Clough, the story so far...

[Living In a Fantasy World]

@itsinyerblood well said clap clap clap to Mr Clough ........... what a guy! http://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?members/itsinyerblood.12408/

 

[itsinyerblood]

Yes mate. My slight worry is not relegation, but sky-high expectation levels for next season. Still, as long as that is reflected in the terrific level of support the lads are getting at the moment it can become a very positive self-fulfilling prophecy.

Let it flow!

Well, as a starter to my own, very personal view of how things will pan out between now and when the referee blows the whistle at the first game next season, I'm hoping that (I know, I'm a minority of one regarding this) somehow we'll find a way of securing Brayford to at least another season at BDTBL. Maybe an extended loan, even the currently unthinkable idea that the Prince will come up trumps and sign our superb full-back to at least a 3 or 4 year agreement? When I take my head out of the clouds it does seem a fanciful idea, but then stranger things have happened. Who'd have thought that little old Sheffield United would be managed by someone called Clough?

 

[Sheff de party]

As I've already commented on this I'll just add that the arithmetic only makes sense once we have enough points to put daylight between us and the relegation zone for the remainder of this season. That could happen soon, or it could go to the wire. As things stand we're in a good position, but a couple of poor results while those beneath us win their games and comments that suggest there never was a chance of relegation will come back to bite our arse.

Clough is well aware of this type of complacency and his post match comments have emphasised the need for everyone to focus and maintain standards.

I think it's ok if i lose focus and talk about relegation being impossible it's ok i do think your point is reasonable, I'm just not worried.

We have more than enough quality to avoid it and we always did. The trouble was, they didn't have the confidence. Had Weir stayed, yes we might have gone down. But once we got a good manager in, I had absolutely no worries.

If I ever meet Ryan Flynn, I'll say to him "I thought you were shite, but you're actually good." I won't apologise for thinking it, because he was. But him and Murphy's improvement are better than any signings we could realistically have made. Things are on the up, even if we lose a couple, and we'll finished nearer the top than the bottom, you watch

 

[itsinyerblood]

@itsinyerblood well said clap clap clap to Mr Clough ........... what a guy!

Oi cheeky bollocks, after what we've been through we're entitled to a bit of healthy man love

 

[Hodgyman]

"Who'd have thought that little old Sheffield United would be managed by someone called Clough?"

Mr Clough to you and me. I doubt that his dad could have done better, as great as he undoubtedly was.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I think it's ok if i lose focus and talk about relegation being impossible it's ok i do think your point is reasonable, I'm just not worried.

We have more than enough quality to avoid it and we always did. The trouble was, they didn't have the confidence. Had Weir stayed, yes we might have gone down. But once we got a good manager in, I had absolutely no worries.

If I ever meet Ryan Flynn, I'll say to him "I thought you were shite, but you're actually good." I won't apologise for thinking it, because he was. But him and Murphy's improvement are better than any signings we could realistically have made. Things are on the up, even if we lose a couple, and we'll finished nearer the top than the bottom, you watch

As with yourself fella, I think that we're on the up and that the chances of relegation are slim to non-existent. Thing is, when things are good we all fall into that trap of remembering the positives and sweeping the negatives to somewhere we'd rather forget.

When we were looking for a new manager the possibility of Clough as our next manager wasn't universally endorsed. There was talk of Tony Pulis, even a few managers whose names I can no longer recall. Everything in our garden is currently magnificent, and long may that continue. Behind those cherubic features we have a manager with a steely determination to achieve something here. He strikes me as someone who doesn't take prisoners, and sets his bar very high. Woe betide anyone who falls short of this standard.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I tend to agree Pinchy, but the question that asked if anyone seriously thought we were in danger of relegation need only look back to that avalanche of posts all discussing the distinct possibility of relegation.

Like yourself, I think we've hit our low point, but I'm enough of a Blade to think that something might still disrupt this wonderful vibe we're all enjoying. I know, completely irrational, but then so's following the Blades, UTB

Losing the cup final after being 2-0 up w..........

Sorry that's the pigs

 

[alcoblade]

Clough has done an excellent job. No doubt.

But to suggest he inherited a mess from Weir is harsh. Doubt I will get many to agree on this but consider this.

