The Clough Regime

[Bladebri]

Why are we revisiting last seasons escapades, it's done and dusted, hears to 2015/2016 UTB

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

The Captain Pugwash Effect: Make up a rumour, and then wait for it to get back to you.

Whilst they are entertaining and involving it's very hard to believe all these stories, eg Brayford: Would you discuss the exact pay cut you took to move jobs with pretty much anyone, especially in such a way that the numbers are going to end up being spoken about over a pint at a do?

Somewhere in there there's probably a nugget or two but what's what and what's not who knows?

 

[Woodwardfan]

Is that the same squad that he said weren't good enough to go up?
Doesn't sound like delight to me

Yes and that is entirely valid. Listen to him talk about Sunday's performance both individually and collectively. He couldn't be more pleased.

In any case he qualified that answer on the night. It was to do with the number of injuries and how his coaches needed to do a lot of work to get everybody in the squad playing their way.

 

[mosbolad]

There is a further angle on this though. Adkins is visibly delighted with the squad he has inherited so Clough and the Board deserve some credit for that.

Good post Woody. I would just add though that NA did say at 'meet the manager' that the squad as it stood was not good enough to get promotion. Clough would appear to have felt it was good enough as he brought in most of them.

In truth the observation from NA was a statement of the obvious as we clearly weren't good enough to get promotion, falling as we did at the first playoff hurdle.

Clough did bring in some decent players Che Adams (although he hardly played him), Brayford. He also signed some less than stellar additions. Shaun Barker may have been next on his list, he was training at united, ex Derby but had not played a game for 3 years!

In fairness Clough did say “But we’re not looking to bring him in, we’re just helping Shaun out and giving him some game time.” as yer do...............It would appear Derby don't have physios or training facilities.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Genuine question , when did Clough become the anti Christ after you originally anointed him "Mr Sheffield United" and welcomed the appointment of his brother as another brick in the wall of his dynasty?

Genuine answer Sean. After he had managed us for about a year and when it became obvious to me that things were not right in the club.

 

[Ben_1982]

Let's face it, clough won't get another job where he's able to afford Brayford

 

[Sean Thornton]

Every single allegation in the OP has been doing the rounds for months, some since the start of last season in fact. There's nothing new in there and apart from minor differences anyone using forums will have heard most if not all of them. Now it seems that despite the various claims of where people heard these rumours and who from it's all from a few players and they've all been spread by this mysterious couple.

 

[mattbianco1]

Yes and that is entirely valid. Listen to him talk about Sunday's performance both individually and collectively. He couldn't be more pleased.

In any case he qualified that answer on the night. It was to do with the number of injuries and how his coaches needed to do a lot of work to get everybody in the squad playing their way.

I get the impression that now he's worked with the squad for a good few weeks he has realised just what a monumental fuck up Clough caused by not walking the league with the squad he had at his disposal.

I am beginning to wonder if he is looking for just the ONE centre half now as opposed to two. That would give him the NEW CB as a defo starter with McEverley (who has been captain) and Collins to fight to partner him. This leaves Kennedy and Basham as backup with Freeman, Alcock and Brayford as last resort.

I mentioned in another thread the other day. We should be able to finish 1st and 2nd in this division with the squad we have.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Genuine answer Sean. After he had managed us for about a year and when it became obvious to me that things were not right in the club.

Bit before me then. I admit though I thought he would turn it around. I gave up the ghost with him before the playoffs, when he made little sense anywhere.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I get the impression that now he's worked with the squad for a good few weeks he has realised just what a monumental fuck up Clough caused by not walking the league with the squad he had at his disposal.

I am beginning to wonder if he is looking for just the ONE centre half now as opposed to two. That would give him the NEW CB as a defo starter with McEverley (who has been captain) and Collins to fight to partner him. This leaves Kennedy and Basham as backup with Freeman, Alcock and Brayford as last resort.

I mentioned in another thread the other day. We should be able to finish 1st and 2nd in this division with the squad we have.

Agree 98%. I think it will eventually end with Basham partnering the new signing.

In the post match interview on Sunday Adkins said something to the effect " whose to say I have not been working on the signing of a new central defender already".

 

[Woodwardfan]

Bit before me then. I admit though I thought he would turn it around. I gave up the ghost with him before the playoffs, when he made little sense anywhere.

Your previous question was well aimed. The fact is I pray for our next manager to be the "Messiah" and as you know I study everything they do. Clough was fantastic during his first few months and I was delighted to try and add to the momentum that was rolling, just as I am now with Adkins.

At this stage of the "honeymoon period" Adkins is doing even better than Clough was two years ago, largely because he has the "gift of the gab" and knows how to strike chords with supporters and probably players too.

