Interview With Collins

[Woodwardfan]

Great read. I don't need Clough's side of the story. Not that I am closing my mind but the evidence to me is pretty overwhelming.
Too may people frozen out, the lies on his non existent injury , the arrogant interviews, the piss poor man-management skills, the confirmation by several players, still continuing in the same manner at Burton..
Why would Doyle lie in this article?

What a hideous abominable way to treat with your own players
Clough is so far up his own ass he forgets, IT IS PLAYERS WHO MAKE THE MANAGER NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

Do you know I would never ever say all that but you have said exactly what I believe. Well said.

I'd also add negative tactics, late substituitions, seriously aggressive, egotistical No.2, poor Chief Scout who happens to be his brother, shocking signings, circumventing the Recruitment committee procedures, pet MD; all very unhealthy for a League 1 football club with a big budget and a 19000 crowd.

 

[FTPE]

In fairness a very decent and a candid read.

http://www.viewfromthejohnstreet.co...e-failed-to-win-promotion-to-the-championship

Are you going soft in your old age!?
Next you'll be you'll be sticking up for Che's work ethic and McNulty's... Uhm... His uhm.... No I've got nothing, even in jest I can't come up with any positives you'd ever say about that guy

 

[Tyler Durden]

I won't deny that I was as scathing as anyone about Collins, he was a very poor player who was all too often quick to shout at any other else in order to hide his many embarrasments. But he's no arsehole, and I genuinely believe that he wanted to do a good job at United, he just simply wasn't good enough.

But his treatment by the last prick who managed us was vile. Freezing somebody out for months on end rather than simply telling them that they aren't in your plans is no way to treat a human being no what their shortcomings may be.

I think it's justice that Collins has managed a lucrative move abroad whilst Clough is gradually cunting himself out of employability.

 

[Woodwardfan]

He was a mediocre player who was an ever present in one of the worse periods of our history!! I watched him closely at times and he was very good at passing the blame onto others. The games he played in the season we were relegated from the championship were some of the worse performances I have seen form a player in a Blades shirt he was truly woeful!
So he bigs up the united fans and so he should the garbage we have had to endure in the last few season has taken most fans to breaking point! At the end of the day he should have gone a long time ago but while he was picking up a good wage he wasn't going anywhere!!

Do you know I watched him closely too. He won the most defensive headers in his own box from opposition set pieces than any other player I can remember these past 15 years, including Maguire who was exceptional. He was exposed when the opposition was on the break but he would always be there when the opposition had got to the bye-line. He would often be last man standing when the game had got beyond us. He was always good for a goal from our own set-pieces or at least a serious go for the crosses. So many of our players trot up for our set pieces and go through the motions and never get near the ball. Morecambe away in the League Cup under Weir I think, Collins sub, injury time headed goal for the winner when we'd not got near them all night. That's a player who means it rather than just turns up like so many do. Always the one to clap the fans at away games regardless of results. Always the one to show feelings. Always the one to try his level best. .Not the best player, not even for one game, but always there amongst the honest tryers.

IMO Collins was rarely amongst the worst 5 players in our team, week in week out. Think about that perspective. He was never one of our biggest weaknesses.

 

[sitwell]

Do you know I would never ever say all that but you have said exactly what I believe. Well said.

I'd also add negative tactics, late substituitions, seriously aggressive, egotistical No.2, poor Chief Scout who happens to be his brother, shocking signings, circumventing the Recruitment committee procedures, pet MD; all very unhealthy for a League 1 football club with a big budget and a 19000 crowd.

'It also confirms all I worked out about Clough and what I sensed about Weir who was simply a victim of circumstances, working to the new 'austerity budget' , only here five minutes but a lot to offer which he has proved elsewhere, albeit as a No.2 as yet.'

A few weeks later Clough took Weirs team from bottom of the league ,1 win in 13 ,knocked out at home to Hartlepool 1-0 in the JPT ,to the brink of the play offs ,Cup manager of the season ,unbeaten runs and great entertainment ,he was a victim of circumstance. The 'austerity budget' included 4 signings on 1 day as I recall and a full pre season is not 5 minutes. Dislike Clough as much as you want but don't compare the 2 especially through the one eyed views of a wanker like Collins who just talks shit. Weir was a disaster, an absolute joke and a total failure at Sheff Utd. Maybe Clough didn't get the black player you wanted so badly but don't get that season so unbelievably wrong.

