Battle of the Big Beasts

[Barney]

People can only say how they saw it - I enjoyed moving up the table, and I enjoyed more of clough's matches than any manager since NW.
But don't let that stop you telling people how they should think.

Really? I thought they were some of the most boring, negative matches I had seen in a long, long time. Nowhere near the level we was at under Danny Wilson.

 

[Darren]

An 'honourable' man would've put the good of the club ahead of his own ego and agendas. Clough never came close to doing that. He disregarded and disrespected the board and the fans with many things he did and said. He was in it for himself first and foremost. He's an incredibly stubborn, arrogant, petulant and selfish individual. He's ultimately set the club back at least two years. We are very well rid of him. I wish him nothing but failure. He doesn't deserve the privilege of being a professional football manager. If his name wasn't Clough I suspect he would've never had it in the first place.

Given that, it's pretty amazing that he is looking like taking Burton (average crowds around 4000) into the second tier whilst Sheffield United (average crowds 19,000) languish in mid table.

 

[nowtfancy]

Really? I thought they were some of the most boring, negative matches I had seen in a long, long time. Nowhere near the level we was at under Danny Wilson.

Personally I struggled with Wilson from day one. I know that's my problem but he would always be more pig than blade whatever he did and I will always struggle with that. I also happen to think he underachieved with what he had, but yes there were some enjoyable games.
However there have been boring, negative matches under every manager. What I want more than anything is progress league position wise. Only one manager has delivered that. I dont think anyone has ever said NC was perfect and that he didn't do anything wrong, just that our best bet of going up this year would probably have been to stick with him.
I'm not going to keep on & on like some, because I'm sick of reading about it - just to say that some didnt like NC - fair enough - some did.

Not that I've been impressed with a single thing Adkins has done, but I hope he gets next season.

UTB

 

[Tyler Durden]

I look forward to reading a thread that you dont turn into a way out of perspective clough slating session.
The simplistic argument of league position progressing for the first time in how many years? Never mind, at least we've gone back to declining with a manager that's nice and shiny.

People can only say how they saw it - I enjoyed moving up the table, and I enjoyed more of clough's matches than any manager since NW.
But don't let that stop you telling people how they should think.

Insecure much?

I don't give a shit how or what people choose to believe, I'm simply putting my own viewpoint across. Apologies if you find it too robust for your liking.

And the rest of what you said pretty much confirms what I said in my previous post, so thank you. I feel validated.

 

[Esablade]

Really? I thought they were some of the most boring, negative matches I had seen in a long, long time. Nowhere near the level we was at under Danny Wilson.

...and I thought Danny Wilson's second season was some of the most turgid negative stuff I've ever seen from United team... there was a world of difference between Wilson's first and second season performances...but then he wasn't playing what was, effectively, a championship team against L1 players so much...

 

[Ricky]

Given that, it's pretty amazing that he is looking like taking Burton (average crowds around 4000) into the second tier whilst Sheffield United (average crowds 19,000) languish in mid table.

I'd hardly say it's amazing to take over a table topping team midway through the season and stutter over the line in second place due to the very poor standards of the teams chasing them.


Hopefully Walsall can still catch them, but I wish it was Bradford who were in their position with the game in hand.

But that said and this league being what it is, they'll all choke anyway, and Burton will cling on. Pathetic.

 

[Esablade]

Given that, it's pretty amazing that he is looking like taking Burton (average crowds around 4000) into the second tier whilst Sheffield United (average crowds 19,000) languish in mid table.

Yeovil managed it on similar crowds ( famously )

Of course, detractors will say, with some justification, that the job was almost done before Clough arrived, and if anything Clough is attempting to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory...we shall see, soon...

 

[Barney]

I really want to see Burton miss out purely to see whose fault it would be.

