A couple of positives from today

[sitwell]

I thought the target was auto this season? Didn't the current regime say they wanted to be in The Premier League within five years? I for one expected automatic promotion this season to The Championship if that schedule was true.

I feel I was conned in the summer as it's clear from what Clough has said recently the target was actually play offs and he is puzzled why people don't think that is good enough.

lough said the bookies were wrong before the season started and couldn't understand how we were favourites. We were rebuilding and it was on the back of the unbeaten run and cup run last season. Clough has never forecast automatic promotion.

 

[Northyorksblade]

I thought the target was auto this season? Didn't the current regime say they wanted to be in The Premier League within five years? I for one expected automatic promotion this season to The Championship if that schedule was true.

I feel I was conned in the summer as it's clear from what Clough has said recently the target was actually play offs and he is puzzled why people don't think that is good enough.

I hoped for automatic, somewhat believing the bookies, who mistakenly put us as favourites, even though we'd lost arguably our three best players, BUT, do you think Clough didn't want the same? And don't you think that was the aim? Obvious mistakes were made, still not replacing Ched or Harry Maguire but that wasn't necessarily Cloughs fault. And having lost out on automatic, he's not likely to say, I expected automatic but have failed.

 

[groveblade]

I do feel Clough has lost confidence in Turner . If we had secured the play offs earlier , i think Long would be back in the side . He may definitely get game time in the next two matches . Howard needs a rest to get over his injury , which is affecting both judgement and agility,

UTB

Is Long back from Motherwell?

 

[blade too long]

We have seen entertainment at The Lane. Stop making excuses.

UTB

I meant by comparison , in fact we have seen quite a few good games this season , but and heres the rub we will never see 46 orgasm inducing games going for a play off , most will be hard slogs and nail biting endurance tests

look at every season in the past weve been vying to go up theres been an array of ultra dull games disappointing displays and plenty of defeats

even last season we were hit by fretting too much in the last 10 and failed to find any rhythm

we needed 2 points to be sure we got one of them and apart from a freak set of results are there .

lets try and enjoy it , like most clubs would
Id dare say you wouldnt hear our porcine neighbours telling it the way some of ours do , they are fucking brilliant if they dont lose, delussional , ooh yes but happier and would be going into the play offs 10000% behind them , thats whats annoying to me .
wednesday went up in the play offs from 5th after finishing really poorly , but the fans never went on radio asking to get rid of their manager ever

 

[zablade]

lough said the bookies were wrong before the season started and couldn't understand how we were favourites. We were rebuilding and it was on the back of the unbeaten run and cup run last season. Clough has never forecast automatic promotion.

I agree no manger is going to come out and say it, as he is setting himself up for a fall, but I would have thought a manager of this club playing at this level would set that as the target for himself and the team.

I think looking back on it he targeted a play off finish from the start, and is rather pleased with himself he has achieved it and is confused why people aren't congratulating him on reaching his first play off as a manager,

 

[sitwell]

I agree no manger is going to come out and say it, as he is setting himself up for a fall, but I would have thought a manager of this club playing at this level would set that as the target for himself and the team.

I think looking back on it he targeted a play off finish from the start, and is rather pleased with himself he has achieved it and is confused why people aren't congratulating him on reaching his first play off as a manager,

Maybe youre right. We would have taken this a year ago ,people become too impatient and lose focus on the long term.

 

[sheffielder]

I'd be interested to see where people predicted us to finish before the season started, especially considering we switched to a 3 year plan half way through the season.

 

[blade too long]

Boats fookin sinkin pal.

is it really , we like other participants are nervous , but did we ever look like losing
we needed 2 points , it puts pressure on
preston needed a win , failed
rochdale had to win against lesser opposition , failed
bradford had to win , we stopped them

its hard to instill into footballers the need to relax in these situations
and fans have to realise a seasons graft is on the line but we are a fingertip from touching home

average display .. took out bradford from the equation , pro footballs about results , that was a positive from yesterday
personally would rather we hit peak form after may 5th

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Is Long back from Motherwell?

He was at the game yesterday . I must think he has a call back clause . We have to give Howard a rest to get over his injury . The only thing is , back injuries are not easy to overcome . If you look at him closely he does look in pain , like when you have bad toothache . Feel for the guy and doesn't deserve any flak. Why have 3 other goalkeepers on the books , if you are not going to use them .

