Certain players will be uncertain how things will turn out.

[sitwell]

This week of all weeks

Wait, what happened this week involving an amputated penis?

Thanks Houso ,I really couldn't be bothered to furnish it with a reply.

 

[Woodwardfan]

The bottom line is . If the players think as much about the club and football as we do , they and we , aint got a problem next season.

UTB

The bottom line is that all the players have uncertainty about their future and their income because any change in management often leads to greater change than would have been the case if the previous manager had stayed.

I entirely take the point that some players will look forward to the challenge but equally others will regard the change as a threat.

One big factor which will affect a number of players in all areas of the pitch will be the formation Adkins plays. Clough just didn't sign players for 4-4-2 and he didn't push his wide midfield or his full backs upfield that much. I think both those factors will change and certain players will relish that and others will be left high and dry.

Some good comments above. We all have our opinions about each player but such as Scougall and Baxter would never fit in a 4-4-2 formation unless it was as one of the front two. Coutts would always struggle in 4-4-2 in the central midfield anyway. In other scenarios Flynn, Freeman, Harris, will make really good wing backs but not perfect defensive full backs. And so on.

Make fun of players' feelings all you wish but a lot if them have families, mortgages etc. Generally they do their best for themselves and their families and some will have looked forward to next season with Clough.

Spare a thought for Coutts the man and his family. He joined us in January and joined his old boss. He had an unspectacular first few months but knew his boss had every confidence in him and would make him the "main man" in midfield. Suddenly his boss has gone, he has moved clubs, the new regime will have their own methods and ideas and even the intended formation might not suit him. Where will that leave him? OK you might say he has a three year contract why should he worry. We all know there is more to life than a contract. Everybody needs to be contributing to something and part of the mainstream in an organisation, rather than waking up to go to work undervalued and unappreciated.

Anybody who looks at players as commodities may wish to spare a thought.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

The bottom line is that all the players have uncertainty about their future and their income because any change in management often leads to greater change than would have been the case if the previous manager had stayed.

I entirely take the point that some players will look forward to the challenge but equally others will regard the change as a threat.

One big factor which will affect a number of players in all areas of the pitch will be the formation Adkins plays. Clough just didn't sign players for 4-4-2 and he didn't push his wide midfield or his full backs upfield that much. I think both those factors will change and certain players will relish that and others will be left high and dry.

Some good comments above. We all have our opinions about each player but such as Scougall and Baxter would never fit in a 4-4-2 formation unless it was as one of the front two. Coutts would always struggle in 4-4-2 in the central midfield anyway. In other scenarios Flynn, Freeman, Harris, will make really good wing backs but not perfect defensive full backs. And so on.

Make fun of players' feelings all you wish but a lot if them have families, mortgages etc. Generally they do their best for themselves and their families and some will have looked forward to next season with Clough.

Spare a thought for Coutts the man and his family. He joined us in January and joined his old boss. He had an unspectacular first few months but knew his boss had every confidence in him and would make him the "main man" in midfield. Suddenly his boss has gone, he has moved clubs, the new regime will have their own methods and ideas and even the intended formation might not suit him. Where will that leave him? OK you might say he has a three year contract why should he worry. We all know there is more to life than a contract. Everybody needs to be contributing to something and part of the mainstream in an organisation, rather than waking up to go to work undervalued and unappreciated.

Anybody who looks at players as commodities may wish to spare a thought.

In this day and age unfortunately we are all commodities in the work place . Let the players join the club. If a person doesn't perform in the work place they are out . Do i feel sorry for any player if they are moved on - No.

How many people in Real Life , wake up having to go to work undervalued and unappreciated - a bet some on this forum.

Thats life . Spare a thought for the players - No.

They are here to do a job , they know how volatile football is, and footballers know the score . I do not spare any thought . I support SUFC , players come and go . We are not ( like any club ) , a charity.

UTB

 

[Pierre's PC]

Please explain this humour this week of all weeks. It might be misinterpreted.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Zeds+dead+baby

I mean ffs...

 

[Nick Jansky]

Kennedy - "no amount of wishful thinking will make me fit enough or tall enough to play first-team football at this level.

Can't disagree with any of the rest of your post, but you are wrong on Kennedy. His height is a disadvantage for which he more than makes up for with ability & other attributes, not least anticipation. He actually wins more than his fair share in the air too. As you often say, football is increasingly played on the deck these days anyway. With a tall partner alongside him he is more than good enough.

