Stefan Scougall

[Bergen Blade]

When, in the summer, we get the inevitable bid of £1,5m for Stefan Scougall, I hope we don't let the same men who decided to accept Tottenham's bid for Kyle Walker make the decision.

They would no doubt argue that

• It's six times what we paid for him a few months ago
• He's only played five games
• He's not proved anything at a high level
• He's light weight
• You can't do anything when the big clubs come knocking

These reasons should be dismissed, and the decision makers should explain, in some detail, what they've seen in his game that make them so sure that he's not a player who has the potential to prove his worth as a Premiership player. Because Premiership class playmakers should cost a lot more than that.

 

[JohnDenver]

One drawback of potentially beating Charlton is we'll have Harry, Scougall (and in a different way, Brayford) put up in Wembley lights in front of the vultures from the divisions above.

If we believe what we're told, we don't have to sell anymore, so only silly money should be considered. However, the opportunity cost of flogging such promise means the offers would need to be truly vast to tempt us.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

How much of our talent was sold this season?
I can think of one, who let another club know his release clause and decided to go.
We've has two windows now where none of our young talent has even been rumoured to be going.

If anyone goes in the summer it may be he likes of Harry, if he's decided he has leant all he can at this level.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

We'll rip their fucking arm off.

It's the Blades way I'm afraid.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Contract clauses are something we have no control over, except it might bring into question the capability of the person who negotiates on United's behalf.

The big difference now is that we have a manager who you'd have thought wouldn't stand for his better players being sold, unless of course there was a suitable replacement waiting in the wings. I can't see why Clough would have come here unless the intention was to build a team capable of competing at a higher level.

 

[Revolution]

How much of our talent was sold this season?
I can think of one, who let another club know his release clause and decided to go.
We've has two windows now where none of our young talent has even been rumoured to be going.

He was the only one worth selling and he was sold, as per usual. The cupboard was virtually bare.

As usual with this club, seeing is believing.

 

[alcoblade]

He was the only one worth selling and he was sold, as per usual. The cupboard was virtually bare.

As usual with this club, seeing is believing.

Point taken and agreed, but to be fair I don't think we could have prevented this because of the sell on clause, and I don't think he'd have resigned for us without having one inserted. The club have deserved the overall lack of trust regarding transfers, but I don't think the McDonald one was bad on their part.

UTB

 

[true99blade]

Contract clauses are something we have no control over.

These clauses that are placed in players contracts do not state that we are powerless do they really? Didn't someone from behind the scenes at Liverpool recently come out and suggest that even though Arsenal triggered a buy out clause in Suarez's contract, they still refused to sell him? I don't buy any reason to suggest we are powerless to selling players if a particular bid is placed.

 

[wizadry]

Its simple,sell ure best players like scouggs and u go down the swanny,thats why were in league1 if cloughy hadnt have come in and got some decent players in we would have been in league 2 simple

 

[Sheff de party]

Only KMac has gone and I was devastated at the time, but looking back, are we really that disappointed he's gone? The board know that we have to get out of this division so they'll build a team capable of that. Harry is my favourite player but he's not key to getting us out of this league and neither is Long. We need a goalscorer, pure and simple . Add that to even most of the team we have right now and we'll be really good next year.

 

[JohnDenver]

The big difference now is that we have a manager who you'd have thought wouldn't stand for his better players being sold,

I doubt that makes a deal of difference - the manager isn't in charge of such things. He can try to make his case, but in the end he can only walk if he doesn't like it, and there will be a list of applicants to replace him a mile long. Blackwell should have walked after Wembley, knowing what was to come. But it's much easier said than done.

 

[itsinyerblood]

These clauses that are placed in players contracts do not state that we are powerless do they really? Didn't someone from behind the scenes at Liverpool recently come out and suggest that even though Arsenal triggered a buy out clause in Suarez's contract, they still refused to sell him? I don't buy any reason to suggest we are powerless to selling players if a particular bid is placed.

Hello mate, I didn't say we are powerless, just that whoever puts these in a contract, or accepts them from a player's agent, needs to be very canny and not allow themselves to be rolled over. It didn't help us much with Kevin Mac though did it? Having said that I doubt he would have the industry Clough demands of his players. I think the key is the relationship that exists between manager and player. It may not be the be all and end all, but it's one of those unspoken facts that tell you so much about the way everyone feels about this club.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I doubt that makes a deal of difference - the manager isn't in charge of such things. He can try to make his case, but in the end he can only walk if he doesn't like it, and there will be a list of applicants to replace him a mile long. Blackwell should have walked after Wembley, knowing what was to come. But it's much easier said than done.

