Our three top scorers were on the bench today.

[Woodwardfan]

Look at the team that started today:

Howard, McGahey, Basham, McEveley, Harris, Doyle, Murphy, Ryce, Scougall, Cuvelier, O'Grady. Totally uninspiring. Would that team frighten any team in League 2 even?

The bench is better: Turner, Higdon, Baxter, Adams, McCarthy, McNulty, Reed.

You can always tell a manager is confused when his bench is better than his first team and the whole group do not strike any fear whatsoever into a team like Port Vale.

All three leading goalscorers don't start. What the frig?!

None of us believe our team are certain winners at home to Scunthorpe on Sunday.

Since mid-November we have been in free-fall. There is something amiss here.

We have achieved only 4 points out of the last 18 in the league. the game before that we fluked only because Donny missed a penalty and we score a worldie goal.

 

[boo radley]

We have achieved only 4 points out of the last 18 in the league. the game before that we fluked only because Donny missed a penalty and we score a worldie goal.

And MK did not fluke the game against us? Not disagreeing that it is not good enough but to call Donny a fluke just to reinforce your thread is out of order. If you were at that game you know we were far the better team and fully deserved to win.
Yep not many positives but you carry on and keep looking for the negatives you will find them because there are many. Are you a season ticket holder?

 

[wizadry]

And MK did not fluke the game against us? Not disagreeing that it is not good enough but to call Donny a fluke just to reinforce your thread is out of order. If you were at that game you know we were far the better team and fully deserved to win.
Yep not many positives but you carry on and keep looking for the negatives you will find them because there are many. Are you a season ticket holder?

Not been funny boo,but does he really need to enforce his point anymore than what he has done? Whether it was a fluke or not at Donny and whether MK plastic were lucky or not,results are all that matter and we are not getting them.McNulty on the bench yet again,i mean come on,WTF is Clough doing?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

The bench is better: Turner, Higdon, Baxter, Adams, McCarthy, McNulty, Reed.

Not really sure about that. Turner is a clear understudy, the majority seem to want rid of Higdon and McCarthy at the earliest opportunity, Adams is promising yet debatable whether he should be starting every game. We've had plenty of threads going over whether Baxter should be dropped lately. Of that group, the only ones I was disappointed not to see start were McNulty and Reed, who I both thought were excellent vs Southampton. Those two in, plus one of our genuinely alright right-backs, and I reckon you have our current best team.

If we have a best team that is. The number of times Clough chooses to ring the changes, it's tough to tell...

 

[Woodwardfan]

And MK did not fluke the game against us? Not disagreeing that it is not good enough but to call Donny a fluke just to reinforce your thread is out of order. If you were at that game you know we were far the better team and fully deserved to win.
Yep not many positives but you carry on and keep looking for the negatives you will find them because there are many. Are you a season ticket holder?

Just to put your mind to rest, we've been season ticket holders for over 40 years, hope that qualifies me to have an opinion

"Fluke" was possibly a careless word, but if that penalty had gone in, with us down to 10 men, we would have struggled obviously. Even after they missed it we would have done well to get a point but Murphy's great goal helped us out. The previous match to that we lost to Barnsley at home, underserved, but the writing has been on the wall for weeks and weeks - that's the point I am getting at.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Not really sure about that. Turner is a clear understudy, the majority seem to want rid of Higdon and McCarthy at the earliest opportunity, Adams is promising yet debatable whether he should be starting every game. We've had plenty of threads going over whether Baxter should be dropped lately. Of that group, the only ones I was disappointed not to see start were McNulty and Reed, who I both thought were excellent vs Southampton. Those two in, plus one of our genuinely alright right-backs, and I reckon you have our current best team.

If we have a best team that is. The number of times Clough chooses to ring the changes, it's tough to tell...

Fair comment, let me rephrase my OP which was written in "sound bites" for effect I suppose. "There was way more firepower on the bench, the most experienced (and expensive) defender was on the bench ( while a rookie played out of position), and the best midfielder on our books was on the bench!"

