What if.......?

[itsinyerblood]

In The Star today, a question is posed that may be as significant as any surrounding the possible signing of Ched Evans.

What the article posed was whether signing Evans might be a crucial factor regarding Nigel Clough's future with this club. All the obvious factors were touched upon, how Nigel has kept quiet over this, how the board are the final decision makers regarding Evans re-signing to SUFC, and how Clough, who it reminds us, is someone who is ethical, a family man, and someone who may find Evans' either a distraction or an unwelcome part of his plans. According to the article, the bottom line might be that Clough considers leaving the club if Evans is re-signed.

If Clough has been kept at arm's length over whether Evans returns to this club, he may feel undermined, thus a loss of authority. And as we've all witnessed, Nigel has taken this club by the collar and acted like a breath of fresh air in lifting the cloud that hung over this club. Anything that could cause Clough to re-think his position needs to be addressed, resolved, and put to bed. I'd take Clough over Evans any day...........of course, the above may have been the worst type of speculation. Everything the article and myself has posited may be incorrect. But the thought hadn't crossed my mind until now, and once that genie is out of the bottle it's impossible to squeeze back in. If Clough has contributed to the behind the scenes discussions, all well and good, but if he's been sidelined, we could find that those who are meant to be in control could have made the gravest error imaginable.

 

[super_pig]

The Stir.. answered your own question mate

 

[TonyAgana]

In a similar "genie out the bottle" vein my theory is that McCabe made a promise to Evans 2 1/2 years ago that he doesn't want to renege on despite Phipps opposition to it.

 

[itsinyerblood]

The Stir.. answered your own question mate

You're probably 99% correct SP.....it's why I said what if? It's just that not everything in our local United friendly rag is anti SUFC, and if this were to have legs, what then?

 

[super_pig]

You're probably 99% correct SP.....it's why I said what if? It's just that not everything in our local United friendly rag is anti SUFC, and if this were to have legs, what then?

funny thing was i originally typed in quite a large reply to this and then on rechecking the OP saw the Star mentioned and thought.. 'here we go again'.. so for the theoretical situation. it's nigel every time for me. no brainer. i think it would be better for all concerned if Ched didnt' rejoin us. then he can get on with his life under the radar

 

[grafikhaus]

As usual, it's not that simple.

Clough or Evans? An absolute no-brainer but if I was one of the powers-that-be at the Lane, I would not submit to blackmail. As you say, it's probably the usual Star bollocks (and don't forget that certain sections of the local 'media' are anti-us anyway - Tub-of-Lard Foster on RS airing his views on Middle-Eastern politics when the Prince came in, Rob Staton constantly sniping against Ched).

But whether it's NC (as I say, probably made up bollocks), Charlie Webster et al, don't throw the toys out of the pram, and close the door on your way out.

 

[Darren]

In a similar "genie out the bottle" vein my theory is that McCabe made a promise to Evans 2 1/2 years ago that he doesn't want to renege on despite Phipps opposition to it.

Oi that was my "genie out of the bottle" theory!"

Do your own speculation

 

[Coily]

If Clough doesn't want him, he will not sign. It's really that simple. Clough's comments have in my mind simply to divert away from the questions asked. He is in charge of all footballing decisions and there isn't a chance he will allow a significant chunk of his budget to be spent on a player he doesn't want. And I'm sure that if this is the case the board will be aware now.

The longer this goes on my thoughts are that we would re-sign him, if and only if he has his conviction overturned. They don't want to be seen as bowing to online petitions but by the same token don't want the avalanche of shit if we did sign a currently convicted rapist. And we seem pretty safe to do that as no other club seems to be racing in for his services.

 

[Revolution]

As I have said before, if we sign Evans and Clough doesn't want him, the board should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[Darren]

If Clough doesn't want him, he will not sign. It's really that simple. Clough's comments have in my mind simply to divert away from the questions asked. He is in charge of all footballing decisions and there isn't a chance he will allow a significant chunk of his budget to be spent on a player he doesn't want. And I'm sure that if this is the case the board will be aware now.

