What happened to those who questioned the Prince's commitment?

[pommpey]

It's genuinely interesting. The Prince had put in £10m as of April.

Sez who? Phipps? If that's the case, show me 'what on'. Add to that the Cup money and Maguire's sale, please.

£2m on a right back last season.

You have proof of that? If so, then riddle me this. What the fuck is a div one team spending £2m on a right back (if not to fend of those damned critical fans) when we have zero central defenders (Clough wants to play) and fuck all up front.

Around £1m on other players that season.

Do you have costings on players to uphold that statement? I mean 'real' figures, not 'ooh, Coutts must have cost £2.60 + VAT' etc

Paid off David Weir and his team.

The board's mistake, not the fans

Hired Nigel Clough and his team (highest paid manager in league one last season). Paid off Nigel Clough and his team.

See above

Hired Nigel Adkins, the highest paid Sheffield United manager since Bryan Robson.

Lets hope for something good, eh?

Oh.. And last season we finished 5th in league one. The first time since 2008/2009 we've finished higher than the season before. We're moving in the right direction at last even if it was painful at times last season

Jesus. We were fucking relegated into the English third division four years ago and have remained there since with four unsuccessful campaigns to get out spanning five managers. But hey - we aint gotta barrel o'money, eh? We gotta Desso pitch! HAPPYTYMEZ! There's pedalling spin, then there's blind optimistic idiocy.

I truly, genuinely hope Adkins is the gateway to our upturn. But lets not over-egg it, eh?

pommpey

 

[metalblade]

What we are arguing about now. It's positive Nigel day, 2nd June. Get on the same train, Championship bound. Choo Choo

Some people just can't help themselves sheffielder

 

[Pedro Verde]

I wondered when Pommpey would show up with his negativity towards the club and true to form he appears

 

[LoughboroBlade]

What the fuck is a div one team spending £2m on a right back (if not to fend of those damned critical fans) when we have zero central defenders (Clough wants to play)

And this, while I think most like the fact Brayford is with us, is probably one of the main Clough criticisms. I'm not sure that can be levelled as a criticism of the board. The board backed Clough in terms of what he said he needed financially - Phipps and Clough said it, and until there's evidence to the contrary I'm inclined to believe them. That it was clear (at the time and in retrospect) that we needed central defenders was a fault of Clough's. We've had a model in place whereby footballing decisions are made by the management team - do we really want a board micromanaging that when by their own admission they aren't experts on the day-to-day footballing side of things? I think it's sensible to appoint a manager, give him an agreed budget, and let him spend it on who he believes are the right people to achieve success. As it turns out, that faith in Clough appears to have been misplaced. But I don't disagree with the model we appear to be working under. And I hope Adkins is given similar flexibility on recruitment decisions. With a manager whose judgment you trust, it's a lot easier. In Clough's case, the lack of trust, and the wasted investment displayed (which I think Phipps delicately touch on) will have been factors in his dismissal. If nothing substantial was being invested, I think Clough would probably still be in a job.

"Paying off Weir and his staff." The board's mistake, not the fans

And not the Prince's, since Weir was appointed before he came on board. That was essentially a mess he inherited. The fact it wasn't the fans' fault doesn't mean the cost of dealing with it should be overlooked though.

 

[metalblade]

The so called game changing investment was supposedly going into the first team squad not to pay off failed managers. Still if that has been a cost to the Prince over and above his original £1 coin he is still getting a good deal.
Still it wouldn't be S24SU if some of the happy chappie's (they know who they are) were not posting to provoke others with a so called negative outlook, all a bit sad on a day when everyone but the most ardent Clough apologist's are happy.

 

[ScoobBlade]

On a day such as today, a new manager, almost universal agreement in the appointment of Nigel Adkins, and the thought crossed my mind.......who now recalls those posters who queried the Prince and his commitment to the Blades? I recall such offensive comments as raghead being used to attack the Prince, snide comments about 'game changing investment', and a general barn dance of know-nothing foolishness being aired just because these same posters are fiscally illiterate and clueless to the ways money is spent and invested.

Slowly but surely the Prince has stamped his mark throughout the club. A brand new pitch fit for the present and future, no time wasted in addressing the managerial position twice! And now we have Nigel Adkins steering the good ship SUFC...could the timing of his appointment be any better? Adkins has time to familiarise himself with the club, assess the current squad, bring in players he'll know we need, and ensure that the mighty Blades go from the turgid style of play we'd become used to, to a style of play that excites and succeeds (at least that's the hope).