The only issue with him is fitness, and my fear is that the injuries he has had will prevent him from ever fulfilling his potential. If he doesn't have a lengthy injury free run next season I think it will be the end for him.

 

[Bladesway]

Wow, I go out for a morning and I miss this. Oh well, back out again.....

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

The bottom line is that all the players have uncertainty about their future and their income because any change in management often leads to greater change than would have been the case if the previous manager had stayed.

I entirely take the point that some players will look forward to the challenge but equally others will regard the change as a threat.

One big factor which will affect a number of players in all areas of the pitch will be the formation Adkins plays. Clough just didn't sign players for 4-4-2 and he didn't push his wide midfield or his full backs upfield that much. I think both those factors will change and certain players will relish that and others will be left high and dry.

Some good comments above. We all have our opinions about each player but such as Scougall and Baxter would never fit in a 4-4-2 formation unless it was as one of the front two. Coutts would always struggle in 4-4-2 in the central midfield anyway. In other scenarios Flynn, Freeman, Harris, will make really good wing backs but not perfect defensive full backs. And so on.

Make fun of players' feelings all you wish but a lot if them have families, mortgages etc. Generally they do their best for themselves and their families and some will have looked forward to next season with Clough.

Spare a thought for Coutts the man and his family. He joined us in January and joined his old boss. He had an unspectacular first few months but knew his boss had every confidence in him and would make him the "main man" in midfield. Suddenly his boss has gone, he has moved clubs, the new regime will have their own methods and ideas and even the intended formation might not suit him. Where will that leave him? OK you might say he has a three year contract why should he worry. We all know there is more to life than a contract. Everybody needs to be contributing to something and part of the mainstream in an organisation, rather than waking up to go to work undervalued and unappreciated.

Anybody who looks at players as commodities may wish to spare a thought.

Woody , just another point . i am not making fun of players feelings . The people i have feelings for is supporters who forego holidays to buy season tickets for the family . All players ( in any league ) , should thank there lucky stars they are getting PAID WELL for a game we all love. We are overall a working class club , who many supporters make sacrifices to go and watch the blades , thats whats important to think about .

WE as a fan base of club and supporters , have more to worry about , in ensuring we achieve our ultimate aim of promotion , and the trials and tribulations in our own lives.

UTB

 

[WeareBlades]

Players are human beings and young men with feelings and uncertainties. They all know how the change of club manager can affect their immediate future. The following long list shows how much uncertainty the change of manager holds for a large part of the squad. Penny for their thoughts and here are my own guesses:

Howard: " Clough called me the "best keeper in League 1" but the new man is an ex-keeper!!!"

Freeman: "The new man had attacking full backs at Southampton but could they defend better than me.I wonder which facet is the manager's priority. What formation will he play?"

Alcock: " same thoughts as above, but exactly the opposite reason!!"

Basham: " I love playing in midfield but will the manager want my type of player there. Think I might end up in defence"

McEveley: " Here I go again".

Kennedy: " By the time I get myself fit, indeed if I get myself fit, will the defence be settled?"

Scougall: " Hope he's not a 4-4-2 man. Will he play to my strengths?"

Coutts: " Will the new manager build a team round me? Will he value my qualities or worry about my mobility? Will he play 4 or 5 in midfield?"

Reed: " Will he want bigger, more physical players?"

Adams: " At what stage will I get my chance? Where will the manager fancy me? Will he sign new strikers?"

Baxter: " What have I done, what will happen? Will the new manager kick me out?"

Higdon: " Will I get fit? Will the new manager value my strengths even if I do get fit?"

Cuvelier: " Did he see me play at higher levels. Will my game suit his style? Maybe it will."

McNulty " Will I get my chance? What type of striker does he like? Will I be a perpetual sub?"

Wallce. J. " Will I ever get fit?"

Long: " Will he give me my chance? I need first team football".

I think Brayford, Murphy, Flynn, Done, Basham (in defence) and maybe Harris will have few uncertainties. That's not many.

I suppose the other thing in their minds is whether they want to be here anymore e.g. ex-Derby players.

It's a really nice thought to think that many players give a shit, but the bottom line is most of them won't give a toss as long as their wage keeps on going in the bank.

 

[Leonardo Green]

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Make fun of players' feelings all you wish

Is that where the fun was being poked?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

In this day and age unfortunately we are all commodities in the work place . Let the players join the club. If a person doesn't perform in the work place they are out . Do i feel sorry for any player if they are moved on - No.