You won't find too much disagreement from me JD regarding what you've said. And of course, Nigel's influence will only extend so far. I just get a feeling that he's someone who will integrate himself from top to toe in how United see's it's playing future. The relationship between Cloughie and the Prince is going to be crucial in respect of who we sell and who we keep.

You're spot on about Blackwell, what followed was depressing in the extreme. Managers, well many of them, have families, so the realities for them are straightforward. Until you get that call from the chairmen you hang in there, there's no way of telling when, or if, you'll land another management position.

 

[Pinchy]

You're spot on about Blackwell....there's no way of telling when, or if, you'll land another management position.

Oh, I really do beg to differ......

 

[itsinyerblood]

Oh, I really do beg to differ......

It's late mate, so although I'm still awake the brain's on overtime, so do enlighten me please

 

[Pinchy]

I think I can safely announce....we have a decent team. You can always tell, people start berating the directors (most of whom presently have never sold a player, good, bad or indifferent) for possibly at some future date selling our best players.

Thank Pele (OK then, Cloughy) we've actually got some players other clubs would be remotely interested in. Is it really that long (it's a rhetorical question - no it isn't) that most of us were for offering the whole team to the first taker?

How quickly times change - wait 'til we win the Cup!

Edit: Nearly forgot - why did nobody remind me......









I Scoogs!

 

[Pinchy]

It's late mate, so although I'm still awake the brain's on overtime, so do enlighten me please

It's not that mate, it's just that you're still a bit new (though very welcome).

I have a firmly settled opinion of the former semi-professional, non-league, reserve goalkeeper, recently sacked by Bury.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I think I can safely announce....we have a decent team. You can always tell, people start berating the directors (most of whom presently have never sold a player, good, bad or indifferent) for possibly at some future date selling our best players.

Thank Pele (OK then, Cloughy) we've actually got some players other clubs would be remotely interested in. Is it really that long (it's a rhetorical question - no it isn't) that most of us were for offering the whole team to the first taker?

How quickly times change - wait 'til we win the Cup!

Edit: Nearly forgot - why did nobody remind me......









I Scoogs!

Pinchy, it could be the hour, or maybe just the day I've had, but how does any of that differ from what I've written?

Yes, times have changed in a matter of months, and of course, so many of us practice the art of predicting, when we're really no more informed than Joe Schmo in the High St. I just feel, and I assume you share this view, that Clough is the ingredient we missed. Someone wrote that he was the best manager we've had for maybe a decade and I'll go along with that. I also happen to think that Cloughie will argue his corner all the while he feels he has a case to present. Of course there are no guarantees, but as the season continues, Clough's stock rises, thus his influence will increase, at least that's my take on things....over to you sir

 

[Pinchy]

[B][U]Pinchy[/U][/B], it could be the hour, or maybe just the day I've had, but how does any of that differ from what I've written?

Yes, times have changed in a matter of months, and of course, so many of us practice the art of predicting, when we're really no more informed than Joe Schmo in the High St. I just feel, and I assume you share this view, that Clough is the ingredient we missed. Someone wrote that he was the best manager we've had for maybe a decade and I'll go along with that. I also happen to think that Cloughie will argue his corner all the while he feels he has a case to present. Of course there are no guarantees, but as the season continues, Clough's stock rises, thus his influence will increase, at least that's my take on things....over to you sir

I was just contributing my view on the topic in hand mate. I always read your offerings with interest but was not focused on you on this occasion! Did you think it a reply to you? I usually use the "reply" thing if it is.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I was just contributing my view on the topic in hand mate. I always read your offerings with interest but was not focused on you on this occasion! Did you think it a reply to you? I usually use the "reply" thing if it is.

Probably my knackered brain, once you put 'I beg to differ' I took the subsequent posts as a dialogue between us. Apologies for the assumption, it's been a curious, not to say distressing day, so not completely with things at the moment

 

[Pinchy]

Contract clauses are something we have no control over, except it might bring into question the capability of the person who negotiates on United's behalf.

The big difference now is that we have a manager who you'd have thought wouldn't stand for his better players being sold, unless of course there was a suitable replacement waiting in the wings. I can't see why Clough would have come here unless the intention was to build a team capable of competing at a higher level.

Well, that is most definitely the intention. So much so that is a term of the contract between KM and HRH, and the higher level is specified - the Premier League.

Of course we all know what the Road to Hell is paved with....

....apart from Chris fucking Rea that is....or if he does he's never mentioned it.

 

[Pinchy]

Probably my knackered brain, once you put 'I beg to differ' I took the subsequent posts as a dialogue between us. Apologies for the assumption, it's been a curious, not to say distressing day, so not completely with things at the moment

That's OK my friend. Sorry to hear of your day. I do hope the distress is no more than transient?