Someone HAD to take this club by the scruff of the neck and transform its ethos, mantra and philosophy from top to bottom.

This was bound to be painful initially, as the transformation required was a stark one.

Let us not forget who started the journey.

UTB.

Transformation from 2 years of the hoofmeister Danny Wilson?

Sorry fella, but I have never understood the "ethos" bullshit that is offered up as an excuse for Weir's abysmal performance

UTB

 

[travellingblade]

One day, a few years into the future, I'd love to hear the crowd chanting

"Cloughie for England."

Bet he'd love it too.

I must admit, that is the day that I dread!

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I must admit, that is the day that I dread!

But we'll have 3 European cups in the cabinet by then

 

[GrayBlade]

Transformation from 2 years of the hoofmeister Danny Wilson?

Sorry fella, but I have never understood the "ethos" bullshit that is offered up as an excuse for Weir's abysmal performance

UTB

Agreed. Let's also add to that the fact that only Baxter and to a lesser degree McGinn now figure in the first team out of Weir's signings, so with 2-3 of his own additions in January after a clear out, Clough has got us playing football again and looking like a proper football team again.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Didn't expect many to agree with what I said. No shocks there.

But in football, much like life in general, you reap what you sow.

I will give Weir a bit more credit than most for having the guts to point the club in the right direction, after years of it pointing in the wrong one.

Maybe my thinking is flawed. After all, I am one of a significant minority who gives Robson a bit more credit than most.

UTB.

 

[alcoblade]

Didn't expect many to agree with what I said. No shocks there.

But in football, much like life in general, you reap what you sow.

I will give Weir a bit more credit than most for having the guts to point the club in the right direction, after years of it pointing in the wrong one.

Maybe my thinking is flawed. After all, I am one of a significant minority who gives Robson a bit more credit than most.

UTB.

It's all about opinions fella, and you are entitled to it. BUT - we were in the play-off's under a manager whose sides are known for playing football (although it was awful to watch the last season) , Weir took over and turned us into a side doomed to relegation to the fourth division, with football which was dire in the extreme.

There's not much more lost on me than the "ethos" myth, but Weir "pointing us in the right direction" takes it to a new level!

UTB

 

[axel smeets]

Didn't expect many to agree with what I said. No shocks there.

But in football, much like life in general, you reap what you sow.

I will give Weir a bit more credit than most for having the guts to point the club in the right direction, after years of it pointing in the wrong one.

Maybe my thinking is flawed. After all, I am one of a significant minority who gives Robson a bit more credit than most.

UTB.

How could anyone give Robson any credit? No incoming manager has inherited a better set of circumstances and he still destroyed us.

 

[Rossb123]

Weir and Wilson was more worried about passing it around and 'winning in style' than grinding out a result and take a 1-0 scrappy win. Clough has taken it back to basics I think which so far seems to be working, next season will be Clough's major test.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Weir and Wilson was more worried about passing it around and 'winning in style' than grinding out a result and take a 1-0 scrappy win. Clough has taken it back to basics I think which so far seems to be working, next season will be Clough's major test.

Rossb123 , could you explain how next season will be Clough's major test? Of course the level of expectation will be high, from the shopfloor upwards, but considering what he's achieved so far - removing driftwood, assessing who's good enough and who isn't, his judgement of players that have enabled us to move up the table, breathing life into the careers of players who seemed destined to be moved on - I would imagine that he's a hard taskmaster on his own performance, therefore he will expect the same of those around him.

As for the 'winning in style' comment, with the players we now have the one thing I've witnessed is that we are a far better team than the one that begun the season. We attack with intent, combine the basics with an end product, our counter attacking is the best I've seen for a number of years, and I feel entertained (with the odd exception, but then you'll never be completely pleased as a Blade). Yes, Nigel seems intent on bringing in players during the summer, but given the mountain he has climbed so far I doubt whether next season will present itself with a greater task than this one. His eye for what he seeks in a player makes me feel confident in what our manager will achieve next season.

 

[Pinchy]

Rossb123 , could you explain how next season will be Clough's major test? Of course the level of expectation will be high, from the shopfloor upwards, but considering what he's achieved so far - removing driftwood, assessing who's good enough and who isn't, his judgement of players that have enabled us to move up the table, breathing life into the careers of players who seemed destined to be moved on - I would imagine that he's a hard taskmaster on his own performance, therefore he will expect the same of those around him.