We need Howard fit for the play offs , and i have a gut feeling , he will not overcome the problem fully this season . It is time for Long or Turner to step up the mark , but thats a Clough shout . Just a bit worrying that we have goalkeeper and back four issues . Big squad but big weaknesses in certain key positions.

UTB

 

[zablade]

Maybe youre right. We would have taken this a year ago ,people become too impatient and lose focus on the long term.

I just think we have missed a real chance this season, it's not a great league this year, I think it will be tougher next year.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

people become too impatient and lose focus on the long term.

The phrase you need is "The spoonfed people" - of which there are numerous on here.

UTB

 

[SwissBlade]

We lost possession in midfield when Baxter went off. Whether you like Baxter or not he was keeping the ball moving yesterday, unlike Doyle and Coutts.

Yeah I'd agree with that. For me it's Coutts OR Doyle, they don't work together. Oh and whilst I'm on it, baxter needs to sit deep in that defensive role as his passing is more efficient from there ie he wastes less because he has more time.

Sticking baxter out wide is a waste but he'll do a job there as required

 

[robbiez666]

I think the problem with being happy about lying in a play-off spot comes down to how we got here.

It's not like we're 3rd and just missed out on automatic. We're significantly behind the top 3 and have more resources than all of them. In the league, our performances have been poor in the majority of games. It's boring and the players often seem lethargic or incapable. You can blames the players to some extent but it's the managers job to get performances and results out of the players. He's certainly not got performances out of them this season. Most of the players are his, so there's no excuse there.

Personally, I don't think football is all about results. It's about entertainment as well, and whilst we'd all like to see great football being played, we at least want to go to games and be entertained. If we go up or stay down, then I for one don't want to suffer this kind of football for another season. I'd be fine if Clough can change his ways, but he seems to only have one way which he's used throughout his career.

And his list of excuses just angers me. If players aren't fit, why are they playing? We have a squad of 40 plus, mostly signed by Clough, so why isn't he making use of them? He's risking injuring our only CB, half decent keeper and strikers by playing them with knocks. I'm pretty sure resting those with knocks and playing fresh legs won;t have an adverse effect on our already adverse results.

 

[blade too long]

so youd be happier if we finished 3rd 25 points better off but still having to win a play off

3rd 4th 5th and 6th start from zero


theres suddenly no advantage at all being 3rd as we have found out to our cost

entertainment ,, Ill settle for a great display at wembley to add to beating bristol city away and the thrilling last 10 minutes of the league cup semi , and beating southampton , and preston and swindon

will look back with great fondness if we break our final duck
all the dull games will disappear like all the dull games from previous promotions have

 

[robbiez666]

I agree it makes no real difference between 3rd and 6th in the play-offs, but the fact we're so far off the pace shows how we've underachived in the league so far this season. If we go on to win the play-offs, none of that will matter.

 

[Bill the Butcher]

Well bloody 'ell Bill, don't stop there man.
Give us the juicy stories, and tell us where you're getting 'em from.

Well if you insist. To be honest one of them sounds a bit...ehh?
There was a dinner thing that Phipps organized not long ago apparently i don't specifically remember it myself. But apparently Cloughie turned up and some bloke was on the phone and said "Hold on, Cloughies here" or something along those lines,and apperently Nige' said "It's Mr. Clough or Nigel".
That story doesnt sound very... Legit to me but if it is then, well, shit.

There was the other one that sounds right enough to me about how he pushes his players over the edge. Apparently a friend of a friend ect, got a text from Murphy's father saying that "Jamie isn't too good" (Which i believe because Murphy's dad is always about on match days) and i turns out a match earlier this season Murphy was fucked at half time and didnt want to go back out and Cloughie *AHEM* Mr. Clough, sorry, made him go back out and said have a drink off water and see how you do. So it sounds like he is pushing them a lot, which i think players should be pushed hard. But when it starts affecting their performances and the teams performance its time to slow it down.

Like I said I don't like spreading rumors, especially ones that may not be true, but unlike last season it seems like Nigel is turning into a bit of a nob unfortunately

 

[grafikhaus]

We get conned every fuckin season, game changing investment, Europe in 5 years, now Premiership in 5 years then as soon has the ST's have been renewed we sell our best player, next it will be championship in 5 years. Roll on 2020.

A bit like Wednesday, then?