The longer this goes on my thoughts are that we would re-sign him, if and only if he has his conviction overturned. They don't want to be seen as bowing to online petitions but by the same token don't want the avalanche of shit if we did sign a currently convicted rapist. And we seem pretty safe to do that as no other club seems to be racing in for his services.

Apparently loads of clubs are after him and he only says he wants to play for us because he feels he "owes" United.....

 

[Coily]

Apparently loads of clubs are after him and he only says he wants to play for us because he feels he "owes" United.....

Really? This must have passed me by, do you have a link to this quote?

 

[itsinyerblood]

As usual, it's not that simple.

Clough or Evans? An absolute no-brainer but if I was one of the powers-that-be at the Lane, I would not submit to blackmail. As you say, it's probably the usual Star bollocks (and don't forget that certain sections of the local 'media' are anti-us anyway - Tub-of-Lard Foster on RS airing his views on Middle-Eastern politics when the Prince came in, Rob Staton constantly sniping against Ched).

But whether it's NC (as I say, probably made up bollocks), Charlie Webster et al, don't throw the toys out of the pram, and close the door on your way out.

All fair observations graf, but it's easy to dismiss something with a "They've always hated us" tag line, and then sweep it under the turf. At the moment, Coily's comment that Clough has diverted this topic to focus on team matters is correct. My brain tells me that NC will be instrumental in anything team related, but my heart tells me that a storm might be brewing.........as for other clubs interested in Evans, I doubt they're going to make it public knowledge if they are interested.

 

[Darren]

Really? This must have passed me by, do you have a link to this quote?

It was a sly dig at the people who argued with me when I said that he was only touting himself to United because no-one any good would want him. I was assured that second tier teams would be interested and it was just loyalty to United that made him want to play for us.

 

[TonyAgana]

Oi that was my "genie out of the bottle" theory!"

Do your own speculation

WHEN?!

 

[itsinyerblood]

WHEN?!

Yeah, when??? I coined the term, or should that be regurgitated it, in my OP.

God this is stupid

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

I'm a genie...and so's my wife!

 

[itsinyerblood]

I'm a genie...and so's my wife!

So do you and Mrs SEB wear the curly toed slippers and the rest of the clobber SEB? Need I ask the choice of colours?

 

[stannyblade]

Simple answer for the prince and our Jim. Go out and buy us a decent striker so we don't need Ched back.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

So do you and Mrs SEB wear the curly toed slippers and the rest of the clobber SEB? Need I ask the choice of colours?

Daft question....what ese?

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Rare shot of the SEB's at home

 

[Sothall_Blade]

http://www.thestar.co.uk/what-s-on/one-year-on-nigel-is-the-man-united-need-to-keep-happy-1-6919936

No name on the article, so I presume it's The Star's editor again doing his daily "Anti-Ched / Anti-United" rant.
The bloke is clearly a Wednesday fan who's got the face on because United are refusing to dance to his tune.

If there is a single person on this planet who would choose Evans over Clough I would be very surprised.
To suggest that McCabe / Phipps / Prince would go against Clough's express wishes on this is fantastical and purely designed to create a problem where one doesn't exist.

 

[bigbirdblade]

the way i see it is ched will come and train with united and if clough doesn't like what he sees then he won't sign. I don't see how a promise made 2.5 years ago and probably only verbally could be kept. New managers, changes of policy etc. How could it be expected to be kept. Clough will have final say. There's no point having a player that a manager wont play. If that was the case then all i could see happening is re signing him and then selling him. Clubs would be more willing to sign him if he's already played since his release and club might make on a deal. If he's found not guilty then I'd imagine it making it easier for. Sufc to re sign him.

 

[Ted Danson]

If, Maybe, Might

its just all guess work shit.

It seems pretty obvious to me that Clough is staying well out of it and has been told to do so because if we do sign him and Clough is involved, then suddenly all the anit-ched brigade become the anti-clough brigade as he would be the man they hold responsible for him resigning, then suddenly we have Clough out chants and the like.

