Jim Phipps on Facebook

[Tyler Durden]

I think it's the opposite of that. They took an arm's length approach and trusted Clough. They now think that trust was misplaced. Isn't that, or something like it, what he means?

Well his post says something about a "Technical Board process" which Clough undermined.

In other words, they had a plan and he defied it, at least that's my interpretation.

Don't get me wrong I think the post is spot on about Clough specifically. I just believe that a manager should be able to succeed or fail on his own merits. When talk of a "Technical Board" comes up it makes me think of a chairman holding the strings with the manager as a puppet.
I might be reading too much into it but still...

 

[derryblade]

They assessed the situation and sacked Clough.

"It suddenly hit them like a thunderbolt from heaven" - this is just made up nonsense.

Do you have a positive suggestion?

It's after the horse as bolted, the damage is done we have an excess of players on contracts that we will struggle to move on restricting what the current manager is able to do. Surely the manager has meetings with the CEO/board during the season when exactly did they realize he was ignoring their blueprint. Obviously it must have been after the season, he even authorized the retained list.

 

[FriethBlade]

Oh dear Jim, does he really think anyone on here believes thelikes of Higdon were Cloughs number one choice as the new number 9 ?

Completely laughable, higdon, Wallace et al were signed as at the time there was no money for transfer fees. The long term planning by the board was shite, they turned the taps off, then on then off again. so we had the ridiculous position where there was no money for a centre forward in thr summer but 2m available for brayford later!

Ps Jim thank Clough when we pocket a massive sum for Adams and invest peanuts in someone as effective as woolford as his replacement !

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Tell me what more I can do. Season tickets, away games, club travel, programmes, spend in the club shop on kit etc, Superdraw etc. just like lots of others. Do I need to now stop the odd moan? Quid Pro Quo, Jims being confident, now it's down to me?

Plenty of people sing. I can here then on the Kop. Away games there are people singing all around me usually. That's free to join in, much better than some organised group copying someone else for a bit of Kudos. The Ultras over at S6 are an embarrassment to their fans, it's only the oompah band that keeps them from getting slaughtered. The singing section was a manufactured thing and that died a very quick death.

The Ultras is one suggestion already made by one young lad. He seemed enthusiastic. He liked it. You don't. Isn't that exactly the debate that we should be having?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Well his post says something about a "Technical Board process" which Clough undermined.

In other words, they had a plan and he defied it, at least that's my interpretation.

Don't get me wrong I think the post is spot on about Clough specifically. I just believe that a manager should be able to succeed or fail on his own merits. When talk of a "Technical Board" comes up it makes me think of a chairman holding the strings with the manager as a puppet.
I might be reading too much into it but still...

OK. It is hard to decipher. For me anyway. I'm going on previous pronouncements that they kept themselves at arm's length and basically trusted the manager. It's the not interested and undermining part that I don't get.

Basically I suspect these are details and with Positive (and Experienced) Nigel in place the whole system will be much improved.

 

[Sean Thornton]

The Ultras is one suggestion already made by one young lad. He seemed enthusiastic. He liked it. You don't. Isn't that exactly the debate that we should be having?

The debate was about Jim asking us what more we could do. The Ultras bit has taken it off topic though. I'd ask him what he wants me to do. I do all the above, don't boo and have the odd moan on here. Do you have any ideas?

 

[Tyler Durden]

The Ultras is one suggestion already made by one young lad. He seemed enthusiastic. He liked it. You don't. Isn't that exactly the debate that we should be having?

I liked the idea too. The idea has been brought up on a few occasions and every time it's been vindictively attacked by the Old Guardians Of Proper Bladesdom.

Well fuck that, if people want to bring a bit of noise and colour rather than waiting until we score before the odd "United" gets uttered then all power to them.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

The debate was about Jim asking us what more we could do. The Ultras bit has taken it off topic though. I'd ask him what he wants me to do. I do all the above, don't boo and have the odd moan on here. Do you have any ideas?

I'm thinking of a partnership between club and fans. Find out how we can get this sort of thing going (but not in German):

 

[Caseh]

"That said, some of the current problems in the side (its size, for example) are byproducts of our trying as a board to be true to our approach, in circumstances where we allowed the Technical Board process to be thoroughly undermined by a gaffer, who was not interested in the process; hence, some of the excesses (recruiting in quantity, signing injured players, etc)."

