the playing squad, who will find themselves second-bottom in the league until play resumes on Boxing Day, it is a chance for fresh impressions.
“It’s been great, he’s made everyone buy into his philosophy straight away and able to make everyone work in the same direction,” Adams said.
“We’ll get this break out of the way and then work hard. We’ve got a good group of boys and everyone is willing to learn, so that makes it easier for him.
"For him to come in, it was a whirlwind of a week but it’s something we look forward to. It’s been good.
"He’s just honest and straightforward and if you work hard for him he will be good for you. The boys are looking forward to it, it’s something different and we just have to work hard and get back to it.”
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