How many people in Real Life , wake up having to go to work undervalued and unappreciated - a bet some on this forum.

Thats life . Spare a thought for the players - No.

They are here to do a job , they know how volatile football is, and footballers know the score . I do not spare any thought . I support SUFC , players come and go . We are not ( like any club ) , a charity.

UTB

Some people are treated like shit (possibly including ourselves) therefore when other people are treated like shit we shouldn't care?

 

[Woodwardfan]

In this day and age unfortunately we are all commodities in the work place . Let the players join the club. If a person doesn't perform in the work place they are out . Do i feel sorry for any player if they are moved on - No.

How many people in Real Life , wake up having to go to work undervalued and unappreciated - a bet some on this forum.

Thats life . Spare a thought for the players - No.

They are here to do a job , they know how volatile football is, and footballers know the score . I do not spare any thought . I support SUFC , players come and go . We are not ( like any club ) , a charity.

UTB

This is developing into a really good thread.

Some people are treated like shit (possibly including ourselves) therefore when other people are treated like shit we shouldn't care?

I suppose the point I was making back in the OP is that the players are human beings with their own uncertainties just like you and me.

Over 60% of posters on here said Clough should not have been sacked. I wonder what that proportion was in the dressing room.

Whether the players are well paid or not, they are human beings with all the insecurities of such as you and me, they just happen to be footballers.

This thread was an effort to portray those things from the viewpoint of the players and at the same time relate to some of the forthcoming changes as the changes affect individuals. e.g. Howard may feel vulnerable with a goalkeeper as the new boss. His last boss thought he was the best keeper in League 1; of course you and I didn't but his boss did and that mattered to him. His life has changed and he has to start again.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Zeds+dead+baby

I mean ffs...

Classic. I didn't know about that website.

Incidentally I think chronologically that is the final scene in Pulp Fiction.

 

[Woodwardfan]

It's a really nice thought to think that many players give a shit, but the bottom line is most of them won't give a toss as long as their wage keeps on going in the bank.

And after leaving Bramall Lane on the change of manager?

 

[Woodwardfan]

Woody , just another point . i am not making fun of players feelings . The people i have feelings for is supporters who forego holidays to buy season tickets for the family . All players ( in any league ) , should thank there lucky stars they are getting PAID WELL for a game we all love. We are overall a working class club , who many supporters make sacrifices to go and watch the blades , thats whats important to think about .

WE as a fan base of club and supporters , have more to worry about , in ensuring we achieve our ultimate aim of promotion , and the trials and tribulations in our own lives.

UTB

It's not our main/only source of income My Lord. It's our hobby not our livelihood.

How long was your working life? Does Elliott Whitehouse not give a shit? Him and thousands of others?

Did Tony Currie give a shit?; he's a hero now. Great player of course but why did he give a shit when all these other players don't?

 

[Woodwardfan]

The majority view on this thread seems to me to be of the opinion that the players don't give a shit, should be thankful they earn a good wage and are incidental to the future of the club, they don't care about anything but their wage; no club loyalty, couldn't care less how the change of manager affects them because they earn a great wage come what may, no affinity with United fans or the club.

Is that a fair reflection of the collection of serious views above? Is it true?

That's if anybody can be bothered to read anything in amongst the cartoons.

 

[HoodedClaw]

FFS how long until the season starts??

 

[blade.i.am]

Higón:"mines a pie, large chips, mushy peas and gravy, ta"

 

[Bladesway]

The majority view on this thread seems to me to be of the opinion that the players don't give a shit, should be thankful they earn a good wage and are incidental to the future of the club

OK. OK back from the garden, kids in the bath, I'll play.

Think of it as a company rather than SUFC. In any company, some people give a shit, some people don't. To most people it is a job no more, no less. To some they feel more ownership of it. This can and does depend on many things but a lot of the people I know don't give a shit about their job, its just a means to feed their family. Are footballers any different?

Oh and as an addition many players get pelters from the people watching them. Rightly or wrongly. As do managers and coaches. Does this make you care more about your job or does it make you think "fuck em, I'll pull a wage and do the bare minimum". Depends on the person I guess. If a complete stranger stood over you at your workplace and said you were shit how would you do your job?

 

[Woodwardfan]

OK. OK back from the garden, kids in the bath, I'll play.