 

[Woodwardfan]

'It also confirms all I worked out about Clough and what I sensed about Weir who was simply a victim of circumstances, working to the new 'austerity budget' , only here five minutes but a lot to offer which he has proved elsewhere, albeit as a No.2 as yet.'

A few weeks later Clough took Weirs team from bottom of the league ,1 win in 13 ,knocked out at home to Hartlepool 1-0 in the JPT ,to the brink of the play offs ,Cup manager of the season ,unbeaten runs and great entertainment ,he was a victim of circumstance. The 'austerity budget' included 4 signings on 1 day as I recall and a full pre season is not 5 minutes. Dislike Clough as much as you want but don't compare the 2 especially through the one eyed views of a wanker like Collins who just talks shit. Weir was a disaster, an absolute joke and a total failure at Sheff Utd. Maybe Clough didn't get the black player you wanted so badly but don't get that season so unbelievably wrong.

One had a very big budget, the other was told to cut his budget drastically - there's a bit of a difference. One had 20 months, the other had 13 games. 13 games!! and we say we look for continuity! Only when it suits apparently.

 

[sitwell]

Do you know I watched him closely too. He won the most defensive headers in his own box from opposition set pieces than any other player I can remember these past 15 years, including Maguire who was exceptional. He was exposed when the opposition was on the break but he would always be there when the opposition had got to the bye-line. He would often be last man standing when the game had got beyond us. He was always good for a goal from our own set-pieces or at least a serious go for the crosses. So many of our players trot up for our set pieces and go through the motions and never get near the ball. Morecambe away in the League Cup under Weir I think, Collins sub, injury time headed goal for the winner when we'd not got near them all night. That's a player who means it rather than just turns up like so many do. Always the one to clap the fans at away games regardless of results. Always the one to show feelings. Always the one to try his level best. .Not the best player, not even for one game, but always there amongst the honest tryers.

IMO Collins was rarely amongst the worst 5 players in our team, week in week out. Think about that perspective. He was never one of our biggest weaknesses.

I thought your last posts were miles out but it gets better , if a player gets praise for being an honest trier ,for crying ,for clapping the fans for being a nice bloke ,I will show you a poor footballer and one who was earning at least 5K a week off his beloved club while sat on his arse. I think I would shed a tear or 2 and clap some fans for that.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I thought your last posts were miles out but it gets better , if a player gets praise for being an honest trier ,for crying ,for clapping the fans for being a nice bloke ,I will show you a poor footballer and one who was earning at least 5K a week off his beloved club while sat on his arse. I think I would shed a tear or 2 and clap some fans for that.

Sitwell, I respect your right to rate Coutts very highly, even to say he gets stronger in the final stages of the games. If you believe that you post it. I post what I believe too, and by the way, we are conceding loads of goals still now that Collins has left. I'd rather have an honest trier in my team any day than those who don't try very hard but are talented, you know, like your mate Baxter. No idea if you were a Clough fan or are an Adkins fan, but I do respect your willingness to back Coutts like you do, because that's positive.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Clough dropped Collins because he repeatedly ignored team instructions and kept defending too deep.

Clough said so in a radio interview after he was dropped, it's no great mystery!

If Collins isn't aware of this, I suggest he wasn't listening carefully enough. Which may also be a big part of the problem.

Didn't Adkins then make very similar comments about defending too deep before dropping him and easing him out of the door?

Other than that part. A decent interview and I wish him well.

 

[sitwell]

Im not a fan or not a fan ,of anyone ,I did think Clough had some foresight and could see a team forming as well as young players being introduced gradually ,I actually think the board do to but a clash of personalities was our boards nemesis yet again ,you think they would have learned after Warnock. The only manager I would have had in place of Clough was Adkins ,reluctantly ,but I am shocked and disappointed beyond belief with everything he has done ,apart from signing Sharp who any of us would have signed. Sharp over the past 2 seasons previously would have made the difference. Weir was a joke from start to finish ,a total disaster which set the club back 2 seasons. I would rather see talent over effort but they aren't inclusive ,a good player has to have both. Baxter was massively over rated in my opinion and a bad influence. Coutts has more ability , neither could tackle and it is a weakness in Coutts game but played right he could be a huge asset with what he can do. We have looked stronger since Collins left ,Baptiste already looks a far better player. We do have other weaknesses ,personally I still don't rate Long ,Howard actually has a better record this season.
Two managers , one not required centre half ,easy

 

[Robboblade1889]

Do you know I watched him closely too. He won the most defensive headers in his own box from opposition set pieces than any other player I can remember these past 15 years, including Maguire who was exceptional. He was exposed when the opposition was on the break but he would always be there when the opposition had got to the bye-line. He would often be last man standing when the game had got beyond us. He was always good for a goal from our own set-pieces or at least a serious go for the crosses. So many of our players trot up for our set pieces and go through the motions and never get near the ball. Morecambe away in the League Cup under Weir I think, Collins sub, injury time headed goal for the winner when we'd not got near them all night. That's a player who means it rather than just turns up like so many do. Always the one to clap the fans at away games regardless of results. Always the one to show feelings. Always the one to try his level best. .Not the best player, not even for one game, but always there amongst the honest tryers.

