Clough Poll

[Harry's Game]

It's a shame we can't see a selection of the comments made on the Derby board during the numerous summers he was there, I suspect they would look very familiar.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Wiz, your first question is something you'll have to address with the board. I can't answer that one for you.

You mention you're struggling with certain emotions concerning Clough, again, that's a struggle between you and your sense of what's practical and what's ideal. Always best to come down on the side of practical I find, but you may have a problem with that.

As for Clough being disrespectful to the fans and the players. On a scale of Nigel Pearson disrespectfulness, I'd put Clough way down that scale. I guess it could be a case of the grass always seeming greener? If Clough is that disrespectful, I wonder why those who've worked with him before have had no problem following him to SUFC? Maybe they've no problem with his straightforwardness. All a case of interpretation I guess.

I'm not here to defend Clough, he's well paid enough to take care of himself. Yes, Adams coming on so late in last night's game was one of this season's mysteries. Again, should the chance happen put this to him. Bergen Blade made a point of some type of Q&A with Clough, something I'm sure many of us would love to attend. It would act as a clear the air opportunity for questions to be asked and answered, without rancour, but with a need to understand.

As for his transfer purchases, yes, a few less than outstanding players that we'd all wave goodbye to. I also think he needs to be praised for bringing in Done (many of the posters on here were quick to slag Done's signing without giving him a chance. Strange how none of this clique came forward to say they were wrong in their criticism), changing the fortunes of Murphy and Flynn, and we could go round and around in circles about the various players that have arrived and left the Lane. Bottom line, we should have had a stronger squad this season, no problem saying as much.

But to conclude, between now and the beginning of next season, I want obvious weaknesses in the team addressed. We all know where these exist so no point repeating the obvious. We can either let Clough continue with exactly the same squad, so no money spent and we enter the new season with the same squad and the same weaknesses, or the club accept that business needs to be done and gets on with it before the season begins.

the club has to give clough funds to strengthen the squad if they fail to do so ,may as well sack him now as the weaknesses we all talk about would mean failure . The board are aware of this so the situation is simple ! !
sack him or back him.

 

[Harry's Game]

the club has to give clough funds to strengthen the squad if they fail to do so ,may as well sack him now as the weaknesses we all talk about would mean failure . The board are aware of this so the situation is simple ! !
sack him or back him.

How much did he spend in January £1.8m on Brayford, £800k on Done, £400k on Coutts, £3m is a lot in League one, would you trust him with a lot more?

 

[sitwell]

It's a shame we can't see a selection of the comments made on the Derby board during the numerous summers he was there, I suspect they would look very familiar.

Why are you so obsessed with fucking Derby fans ,why not ask Burton fans ? Do you think Bristol City worried about what Forest and Porstmouth fans thought of Cotterill or Bournemouth fans worried about Burnley opinions ?

 

[itsinyerblood]

Ok then, let me rephrase it, do you think NC should be trusted with yet more of the clubs money? If the answer is yes, which it propably will be, then what do you base it on?

At the sake of repeating my reasons, if Clough remains as manager the club have to back him, otherwise he'll have the same squad, the same deficiencies, and the same players who aren't equipped to improve on this season's results. Hence the question, do we want to begin the season with no on-field improvement? It's not complicated.

 

[sitwell]

How much did he spend in January £1.8m on Brayford, £800k on Done, £400k on Coutts, £3m is a lot in League one, would you trust him with a lot more?

You don't rate Brayford ,Done or Coutts then ?

 

[Harry's Game]

Why are you so obsessed with fucking Derby fans ,why not ask Burton fans ? Do you think Bristol City worried about what Forest and Porstmouth fans thought of Cotterill or Bournemouth fans worried about Burnley opinions ?

Language Timothy.

It's the only League club he has managed and I bet they were hoping and hoping every season for an improvement and wanting the same weaknesses addressed.

 

[Harry's Game]

You don't rate Brayford ,Done or Coutts then ?

The post was implying the board haven't backed him.

I don't rate Coutts no, and we needed Cente back addressing before full back, Done has showed promise.

 

[YES Blade]

If Paul Cook was a decent manager he would not be going to Portsmouth . He has took Chesterfield as far as they can go , and is bailing out before the wheels fall off.

