Interview With Collins

[SandyMcBlade]

No matter what you think of him as a player he's still the only one we've got that knows how to head a ball.

 

[Harry's Game]

I don't recall many or any on here questioning his commitment, it's whether he is good enough to be plying now that is open for debate.

 

[mattbianco1]

new found respect for him after that interview never realised he loved the club that much

This is it. Many fans found respect for Doyle after he made a passionate interview.

Why not have respect for our players regardless? They pull on our shirt so respect them.

 

[Pierre's PC]

This is it. Many fans found respect for Doyle after he made a passionate interview.

Why not have respect for our players regardless? They pull on our shirt so respect them.

Don't be silly Matt, why go to all that trouble when you can simply rip someone to bits anonymously on the interwebz so that you feel special inside.

 

[robbiez666]

From pantomime villain to hero in just a fey days......It's almost comical.

 

[stringjunior]

What that interview shows me is that any comment on player/manager/board members personality is very little else but pure speculation, mischief making or look at me, look at me in motive

I think it's very fair to say that only a very small circle of people within the club know the ins and outs of each person involved.

Read a lot of posts on here over the last 12 months that start with "I have it on good authority" or "As I understand it" and basically you know shit.

We don't know why Collins was frozen out, why Butler left, if Clough was how he has been portrayed

Speculation is great but at least have the balls to say it's what you feel is happening other than presenting it as fact.

Spot on

 

[Maidenhead]

Whilst it is nice to hear that Collins cares about SUFC so much, I would suggest that people take this with a degree of common sense. What do you honestly expect him to say? At the bare minimum, I expect the players to give everything they have and to care about the result so I'm not going to get over-emotional about Collins' words just like I didn't when Doyle gave a very emotional interview post-Charlton. However, as much as Collins probably doesn't like it, the facts are that we were relegated with him in the team (with Doyle), he has been here for four League 1 seasons where we have inexplicably failed to be promoted (with Doyle) and - as many suspected - the excellent defensive records we have had with Collins in the team went up in smoke when a certain Harry Maguire was sold. For 2/3 seasons, Harry was, in my opinion, carrying Collins who I rate as a mediocre League 1 defender and have done since the relegation. He struck gold with Maguire at his side and their partnership was good but Collins' defensive abilities were over-exaggerated last season when he fell out with Clough and wasn't playing. His last two away games for SUFC were 5 and 3-goal defeats to Swindon and Chesterfield which does tell a story. Also, when he left on loan, where did he end up? Smack bang in the middle of the division at Port Vale.

For this season, I still don't think he is good enough. Some were blinded by Doyle's interview and Cockney baiting when it was painfully obvious that he was a massive part of the problem at BDTBL last season. We cannot make the same mistake with Collins here. An option as a backup defender, no problem. He is not a first choice central defender for a promotion team though however many nice things he says about us.

This the same Maguire that's hardly played since he left us, gifted Accrington a goal last night and missed a penalty?

Just asking like ;-)

 

[Houston_Blade]

To put this in context, if someone thrust a microphone in your face and asked you about work would you slag them off? I don't particularly enjoy what I do but it pays well and I'm ambitious so I tow the line to get a promotion and hopefully move towards making myself well off in the future.

If I was a footballer and there was the added issue of fans to keep on side if be even more gushing with praise of the employer. It is another Doyle scenario where an average at best player is put on a pedestal because they stay at the club for a few years no matter whether they're the worst few years in recent history or not. While Collins was sat on his arse last year he still got paid. Yes he seems genuine but most footballers trot out the same kind of rubbish week in week out (Alan Smith serial badge kisser comes to mind).

 

[Bergen Blade]

Let's at least avoid branding him a shit player and assess what he does on the pitch this season. When he makes specific errors, let's discuss if we think he's capable of improving, or if we have options that would be better for us. Lots of people just had a look at the result on Saturday and decided to blame it on the centre halves.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I really not worried what he says, it's all about how he plays.

There is zero place for sentiment in football unfortunately.
Sure we have some nice players - we had some nice players when we got relegated from the division above............and Collins was one of them.

UTB

 

[SandyMcBlade]

But in a case like that do you blame the player or the manager ?

There is zero place for sentiment in football unfortunately.
Sure we have some nice players - we had some nice players when we got relegated from the division above............and Collins was one of them.

UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

But in a case like that do you blame the player or the manager ?