 

[bertieblade]

Well if you insist. To be honest one of them sounds a bit...ehh?
There was a dinner thing that Phipps organized not long ago apparently i don't specifically remember it myself. But apparently Cloughie turned up and some bloke was on the phone and said "Hold on, Cloughies here" or something along those lines,and apperently Nige' said "It's Mr. Clough or Nigel".
That story doesnt sound very... Legit to me but if it is then, well, shit.

There was the other one that sounds right enough to me about how he pushes his players over the edge. Apparently a friend of a friend ect, got a text from Murphy's father saying that "Jamie isn't too good" (Which i believe because Murphy's dad is always about on match days) and i turns out a match earlier this season Murphy was fucked at half time and didnt want to go back out and Cloughie *AHEM* Mr. Clough, sorry, made him go back out and said have a drink off water and see how you do. So it sounds like he is pushing them a lot, which i think players should be pushed hard. But when it starts affecting their performances and the teams performance its time to slow it down.

Like I said I don't like spreading rumors, especially ones that may not be true, but unlike last season it seems like Nigel is turning into a bit of a nob unfortunately

Cannot get my head around the Murphy one, I mean clough obviously thought that a partially fit / ill Murphy was better than other initial options available in the second half. He possibly asked him to give it a go for ten minutes, you know for the benefit of the team.

I have attended two meals with Nigel clough and found him to be very courteous and approachable, and responded with a smile when I asked, Nigel could you sign this please.
I mean bloody hell look for the positives please.

On another point, I thought that Coutts had a good game yesterday, he has always seemed capable of delivering but nothing came off as indeed it did not in the first ten minutes or so yesterday, but he proved he had bollox, kept plugging away and in my opinion had a good game. perhaps some of our supporters could take a leaf out of his book!

 

[sitwell]

Well if you insist. To be honest one of them sounds a bit...ehh?
There was a dinner thing that Phipps organized not long ago apparently i don't specifically remember it myself. But apparently Cloughie turned up and some bloke was on the phone and said "Hold on, Cloughies here" or something along those lines,and apperently Nige' said "It's Mr. Clough or Nigel".
That story doesnt sound very... Legit to me but if it is then, well, shit.

There was the other one that sounds right enough to me about how he pushes his players over the edge. Apparently a friend of a friend ect, got a text from Murphy's father saying that "Jamie isn't too good" (Which i believe because Murphy's dad is always about on match days) and i turns out a match earlier this season Murphy was fucked at half time and didnt want to go back out and Cloughie *AHEM* Mr. Clough, sorry, made him go back out and said have a drink off water and see how you do. So it sounds like he is pushing them a lot, which i think players should be pushed hard. But when it starts affecting their performances and the teams performance its time to slow it down.

Like I said I don't like spreading rumors, especially ones that may not be true, but unlike last season it seems like Nigel is turning into a bit of a nob unfortunately

That's it, fuck it, sack him ,my mums aunties brothers niece told me her next door neighbour said that Nigel wouldn't let Adams have a plaster on a blister hes got ,that's why hes not been playing ,but don't tell Phipps ,he will write a fucking monologue about it and put it all over twitter and facebook for everyone to wank over.

 

[Lane Ender]

Cannot get my head around the Murphy one, I mean clough obviously thought that a partially fit / ill Murphy was better than other initial options available in the second half. He possibly asked him to give it a go for ten minutes, you know for the benefit of the team.

I have attended two meals with Nigel clough and found him to be very courteous and approachable, and responded with a smile when I asked, Nigel could you sign this please.
I mean bloody hell look for the positives please.

On another point, I thought that Coutts had a good game yesterday, he has always seemed capable of delivering but nothing came off as indeed it did not in the first ten minutes or so yesterday, but he proved he had bollox, kept plugging away and in my opinion had a good game. perhaps some of our supporters could take a leaf out of his book!

There's a few things I'd like to ask Clough but one of them wouldn't be his fucking autograph

 

[WhiteHawk]

so youd be happier if we finished 3rd 25 points better off but still having to win a play off

3rd 4th 5th and 6th start from zero


theres suddenly no advantage at all being 3rd as we have found out to our cost

entertainment ,, Ill settle for a great display at wembley to add to beating bristol city away and the thrilling last 10 minutes of the league cup semi , and beating southampton , and preston and swindon

will look back with great fondness if we break our final duck
all the dull games will disappear like all the dull games from previous promotions have

Exactly this, if we win at Wembley, this entire season will be forgotten. But based on how we've played this season, can you see us getting through the Play Offs? I can't.