UTB

Or maybe he sees it as a better long term move? Like when Steve Evans left Crawley to move to then League Two Rotherham.

Isn't that what a good manager should do? Take jobs that give them the best chance to enhance their CV?

 

[wizadry]

At the sake of repeating my reasons, if Clough remains as manager the club have to back him, otherwise he'll have the same squad, the same deficiencies, and the same players who aren't equipped to improve on this season's results. Hence the question, do we want to begin the season with no on-field improvement? It's not complicated.

I asked you, not the board as i can't ask them. Is it really that hard to get an answer. You have told me that the club have to back him if he stays, which is pretty obvious, now without all the condescending shit do YOU think we can trust him with some more money, your answer and why. You don't have to answer but to me you're going the long way round and trying to avoid answering the question because there is no evidence to suggest we should trust him with any more funds. You're right on one thing though, it isn't complicated.

 

[davidpinder]

I haven't voted as the jury is still out, part of me thinks we should try and stabilise and the other part of me says this seasons negativity is unforgivable.

Can we trust him to bring the right players in? Or will he find a few more like Done and Adams?

 

[itsinyerblood]

I asked you, not the board as i can't ask them. Is it really that hard to get an answer. You have told me that the club have to back him if he stays, which is pretty obvious, now without all the condescending shit do YOU think we can trust him with some more money, your answer and why. You don't have to answer but to me you're going the long way round and trying to avoid answering the question because there is no evidence to suggest we should trust him with any more funds. You're right on one thing though, it isn't complicated.

Ok, to cut through what you're implying is a deliberate attempt to avoid answering your question - on what scale of relevance does it matter what I think? The board sanction that part of the club's affairs, not myself or any other fan. If I, or anyone else not connected with the club, were to attempt an answer, would it make the slightest bit of difference to whether we spent or did not spend? Why not ask every poster on the forum what they think, do you think this will make a blind bit of difference to the club's 2015/16 budgets?

 

[GB10]

No brainer he has got to go ..........................
boring negative football
piss poor signings
playing his ex Derby mates even if they are in shit form or unfit
playing players out of their preferred positions
falling out with players rather than managing them
constantly publicly slating certain players
always moaning about refs or anyone else after a defeat, never his mistakes is it.
failing to address the CB problem we have had all season
failing to address the striker problem we have had since the day he came to SUFC
his view of progress is being 4pts better of than last season, yes the season where we had 4pts from David Weirs management. Sorry we have gone backwards Nigel
the ridiculous decision to spend near on £2m on a full back, other clubs in this league build entire teams for less than that
no league promotions on his CV and you can see why
playing players who are unfit
the general poor fitness levels of the entire squad most are blown out of their arse after 60mins
the poor levels of medical care it seems most players are suffering injury after injury it can't all be down to bad luck, not signing players coming back from serious injury might help a bit.
poor scouting there is a whole world outside of Derby, Blackpool and the lower levels of Scotland you know.
refusing to use modern technology like pro zone, then some wonder why he is called non league Nigel.

Absolutely perfect summary in my opinion
OUT OUT OUT

 

[DSB-91]

In. But only due to the lack of decent alternatives, not out of any great faith in him.

If we sack him we could end up with another David Weir. Not as if any great managers are going to be falling over themselves to come to United.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

A man of my calibre? Ooh wiz

Simply put, you asked why should the board give Clough any more money and I replied that's a question for the board to address, not a supporter like myself. If he's here, as it looks likely, they should back him, otherwise, to repeat what I wrote in my last post, we begin with the same players, the same defensive weaknesses, and you can only guess at what supporters will say if we show the same defensive fragilities as this season.

By describing my comments about Clough as blind faith you do yourself a disservice if you believe that's the case. You underestimate my critical capabilities and imagine that a pithily constructed comment summarises how things actually are. I'll leave you to imagine whatever you feel suits your own view of Clough.

One other point worth correcting, you've used the comment about stability in a way completely at odds with my own thoughts. When Clough was appointed many posters agreed that we needed managerial stability, not stability in this division, hope that's cleared up that misunderstanding for you.

