Thanks for the memories, Nigel.

[s10blade]

Nigel, you saved us from true embarrassment - we were flirting with the real prospect of relegation to League Two. You got us to an FA Cup semi-final and you at least broke our hoodoo of not scoring on the big stage even if we did lose the match. You introduced us all to John Brayford. We reached the league semis this season and for a few seconds we all thought we were going to have Tottenham. You have actually signed some decent players.

But I'm afraid we're going to be left with the sad feeling that you chose to absolutely bottle it. We only won 10 home league games out of 23, 24 to be pedantic and include the Swindon play off. Out of those ten, I speak for myself and say I didn't really enjoy the wins. They were too cagey, too cautious and generally boring games. I'm no moron who expects to win 5-0 every match. I expected you to realise we're one of, if not the, biggest team(s) in the league and push the players to believe and have the confidence to get us out of this league. You're not the manager of Yeovil or Crawley. You're the manager of Sheff Utd and you've let us all down. Too cautious, too negative, too mediocre.

No, we don't want to lose. But equally, we wanted you to have some courage and have a go. You didn't and the ironic thing now, Nigel, is that you, and we, have lost.

I beg the likes of McCabe and Phipps to make the right choice for our next manager. Clough was the right choice last time. Make the next right choice. For me, a young (not a novice) manager with bags of energy, enthusiasm and the determination to prove a point and get Sheff Utd out of League One.

UTB.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Nigel, you saved us from true embarrassment - we were flirting with the real prospect of relegation to League Two. You got us to an FA Cup semi-final and you at least broke our hoodoo of not scoring on the big stage even if we did lose the match. You introduced us all to John Brayford. We reached the league semis this season and for a few seconds we all thought we were going to have Tottenham. You have actually signed some decent players.

But I'm afraid we're going to be left with the sad feeling that you chose to absolutely bottle it. We only won 10 home league games out of 23, 24 to be pedantic and include the Swindon play off. Out of those ten, I speak for myself and say I didn't really enjoy the wins. They were too cagey, too cautious and generally boring games. I'm no moron who expects to win 5-0 every match. I expected you to realise we're one of, if not the, biggest team(s) in the league and push the players to believe and have the confidence to get us out of this league. You're not the manager of Yeovil or Crawley. You're the manager of Sheff Utd and you've let us all down. Too cautious, too negative, too mediocre.

No, we don't want to lose. But equally, we wanted you to have some courage and have a go. You didn't and the ironic thing now, Nigel, is that you, and we, have lost.

I beg the likes of McCabe and Phipps to make the right choice for our next manager. Clough was the right choice last time. Make the next right choice. For me, a young (not a novice) manager with bags of energy, enthusiasm and the determination to prove a point and get Sheff Utd out of League One.

UTB.

If the board are to get involved with the manager situation all it needs is to sit our Nige down tell him to be a bit more gung ho going forwards and for Christ sake sort out the back four.

We'll be alright next season.

 

[LS5 Blade]

Id stick with a Nigel..........Adkins of course!

 

[jodman]

If the board are to get involved with the manager situation all it needs is to sit our Nige down tell him to be a bit more gung ho going forwards and for Christ sake sort out the back four.

We'll be alright next season.

But is that all it needs? Surely someone has told Arsene Wenger that he needs a more solid spine to his teams and surely someone told Kevin Keagan that a bit more focus on defence might turn the 4-4 draws into 1-0 wins.

Based on everything I have heard from fans of clubs who Clough has managed and also on what I have seen at each of the home games this season (as well as what the man has said during interviews), Nigel sets his teams up not to lose.

To think that all it will take for him to change that ethos, which he has developed over 10 years of management, is someone to tell him to do it differently is a little naive.

I'm ambivalent as to whether he stays or goes. But if he does stay, I won't be expecting us to play with a more attacking style next season. I will just hope that we will have a more solid back 5 and we will turn most of the draws and defeats into 1-0 wins.

 

[Mustela Putorius Furo]

..... sort out the back four.