So, all you miserable nobs (you know who you are) who slaughtered the Prince even before he'd had a chance to make his mark, it's time for some humility and appreciation for what's happening at SUFC.....and all because of the board. UTB!

You're much too positive, any more of this and I may be forced to request that you be removed from this forum

 

[bladesmanluke]

Sez who? Phipps? If that's the case, show me 'what on'. Add to that the Cup money and Maguire's sale, please.



You have proof of that? If so, then riddle me this. What the fuck is a div one team spending £2m on a right back (if not to fend of those damned critical fans) when we have zero central defenders (Clough wants to play) and fuck all up front.



Do you have costings on players to uphold that statement? I mean 'real' figures, not 'ooh, Coutts must have cost £2.60 + VAT' etc



The board's mistake, not the fans



See above



Lets hope for something good, eh?



Jesus. We were fucking relegated into the English third division four years ago and have remained there since with four unsuccessful campaigns to get out spanning five managers. But hey - we aint gotta barrel o'money, eh? We gotta Desso pitch! HAPPYTYMEZ! There's pedalling spin, then there's blind optimistic idiocy.

I truly, genuinely hope Adkins is the gateway to our upturn. But lets not over-egg it, eh?

pommpey

And there we have it then. You're in denial plain and simple. You won't believe Phipps then fine there's no more I can say. Agreed let's hope Adkins can get us flying up the leagues.
UTB

 

[MobileBlade]

What we are arguing about now. It's positive Nigel day, 2nd June. Get on the same train, Championship bound. Choo Choo

I think there are a couple of people who can look in a mirror ..... and start arguing. And they will still try to convince what they are looking at that they are right.

 

[Rodley]

I wondered when Pommpey would show up with his negativity towards the club and true to form he appears

Has he used the phrase ad hominem yet?

 

[Bladesway]

Fuck me even on a day when we get the man most of us wanted people can't help chirping up with a slanging match. Yes people have differing opinions. My opinion on the investment was put to bed in January. Pommpey still isn't convinced. So what? Without all these opinions we don't have a message board. Without these fans we don't have a club. Can I invite every single blade to shut the fuck up bickering and just be happy for now.

I didn't think we could eek a negative from this but you guys have managed it. Well done. Whatever happened to being United?

As I say it's more important some are proved right than this club moves forward. Currently I am very happy to be proved wrong and on paper at least we have recruited a good manager with an excellent track record.

 

[pommpey]

And there we have it then. You're in denial plain and simple. You won't believe Phipps then fine there's no more I can say. Agreed let's hope Adkins can get us flying up the leagues.
UTB

Denial? You haven't come up with anything to support Phipps's claims and any material evidence on how much and where it has been spent. So I am the one in denial?

Tell me about the Maguire money, please.

pommpey

 

[bladesmanluke]

Denial? You haven't come up with anything to support Phipps's claims and any material evidence on how much and where it has been spent. So I am the one in denial?

Tell me about the Maguire money, please.

pommpey

I genuinely can't be bothered. I don't care enough so go ahead and see it however you want. Your original statement of "I've yet to see any evidence of game changing investment" irked me, it did. But if you want to see evidence then read the accounts. I'm not fishing them out for you.
Apologies fellow blades. Many of you are right, this is not a time for petty squabbling, it's been a great last 24 hours

 

[Pedro Verde]

Denial? You haven't come up with anything to support Phipps's claims and any material evidence on how much and where it has been spent. So I am the one in denial?

Tell me about the Maguire money, please.

pommpey

Cant you just be happy for a change that we have appointed a decent manager with a track record at getting teams out of this god awful league we are in
With regard to the money Im certain Mr Prince has spent many thousands paying off 2 managers and their staff and hiring a manager that could easily walk into a Championship job, if he didnt want to get SUFC out of this league we would have taken the cheap option and continued with Clough

 

[Darren]

Denial? You haven't come up with anything to support Phipps's claims and any material evidence on how much and where it has been spent. So I am the one in denial?

Tell me about the Maguire money, please.

pommpey

Seriously? We signed 20 odd players last season and didn't sell anyone. Those players don't sign for free or play for free. What more "material evidence" do you want?

The Board made significant funds available to Clough last season. The fact that he misused those funds is hardly the Board's fault.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I'd be fucking miserable all the time if I lived in Portsmouth

 

[Revolution]

On a day such as today, a new manager, almost universal agreement in the appointment of Nigel Adkins, and the thought crossed my mind.......who now recalls those posters who queried the Prince and his commitment to the Blades? I recall such offensive comments as raghead being used to attack the Prince, snide comments about 'game changing investment', and a general barn dance of know-nothing foolishness being aired just because these same posters are fiscally illiterate and clueless to the ways money is spent and invested.