If Clough remains there's no point not giving him money, otherwise all the things you've complained about will be as evident next season as they've been this season. Sure, it'll be a test of Clough and those players he brings in, but to not allow him to bring in (hopefully) better, stronger players would be to consign ourselves to a season beyond the coming one in this division.

Agree . Although Clough more than any other manager has frustrated the hell out of me , due to the fundamental issue of the CB debacle not being addressed , and his thinking that Brayford , Kennedy , Basham can do the job , and we have adequate replacement cover , for RB and CM , within the squad .

Could it be , he was spent up , with no more money in the coffers , causing the situation , that he couldn't sort the problem out , and had to do with make do and mend . Clough is not that daft to know and realise this shortfall , and do nowt about it.

If it was the board who wouldn't sanction the money , then they are as culpable as Clough, or even more so. We know behind closed doors , all things SUFC , moves in mysterious ways , run more by funders and accountants , these days , with financial governance , high on the agenda.

The board will have the final say , and Clough was at pains to mention , that Phipps and Brannigan came into the dressing room to thank and say how proud they were.

Cannot see McCabe stabbing Clough in the back , but certainly can see Mr Prince and a hired assassin doing it.

We will find out in the coming weeks , but if he is to carry on , he needs to be making his move in the transfer market now , with the finances being fully available and at his disposal. Players will be out of contract and free agents , so could pick up some gems , at a decent price , if first in , with offers.( decent not disery )

To me , he stops another full season , but i don't sit on the board , to make that decision.

Forget Atkins and Co. We would be no better off , than we are now . The game at this level has moved on . Whilst we are at it , chuck Brian Laws and Paul Jewell ,in the hat of good fortune ,for good measure, with bags of experience and CV promotion.

UTB

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Or maybe he sees it as a better long term move? Like when Steve Evans left Crawley to move to then League Two Rotherham.

Isn't that what a good manager should do? Take jobs that give them the best chance to enhance their CV?

No its usually money and better move before it all goes Pete Tong.

UTB

 

[wizadry]

Ok, to cut through what you're implying is a deliberate attempt to avoid answering your question - on what scale of relevance does it matter what I think? The board sanction that part of the club's affairs, not myself or any other fan. If I, or anyone else not connected with the club, were to attempt an answer, would it make the slightest bit of difference to whether we spent or did not spend? Why not ask every poster on the forum what they think, do you think this will make a blind bit of difference to the club's 2015/16 budgets?

No it won't make a blind bit of difference just like anything else that gets said on here on any topic but i was interested in your answer as i would be any other posters, they're quite welcome to answer it. I appreciate what you write most of the time so that's why i would have liked an answer from you. Never mind.

 

[Pinchy]

Why are you so obsessed with fucking Derby fans ,why not ask Burton fans ? Do you think Bristol City worried about what Forest and Porstmouth fans thought of Cotterill or Bournemouth fans worried about Burnley opinions ?

Precisely. I've always thought "ask X fans" a manifestly weak, redundant and irrelevant argument. I prefer my own views based on what I see, together with the views of intelligent, sensible, Non-Bladey, Blades.

 

[Silent Blade]

How about Q&A with filtered, serious questions from fans, read out by an interviewer?

Can you think of any questions that is easy for a manager to give a straightforward answer? No manager can see through a crystal ball regarding possible changes in the next 12 months such as injuries, being forced to sell players, signing "all that glitters is not gold" players (such as Butler and McCarthy), bad attitude players, pressure from players agents etc. Many fans have a long memory of managers pledges and if the pledges are not kept (which usually happens due to unforeseen circumstances) then the fans would go into an unison and calling the manager "a liar". I went to watch BIFA Q and As when Spackman was our manager and then when Heath was the manager and it was really hard for them to give straighforward answers so I am totally against Managers Q and As

 

[finlaytheblade]

How much did he spend in January £1.8m on Brayford, £800k on Done, £400k on Coutts, £3m is a lot in League one, would you trust him with a lot more?

as i said sack him or back him

 

[YES Blade]

No its usually money and better move before it all goes Pete Tong.

UTB

Ok so surely that is another sign of a good manager? Getting out when you have peaked with a club in order to prevent any damage to your reputation?