We'll be alright next season.

Actually the board need to remind him that his ego is not as important as Sheffield United Football Club, and his personal issues with players need resolving immediately they arise, and he needs to learn the constraints under which he works, and learn to manage the limited resource that is his squad better than he currently does.

And the board themselves need to remember who is paying the wages of the Centre Halves that are employed by the club - clue - it's not Nigel Clough.

If he's fallen out with a player, then apply the club's disciplinary code, fine em, punish em, even sack em. If there's no breach of contract, nor a disciplinary issue - grow the f**k up and sort out the issue, and when you ain't got an alternative to the bloke you don't like anyway, play the twat till you've found a proper replacement.

If you've got a league title, umpteen league cups, two European Cup winners medals, a hat-full of cash to waste and 4 world class central defenders to pick from you can afford to bear grudges and sort out players in whatever way you see fit. But if you're not your dad, or you're not managing the 1979 Forest squad, you have to work in the real world, and deal with the shit the real world throws up, which often means biting the bullet and putting up with crap you don't like.

 

[davidpinder]

Nigel clough won't be leaving move on.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

But is that all it needs? Surely someone has told Arsene Wenger that he needs a more solid spine to his teams and surely someone told Kevin Keagan that a bit more focus on defence might turn the 4-4 draws into 1-0 wins.

Based on everything I have heard from fans of clubs who Clough has managed and also on what I have seen at each of the home games this season (as well as what the man has said during interviews), Nigel sets his teams up not to lose.

To think that all it will take for him to change that ethos, which he has developed over 10 years of management, is someone to tell him to do it differently is a little naive.

I'm ambivalent as to whether he stays or goes. But if he does stay, I won't be expecting us to play with a more attacking style next season. I will just hope that we will have a more solid back 5 and we will turn most of the draws and defeats into 1-0 wins.

Think we may well see tonight as a changing point in how we play.

The defence is key, has been all season and that fact will make him ensure we are sorted next season.

Even his most harsh critics can't see him been that daft to not sort it as a priority.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

all it needs is to sit our Nige down tell him to be a bit more gung ho going forwards and for Christ sake sort out the back four.

You seriously believe that Clough will change ? Good on you but I cannot see him changing in a month of sundays.

Even his most harsh critics can't see him been that daft to not sort it as a priority.

Given that its been a priority all season what makes it any different now? Because he has finally admitted there is an elephant in the room?

At 3-0 down tonight Clough gave up and went and sat in the dug-out with his head in his hands and that, if for no other reason, is why he should go. The players got us back into that game not Clough.

 

[Blade82]

Id stick with a Nigel..........Adkins of course!

And if he didn't take us up in 1st season move on to the next?

 

[LS5 Blade]

And if he didn't take us up in 1st season move on to the next?

Might give him a couple of seasons due to his CV showing a few promotions in last few years.

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Is everyone looking forward to another 46 games of 1 up front, sidewards football with some different players?

 

[Blade82]

Might give him a couple of seasons due to his CV showing a few promotions in last few years.

You maybe but majority wouldn't. We'd be a big risk to him, he knows he'd only get one year. It would be a good appointment but doubt it would be the answer to our prayers

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

You seriously believe that Clough will change ? Good on you but I cannot see him changing in a month of sundays.



Given that its been a priority all season what makes it any different now? Because he has finally admitted there is an elephant in the room?

At 3-0 down tonight Clough gave up and went and sat in the dug-out with his head in his hands and that, if for no other reason, is why he should go. The players got us back into that game not Clough.

Tonight will be a turning point.

Yes it's took too long but he did say he can see the elephant.

Difficult to pin down but things are moving in the right direction.

The team surprised me tonight, I really thought we were on for a drubbing at 3 - 0 but the team proved me wrong.

They can't do that without having feelings for the club and the management.

 

[Blade82]

Is everyone looking forward to another 46 games of 1 up front, sidewards football with some different players?