This concerns me somewhat.

As shit as Clough was for the most part, a manager can't 'undermine' anyone when it comes to on-field issues. The manager should be the one who makes the decisions, however poor, not fit in with a pre-subcribed philosophy created by those who don't have a working knowledge of football at pitch-level.

The thought of having the board dictate who we specifically get in or ship out or whatever ever else football wise doesn't sit entirely comfortably to be honest.

I read it like the technical board is there to stop managers from buying injured players just because they are favourites from their previous clubs, or just generally signing an army of full backs (which they admit to not doing correctly due to trusting the management too much). I guess the likes of J. Wallace wouldn't have been signed if they had stuck to the process, maybe the likes of Butler might not have been forced out either.

 

[robbiez666]

Is this fool really our co-chairman? Who comes out with this publicly and expects respect:

"And, frankly, given the inconsistency of the results, the diabolical nature of the competition in L1, the apparent weakness of the league this season ('it's there for the taking') and the fact that we have been in this league now for a fifth season (too say nothing of the environmental issues in the league such as the standard of officiating)"

He's in a position of responsibility and should not be saying things like this in public.

Added to it this admission of incompetence. Can I have a pony please Jim?

"That said, some of the current problems in the side (its size, for example) are byproducts of our trying as a board to be true to our approach, in circumstances where we allowed the Technical Board process to be thoroughly undermined by a gaffer, who was not interested in the process; hence, some of the excesses (recruiting in quantity, signing injured players, etc). We should have seen what was happening (the excesses, any way) and responded more quickly to address. Hindsight is 20:20."

According to his figures we've spent £5 million on players? (£3 million from the cups and Harry's money). Now, I'm guessing most of that is on wages. Which, I thought was upkeep and not spending money on the first team?

As for the questions:

- What do you think the board needs to do better to help the Club win promotion?

Maybe, actually learn how to run a club and not ask fans how to do it? Giving me great confidence.

- What do you think management needs to do better to help the Club win promotion?

I wouldn't tell a doctor how to do their job. Or a teacher or a Policeman. Nigel Adkins gets paid a hell of a lot more than any of them. I expect him to know how to a better job and it's laughable that you'd ask fans that question. I doubt he'd be impressed to know that you did.

- What do you think the players need to do better to help the Club win promotion?

Ask the manager. That's his job.

- What do you think the supporters can do better to help the Club win promotion?

Not our job Jim, that's your job. You and your many 'teams' of management.

Jeez, I hope our near neighbours don't pick up on this. We'll be a laughing stop.Pure amateurish.

 

[Worksop II]

Like this

 

[Tyler Durden]

I read it like the technical board is there to stop managers from buying injured players just because they are favourites from their previous clubs, or just generally signing an army of full backs (which they admit to not doing correctly due to trusting the management too much). I guess the likes of J. Wallace wouldn't have been signed if they had stuck to the process, maybe the likes of Butler might not have been forced out either.

I think you're probably right, and the ridiculously lopsided nature of Cloughs transfers did need curbing to be fair.

 

[Woodwardfan]

He does. Particularly about Clough.

Couldn't resist bigging the numbers up about "reinvesting" FC income though. I'd expect that to be exactly what any club aiming for promotion would do.

Do you think they've cleared the debt yet Sean?

 

[Barney]

Do you think they've cleared the debt yet Sean?

Don't ask him about the accounts.

He get's all tetchy, especially if you display some knowledge of them.

 

[Caseh]

I think you're probably right, and the ridiculously lopsided nature of Cloughs transfers did need curbing to be fair.

Quite a few of the top teams have some sort of committee for transfers, I know for certain Liverpool do.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Is this fool really our co-chairman? Who comes out with this publicly and expects respect:

"And, frankly, given the inconsistency of the results, the diabolical nature of the competition in L1, the apparent weakness of the league this season ('it's there for the taking') and the fact that we have been in this league now for a fifth season (too say nothing of the environmental issues in the league such as the standard of officiating)"

He's in a position of responsibility and should not be saying things like this in public

Why not?