 

[sheffielder]

And MK did not fluke the game against us? Not disagreeing that it is not good enough but to call Donny a fluke just to reinforce your thread is out of order. If you were at that game you know we were far the better team and fully deserved to win.
Yep not many positives but you carry on and keep looking for the negatives you will find them because there are many. Are you a season ticket holder?

I am a season ticket holder. Tell me the positives, about the league form that is?

 

[metalblade]

I'm a season ticket holder and I'll tell you one positive ............................ we aint getting promoted with negative Nigel in charge, that is one thing I'm positive about

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Look at the team that started today:

Howard, McGahey, Basham, McEveley, Harris, Doyle, Murphy, Ryce, Scougall, Cuvelier, O'Grady. Totally uninspiring. Would that team frighten any team in League 2 even?

The bench is better: Turner, Higdon, Baxter, Adams, McCarthy, McNulty, Reed.

You can always tell a manager is confused when his bench is better than his first team and the whole group do not strike any fear whatsoever into a team like Port Vale.

All three leading goalscorers don't start. What the frig?!

None of us believe our team are certain winners at home to Scunthorpe on Sunday.

Since mid-November we have been in free-fall. There is something amiss here.

We have achieved only 4 points out of the last 18 in the league. the game before that we fluked only because Donny missed a penalty and we score a worldie goal.

Woodwardfan . we have been on free fall , but due to the league being poor and much of a muchness it has not been that noticeable .

When you look at the points tally from the top to the bottom teams , we are 11 points from either end . The problem we have got is that we can have 80% of play and still not win and get 3 points. Things have got to change as Mr Clough does seem as confused as us fans have been all season.

Would the players on the bench make a difference , i doubt it.

UTB

 

[boo radley]

Just to put your mind to rest, we've been season ticket holders for over 40 years, hope that qualifies me to have an opinion

"Fluke" was possibly a careless word, but if that penalty had gone in, with us down to 10 men, we would have struggled obviously. Even after they missed it we would have done well to get a point but Murphy's great goal helped us out. The previous match to that we lost to Barnsley at home, underserved, but the writing has been on the wall for weeks and weeks - that's the point I am getting at.

Why should be a season ticket holder for any length of time qualify you more than others?
That's not what I'm getting at.
I' ll say it again. If anyone cannot stand the pain, I will buy what remains of ther season ticket.

 

[Bladesway]

I'm a season ticket holder and I'll tell you one positive ............................ we aint getting promoted with negative Nigel in charge, that is one thing I'm positive about

But you hated every manager we have had since you came on here. I'll grant you are consistent but just wading in when all is not well is the easiest game in the world. What is your solution?

 

[sheffielder]

Look at the team that started today:

Howard, McGahey, Basham, McEveley, Harris, Doyle, Murphy, Ryce, Scougall, Cuvelier, O'Grady. Totally uninspiring. Would that team frighten any team in League 2 even?

The bench is better: Turner, Higdon, Baxter, Adams, McCarthy, McNulty, Reed.

You can always tell a manager is confused when his bench is better than his first team and the whole group do not strike any fear whatsoever into a team like Port Vale.

All three leading goalscorers don't start. What the frig?!

None of us believe our team are certain winners at home to Scunthorpe on Sunday.

Since mid-November we have been in free-fall. There is something amiss here.

We have achieved only 4 points out of the last 18 in the league. the game before that we fluked only because Donny missed a penalty and we score a worldie goal.

When I saw the team I thought it was probably just about the best team we could put out, although on current form I would have swapped Reed for Scougs. There really aren't many excuses left to why we are not doing better in the league.

The problem really is the 'intent' in which our team goes out, or lack of. We go out not to lose and I personally think this is the problem. The only thing I would add in January would be a good midfielder, either to replace Doyle or to help him out.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

But you hated every manager we have had since you came on here. I'll grant you are consistent but just wading in when all is not well is the easiest game in the world. What is your solution?

I think us supporters have gone past the point of panic or even total frustration . I think we have got used to the fact of what we have got , is not going to dramatically change . Mr Clough is the right guy , only using the fact that changing managers on a regular basis gets you nowhere . The solution is better preparation , game-plan , scouting , coaching and recruitment.