Looking forward to stability. You were probably saying the same with Wilson and that hasn't got us up. Stability could make the difference. It's worth a shot I'd say.

 

[Houso]

Regardless of the massive disappointment that was our league performance this season, he's given us some incredible memories during his tenure.

On balance, I would perhaps say in a results based business it was right to show him the door. I'd actually not be surprised to see him be in charge of a Championship side before we get back up there...

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Regardless of the massive disappointment that was our league performance this season, he's given us some incredible memories during his tenure.

On balance, I would perhaps say in a results based business it was right to show him the door. I'd actually not be surprised to see him be in charge of a Championship side before we get back up there...

In Nigel I always felt we were doing something for the long term good.

Yes his actions are sometimes difficult to defend but today we lost something that could have been very good long term.

Onwards and upwards?

 

[gavtheblade]

This could probably be the club's best,or worse decision in its history.

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

Cup games were very memorable, I can thank him for that and keeping us away from the 4th tier of football.

 

[raul]

After signing an entire squad and finish what was supposed to be a promotion chase with 4 wins from 17 games whilst publicly blaming eveyone else, it's difficult to envisage what this thing he was building would be any use at all.

I can only assume he's carried this imperious attitude into his post season debrief and the Prince etc have taken the view that he won't fix things he doesn't think are broken.

 

[Worksop II]

I think its fair to say Clough did it his way, and was probably gonna continue to do it his way ........................ not

 

[Blade82]

He saved us from what was looking likely to be lg1 football. We had a cracking cup run under him and he brought pride back in to Sufc for me on many occasions.

Highlights
Villa away
West Ham win away
Wembley semi final. Will never forget the applause we all gave the lads after hull sealed it.
QPR away
Charlton at home


Unfortunately my top five highlighted like most fans will all be cup games and that's what's cost him.

 

[metalblade]

Don't let the door bang your arse on the way out

 

[Mendi]

Good luck Clough in your next job.

 

[Gavlar]

thanks for these memories CLoughey


Giant killing under Clough
4 January, 2014 (FA Cup third round): Aston Villa 1-2 Sheffield United
4 February, 2014 (FA Cup fourth round replay): Fulham 0-1 Sheffield United (after extra time)
16 February, 2014 (FA Cup fifth round): Sheffield United 3-1 Nottingham Forest
9 March 2014 (FA Cup sixth round): Sheffield United 2-0 Charlton Athletic
26 August 2014 (League Cup second round): West Ham 1-1 Sheffield United (United won 5-4 on penalties)
16 December 2014 (League Cup quarter-final): Sheffield United 1-0 Southampton
4 January 2015 (FA Cup 3rd round): QPR 0-3 Sheffield United

 

[yorkshirecoast]

All the best when you take over at Ilkeston Nigel

 

[cal the blade]

this is right decision in my mind we where never going anywhere with clough. but i have to say there has been some matches ill never ever forget the rest of my days beating villa... last minuite winner at fulham... porters heroics against forest .. the charlton match and that amazing atmosphere then obviously putting in some performance against hull at wembley (ive never been so proud in my life) then this season as dissapointing as the league has been we go and put another cracking run together and i have some more memories and match days i will never forget so all in clough thanks for the memories i will always have a soft spot for u after yur short spell here but it was time to go nige ... cheerio and thanks again

 

[HighfieldBlade]

I was shocked to hear NC had been sacked. He did give us all some great games and big giant-killings, so thanks, Nigel.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I was shocked to hear NC had been sacked. He did give us all some great games and big giant-killings, so thanks, Nigel.

Nowt to do with NC but when I was a kid Fulham beating us was a giant killing and always will be.

 

[s10blade]

I refer back to my original message.

Sadly for Nigel, his stubbornness to not change his playing style has cost him his job. I wish the bloke well but he is much better suited to a Burton Albion (with all due respect) than Sheffield United.

Massive pressure on Jim & co. to get the right man.

 

[Mad Mick]

Good luck Nigel and thanks for some fun times.