That's great but none of us will know how good he is for a year or so. If we are very lucky we will sweep all before us and have the time of our lives; there is every chance we will, but we may not and that's when we'll see what the man is made of; either then or next season when we are under pressure in the Championship.

Thing is Adkins has had success with four promotions in two different clubs. That helps no end. He also failed at Reading and maybe that helps too!

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

Why are we revisiting last seasons escapades, it's done and dusted, hears to 2015/2016 UTB

Nobody is forcing you to read this thread.

 

[Bladebri]

Nobody is forcing you to read this thread.

Just a question, not quiet the answer I was looking for, threads are their to be read by all forum users and once in a while you get a bland reply. UTB

 

[mattbianco1]

At this stage of the "honeymoon period" Adkins is doing even better than Clough was two years ago, largely because he has the "gift of the gab" and knows how to strike chords with supporters and probably players too.

Nigel Clough also had the "gift of the gab" look at this interview before last season started. He's very good with the media, well spoken, down to earth, happy etc..



Then, when the going gets tough and it got a bit "hot under the collar", he lost the plot.



Not mentioning his public slagging of McNulty and Howard on numerous occasions

 

[SwissBlade]

Why don't we all love and hate the same people?

UTB

Cause you lot are all dicks

 

[sitwell]

Clearly the board felt otherwise, they sacked Clough and his entourage unless this a story made up by the players.

I too have met the couple who stop in the Copthorne regularly before matches. They seem very genuine and if that's what they have been told I believe them. Some players stay in the Copthorne before matches so it seems right what they say.

James Shield did indeed say the board felt Clough was too dictatorial, maybe he and the board made that up too.

Maybe the majority of forum posters are 'egotistical, childish bellends'. Perhaps not, maybe just some of them.....

maybe they are but they don't get paid huge amounts of money for playing for Sheffield United ,which was sort of the point really.

 

[BushBlade]

No, but the point is, neither would the players. If my boss was, in my view, unreasonably strict, but made sure my career was a success, I would turn a blind eye to the treatment, or more likely, embrace it as an education (a la Brian Clough/Alex Ferguson). If my boss was unreasonably strict but was unable to back up his approach with some tangible success, I would be annoyed and feel some justification in questioning his approach.

Absolutely. Pretty much sums up my career. I worked for a fairly difficult boss (and her sidekick) who was extremely good at her job. I put up with the crap because I knew in the long run what she taught me would be very valuable.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Heard the Maguire story, thought as much regarding Collins and DeGirolamo. Bit surprised regarding Brayford though, thought he came back for Clough as well as the fans. Glad to hear he wouldnt be following Clough to his next club, to be fair Brayford can do better than conference.

IMO some players do require a rocket from the manager , as many do not appear to live in the real world . OK league 1 and 2 players may be more grounded , due to not earning big bucks , compared to the higher end championship / premiership.

Some of the stories / rumours may be true and have some substance , but a pound to a penny some players deserve what they get .

Two sides to every story , and if the players did want Clough out , i hope that wasn't reflected in some of the dire performances we witnessed last season, as a means to a end . If so , some players got there wish , but did it also cost us promotion . No idea , but i don't go for this Clough badger baiting , although he didn't help himself , in certain instances .

Clough does deserve respect , and also you do have to earn it.

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

The Clough Regime.

Very much maligned and misunderstood

UTB

 

[Fiery Blade]

Some of the comments on here really make me smile - When I was a manager within the engineering sector I had to deal with gobshites, work shy lazy arses, fiddlers and scroungers as well as my top engineers, quality office staff and good salesmen and one of my first jobs was to sort the wheat from the chaff !
What I didn't have to deal with is teenage egotistical wannabes running around in luxury sports cars, has been professionals on long contracts, and all with agents wanting to screw you, the club and anything not nailed down to get his pound of flesh !!!
We don't know the full stories about Maguire, Collins, Butler, De Giralamo, McNulty et al - but Clough had to deal with it - He couldn't win whatever the outcome !
Whilst he had his shortcomings, his tinkering, his stubborness, his intransigence, he wanted to do the best for the Blades - FA Cup Semi Final, Meteoric rise up the table with seven straight victories to nil in his first season from looking doomed when he took over to League Cup Semi and finishing fifth in the league in his second season - yes they blew it in the playoffs (would they have conceded five if Brayford had been playing - Dont think so !) but they lost Flynn, Higdon, Done, Scougall, Howard to injuries at key times but, he had made some good buys Brayford, Done, Adams, Freeman - Yet he is crucified by some on here who have probably never managed people !
As they say work for yourself - no problem, employ people major problems !!!