One thing's for absolute definite - it won't be Clough's.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Personally I struggled with Wilson from day one. I know that's my problem but he would always be more pig than blade whatever he did and I will always struggle with that. I also happen to think he underachieved with what he had, but yes there were some enjoyable games.
However there have been boring, negative matches under every manager. What I want more than anything is progress league position wise. Only one manager has delivered that. I dont think anyone has ever said NC was perfect and that he didn't do anything wrong, just that our best bet of going up this year would probably have been to stick with him.
I'm not going to keep on & on like some, because I'm sick of reading about it - just to say that some didnt like NC - fair enough - some did.

Not that I've been impressed with a single thing Adkins has done, but I hope he gets next season.

UTB

Derek Dooley will always be more "pig" than blade. . . . But we've got his statue outside the lane..

 

[wizadry]

I really want to see Burton miss out purely to see whose fault it would be.

One thing's for absolute definite - it won't be Clough's.

I read last week somewhere on here that he's already getting excuses out and blaming some players.

 

[Barney]

I read last week somewhere on here that he's already getting excuses out and blaming some players.

I wouldn't be surprised if he somehow managed to trace it back to McNulty.

 

[Grecian2000]

I read last week somewhere on here that he's already getting excuses out and blaming some players.

You read something bad about Clough on here Wiz?

You sure?

I think I actually read a full thread without the usual suspects obsessing about him, might have dreamed it though.

 

[The Crab]

Given that, it's pretty amazing that he is looking like taking Burton (average crowds around 4000) into the second tier whilst Sheffield United (average crowds 19,000) languish in mid table.

In fairness though, it's pretty rare that a manager walks into an already successful side, it's usually a fixer-upper job. The real test for Clough will be next season (assuming of course they get promoted). The board at Burton would need pretty deep pockets just to stay in that division.

 

[PeteBlade]

I look forward to reading a thread that you dont turn into a way out of perspective clough slating session.
The simplistic argument of league position progressing for the first time in how many years? Never mind, at least we've gone back to declining with a manager that's nice and shiny.

People can only say how they saw it - I enjoyed moving up the table, and I enjoyed more of clough's matches than any manager since NW.
But don't let that stop you telling people how they should think.

You enjoyed more of Nigel Clough's matches than Danny Wilson's?

We were top scorers in Europe at one point playing excellent football.

His brand of football was by far more entertaining than Clough.

 

[TonyAgana]

You enjoyed more of Nigel Clough's matches than Danny Wilson's?

We were top scorers in Europe at one point playing excellent football.

His brand of football was by far more entertaining than Clough.

I think, in terms of enjoyment, their tenures were pretty comparable. Clough's first season saw us go on an extremely exciting run of results and chasing the play-off pack was like having half a dozen cup finals back to back - plus the cup runs. Wilson's first season was also special (although it was far more expected) and the way we crashed spectacularly at the hands of our biggest rivals is already written in folk-lore. Their second seasons were equally as frustrating and apathetic, with mostly top-six positions under Wilson and another cup-run under Clough, sharing the highlights.

 

[Grecian2000]

I think, in terms of enjoyment, their tenures were pretty comparable. Clough's first season saw us go on an extremely exciting run of results and chasing the play-off pack was like having half a dozen cup finals back to back - plus the cup runs. Wilson's first season was also special (although it was far more expected) and the way we crashed spectacularly at the hands of our biggest rivals is already written in folk-lore. Their second seasons were equally as frustrating and apathetic, with mostly top-six positions under Wilson and another cup-run under Clough, sharing the highlights.

You missed the bit where cup runs are worth fuck all and are nowt but luck. Plus Clough is a useless cunt apparently.
Also, Wilson was nowt but a piggy bastard and would have coped with selling the top scorer in January with ease if he hadn't been.

You need to catch up on other countless threads, it's all in there.

 

[PeteBlade]

You missed the bit where cup runs are worth fuck all and are nowt but luck. Plus Clough is a useless cunt apparently.
Also, Wilson was nowt but a piggy bastard and would have coped with selling the top scorer in January with ease if he hadn't been.

You need to catch up on other countless threads, it's all in there.

Or you could reply like a grown up to this one? Making it better than those other ones you describe.

 

[davidpinder]

Bugger, I thought that said breasts.