IMO Collins was rarely amongst the worst 5 players in our team, week in week out. Think about that perspective. He was never one of our biggest weaknesses.

I know people have their own opinion but he has won more headers than any Blades player in the last 15 years, wow!!! I don't know if you have watched us for the last few years but we cannot defend set pieces this year has been the worse by far and Collins has played in most games. He is a poor poor player who sat there even when he wasn't wanted and kept taking a wage. Now I don't exactly blame him for this but if had been any good he would have done one. All this tripe about fighting for a place and loving the club is pony he was on a wage he wouldn't get anywhere else why would he move.

Not sure if you have noticed but the reason we are still in this league is because of the likes of Collins we cannot defend simple as and he is a defender. I was glad to see the back of him and he can take the rest of the dead wood with him!

 

[Woodwardfan]

I know people have their own opinion but he has won more headers than any Blades player in the last 15 years, wow!!! I don't know if you have watched us for the last few years but we cannot defend set pieces this year has been the worse by far and Collins has played in most games. He is a poor poor player who sat there even when he wasn't wanted and kept taking a wage. Now I don't exactly blame him for this but if had been any good he would have done one. All this tripe about fighting for a place and loving the club is pony he was on a wage he wouldn't get anywhere else why would he move.

Not sure if you have noticed but the reason we are still in this league is because of the likes of Collins we cannot defend simple as and he is a defender. I was glad to see the back of him and he can take the rest of the dead wood with him!

Fair comment, I can't prove it by stats but believe me if we won defensive headers in our own box it was rarely the other central defenders Basham, McEveley, McGahey, Alcock, Brayford et al , occasionally Edgar, McCarthy never, Kennedy plenty, Maguire plenty, but when those last mentioned weren't there it was largely down to Collins. Other areas of his game were average, but defensive rearguard headers were his forte.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Im not a fan or not a fan ,of anyone ,I did think Clough had some foresight and could see a team forming as well as young players being introduced gradually ,I actually think the board do to but a clash of personalities was our boards nemesis yet again ,you think they would have learned after Warnock. The only manager I would have had in place of Clough was Adkins ,reluctantly ,but I am shocked and disappointed beyond belief with everything he has done ,apart from signing Sharp who any of us would have signed. Sharp over the past 2 seasons previously would have made the difference. Weir was a joke from start to finish ,a total disaster which set the club back 2 seasons. I would rather see talent over effort but they aren't inclusive ,a good player has to have both. Baxter was massively over rated in my opinion and a bad influence. Coutts has more ability , neither could tackle and it is a weakness in Coutts game but played right he could be a huge asset with what he can do. We have looked stronger since Collins left ,Baptiste already looks a far better player. We do have other weaknesses ,personally I still don't rate Long ,Howard actually has a better record this season.
Two managers , one not required centre half ,easy

I believe there's a player in Coutts too but the team has to be able to treat him like a luxury and be set up to tolerate his lack of pace, stamina, mobility and a tackle. Given the right partners and the right role he could be 'the man' who makes the whole team tick along. I didn't say 'catch fire' but certainly function smoothly. He would always need workhorses and creative final third players. Indeed he would be lucky to find the right team to play in actually, but if he did, he could be excellent at what he does.

 

[Esablade]

I was told by someone who was fairly in-the-know back then (connected to the club, but no longer is), that it was a bust up between Andy Butler and Doyle. Something along the lines of Clough had promised Butler the captain's arm band, as part of the deal to get him to sign for the club. No one else at the club knew, so on the training pitch Doyle was barking the orders out and so was Butler, Butler tells Doyle that he is the Captain, Doyle thinks he is trying it on and says "news to me", they square up to each other (for all his lack of height, I believe this part, can't see Doyle backing down), and Collins steams in behind Doyle to back him up.

Butler shouts to Clough, "who's in charge at this club, you or him, who makes the decisions?", next thing Butler was out.

