I had a quick read of the Eddie Hobbes article. It is rather weak in some aspects. In particular, it states that:
..."And that’s just for administering and wrapping assets. Management costs go on top. How much asset management costs will depend on the approach taken. Properties, depending where you buy, can face stamp duties, rent management fees, property maintenance costs, community charges and even taxes"
I had always understood that virtually all managed funds have "Management Costs" on top of fund charges. No big difference there.
I assume that if a fund manager buys property he\she must also incur management fees, property maintenance costs etc. No big difference there either.
I am not a convert to self admin pensions myself (yet) but I am fairly sure of the need for them.