Virtually every single Sheffield United fan in the land has more than likely expressed the same sentiments in the past five seasons. It's better than the bullshit and spin that previous chairmen have spouted on the rare occasion they've actually bothered to communicate with the supporters.

 

[robbiez666]

Why not?

Virtually every single Sheffield United fan in the land has more than likely expressed the same sentiments in the past five seasons. It's better than the bullshit and spin that previous chairmen have spouted on the rare occasion they've actually bothered to communicate with the supporters.

what would your reaction have been if Wednesday's chariman had come out and done this? There are fans forums. That's the place to ask those kind of questions if they have to be asked. Jim likes the internet, it's not hard to read one of our forums.

 

[Barney]

Why not?

Virtually every single Sheffield United fan in the land has more than likely expressed the same sentiments in the past five seasons. It's better than the bullshit and spin that previous chairmen have spouted on the rare occasion they've actually bothered to communicate with the supporters.

Are you actually asking that?

Jim Phipps simply does not know what he's doing.

He's out of his comfort zone, has zero knowledge of football and is making decisions that are questionable at best.

He's a perfect example of how not to co-chair a football club.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Is this fool really our co-chairman? Who comes out with this publicly and expects respect:

"And, frankly, given the inconsistency of the results, the diabolical nature of the competition in L1, the apparent weakness of the league this season ('it's there for the taking') and the fact that we have been in this league now for a fifth season (too say nothing of the environmental issues in the league such as the standard of officiating)"

He's in a position of responsibility and should not be saying things like this in public.

Added to it this admission of incompetence. Can I have a pony please Jim?

"That said, some of the current problems in the side (its size, for example) are byproducts of our trying as a board to be true to our approach, in circumstances where we allowed the Technical Board process to be thoroughly undermined by a gaffer, who was not interested in the process; hence, some of the excesses (recruiting in quantity, signing injured players, etc). We should have seen what was happening (the excesses, any way) and responded more quickly to address. Hindsight is 20:20."

According to his figures we've spent £5 million on players? (£3 million from the cups and Harry's money). Now, I'm guessing most of that is on wages. Which, I thought was upkeep and not spending money on the first team?

As for the questions:

- What do you think the board needs to do better to help the Club win promotion?

Maybe, actually learn how to run a club and not ask fans how to do it? Giving me great confidence.

- What do you think management needs to do better to help the Club win promotion?

I wouldn't tell a doctor how to do their job. Or a teacher or a Policeman. Nigel Adkins gets paid a hell of a lot more than any of them. I expect him to know how to a better job and it's laughable that you'd ask fans that question. I doubt he'd be impressed to know that you did.

- What do you think the players need to do better to help the Club win promotion?

Ask the manager. That's his job.

- What do you think the supporters can do better to help the Club win promotion?

Not our job Jim, that's your job. You and your many 'teams' of management.

Jeez, I hope our near neighbours don't pick up on this. We'll be a laughing stop.Pure amateurish.

Another one to be safely Ignored.

And it's laughing stock btw.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Credit to Jim for his openness & honesty. A very interesting insight.

Particularly agree about the need for mutual respect during these difficult times.

 

[Hartley Hare]

I see the negative nellies are out of the closet again. Same old whining drivel. Moan, moan, moan............

I like Jim and he has my support. He is a decent fella and is doing his best. The board have invested a lot of money, for all our benefits, and it is just a matter of time before we come good. It is down to the players to pull their socks up and win football matches, it is as simple as that.

Thank you Jim.

From a loyal supporter and NOT a negative moaner.

HH

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Like this
View attachment 14180

I just did, mate.

 

[Barney]

I see the negative nellies are out of the closet again. Same old whining drivel. Moan, moan, moan............

I like Jim and he has my support. He is a decent fella and is doing his best. The board have invested a lot of money, for all our benefits, and it is just a matter of time before we come good. It is down to the players to pull their socks up and win football matches, it is as simple as that.

Thank you Jim.

From a loyal supporter and NOT a negative moaner.

HH

What makes you more of a supporter than the one's that actually try and do what they can to change the many things that are wrong with the club? Acceptance of mediocrity is a dangerous thing, and this is exactly what the owners are after.