Sandy - just not interested in sentiment when we play football. It's only about the 11 on the pitch and how they play and perform.
We pay people lots of cash to do a job we would all probably like to do.
All we want is 100% effort, commitment, attitude etc and I actually believe Collins in his interview. But coupled with the attributes earlier, you have to have whatever skill is required for the division you are in. I just think Collins has been part of our demise in the past few years.
I now think Freeman is part of that problem and Mceveley is too and until we replace them in the team we will be very very average.
The highlights from last night (up to half time) showed Morecambe easily getting through our team - a team that is not far off being our first team - it wasn't a team of kids. Teams last season and the 2 games up to press appear to have little problems finding space and running us daft.
For me we still have massive problems and Adkins has an awful lot of work to blend what we had and what he has brought in to make a team that is able to challenge at the top of the division.

UTB

 

[Guesty]

Why not have respect for our players regardless? They pull on our shirt so respect them.

Even Tony McMahon managed to put his shirt on and respect for him is a little short around these parts.

I sort of agree with you that a player shouldn't have to profess his love for United before he is accepted by the fans but I don't think that everyone who plays for us should instantly be loved and adored (although they *should* be supported). Solely playing for United should not constitute a free pass.

 

[Wards]

Let's at least avoid branding him a shit player and assess what he does on the pitch this season. When he makes specific errors, let's discuss if we think he's capable of improving, or if we have options that would be better for us. Lots of people just had a look at the result on Saturday and decided to blame it on the centre halves.

With all due respect Bergen we conceded three goals from set pieces, one of which was indeed scored by our own centre half and the other two from a lack of aggression in our own box. If that's not a good reason to look at the pair closely then I don't know what is.

 

[Bergen Blade]

With all due respect Bergen we conceded three goals from set pieces, one of which was indeed scored by our own centre half and the other two from a lack of aggression in our own box. If that's not a good reason to look at the pair closely then I don't know what is.

All players, every department, every partnership, every aspect of the team should be analysed very closely every game.


1st goal - I think our organisation at the throw in, the fact that nobody helped Long, would take five minutes on the training pitch to sort out. If Collins replied "No, I don't want to be marking the guy who's challenging our keeper", then obviously he'd face a Clough-like scenario again. As mentioned before I don't think the goal should have been allowed.

2nd goal - We man mark and it is Freeman who loses his man, leading to a free header and then a scramble where it's knocked in. Are we happy with the likes of Freeman marking six footers this season as well?

3rd goal - I view the own goal as quite accidental, not something that I worry Collins will do very often. Agree?

 

[him behind you]

Criticism aimed at Morgan maybe, some people who could have helped but looked the other way. Morgan seems the obvious one he's talking about.

I don't know why (I also mentioned this in one of the other posts following Saturday's performance inquest) but there is something concerning me about Morgan and his role in all this. No tangible evidence other than seeing him generally standing back from everything and everyone else (except Koeman ) both on the touchline last season but also on the training ground on the odd occasion I went up there. He was either frozen out or is very astute and distanced himself from the shitstorm he could see coming.

 

[Bartleby]

I don't know why (I also mentioned this in one of the other posts following Saturday's performance inquest) but there is something concerning me about Morgan and his role in all this. No tangible evidence other than seeing him generally standing back from everything and everyone else (except Koeman ) both on the touchline last season but also on the training ground on the odd occasion I went up there. He was either frozen out or is very astute and distanced himself from the shitstorm he could see coming.

think it's been said that his role this season is very much limited to U21 team

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Whilst it is nice to hear that Collins cares about SUFC so much, I would suggest that people take this with a degree of common sense. What do you honestly expect him to say? At the bare minimum, I expect the players to give everything they have and to care about the result so I'm not going to get over-emotional about Collins' words just like I didn't when Doyle gave a very emotional interview post-Charlton. However, as much as Collins probably doesn't like it, the facts are that we were relegated with him in the team (with Doyle), he has been here for four League 1 seasons where we have inexplicably failed to be promoted (with Doyle) and - as many suspected - the excellent defensive records we have had with Collins in the team went up in smoke when a certain Harry Maguire was sold. For 2/3 seasons, Harry was, in my opinion, carrying Collins who I rate as a mediocre League 1 defender and have done since the relegation. He struck gold with Maguire at his side and their partnership was good but Collins' defensive abilities were over-exaggerated last season when he fell out with Clough and wasn't playing. His last two away games for SUFC were 5 and 3-goal defeats to Swindon and Chesterfield which does tell a story. Also, when he left on loan, where did he end up? Smack bang in the middle of the division at Port Vale.