A overall of the back-room staff is required , as we are not getting full potential out of the players we have got . We need leaders and at the moment we appear to have none. Not all doom and gloom and the season can still be rescued , but we are running out of time and confidence of the players must be in parallel with us supporters , who pay for the privilege.

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

But you hated every manager we have had since you came on here. I'll grant you are consistent but just wading in when all is not well is the easiest game in the world. What is your solution?

Good post apart from there only having been one manager since I came on here.

The solution is for United to persevere with Clough but for him to learn from his mistakes:

1. Find a new Chief Scout
2. Play to win games, stop over-coaching, give the players more freedom to attack and treat the opposition with less respect ( in say 80% of games in League 1)
3. Stop bollocking players every hand and turn and teach them any lessons during the week. On match days they should be encouraged to express themselves and have the confidence to get into situations without fear of a public flogging.
4. Play 4-4-2 or preferably 3-5-2 at home.



P.S. Apology to Bladesway, I thought you were talking about me!! Never mind it gave me the opportunity to reveal all the above words of wisdom

 

[Woodwardfan]

Why should be a season ticket holder for any length of time qualify you more than others?
That's not what I'm getting at.
I' ll say it again. If anyone cannot stand the pain, I will buy what remains of ther season ticket.

Silly me, I thought you were implying I didn't go to matches with the reference to the Donny away match and the season ticket. Just shows you how hard it is to convey the written word.

As for selling our season ticket, we've been through a lot worse than this!!

 

[Blade56]

I'm a season ticket holder +40 years......... What difference does that make? I was at the match and we were shite and deserved nowt but the abuse anyone who went wants to dish out at them. Hope that shower and NC were proud that they are not good enough to beat a club who's fans all know each other by name ffs!

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Silly me, I thought you were implying I didn't go to matches with the reference to the Donny away match and the season ticket. Just shows you how hard it is to convey the written word.

As for selling our season ticket, we've been through a lot worse than this!!

Woodwardfan , Yes we have seen a lot worst even going back to Don Givens missed penalty . However 4no seasons in league 1 and expectations being high this season both on the pitch and board level , i have never been at such a level of disappointment and bafflement. Yes we have had words "game changing investment " .The game changing football is not working , therefore the investment is now or never.

I hope the 20,000 loyal supporters do get what they deserve this season , as the younger supporters definitely deserve better .

Football is a expensive hobby and at the moment we are not getting value for money or even a acceptable level of satisfaction , that things will improve. SUFC is a working class club , and people will find better things to spend there hard earned cash on . In the name of entertainment and commitment , let us hope we get this all sorted in January , for the second half of the season .

UTB

 

[metalblade]

But you hated every manager we have had since you came on here. I'll grant you are consistent but just wading in when all is not well is the easiest game in the world. What is your solution?

Well I suppose that is true seeing the shit we have had as managers since 2007 btw I hated Colin too but only for his big gob, say what you want about him he played exciting attacking football right up until he went 4-5-1 for away games in the premiership. I'll tell you one thing for sure he wouldn't shit his pants at the thoughts of going to play at Port Vale. My solution is to get in a manager who has got some bollocks and who knows how to win promotions because it will never happen with negative Nigel, the bloke is only a shadow of his father the guy who's name helps keep Nigel in his job as it did at Derby, you only have to look how they improved immediately after they got shut. Time we got shut before he wastes any more money in the JTW.

 

[Bladesway]

P.S. Apology to Bladesway, I thought you were talking about me!! Never mind it gave me the opportunity to reveal all the above words of wisdom

Your not the only one on here I wade into. I'm pretty indiscriminate.

 

[boo radley]

Silly me, I thought you were implying I didn't go to matches with the reference to the Donny away match and the season ticket. Just shows you how hard it is to convey the written word.

As for selling our season ticket, we've been through a lot worse than this!!

Exactly

 

[sheffielder]

Exactly

In your life time we have been in the 3rd division for 4 seasons running before now?