 

[PeteBlade]

I see the negative nellies are out of the closet again. Same old whining drivel. Moan, moan, moan............

I like Jim and he has my support. He is a decent fella and is doing his best. The board have invested a lot of money, for all our benefits, and it is just a matter of time before we come good. It is down to the players to pull their socks up and win football matches, it is as simple as that.

Thank you Jim.

From a loyal supporter and NOT a negative moaner.

HH

Just a point of order.

Jim and his backers have invested money not for your benefit, not for my benefit, but for their own benefit.

People sometimes need to remember that they got involved with Sheffield United for one reason and for one reason only:

To make money.

 

[Tyler Durden]

what would your reaction have been if Wednesday's chariman had come out and done this? There are fans forums. That's the place to ask those kind of questions if they have to be asked. Jim likes the internet, it's not hard to read one of our forums.

I agree on the point about publicly asking what to do on social media. Not the approach to take at all.

But I don't blame him for reflecting the supporters frustrations at our current situation.

Contrast that with McCabe who on two occasions when I saw him speak personally, denied that the club was even failing. The second time he said that was our first season in L1.

 

[Woodwardfan]

The following is pure speculation but makes sense to me and satisfies my whole dissatisfaction with the Clough brothers and their regime.

The way I read the comments about Clough's disrespect of the recruitment system is that we now probably know the real reason Clough left all of a sudden. Most people think there was a big row and Clough could not accept criticism or maybe some change. Maybe we now know that Phipps and the Prince were clipping his wings in respect of authority to sign players on his own say-so and he would have to pay due regard to the Technical Board Process. If that in effect reduced Clough's personal authority and maybe even affected his brother Simon's position we can all see why Clough blew his top and had to be sacked as a result. If that was the case then I'd say they were absolutely spot on. Clough had had long enough as a dictator when we all know dictators are OK if they succeed, not if they fail.

The consequence of Clough leaving and Adkins arriving and then the signings to date under the new regime unfortunately are not reaping rewards yet, so the jury is out. To my mind the new signings are of a better calibre but not yet working out as a group, albeit early days.

P.S. Actually I've just re-read Phipps' wording and it seems obvious the above happened. Sorry if I'm repeating other posts which i have only skim-read.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Quite surprised by some of that. At least it's fairly frank. Not too sure I agree with being so explicit in the criticism of Clough- after all they employed him and signed the cheques. I agree with others who have said the diabolical reference is a bit disrespectful to the league.

How to sort it is simple - improve the defence and keeper.

 

[Rodley]

- What do you think the board needs to do better to help the Club win promotion?

He states the board know what the issues are. Ok. Why ask this question then? As i've said on another thread, the possible causes of us not achieving the aim of promotion this season can be whittled down to just two. And they are as follows;
The first one - Acknowledging the fact that they let Clough loose too much, as he has done here, but then doing absolutely nothing effective to put it right. If they wanted to correct where they went wrong and do everything they could have to minimise the risk of not achieving promotion this season, contracts of these 15 odd players, and many more could have been payed up allowing an immediate chance to rebuild and go up this season. They haven't done that and this is one of the two reasons we won't achieve promotion.

- What do you think management needs to do better to help the Club win promotion?

The second one - This links with the above answer as this is the second and final possible cause of us not winning promotion this season. As I've tediously mentioned on many a time, this management has performed very poorly since arriving. It's no good asking what they can do to improve now, the damage has been done. The first major error of the management was the allowance of the unreasonable, and very costly length of time to assess the squad. The new management team coming in should have spoken to the management staff already in situ at the club and detailed assessments of each player could have been handed to the new management staff there and then. The management staff that had watched them for a full season needed to be listened to on the players, and it's an insult to their professionalism that they weren't. Then, a process of both
A) Attempting to move on some of the many players not good enough, as well as
B) Immediately starting, with the aid of the help given by current staff, identifying players for our positions that were of the highest priority to cover. These being 2 CB'S, a CM, and a GK in that order. These players should ideally, have been hungry athletic and potential ridden players from this league and the one below. We needed players on their way up, not the way down.

Both these vital points have been blatantly ignored by the new management that have come in, and this is the second and final possible causation for the aim this season not being met.

- What do you think the players need to do better to help the Club win promotion?