Could be totally wrong, but that is the way I heard it (more or less)

Well I heard that on the first day of training Cloughie made em watch endless re-runs of the 'on the buses' movies prompting Butler to leave immediately for Donny and Collins to lower his head slightly and look away...prompting his excommunication...

 

[Lane Ender]

Im not a fan or not a fan ,of anyone ,I did think Clough had some foresight and could see a team forming as well as young players being introduced gradually ,I actually think the board do to but a clash of personalities was our boards nemesis yet again ,you think they would have learned after Warnock. The only manager I would have had in place of Clough was Adkins ,reluctantly ,but I am shocked and disappointed beyond belief with everything he has done ,apart from signing Sharp who any of us would have signed. Sharp over the past 2 seasons previously would have made the difference. Weir was a joke from start to finish ,a total disaster which set the club back 2 seasons. I would rather see talent over effort but they aren't inclusive ,a good player has to have both. Baxter was massively over rated in my opinion and a bad influence. Coutts has more ability , neither could tackle and it is a weakness in Coutts game but played right he could be a huge asset with what he can do. We have looked stronger since Collins left ,Baptiste already looks a far better player. We do have other weaknesses ,personally I still don't rate Long ,Howard actually has a better record this season.
Two managers , one not required centre half ,easy[/QUOTE
You are joking Howard over Long never .
Long has progressed well this year Howard's a joke of a keeper
In line with the thread Long was glad to see the back of Collins never off his back horrible fucker

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Fair comment, I can't prove it by stats but believe me if we won defensive headers in our own box it was rarely the other central defenders Basham, McEveley, McGahey, Alcock, Brayford et al , occasionally Edgar, McCarthy never, Kennedy plenty, Maguire plenty, but when those last mentioned weren't there it was largely down to Collins. Other areas of his game were average, but defensive rearguard headers were his forte.

So basically when other people noticeably good at winning headers weren't playing, Collins generally tended to be the one in the defence winning headers? Well I can't argue with that logic. Not fit to massage Morgs's neck muscles though.

 

[sitwell]

Not joking ,just my opinion ,Long has progressed from shit to a bit better than shit ,he has no presence still whatsoever ,good shotstopper but that's it. I think Howard is a far better keeper with a better record this and past seasons. However I think he has to move on as too many of the crowd will jump on his first mistake and confidence plays too big a part. First and most important signing this summer for me would be a keeper ,if its not a new manager.

 

[Grappler]

Not joking ,just my opinion ,Long has progressed from shit to a bit better than shit ,he has no presence still whatsoever ,good shotstopper but that's it. I think Howard is a far better keeper with a better record this and past seasons. However I think he has to move on as too many of the crowd will jump on his first mistake and confidence plays too big a part. First and most important signing this summer for me would be a keeper ,if its not a new manager.

Howard had a problem with long range shots, and not all of them "wonder goals", I genuinely wondered if he had eyesight issues.

Not a terrible keeper, but not what we need.

 

[Woodwardfan]

So basically when other people noticeably good at winning headers weren't playing, Collins generally tended to be the one in the defence winning headers? Well I can't argue with that logic. Not fit to massage Morgs's neck muscles though.

Agree, but there's often nobody there.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Howard had a problem with long range shots, and not all of them "wonder goals", I genuinely wondered if he had eyesight issues.

Not a terrible keeper, but not what we need.

Eye sight and continual problems with his back does not make good reading for a goal keeper.

Another goalkeeper needs to be signed , as a good one against a average one , can be the difference of 12,points . Young George to me sorry to say is bang average and nowt to write home about, especially if we are going to build a side as a promotion threat .

UTB

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Not joking ,just my opinion ,Long has progressed from shit to a bit better than shit ,he has no presence still whatsoever ,good shotstopper but that's it. I think Howard is a far better keeper...

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Eye sight and continual problems with his back does not make good reading for a goal keeper.

Another goalkeeper needs to be signed , as a good one against a average one , can be the difference of 12,points . Young George to me sorry to say is bang average and nowt to write home about, especially if we are going to build a side as a promotion threat .

UTB

We aren't going to build a promotion side, to do that we need to sign 4-6 good players. There isn't money to do this.

 

[Woodwardfan]

It's just struck me that there's no real endorsement for Adkins in this article. There's mention of Collins' return to the fold under Adkins but no endorsement of his quality as a manager despite the big debt he owes him for re-instating him. There's big praise for Wilson and also a view that Weir had a lot to offer, Clough gets a blasting but significantly what we would hope to hear about Adkins' qualities is not covered; that's not overlooked by mistake in an article such as this.