For this season, I still don't think he is good enough. Some were blinded by Doyle's interview and Cockney baiting when it was painfully obvious that he was a massive part of the problem at BDTBL last season. We cannot make the same mistake with Collins here. An option as a backup defender, no problem. He is not a first choice central defender for a promotion team though however many nice things he says about us.

Good post, though I don't think Collins is as bad as some people make out. I have seen plenty of games when he was outstanding. Yes, Harry was a better overall defender, but was prone to errors just like Collo was. I still make the point that I think come the end of last season his time with us was up, but people at the club thought otherwise. To most people it is clear that we need two new decent centre backs if we are to escape this division in the right direction, Edgars a start, but a season with Collo/Jay will mean another season in the wilderness.

 

[him behind you]

I'd heard that he was a bit of a 'bad egg' in the dressing room along with Doyle. The way it was said was as if he was difficult and the whole fall out with Clough and aftermath seemed kind of childish. Also, his berating of Long on Saturday seemed a bit shitty from what people on here saw. However, after hearing him speak it's evident that he cares a lot and a lot of it is probably passion and his desire to play for us is fantastic.
Ability wise, no change.

I've thought about what went on with Long quite a bit and have changed my mind a bit from Saturday. He may have misjudged the impact on Long by giving him a bollocking rather than putting an arm around him (it's the old "knowing how to manage different types of people") but I'd rather have someone on the field taking responsibility when things are going wrong and I obviously don't know what was said but it certainly won't be as bad as some of the vitriol being given by some fans around me - which he could obviously hear.

 

[him behind you]

think it's been said that his role this season is very much limited to U21 team

Sorry - didn't explain myself. I was thinking about the "reported" rifts in the whole set-up last season if they existed.

 

[TJB.]

I think people sympathise with players so much when they give interviews such as this simply because it's a rare thing in this day and age. With the hugely over-the-top coverage we get in the modern game, we're inundated with pre/post match interviews from people saying the same old scripted shit, with a few improvised 'errrrrm's thrown in.

As others have said, it shouldn't distract from him being a bang average footballer. It sounds harsh, but it's a fact. I love the fact that he feels so strongly about the club and I feel for him in his predicament over the past year, but we need more than just a passionate trier at the back if we want to go up. With him and McEv at the back, we will concede, simple as that.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I've thought about what went on with Long quite a bit and have changed my mind a bit from Saturday. He may have misjudged the impact on Long by giving him a bollocking rather than putting an arm around him (it's the old "knowing how to manage different types of people") but I'd rather have someone on the field taking responsibility when things are going wrong and I obviously don't know what was said but it certainly won't be as bad as some of the vitriol being given by some fans around me - which he could obviously hear.

It wasn't just Collins that spoke to George though, was it? Maybe they weren't actually bollocking him but gee-ing him up?

I wasn't there so other than highlights I don't know what went on.

Did any that went hear what was said?

 

[AlienBlade]

Massively unprofessional on Clough's part talking to the media and saying stuff like that - "he knew where the managers office was" and then it as would seem obvious now, not speaking to the player himself. He was his manager and it was his duty. Clough goes down in my opinion every time I think about him.

why is it unprofessional?? he was constantly being asked about Collins and why he had a problem with him.... and why he hadnt done anything about it?? He stated he was unaware of any prorblems Collins had (as rumour were circling of some big fall out) so he simply said, if Collins has any problems he knows where the managers door is... meaning rather than Collins telling a mate who will then tell a mate and then the rumours get posted on here, he should just simply come to the manager and they could attmept to sort something out... this never happened

its pretty much the same as "What is said in the dressing room will stay in the dressing room" (which Adkins & Clough have said )

 

[Jonboy60]

Good articulate interview, he clearly cares about the club.

I wonder who he was referring to as someone who could have asked more questions at the time why he wasn't playing last season.

I assume he means someone should have been challenging Clough. I suspect Clough had too much of a grip for anyone to question him. You just know Garner and the rest of the his cronies wouldn't have.

Morgan..