 

[raul]

Your not the only one on here I wade into. I'm pretty indiscriminate.

It's ok for you, I've got to sit on my hands until Real lose before I get to play....

 

[super_pig]

come on guys.. WWF could hardly be described as a 'slasher'. Clough should be worried

 

[Woodwardfan]

Woodwardfan , Yes we have seen a lot worst even going back to Don Givens missed penalty . However 4no seasons in league 1 and expectations being high this season both on the pitch and board level , i have never been at such a level of disappointment and bafflement. Yes we have had words "game changing investment " .The game changing football is not working , therefore the investment is now or never.

I hope the 20,000 loyal supporters do get what they deserve this season , as the younger supporters definitely deserve better .

Football is a expensive hobby and at the moment we are not getting value for money or even a acceptable level of satisfaction , that things will improve. SUFC is a working class club , and people will find better things to spend there hard earned cash on . In the name of entertainment and commitment , let us hope we get this all sorted in January , for the second half of the season .

UTB

I too am despondent and I don't quite know how it has fallen apart so quickly. For the speed of collapse it's probably unprecedented.

Having observed the deterioration in Clough's demeanour and behaviour these past few weeks since I came back from holiday, and the marked change from a couple of months before, I have started to think there is something seriously wrong in the dressing room. Has he lost the dressing room?

This is a free fall from a position of some strength. As I've said on previous threads and got absolutely roasted on here, Clough is behaving like a man under severe pressure and is lashing out at his own players during games. He didn't do that last season or early this season. Nobody at Bramall Lane looks like he is enjoying his job either on or off the pitch.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I too am despondent and I don't quite know how it has fallen apart so quickly. For the speed of collapse it's probably unprecedented.

Having observed the deterioration in Clough's demeanour and behaviour these past few weeks since I came back from holiday, and the marked change from a couple of months before, I have started to think there is something seriously wrong in the dressing room. Has he lost the dressing room?

This is a free fall from a position of some strength. As I've said on previous threads and got absolutely roasted on here, Clough is behaving like a man under severe pressure and is lashing out at his own players during games. He didn't do that last season or early this season. Nobody at Bramall Lane looks like he is enjoying his job either on or off the pitch.

Just mentioned that it is one thing starting to loose the supporters but we can be a fickle lot ( West Ham , Newcastle comes to mind) , but to loose the dressing room and things change dramatically . The balance at the lane is not correct , and perhaps the players like us fans ,don't know if they are coming or going .

Palace have sacked Mr Warnock for the same reason .

Continuity , stability is what we require and sacking a manager usually does not bring this . However something is not right at the lane , which is becoming more and more evident with each game and Mr Clough demeanour . Ranting and balling is a bad sign for a manager .

Let us hope that January brings better times , if not , time could be running out for Mr Clough in a hire and fire , results driven business.



UTB

 

[boo radley]

In your life time we have been in the 3rd division for 4 seasons running before now?

We've been lower.

 

[boo radley]

Not been funny boo,but does he really need to enforce his point anymore than what he has done? Whether it was a fluke or not at Donny and whether MK plastic were lucky or not,results are all that matter and we are not getting them.McNulty on the bench yet again,i mean come on,WTF is Clough doing?

And if we're the worst we've been all season on Sunday and we win through the flukiest goal ever, then no one will need to mention the performance because we won?

 

[wizadry]

And if we're the worst we've been all season on Sunday and we win through the flukiest goal ever, then no one will need to mention the performance because we won?

Good point.I'd obviously be happy if we won,but if we did play shite i would question the performance of our side and where we weren't very good or what we need to improve on,which would propably be a large list.Cloughy will be judged on results though unfortunately mate.

 

[boo radley]

Good point.I'd obviously be happy if we won,but if we did play shite i would question the performance of our side and where we weren't very good or what we need to improve on,which would propably be a large list.Cloughy will be judged on results though unfortunately mate.

If it continued to look ugly but we were getting 1-0 wins?

 

[wizadry]

If it continued to look ugly but we were getting 1-0 wins?

I think we'd have to be content with it,as much as i like entertaining football