 

[itsinyerblood]

Well, that is most definitely the intention. So much so that is a term of the contract between KM and HRH, and the higher level is specified - the Premier League.

Of course we all know what the Road to Hell is paved with....

....apart from Chris fucking Rea that is....or if he does he's never mentioned it.

Well we're in agreement fella. Unless someone's central nervous system was completely bankrupt, I don't see how Clough's ability to take this club forward in such a short space of time could fail to bring optimism. Admittedly, we do seem to have cornered the market in being bad news merchants, but I'm happy to ride this pony until proved wrong. I think we've got a manager who's a little bit special, so that's me casting my colours to the flagpole UTB

 

[itsinyerblood]

That's OK my friend. Sorry to hear of your day. I do hope the distress is no more than transient?

Like all things it's relative, I'm just not in a good place at the moment, so coming on here offers me a necessary distraction.

At 1.35 on Film4 there's an excellent film that I've watched a dozen times and never tire of, 'Hunger'. It's just the anesthetic I need for a couple of hours. Sorry to sound so maudlin, I'll be fine in a day or two.

 

[Pinchy]

Like all things it's relative, I'm just not in a good place at the moment, so coming on here offers me a necessary distraction.

At 1.35 on Film4 there's an excellent film that I've watched a dozen times and never tire of, 'Hunger'. It's just the anesthetic I need for a couple of hours. Sorry to sound so maudlin, I'll be fine in a day or two.

Well whatever it is, and I don't want to know, may it pass in the natural flow of time....who knows what pleasures may come in the next 24? Not many for me I'm afraid! Wisdom teeth extracted on Tuesday, infection set in - existing on paracetamol, ibuprofen and amoxicillin. Just at the very time when professional demands are so high that I will very likely miss my first home game in years tomorrow evening!

.....and you think you've got it bad!

 

[itsinyerblood]

Well whatever it is, and I don't want to know, may it pass in the natural flow of time....who knows what pleasures may come in the next 24? Not many for me I'm afraid! Wisdom teeth extracted on Tuesday, infection set in - existing on paracetamol, ibuprofen and amoxicillin. Just at the very time when professional demands are so high that I will very likely miss my first home game in years tomorrow evening!

.....and you think you've got it bad!

Cheers, and that's probably the best attitude to adopt.

Teeth issues can be a bastard, so I do get their severity. I'm currently waiting to have my wallet lightened to the tune of a grand by my dentist, so I do empathise mate.

Thanks for the brief chat, time to get my head ready for the movie, take care

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

These clauses that are placed in players contracts do not state that we are powerless do they really? Didn't someone from behind the scenes at Liverpool recently come out and suggest that even though Arsenal triggered a buy out clause in Suarez's contract, they still refused to sell him? I don't buy any reason to suggest we are powerless to selling players if a particular bid is placed.

You're right but it is easier to keep a player happy at Anfield when he can't move to Arse than it is keeping them happy at S2 when you've denied them a move to Spurs.

Unhappy players don't win games, ask Weir.

 

[jezzablade]

When, in the summer, we get the inevitable bid of £1,5m for Stefan Scougall, I hope we don't let the same men who decided to accept Tottenham's bid for Kyle Walker make the decision.

They would no doubt argue that

• It's six times what we paid for him a few months ago
• He's only played five games
• He's not proved anything at a high level
• He's light weight
• You can't do anything when the big clubs come knocking

These reasons should be dismissed, and the decision makers should explain, in some detail, what they've seen in his game that make them so sure that he's not a player who has the potential to prove his worth as a Premiership player. Because Premiership class playmakers should cost a lot more than that.

Should the Livi board have held on to him when a bigger club came knocking? He is Scottish and from the area, but the Livi board saw that £400K (or whatever that is in Scottish money in the Autumn), would help them at the moment. I would love Scoogs to stay but he is very ambitious, just read his twitter account, and he has showcased now. Despite saying that I think he will stay, as he wants to develop, he has his head screwed on and is enjoying life here. He is getting great grounding at a larger club. He was always recruited with next season in mind he knew that but has exceeded expectations this season.

 

[sitwell]

Im glad Macdonald left in hindsight ,he might have got us enough points to keep Weir here for a few more weeks in which Clough would have been taken by someone else. Silver linings and all that.

 

[Kenilworth]

Im glad Macdonald left in hindsight ,he might have got us enough points to keep Weir here for a few more weeks in which Clough would have been taken by someone else. Silver linings and all that.

I prefer Scougs to MCDonald - any day of the week
Far more exciting to watch and has that spark that can win you a game