 

[Pierre's PC]

Cause you lot are all dicks

No, just the consultants

 

[Woodwardfan]

Nigel Clough also had the "gift of the gab" look at this interview before last season started. He's very good with the media, well spoken, down to earth, happy etc..



Then, when the going gets tough and it got a bit "hot under the collar", he lost the plot.



Not mentioning his public slagging of McNulty and Howard on numerous occasions

That's life. As I say, give it a year - minimum.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Some of the comments on here really make me smile - When I was a manager within the engineering sector I had to deal with gobshites, work shy lazy arses, fiddlers and scroungers as well as my top engineers, quality office staff and good salesmen and one of my first jobs was to sort the wheat from the chaff !
What I didn't have to deal with is teenage egotistical wannabes running around in luxury sports cars, has been professionals on long contracts, and all with agents wanting to screw you, the club and anything not nailed down to get his pound of flesh !!!
We don't know the full stories about Maguire, Collins, Butler, De Giralamo, McNulty et al - but Clough had to deal with it - He couldn't win whatever the outcome !
Whilst he had his shortcomings, his tinkering, his stubborness, his intransigence, he wanted to do the best for the Blades - FA Cup Semi Final, Meteoric rise up the table with seven straight victories to nil in his first season from looking doomed when he took over to League Cup Semi and finishing fifth in the league in his second season - yes they blew it in the playoffs (would they have conceded five if Brayford had been playing - Dont think so !) but they lost Flynn, Higdon, Done, Scougall, Howard to injuries at key times but, he had made some good buys Brayford, Done, Adams, Freeman - Yet he is crucified by some on here who have probably never managed people !
As they say work for yourself - no problem, employ people major problems !!!

As has been said. Didn't get everything right. Who does !!

But, ALL things considered, Thanks Nigel Clough.

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

Some of the comments on here really make me smile - When I was a manager within the engineering sector I had to deal with gobshites, work shy lazy arses, fiddlers and scroungers as well as my top engineers, quality office staff and good salesmen and one of my first jobs was to sort the wheat from the chaff !
What I didn't have to deal with is teenage egotistical wannabes running around in luxury sports cars, has been professionals on long contracts, and all with agents wanting to screw you, the club and anything not nailed down to get his pound of flesh !!!
We don't know the full stories about Maguire, Collins, Butler, De Giralamo, McNulty et al - but Clough had to deal with it - He couldn't win whatever the outcome !
Whilst he had his shortcomings, his tinkering, his stubborness, his intransigence, he wanted to do the best for the Blades - FA Cup Semi Final, Meteoric rise up the table with seven straight victories to nil in his first season from looking doomed when he took over to League Cup Semi and finishing fifth in the league in his second season - yes they blew it in the playoffs (would they have conceded five if Brayford had been playing - Dont think so !) but they lost Flynn, Higdon, Done, Scougall, Howard to injuries at key times but, he had made some good buys Brayford, Done, Adams, Freeman - Yet he is crucified by some on here who have probably never managed people !
As they say work for yourself - no problem, employ people major problems !!!

A lot of truth in that, but....winners win and losers lose, regardless of circumstances, that's life.

Added to that real winners create contingency reserves, they don't assemble unbalanced squads. Adkins mentions a balance to the squad time and again.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Nigel Clough also had the "gift of the gab" look at this interview before last season started. He's very good with the media, well spoken, down to earth, happy etc..



Then, when the going gets tough and it got a bit "hot under the collar", he lost the plot.



Not mentioning his public slagging of McNulty and Howard on numerous occasions

If anything Clough was more of a Bladey-type than Adkins who is a lot more "sugary". It's fine while things are going well but watch out Nigel 3 if the chips are down and you add a bit too much sugar!!!

 

[Jon Bon]

 

[Silent Blade]

On McNulty
McNulty hated playing under Clough for obvious reasons. After one of his public dressing downs, MM's dad had to be physically dragged off Clough.
.

If it is true what McNulty's dad did, he has made things worse for his son's football career. I have seen some idiot dads in junior football behaving like that

 

[Pierre's PC]

Clough touched me.

If I had a doll, I'd show you where...

But he stole that too.

 

[Dkc]

The more decent a manager is, the more he gets slagged off when his tenure is over.

It's the Blades Way.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

A lot of truth in that, but....winners win and losers lose, regardless of circumstances, that's life.

Added to that real winners create contingency reserves, they don't assemble unbalanced squads. Adkins mentions a balance to the squad time and again.

Winners do win , unless the board and so called player power move the goal posts.

UTB