A pay rise also shows a manager is doing a good job, you don't get a pay rise if you have done shit!

 

[bornablade]

All the neutrals admiring the way the team fought back, showing true team spirit. And the manager's only in his second season.

But I wonder if the Bayern Munich fans are happy or will they be calling for Guardiola's head in the morning.

 

[The Bohemian]

Get rid but who for? We need someone with a PROVEN track record of getting teams promoted at this level

With respect, herein lies the problem: the idea that if we appoint x manager, promotion is all but guaranteed. Using the "PROVEN" logic, we'd have immediately ruled out Cotterill and Robinson but would have considered Megson. Finding a manager to win promotion just isn't that straightforward and that's why the board need to tread carefully.

For me, this season has been frustrating and, ultimately, very disappointing. Automatic promotion was a reasonable expectation and finishing 20 points off the pace isn't good enough, given the financial support Cloughie has been given.

Worse still, I believe we were only a good centre-half away from getting there and our failure to sign one was an inexplicable miscalculation by Cloughie and his staff.

On the basis that I believe he has built a squad which needs only a few finishing touches to achieve automatic promotion, I would allow Cloughie to start next season, with a clear understanding that a strong start is vital to him still being in charge by Christmas.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Ok so surely that is another sign of a good manager? Getting out when you have peaked with a club in order to prevent any damage to your reputation?

A pay rise also shows a manager is doing a good job, you don't get a pay rise if you have done shit!

You do in big Plc land and football clubs . Never been clever enough to work the system.

UTB

 

[Pinchy]

No it won't make a blind bit of difference just like anything else that gets said on here on any topic but i was interested in your answer as i would be any other posters, they're quite welcome to answer it. I appreciate what you write most of the time so that's why i would have liked an answer from you. Never mind.

Yes, give him more money. All managers need it to help improve their teams. NC is no different. All managers make some bad signings (some more than others of course), including the very best. Nigel is no different.

Done, Basham, Scoogs, Coutts, Steven Davies, COG (he did all he could), Beard, Adams, McNulty, Harris, Wallace (maybe). Not a bad credit column.

He's building a club. It takes time. Give him the means to do the job. Review the scene at Christmas.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Can he relax and unleash what I think should be a good team going forward.

That's key.

 

[wizadry]

All the neutrals admiring the way the team fought back, showing true team spirit. And the manager's only in his second season.

But I wonder if the Bayern Munich fans are happy or will they be calling for Guardiola's head in the morning.

Bayern Munich have won the Bundesliga and they have gone out tonight to one of the best teams in the world, meanwhile back in League one we have failed in a competition where we have a diabolical record against the mighty Swindon. Lets get some perspective on where we want to be, that is the Championship, not the champions league.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Can you think of any questions that is easy for a manager to give a straightforward answer? No manager can see through a crystal ball regarding possible changes in the next 12 months such as injuries, being forced to sell players, signing "all that glitters is not gold" players (such as Butler and McCarthy), bad attitude players, pressure from players agents etc. Many fans have a long memory of managers pledges and if the pledges are not kept (which usually happens due to unforeseen circumstances) then the fans would go into an unison and calling the manager "a liar". I went to watch BIFA Q and As when Spackman was our manager and then when Heath was the manager and it was really hard for them to give straighforward answers so I am totally against Managers Q and As

Just tune in every Thursday evening to Question time , to listen for diplomatic answers and issues of being economical with the truth.

Q and A , i feel would not be beneficial.

UTB

 

[raul]

How about Q&A with filtered, serious questions from fans, read out by an interviewer?

Bergs, if the questions are submitted in advance it gives them plenty of time to take the sting from them and it turns into a Mccabe style p.r exercise full of bladey bladey bladeness.

I care little for that and little for any public discussion as I suspect NC holds us in as much contempt as we hold him. His job is to win promotion. If he fails, he loses it. These are the only considerations SUFC should hold.

 

[Pinchy]

Just tune in every Thursday evening to Question time , to listen for diplomatic answers and issues of being economical with the truth.

Q and A , i feel would not be beneficial.

UTB

Call me patronising if you will, but some of the Qs would be cringeworthy.