Frankly there's not much in the way of talent they can do. It's out of their hands as to why they are still playing for Sheffield United, which most shouldn't be. They are limited to what they can do, aside from showing much increased levels of desire, determination and a will to play for the shirt. It's clear from the off field antics that are continually surfacing, and the lack of passion oh so evidently displayed many a time on the pitch, that these players simply do not have the sufficient levels of the correct attitude to be here. I have a convincing suspicion that this is largely down to the fact that many are in the final year of their contracts, and are aware of their incompetence so much so that they have gained the very correct knowledge they will not be where they are in a years time. This is causing and compounding their lack of desire, which coupled with the fact most simply don't have the talent to be playing here in the first place, is just a recipe for failure.

- What do you think the supporters can do better to help the Club win promotion?

Absolutely nothing, and it's shameful that question has even surfaced in this mans mind. A sincere apology to each and every fan that walks through them turnstiles week in, week out, is required before anything else. These supporters are the one's that have gone through the good and the bad of this club. They haven't just walked in from the sunny beaches of California in the summer of 2013. These fans pay very good money to watch their club being mis-managed and their fans mistreated from numerous different angles, season in, season out. They watch their best player snatched away from them every single year, only to be told there's "nothing we could do". The next time you think of directing your beady eyes anywhere near the supporters, take a long, hard, look at yourself and realise what you are about to do is both entirely insulting, and unbelievably unacceptable.

I'd love the man himself to take a good read of that and see what he has to say for himself.

My first thought having read it was "there's someone with low self-esteem".

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I joined fb so I could join in. I thought I'd post all the responses so far (edit - all the responses is too big - these are a few of the latest). It's badly formatted but hopefully still readable. Latest responses at the top.

Not had chance to read them all, and some will get cut off as they don't display fully but I thought this would give a flavour of the reaction and interreaction.

Here goes:

---------------------------------------------------

William Henry Foulkes Another example here https://stuartnoel.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/sam_4043.jpg
Can we build on the display of pink from Saturday and use that in other ways to show support for the team?
Like · Reply · 6 mins
William Henry Foulkes
William Henry Foulkes Hi Jim just joined so I can contribute.

One thought about the crowds: Can we build towards this sort of thing which (I think) is commonplace in the Bundesliga http://3.bp.blogspot.com/.../KgvvBH2N1UI/s1600/Fahnen..jpg
Like · Reply · 8 mins
Gary Clarke
Gary Clarke Some of our fans are a joke. We cannot simply expect to steamroller this league. We have the best squad, no doubt but NA has only been here 5mins so needs to get the squad to play the way he wants to. Clearly from the comments from Jim, Mr Clough cause...See More
Like · Reply · 33 · 1 hr
Jim Phipps, Co-Chairman, SUFC
Jim Phipps, Co-Chairman, SUFC Gary, not my point to blame anyone. We simply need to deal with the facts, address the issues and get this right. I do not care who is right or wrong or who screwed up. I only want to win. Period.
Like · Reply · 16 · 1 hr
Chris Pollard
Chris Pollard Unfortunately theirs a culture from younger fans that expect results immediately and these younger fans are the ones more active on social media hence bringing Phipps into it all, Rome wasn't built overnight and all that. Look at warnock he was given m...See More
Like · Reply · 10 · 1 hr
Kevin Lowe
Kevin Lowe It's not just younger fans,the older lot are some of the most negative they exist!
Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
Sam Robert Lewis
Sam Robert Lewis Doesn't matter how good or bad we play in this division as long as we get wins
Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
Neil Alwaysontime Smith
Neil Alwaysontime Smith Best board we ever had its been same since Mcabe was here so where is the difference ? I think we got grad worse, the fans AV backed the club no end broken promises ... U pay championship fees to watch league one football the club is very happy ... Where it is .... I'm not at all but Jim an co are ... I had a season ticket for years I stopped but paid £49 to watch Fleetwood an millwall ...
Like · Reply · 1 hr
Colin Clayton
Colin Clayton I've always said I can accept mistakes but the one thing I find really hard to accept is the opposition working harder than us. I agree that some elements of the fan base have become really frustrated with being in this division 5 years and I know them...See More
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
Gary Colechin
Gary Colechin Well said gaz
Like · Reply · 52 mins
Nick Breffit
Nick Breffit The fans have a right to take they're ticket money away from the club at any time, the fans have not let anyone down they are the ones that give a very good percentage of income to the club.
Like · Reply · 12 mins
Charlie Walker
Charlie Walker Don't agree that the fans haven't let the club down - some of the pathetic negative attacks on players is embarrassing. It's not new mcleverly- Higdon- Baxter - Doyle - Quinn - tongue - monty etc etc. the bury manager said it all when they beat us " I'...See More
Like · Reply · 4 mins · Edited
William Henry Foulkes