Slowly but surely the Prince has stamped his mark throughout the club. A brand new pitch fit for the present and future, no time wasted in addressing the managerial position twice! And now we have Nigel Adkins steering the good ship SUFC...could the timing of his appointment be any better? Adkins has time to familiarise himself with the club, assess the current squad, bring in players he'll know we need, and ensure that the mighty Blades go from the turgid style of play we'd become used to, to a style of play that excites and succeeds (at least that's the hope).

So, all you miserable nobs (you know who you are) who slaughtered the Prince even before he'd had a chance to make his mark, it's time for some humility and appreciation for what's happening at SUFC.....and all because of the board. UTB!

A more sensible poster might wait and see how much money Adkins has to work with before needlessly attacking other supporters after what seems like a good managerial appointment.

Mind you, I seem to recall said poster was scathing of anyone who had the temerity to suggest that Clough was not doing a good job, before it turned out that this was also the view of the board. Humility seems to be in short supply.

 

[Grecian2000]

Cant you just be happy for a change that we have appointed a decent manager with a track record at getting teams out of this god awful league we are in
With regard to the money Im certain Mr Prince has spent many thousands paying off 2 managers and their staff and hiring a manager that could easily walk into a Championship job, if he didnt want to get SUFC out of this league we would have taken the cheap option and continued with Clough

Fair comment IF it were Pomps who'd kicked off this deliberately divisive thread. He's simply fell into the trap of rising to the shite.

 

[Pierre's PC]

Can I invite every single blade to shut the fuck up bickering and just be happy for now.

No you!

 

[ghandi]

On a day such as today, a new manager, almost universal agreement in the appointment of Nigel Adkins, and the thought crossed my mind.......who now recalls those posters who queried the Prince and his commitment to the Blades? I recall such offensive comments as raghead being used to attack the Prince, snide comments about 'game changing investment', and a general barn dance of know-nothing foolishness being aired just because these same posters are fiscally illiterate and clueless to the ways money is spent and invested.

Slowly but surely the Prince has stamped his mark throughout the club. A brand new pitch fit for the present and future, no time wasted in addressing the managerial position twice! And now we have Nigel Adkins steering the good ship SUFC...could the timing of his appointment be any better? Adkins has time to familiarise himself with the club, assess the current squad, bring in players he'll know we need, and ensure that the mighty Blades go from the turgid style of play we'd become used to, to a style of play that excites and succeeds (at least that's the hope).

So, all you miserable nobs (you know who you are) who slaughtered the Prince even before he'd had a chance to make his mark, it's time for some humility and appreciation for what's happening at SUFC.....and all because of the board. UTB!

FFS - We have a new manager, we enter a new era and here you are on such a day berating ( or is that baiting ) others who had an opinion about what the Prince would bring to the the table 2 years ago.

 

[Pedro Verde]

Fair comment IF it were Pomps who'd kicked off this deliberately divisive thread. He's simply fell into the trap of rising to the shite.

Hook Line and sinker
Ive never heard Pommpey say anything positive about the club though
Hes so negative

 

[pommpey]

I'd be fucking miserable all the time if I lived in Portsmouth

Me too. That's why I don't live in Portsmouth.

pommpey

 

[pommpey]

Cant you just be happy for a change that we have appointed a decent manager with a track record at getting teams out of this god awful league we are in
With regard to the money Im certain Mr Prince has spent many thousands paying off 2 managers and their staff and hiring a manager that could easily walk into a Championship job, if he didnt want to get SUFC out of this league we would have taken the cheap option and continued with Clough

'Cheap option'?

What ... hire a patently inexperienced and clueless manager, sink like a brick, sack him (and pay him and his staff off) and hire another manager who apparently had the Saudi vaults opened to him (although no one can tell exactly how much was spent)? That was 'cheap', you say?

So we reboot the system, no doubt promise Adkins the world and ...

pommpey

 

[itsinyerblood]

FFS - We have a new manager, we enter a new era and here you are on such a day berating ( or is that baiting ) others who had an opinion about what the Prince would bring to the the table 2 years ago.

Interesting how your perception is completely at odds with mine and that of many other posters. Change those negative terms you employ, berating and baiting, to reminding and there you have a completely different emphasis. The way you describe this it's as if you feel it's some type of footballing holy day where to comment or to offer a critique shouldn't be allowed. Nowhere will you find me suggesting that opinions shouldn't be heard, equally those opinions, just as mine are, should receive responses that sometimes differ. But you clearly disagree...funny how you adopted the name of someone who supported the notion that ideas and opinions should flow, regardless of the consequences, or was that some type of footballing irony on your part?.