Think of it as a company rather than SUFC. In any company, some people give a shit, some people don't. To most people it is a job no more, no less. To some they feel more ownership of it. This can and does depend on many things but a lot of the people I know don't give a shit about their job, its just a means to feed their family. Are footballers any different?

Good point.

Let's imagine a company of say 130 people and the business depends on the performance of 30 of them, could be scientists, could be salesmen, could be whores!!. Let's say the shareholders have an interest and the other stakeholders are the staff , the employees and the customers. Despite all the efforts and professionalism and expertise of all the other hundred conscientious staff, success depends on the essential 30.

In most companies the results depend on leadership, product, service,quality, image, price, etc. etc.

In football success happens on the pitch - very much depends on results on the pitch, that is the product. Everything else feeds off results.

The manager assembles the 30 or so players and leads them to success or failure.

Any football manager, any shareholder, any fan, any stakeholder who treats his main men as interchangeable, almost irrelevant commodities and treats them as though they are not part of the company, the shared success, the shared wealth if you like, is on a real bummer.

Any fans who think that are off beam.

Back to cooking a curry!

 

[judge]

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Some people are treated like shit (possibly including ourselves) therefore when other people are treated like shit we shouldn't care?

WHF . Yes we should care . My point is that concentrating my feelings on players who are to be moved on , etc , is not top of my agenda . We all have mortgages , kids , financial worries , why are players any different.

My concern is more for people ( including players ) who suffer from depression / mental illness . Ok a financial situation / uncertainty can lead to both , but players are no longer on a pedestal for me , after being there . Us normal people suffer as much as players , and in some cases even more so . I do think they do earn more in a week than the average Joe , which should assist them , in being surplus to requirements.

UTB

 

[judge]

I bumped into one of the players at a graves park crown green bowling event

i asked him for his thoughts on next season he screwed up his face and said he is really worried about how uncertain his future is now a new manager has come in

Woodys reyt

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Please explain this humour this week of all weeks. It might be misinterpreted.

It's a cartoon of this fella...

 

[Woodwardfan]

I bumped into one of the players at a graves park crown green bowling event

i asked him for his thoughts on next season he screwed up his face and said he is really worried about how uncertain his future is now a new manager has come in

Woodys reyt

Thanks Judge. That's big of you on this thread, in the face of all the cartoonists who never enter the debate. Sorry I couldn't resist that point. but where are they now, the thread has merit.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Scougall: " Hope he's not a 4-4-2 man. Will he play to my strengths?"

Scouggs should have no worries...he's a 4 foot 2 man already.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Scouggs should have no worries...he's a 4 foot 2 man already.

Without wishing to divert from the above main debate, I reckon Scougall could be a match-winner if he didn't have all those defensive duties that Clough imposed on him.

If you can find a place for the lad, tell him his role is to be there when we get near the opposition area and to explode in and around that area. Otherwise forget him and I would do exactly that because it's all a bit "if and but", though I do remember that Wembley goal!!

 

[Barney]

In my view, some players will care about their position in the team and think long and hard about how to improve and get better and achieve more. These people, as it would be in a work place, deserve respect and i have a lot of time for these people.

In contrast, you will get the players that do not care about achieving anything nor do they give it a any thought as long as they keep getting that pay cheque. These people do not deserve respect, do not deserve a second thought from the fans and deserve to and would get sacked in the work place.

Simple as.

 

[Woodwardfan]

WHF . Yes we should care . My point is that concentrating my feelings on players who are to be moved on , etc , is not top of my agenda . We all have mortgages , kids , financial worries , why are players any different.

My concern is more for people ( including players ) who suffer from depression / mental illness . Ok a financial situation / uncertainty can lead to both , but players are no longer on a pedestal for me , after being there . Us normal people suffer as much as players , and in some cases even more so . I do think they do earn more in a week than the average Joe , which should assist them , in being surplus to requirements.

UTB

Not what anybody was saying and absolute nonsense if I may say so. Read that again My Lord.

 

[Woodwardfan]

In my view, some players will care about their position in the team and think long and hard about how to improve and get better and achieve more. These people, as it would be in a work place, deserve respect and i have a lot of time for these people.

In contrast, you will get the players that do not care about achieving anything nor do they give it a any thought as long as they keep getting that pay cheque. These people do not deserve respect, do not deserve a second thought from the fans and deserve to and would get sacked in the work place.

Simple as.

Of course.