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Neil Midgley
Neil Midgley Have you thought about running for president Jim? #jimwecan
Like · Reply · 10 · 2 hrs
Jim Phipps, Co-Chairman, SUFC
Jim Phipps, Co-Chairman, SUFC Talk about impossible jobs ... wink emoticon
Like · Reply · 4 · 1 hr
Karen Robinson
Karen Robinson Thanks for you honest appraisal and approachable manner. You will never satisfy everyone but I am confident that we are moving in the right direction, but a little more consistency would be nice. UTB!
Like · Reply · 5 · 1 hr
Jim Phipps, Co-Chairman, SUFC
Jim Phipps, Co-Chairman, SUFC More consistency needed? Yes.
Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
Russell Hartley
Russell Hartley Nicely put Jim. Where only 7 points off the top. We will be up there at Christmas. Then kick on in the new year. Can I also put had a great nite at the Dave basset dinner was quite a funny nite lol
Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr
Jim Phipps, Co-Chairman, SUFC
Jim Phipps, Co-Chairman, SUFC That was a really fun night, Russell. I learn so much about us at these things. Dave Bassett sure tells it as it is.
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
Russell Hartley
Russell Hartley Yes he was very honest some cracking story's lol. That comedian was very funny aswell.
Like · Reply · 2 · 30 mins
William Henry Foulkes

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Wayne Looch Bolsover
Wayne Looch Bolsover I think the key thing to take from this from our point of view is WE as fans can be consistent and positive to the players on the pitch. Some of the recent booing is bang out of order, yes we can be frustrated but the booing only serves to have a negative impact on the players
Like · Reply · 6 · 1 hr
Jim Phipps, Co-Chairman, SUFC
Jim Phipps, Co-Chairman, SUFC Giving aid and comfort to the enemy ... true.
Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
Mark Deffley
Mark Deffley Thank you Jim, love the fact you're willing to communicate with fans so directly WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING UTB
Like · Reply · 33 · 2 hrs
Craig Boulton
Craig Boulton We believe
Craig Boulton's photo.
Like · Reply · 8 · 1 hr
Jimmy Bates
Jimmy Bates Can I just say I hate slagging my club but the defence issue has been a proven for at least 2 seasons now we all know that and why hasn't this been addressed still? Also I was out with this man Friday night in Manchester and he said he's bored sat on his arse not doing anything and would love to play for blades again!
Jimmy Bates's photo.
Like · Reply · 69 · 1 hr
6 Replies · 22 mins
Fred Hawnt
Fred Hawnt Get a new back 4 and a good keeper.....simple!
Like · Reply · 14 · 2 hrs
1 Reply
Stephen King
Stephen King Zzzzzzzzzz. You sure can talk, tweet and FB update. If only talking a good game won promotion. We would be premier in 5 years.
Think Liverpool. Pfffft.
Like · Reply · 10 · 2 hrs
Neil Robinson
Neil Robinson Simple .... don't rely on the team that were so poor last year to get you promoted. Only Billy Sharp was a newcomer this year in the starting 11 v Millwall. It wont work. In all my years of being a Blade i dont think i have seen players so slow and ...See More
Like · Reply · 7 · 1 hr
1 Reply
Kieran J Finnie
Kieran J Finnie Yada Yada. Even my cat knew which positions we needed to strengthen in the summer. We didn't do it. Explain that. Preferably in a single paragraph. Cheers.
Like · Reply · 6 · 1 hr
David Hall
David Hall Jim thanks for this but we still have failed to address the main reason why we are where we are ie conceding goals due to a ordinary goalkeeper and poor centre backs
I accept money is tight due to squad size wages etc but 2 of the managers signings are...See More
Like · Reply · 4 · 1 hr
J Matthew Phipps
J Matthew Phipps I will always stand up and behind for the Blades and my Seattle Seahawks. A team will have a rough patch, but a true fan will always stand behind the team. That doesn't mean that criticism is forbidden.
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
Lee Murdock
Lee Murdock Some blades make me laugh though some are talking of sacking nige already what good would that do in my opinion he's the best we could have got if he can't take us up I doubt anyone can it seems like. Bloody curse no matter what we do
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
Russell Whittaker
Russell Whittaker Fair play for post and the job you're doing....on another note Did clough get Adams and keiron Wallace from Ilkeston??? If so this shows that buying from lower leagues gets you raw individuals who grab the opportunity with both hands.. 2 great players... Now maybe buying "proven ex prem players" brings a type of player who can't cut it in the "3rd division"...I might be wrong
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
1 Reply
Paul Cormack
Paul Cormack Bring back the days when the ground was rocking from the start of GCB all the way to the final whistle! The ground is like city road cemetery now. It's a shame that we only get going in cup comps against the likes of Spurs. We should be the extra man w...See More
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
Gareth Max Barlow
Gareth Max Barlow Jim, we are so lucky to have you on the board, you are quality, professional, diplomatic and wear your heart on your sleeve. Massive respect to you and for taking the time to address the fans. UTB
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
Reece Fowler
Reece Fowler Here are my points. New defence, new goalkeeper. Howard is not up to league 1 stander he has been shocking since Swindon 1st leg of play- offs, until brayford and Harris are back we are going to concede goals. 2) where's the Murphy money gone 3) what d...See More
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
Vic Woods
Vic Woods Have to agree with my best mate below. It's all very well and good telling everyone you've splashed out £21m on the club. We are still in Div 1 and still looking like a Div 1 side. I'd say someone has wasted a lot of money there. Oh, and by the way, Ji...See More
Like · Reply · 3 · 47 mins · Edited
Mathew Colliver
Mathew Colliver Sign 2 centre halfs and a keeper = Promotion