Reminds me of an Adam Lallana interview last December in the Daily Telegraph ( good article and still on google) which covered the player's big influencers in his career; Pardew got a brief mention, Klopp got a big mention as his current manager, Pochettino was the main man but Adkins ( who managed Lallana for years at Southampton) didn't get a mention.

I look for positives in articles like these and make mental notes when they are not there.

 

[TONY_TONY_AGANA]

...we had been racking up wins right, left and centre.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Collins wasn't in our

Do you know I watched him closely too. He won the most defensive headers in his own box from opposition set pieces than any other player I can remember these past 15 years, including Maguire who was exceptional. He was exposed when the opposition was on the break but he would always be there when the opposition had got to the bye-line. He would often be last man standing when the game had got beyond us. He was always good for a goal from our own set-pieces or at least a serious go for the crosses. So many of our players trot up for our set pieces and go through the motions and never get near the ball. Morecambe away in the League Cup under Weir I think, Collins sub, injury time headed goal for the winner when we'd not got near them all night. That's a player who means it rather than just turns up like so many do. Always the one to clap the fans at away games regardless of results. Always the one to show feelings. Always the one to try his level best. .Not the best player, not even for one game, but always there amongst the honest tryers.

IMO Collins was rarely amongst the worst 5 players in our team, week in week out. Think about that perspective. He was never one of our biggest weaknesses.

Collins wasn't in the boottom five players in our team most weeks? Football really is subjective.

 

[Slim Man]

Fair play to him, said some nice things, some truth and clearly loves the club.

Then again, I think I'd love Wednesday if they made me a millionaire for being bad at football.

 

[The Bohemian]

Do you know I watched him closely too. He won the most defensive headers in his own box from opposition set pieces than any other player I can remember these past 15 years, including Maguire who was exceptional. He was exposed when the opposition was on the break but he would always be there when the opposition had got to the bye-line. He would often be last man standing when the game had got beyond us. He was always good for a goal from our own set-pieces or at least a serious go for the crosses. So many of our players trot up for our set pieces and go through the motions and never get near the ball. Morecambe away in the League Cup under Weir I think, Collins sub, injury time headed goal for the winner when we'd not got near them all night. That's a player who means it rather than just turns up like so many do. Always the one to clap the fans at away games regardless of results. Always the one to show feelings. Always the one to try his level best. .Not the best player, not even for one game, but always there amongst the honest tryers.

IMO Collins was rarely amongst the worst 5 players in our team, week in week out. Think about that perspective. He was never one of our biggest weaknesses.

I applaud you're compassionate appraisal of Collins and few, who watched him regularly, would doubt he was a trier. When Maguire had his back he also coped in League One.

But any rational assessment must surely take account of the countless goals he cost us and which, eventually, cost him his job?

There was no mystique regarding Collins being sidelined. Clough was asked, directly, in a RS interview why Collins had been dropped. His answer was along the lines of: "we've looked at all the goals we've conceded this season and tried to address the causes." Nothing cryptic, no bust-up, just a cold, hard assessment of a problem that was costing the team points and needed addressing.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I won't deny that I was as scathing as anyone about Collins, he was a very poor player who was all too often quick to shout at any other else in order to hide his many embarrasments. But he's no arsehole, and I genuinely believe that he wanted to do a good job at United, he just simply wasn't good enough.

But his treatment by the last prick who managed us was vile. Freezing somebody out for months on end rather than simply telling them that they aren't in your plans is no way to treat a human being no what their shortcomings may be.

I think it's justice that Collins has managed a lucrative move abroad whilst Clough is gradually cunting himself out of employability.

Didn't Collins tiurn down loan moves in order to "fight for his place"? A place he was unlikely to get back.

All of a sudden he's a good honest pro and , shock horror, used as a stick to beat Clough with despite him being poor from day one.

As for winning more headers, Morgan?

 

[Grappler]

Didn't Collins tiurn down loan moves in order to "fight for his place"? A place he was unlikely to get back.

All of a sudden he's a good honest pro and , shock horror, used as a stick to beat Clough with despite him being poor from day one.

As for winning more headers, Morgan?

Almost untouchable in that respect in recent memory, rarely beaten in the air and could send the ball like a missile with his power.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I don't think he's saying that at all. What I think he's saying is "if everyone put in the effort and made the most of the ability they'd got like I did then we'd have been promoted" and I suspect it's aimed at Jose Baxter (as well as a few of the others in the current squad) too.

I just typed this reply almost word for word before I saw yours. Beat me to it.