 

[awblade]

I was there on Saturday, but from what has been said about him hammering Long, it sounds completely wrong to do. But I then think of my time playing and the things that I say/do when in a match situation. Thinking back on some of those, they are wrong too! Heat of the moment, they may or may not have sorted it out after the match or even half time

 

[bladesmanluke]

Sandy - just not interested in sentiment when we play football. It's only about the 11 on the pitch and how they play and perform.
We pay people lots of cash to do a job we would all probably like to do.
All we want is 100% effort, commitment, attitude etc and I actually believe Collins in his interview. But coupled with the attributes earlier, you have to have whatever skill is required for the division you are in. I just think Collins has been part of our demise in the past few years.
I now think Freeman is part of that problem and Mceveley is too and until we replace them in the team we will be very very average.
The highlights from last night (up to half time) showed Morecambe easily getting through our team - a team that is not far off being our first team - it wasn't a team of kids. Teams last season and the 2 games up to press appear to have little problems finding space and running us daft.
For me we still have massive problems and Adkins has an awful lot of work to blend what we had and what he has brought in to make a team that is able to challenge at the top of the division.

UTB

This lost all credibility the moment you said arguably our best player at the moment, Freeman is part of the problem.

 

[him behind you]

It wasn't just Collins that spoke to George though, was it? Maybe they weren't actually bollocking him but gee-ing him up?

I wasn't there so other than highlights I don't know what went on.

Did any that went hear what was said?

To be honest BOS, I didn't actually see Collins have a go at Long. I was at the gents and when I came back people were just saying that he'd had a go at him. I thought nothing of it until I read the thread on here.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Let's at least avoid branding him a shit player and assess what he does on the pitch this season. When he makes specific errors, let's discuss if we think he's capable of improving, or if we have options that would be better for us. Lots of people just had a look at the result on Saturday and decided to blame it on the centre halves.

Don't be daft ;-)

 

[Wards]

All players, every department, every partnership, every aspect of the team should be analysed very closely every game.


1st goal - I think our organisation at the throw in, the fact that nobody helped Long, would take five minutes on the training pitch to sort out. If Collins replied "No, I don't want to be marking the guy who's challenging our keeper", then obviously he'd face a Clough-like scenario again. As mentioned before I don't think the goal should have been allowed.

2nd goal - We man mark and it is Freeman who loses his man, leading to a free header and then a scramble where it's knocked in. Are we happy with the likes of Freeman marking six footers this season as well?

3rd goal - I view the own goal as quite accidental, not something that I worry Collins will do very often. Agree?

It's actually interesting what we do with the first goal regards set up. Collins and McEv are free, not marking anyone. This would suggest that the plan is for them to be aggressive and attack the ball. McEv is caught underneath it and rendered useless, Collins is static in the centre with no movement towards to ball, despite it being glaringly obvious where it's heading. To me that's shocking between the pair of them and a complete lack of reacting to a situation. The second is very similar with McEv free to attack again and is again caught under the ball. There seems to be zero organisation from our two supposed leaders in both of these situations.

I'll give Collins a bit of leeway with the 3rd but it sums up their afternoons work for me.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Massively unprofessional on Clough's part talking to the media and saying stuff like that - "he knew where the managers office was" and then it as would seem obvious now, not speaking to the player himself. He was his manager and it was his duty. Clough goes down in my opinion every time I think about him.

why is it unprofessional?? he was constantly being asked about Collins and why he had a problem with him.... and why he hadnt done anything about it?? He stated he was unaware of any prorblems Collins had (as rumour were circling of some big fall out) so he simply said, if Collins has any problems he knows where the managers door is... meaning rather than Collins telling a mate who will then tell a mate and then the rumours get posted on here, he should just simply come to the manager and they could attmept to sort something out... this never happened

its pretty much the same as "What is said in the dressing room will stay in the dressing room" (which Adkins & Clough have said )

On the known facts, I think there are faults to be found on both sides:-

As a manager, Clough would have been better served by calling Collins into his office and explaining the precise "tactical" reasons why he had been dropped. Offering to work on his failings in training, with a view to him improving and following team orders better when the next opportunity arose. His failure to do so, left him short of a player who with the right sort of nurturing and improvement could have made a vital difference to the season.

As a player, Collins should have gone to see Clough through his "open door". Indicated that he was keen to stay at the club and work on whatever Clough perceived were his failings. He gains little credit from me for hanging around on full pay for a year, supposedly not knowing why he had been dropped and wishing someone else (Morgan?) would speak up on his behalf rather than taking the initiative himself.

The fact that the situation seemingly dragged on with nobody willing to break the impasse was certainly to the detriment of Sheffield United.

I suspect what really happened is that Clough told Collins what his failings were after the Chesterfield match and Collins refused to accept this.