Well if you insist. To be honest one of them sounds a bit...ehh?
There was a dinner thing that Phipps organized not long ago apparently i don't specifically remember it myself. But apparently Cloughie turned up and some bloke was on the phone and said "Hold on, Cloughies here" or something along those lines,and apperently Nige' said "It's Mr. Clough or Nigel".
That story doesnt sound very... Legit to me but if it is then, well, shit.

I've heard this too straight from the horses mouth. The guy was sat in the directors box for the day and upon seeing Clough shouted "Hey Cloughie, can I have a photo" and our Nige turned round and said "It's Nigel".

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Clough has never forecast automatic promotion.

The problem is JP went public and said that the target was automatic promotion.

 

[bartman]

I've heard this too straight from the horses mouth. The guy was sat in the directors box for the day and upon seeing Clough shouted "Hey Cloughie, can I have a photo" and our Nige turned round and said "It's Nigel".

Person wanting to be called by his first name........truly shocking

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Wonder how many people will call him "Cloughie" if this is widely known.

 

[Large Mendonca]

Exactly this, if we win at Wembley, this entire season will be forgotten. But based on how we've played this season, can you see us getting through the Play Offs? I can't.

I've heard this too straight from the horses mouth. The guy was sat in the directors box for the day and upon seeing Clough shouted "Hey Cloughie, can I have a photo" and our Nige turned round and said "It's Nigel".

It could be that he wants to be known for himself (obviously i know), as his dad was generally known as "Cloughy" - maybe that's the way he sees it ?

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

There was a dinner thing that Phipps organized not long ago apparently i don't specifically remember it myself. But apparently Cloughie turned up and some bloke was on the phone and said "Hold on, Cloughies here" or something along those lines,and apperently Nige' said "It's Mr. Clough or Nigel".

I've heard this too straight from the horses mouth. The guy was sat in the directors box for the day and upon seeing Clough shouted "Hey Cloughie, can I have a photo" and our Nige turned round and said "It's Nigel".

Ever thought that maybe Nigel remembers hearing his Dad referred to as "Cloughie" and out of respect to his Dad, wants "Cloughie" to refer to Brian rather than Nigel?

Some people will find any excuse to slag the man off.

 

[Bill the Butcher]

Cannot get my head around the Murphy one, I mean clough obviously thought that a partially fit / ill Murphy was better than other initial options available in the second half. He possibly asked him to give it a go for ten minutes, you know for the benefit of the team.

I have attended two meals with Nigel clough and found him to be very courteous and approachable, and responded with a smile when I asked, Nigel could you sign this please.
I mean bloody hell look for the positives please.

On another point, I thought that Coutts had a good game yesterday, he has always seemed capable of delivering but nothing came off as indeed it did not in the first ten minutes or so yesterday, but he proved he had bollox, kept plugging away and in my opinion had a good game. perhaps some of our supporters could take a leaf out of his book!

Agree on Coutts.
Honestly I thought it sounded stupid about the dinner thing because I've seen people with pictures with him so he doesn't sound like anything is too much for him and i specifically remember a fan from Roy's view from saying he had a nice chat with him.

Like I've said a few times, I don't like spreading shit around but I'm just saying what i've heard truth or not. Also I always have and always will appreciate Clough, regardless if we are promoted, relegated, liquidated, alligatored i don't give a fuck what happens hes done a great job on us.

But we all like a good gossip every now and then, right?
I mean what else would we do in the internet in our spare time?

 

[Bill the Butcher]

Exactly this, if we win at Wembley, this entire season will be forgotten. But based on how we've played this season, can you see us getting through the Play Offs? I can't.

I've heard this too straight from the horses mouth. The guy was sat in the directors box for the day and upon seeing Clough shouted "Hey Cloughie, can I have a photo" and our Nige turned round and said "It's Nigel".

Ah Chinese whispers and all that

 

[Northyorksblade]

[QUOTE="Bill the Butcher, post: 747644, member: 1376]

But we all like a good gossip every now and then, right?
I mean what else would we do in the internet in our spare time?[/QUOTE]
Right, we do, but I have to say, I've heard better. Heard something better today, but it will remain between me and the source in case it's not true. Don't believe in spreading rumour.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Heard something better today, but it will remain between me and the source in case it's not true. Don't believe in spreading rumour.

same here mate, 'nuff said