Don't...See More
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson Wow! Once again unafraid to stand up to the mob. No wavering here Mr Chairman
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
Andrew Byres
Andrew Byres Thanks Mr Phipps for that explanation. I really think that 99% of fans are behind the club, albeit some are frustrated at the length of time in this league. We want and will put up with 100% effort. If we don't see that, we aren't happy. I have every confidence in the manager and his approach, however it was so clear, for all to see, that the defence was and should have been the priority at the start of the season ( and last season too). It was disappointing that this wasn't sorted.
Problem clearly is too many players on the books not only of the required standard but fitness too.

It will take time and I for one will give you the time and believe we will get there. Being a fan for over forty years, you've got me for life, it has been worse in the past and I am still going to the lane.

Please pass on thanks to all the board and HRH and stick to the plans you have, you made the correct decision, I believe, on changing managers. UTB
Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
Roy Haywood
Roy Haywood I think we should leave the manager to it. Leave him alone to do the job he is paid to do. When he has built his own team, that is the time to judge him. The fans and the board need to support the manager as well as the club
Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr
Paul Hawkins
Paul Hawkins I personally can see something's lacking .i wouldn't swap any player bar the goalkeeper who is crap.but something is definitely lacking ..I presume Nigel Adkins can see this and will hopefully act positively...as soon as a team floods midfield we don't...See More
Like · Reply · 2 · 2 hrs
John Stocks
John Stocks I appreciate the honesty of Jim and his tremendous work as a conduit between board and fans. If God loves a trier we will receive the reward that we all deserve, board, management and supporters. I exclude the players from this at present because I thi...See More
Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr
Martin Moran
Martin Moran Where was the game changing investment we were promised? Oh and flogging Murphy on the cheap?
Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr
Shane Rowley
Shane Rowley Get McCabe out for good and stop him rinsing the coffers and invest in a new back 5 especially the goal keeper who is awful

 

[Wards]

It's very frank on Clough and his methods. Not sure it's good practice to air those views publicly but hey ho, what do I know.

Other than that I have to respect him for explaining the situation. It sounds like they're working towards getting things right.