As for the 'winning in style' comment, with the players we now have the one thing I've witnessed is that we are a far better team than the one that begun the season. We attack with intent, combine the basics with an end product, our counter attacking is the best I've seen for a number of years, and I feel entertained (with the odd exception, but then you'll never be completely pleased as a Blade). Yes, Nigel seems intent on bringing in players during the summer, but given the mountain he has climbed so far I doubt whether next season will present itself with a greater task than this one. His eye for what he seeks in a player makes me feel confident in what our manager will achieve next season.

I am generally regarded as a football purist (absurdly so, some would say). I like the way we are playing under Nigel and it can only get better as he gradually builds his team. He is a proper footballing man and we should be delighted he is our manager.

 

[Rossb123]

Rossb123 , could you explain how next season will be Clough's major test? Of course the level of expectation will be high, from the shopfloor upwards, but considering what he's achieved so far - removing driftwood, assessing who's good enough and who isn't, his judgement of players that have enabled us to move up the table, breathing life into the careers of players who seemed destined to be moved on - I would imagine that he's a hard taskmaster on his own performance, therefore he will expect the same of those around him.

As for the 'winning in style' comment, with the players we now have the one thing I've witnessed is that we are a far better team than the one that begun the season. We attack with intent, combine the basics with an end product, our counter attacking is the best I've seen for a number of years, and I feel entertained (with the odd exception, but then you'll never be completely pleased as a Blade). Yes, Nigel seems intent on bringing in players during the summer, but given the mountain he has climbed so far I doubt whether next season will present itself with a greater task than this one. His eye for what he seeks in a player makes me feel confident in what our manager will achieve next season.

The major test, is with the backing of the Prince next season he will expect promotion. He obviously wants to make money with and from us, the only way of him doing that is with us in the Championship and Prem. I think Clough will be given time to succeed here and he deserves it, but that was the reason for my comment.

The winning in style wasn't me saying we don't win in style because we do, and we look a better attacking threat now I completely agree. What I meant was if we need to grind out a result he will, but with Weir I don't think we knew how to. I'm a very big Clough fan and my comments was complimenting the way he taken us forward.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I am generally regarded as a football purist (absurdly so, some would say). I like the way we are playing under Nigel and it can only get better as he gradually builds his team. He is a proper footballing man and we should be delighted he is our manager.

Hi Pinchy, I haven't been here long enough to figure out the various camps that exist on most forums, although I have some idea of individual's allegiances. As for what a purist might be, is that enjoying the likes of Zidane or Gascoigne (his on pitch career rather than his sozzled lifestyle)? I happen to enjoy watching my team as it's currently being put together. Our manager is creating a jigsaw that is pleasing to the eye, and for myself, someone who is mostly strapped for cash, that's both pleasing and a relief.

We've been dire for years, yet here we are, progressing nicely, and it seems that Nigel has an eye for players who will make us a better team. So often past managers have brought in players that failed to deliver, and at a high cost to the club. I don't wish to impose the mantle of genius to Clough, he's a long way from that, but he does strike me as a man who is immersed in football and has learnt from some of the best minds there are. Don't forget, Nigel played for Liverpool, and that can only have contributed to his apprenticeship as a managerial candidate.

 

[itsinyerblood]

The major test, is with the backing of the Prince next season he will expect promotion. He obviously wants to make money with and from us, the only way of him doing that is with us in the Championship and Prem. I think Clough will be given time to succeed here and he deserves it, but that was the reason for my comment.

The winning in style wasn't me saying we don't win in style because we do, and we look a better attacking threat now I completely agree. What I meant was if we need to grind out a result he will, but with Weir I don't think we knew how to. I'm a very big Clough fan and my comments was complimenting the way he taken us forward.

Hi Ross, agree with all of that mate.

Yes, the Prince will need to give our manager his full support. Acquiring two quality forwards is a must, as well as looking at other positions that need reinforcing. I doubt if Nigel isn't well advanced in his planning for the summer, so the future looks very bright for the team we both love UTB