If he says its above his head then all the anti-ched brigade just hate McCabe which most of them do already so no biggie. If clough is like his dad then I think he'll be eager to sign Ched as his dad had a history of getting players with personal problems and making them get over them and play well.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Daft question....what ese?

I take it that's the cleaner?

 

[CG Blade]

When we knew he was coming out, I wasn't fussed either way, whether he came back or didn't, First two years he was here, I thought he would make a decent striker, but didn't do much, third year, then he produced the goods. However he had a lot of good service, so it made it that much easier. Now I am firmly in the camp of don't bring him back. I do believe that he has done his sentence so should be rehabiitated into society, but the video he released was cringeworthy, in my opinion a bad mistake, there is no way he will be anywhere near fit until well after Christmas, if not next season. Finally the shit storm that we have experienced so far, will be nothing like what will hit us it we sign him. While part of me, thinks I am not bothered what any other fans/media think,then it will do us no good as a club in the short / medium term to take him back on. It would have been easier for us just to say, that Evans does not have a contract with us, that ran out shortly after his conviction, so really he is nothing to do with us, that would have been alot simplier. Whatever happens then to me we have to make a decision and communicate that as soon as possible, and get it out of the way one way or another. Or perhaps we are letting Evans stew, until he gets fed up, and signs for the first club to offer him something, and then we can be seen as slightly the good guys because we didn't re-employ him.

 

[Pinchy]

I agree with Sothall_Blade.

It seems pretty clear to me that NC is very much regarded as our prize asset by both co-chairmen. He is much more than Team Manager of the club.

I regard the chances of any player being signed without his approval as negligible. I've no doubt he's been consulted all the way and whatever happens will be on Nigel's terms.

My own view is that we are now waiting for an opportune moment to "allow Ched to train with us". A decision on his future will follow shortly thereafter.

As to 'if he clears his name...' Forget it - it really isn't going to happen.

 

[him behind you]

[QUOTE="bigbirdblade, post: 666631, member: 13775)"the way i see it is ched will come and train with united and if clough doesn't like what he sees then he won't sign..[/QUOTE]

You've hit the nail on the head here BigBird. I was at a meet the manager session at Sheffield Park Hotel earlier this year and when asked a direct question re Ched, that is what he said. The fact that nothing has happened so far suggests to me that the board have yet to decide (and may well wait for the outcome of any appeal) before opening the decision to Cloughie. Personally I think this would make perfect sense. Let the board sort out any "political" issues re whether the club can stand the fall-out and only if this is accepted, let the manager have the final say from a footballing perspective.

 

[Bladesman]

I think Clough will have been briefed on Evans when he took the job. So all this speculation on would he go if Evans was signed is all crap.

Clough will have gone already if he thought Evans was going to be signed regardless of his opinion. I think Clough is the sort of manager that would just look at Evan's ability on the pitch and his fitness. Not sure Clough gives much thought to the PR issues because that is for the club to deal with.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Rare shot of the SEB's at home

View attachment 9710

Ha, me in a uniform?


....and no disrespect, but my missus knocks spots off Barbara Eden

 

[Darthblade]

http://www.thestar.co.uk/what-s-on/one-year-on-nigel-is-the-man-united-need-to-keep-happy-1-6919936

No name on the article, so I presume it's The Star's editor again doing his daily "Anti-Ched / Anti-United" rant.
The bloke is clearly a Wednesday fan who's got the face on because United are refusing to dance to his tune.

If there is a single person on this planet who would choose Evans over Clough I would be very surprised.
To suggest that McCabe / Phipps / Prince would go against Clough's express wishes on this is fantastical and purely designed to create a problem where one doesn't exist.

As usual, the Wedn***ay Star continue their campaign to be the most garbage rag in the country. How anybody except pig fans read this garbage is beyond me. The editor is both self-indulgent and shocking in his lack of journalistic acumen and they should hang their heads in shame.

I sent an email of complaint to them last week regarding their inept, biased journalism ...... no reply at all. No surprise there then.
UTB & FTP