 

[mattbianco1]

I think, given the amount of bs we've been fed from the club over the years, everyone had the right to question whether this would just be another in a long line of let-downs.

Although you could see immediately that the money was there as in the JTW before the prince it was 2 out 1 in for Danny Wilson. In July David Weir brought in a lot of players. We even paid money for Jose Baxter. Then, we paid off Weir and all his team 4 months into their contracts and brought in a championship manager and all his team.

Then... We signed many players from higher divisions (mainly ex Derby players - Freeman, Davies, Brayford) on loan.

It was clear from the start that the tables had turned if you look back to Wilson's last few weeks/months.

People questioning it baffled me.

 

[metty]

Is this the right room for an arguement

 

[pommpey]

Hook Line and sinker
Ive never heard Pommpey say anything positive about the club though
Hes so negative

Yeah. Yeah, I am.

Have a little look at the club since ooh, the heady days of Bassett and tell me the positives, versus the negatives, why don't you?

Save for odd spells where we played decent football as a team and were feared and respected (2002-03, for example) it's been fucking sunshine and daisies at Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane, hasn't it? Managers come, managers go, players sold without credible replacement and a steady slide down the leagues.

Find me something, anything positive to say about that, eh?

Keep clapping though, at least the pigs are in the Championship, eh?

pommpey

 

[Darren]

Yeah. Yeah, I am.

Have a little look at the club since ooh, the heady days of Bassett and tell me the positives, versus the negatives, why don't you?

Save for odd spells where we played decent football as a team and were feared and respected (2002-03, for example) it's been fucking sunshine and daisies at Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane, hasn't it? Managers come, managers go, players sold without credible replacement and a steady slide down the leagues.

Find me something, anything positive to say about that, eh?

Keep clapping though, at least the pigs are in the Championship, eh?

pommpey

Depends how you look at it, I suppose and what your standard of comparism is. We have indeed been under performing since 2010, but for the period 1995-2010, we were generally a top half 2nd tier team pretty much always in the hunt for the play offs if not automatic promotion. If you compare that with the period 1976-89, for example, we were doing rather better.

Since the early 70's our "natural position" is roughly the top half of the 2nd tier. Those of us old enough to remember the 70's may well hanker for the days when we could hang around in the mid table of the top tier for lengthy periods. sadly, I suspect those days are gone.

 

[alcoblade]

People questioning it baffled me.

It was the "game changing" statement that was daft.

Though it was "game changing", most football fans can't spend enough of someone else's money, and as much from those who put sweet fuck all in themselves, in terms of support.

Reality was never going to live up to the expectation that that statement raised.


UTB

 

[itsinyerblood]

A more sensible poster might wait and see how much money Adkins has to work with before needlessly attacking other supporters after what seems like a good managerial appointment.

Mind you, I seem to recall said poster was scathing of anyone who had the temerity to suggest that Clough was not doing a good job, before it turned out that this was also the view of the board. Humility seems to be in short supply.

Let's examine your first question, apart from figures bandied about on here, since when does any poster know what figures a manager has at his disposal?

As I've commented elsewhere, are you one of those who see the appointment of Adkins as the equivalent of a footballing holy day? Where posts shouldn't be allowed, simply because you feel irked by them? Yes, I was supportive of Clough. Strange one that, imagine being supportive of a United manager, unheard of in a context when a some posters seem to delight in attacking a manager, often just following the last negative post to bolster their own pipsqueak of a criticism. By all means criticise, but don't moan when other posters reply. You comment that I was scathing, at least in your memory. Can you provide the context for this? Can you show exactly what type of comment was made by myself in response to someone who disliked Clough? Go on, explain what you describe as 'scathing' and the context of any reply I've posted? It's far too easy to offer blanket criticisms without mentioning the exact nature of any posts I wrote.....it's a bit like the school playground where a child says "You're nasty", then runs off without explaining why.

Finally, Nigel Clough. That page has turned. But as an overview, I think Clough lost his way through his first full season, yet we have things to be grateful for. Yes, I know Clough bought several players who shouldn't wear our shirt, but such is life, it happens everywhere. It's not the criticism I mind, it was the level of abhorrence towards Clough that accompanied many of those posts that I found so appallingly out of context and unnecessary.

 

[JJ Sefton]

When a regime has been toppled it is the people who supported the old regime who are supposed to be purged.