Snap

 

[The Crab]

Snap

Me too, was looking forward to something beating the work filter

 

[Grecian2000]

Or you could reply like a grown up to this one? Making it better than those other ones you describe.

Why? Doesn't matter what sort of reply is made, at some point the same old shit is rolled out. Best just resort to taking the piss.
Read 'em, you'll see a pattern forming!

Thread starts - any subject.
At some point the thread turns into a "It's Clough's fault" (same old posters, same old reasons)
Someone will argue it possibly isn't Cloughs fault. (same old posters, same old reasons)
Oh yes it is
Oh no it isn't
Thread expires.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

I think, in terms of enjoyment, their tenures were pretty comparable. Clough's first season saw us go on an extremely exciting run of results and chasing the play-off pack was like having half a dozen cup finals back to back - plus the cup runs. Wilson's first season was also special (although it was far more expected) and the way we crashed spectacularly at the hands of our biggest rivals is already written in folk-lore. Their second seasons were equally as frustrating and apathetic, with mostly top-six positions under Wilson and another cup-run under Clough, sharing the highlights.

Spot on. Really enjoyable first seasons (which both, agonisingly, fell just short) followed by completely underwhelming following seasons. Yet Mr Nice is remembered fondly, while Mr Nasty's the devil incarnate.

 

[Bartleby]

I do not understand this total obsession with Clough. Do we not have enough issues of our own to concentrate on, without spending all our time hoping that Burton lose. I do not care if Burton, Gillingham or Walsall go up. All that I'm personally bothered about is that we are going to be in this awful league again next season, when one or possibly more of these tin pot teams will be in the Championship.
Why, when a manager departs, do we then have to hate them and wish failure on them for the rest of their career. Clough rescued us from Weirs nightmare reign, taking us from the lower reaches of the division to seventh and then the play offs the next season, without even throwing in the cup semi finals as well. I believe there were many memorable moments to remember during Clough's reign. He was badly treated by the board, however thats done now. He was an honourable man who did nothing but try his best for the Blades. Can we not wish him well and move on. We have more than enough problems of our own to concentrate on

that first half a season was good! He saved us from the drop and all that, fair play. But the next season was piss poor IMO! Had his first pre season and free reign to make signings and make his mark it all went shit shaped from there and we still suffer the legacy.

When Nigel #2 gets us up next season I'll let all my Clough resentment baggage go, but until then, sorry ...

 

[Higgo's Belly]

Opinions vary from one of the scale to the other, on the job Clough did. I fully accept that in the opinion of some Clough did a terrible job. I personally believe that there had been progress while he was manager. Was it fast enough ? No
Was getting in the play offs good enough ? No, however sacking him at the point we did was stupid. He had been allowed to sign his own men and was making progress, all be it slowly and not quick enough for fans, including myself, who are desperate to return to the Championship.
Many fans are wanting Adkins retaining for continuity and stability, however these are the very reasons why it was a mistake to sack Clough at the point we did, after allowing him to sign his own men. We then have to right off this season while Adkins attempts to get rid of Cloughs players. We might as well have kept Clough for this season and if promotion was not achieved, got rid of him then, along with all the out of contract players, thus allowing the new manager to start again at the end of this season by signing players of his choice. Adkins is now in this position, so has no excuses, however this season could have been different, we will never know.

 

[Davie Blade]

I do not understand this total obsession with Clough. Do we not have enough issues of our own to concentrate on, without spending all our time hoping that Burton lose. I do not care if Burton, Gillingham or Walsall go up. All that I'm personally bothered about is that we are going to be in this awful league again next season, when one or possibly more of these tin pot teams will be in the Championship.
Why, when a manager departs, do we then have to hate them and wish failure on them for the rest of their career. Clough rescued us from Weirs nightmare reign, taking us from the lower reaches of the division to seventh and then the play offs the next season, without even throwing in the cup semi finals as well. I believe there were many memorable moments to remember during Clough's reign. He was badly treated by the board, however thats done now. He was an honourable man who did nothing but try his best for the Blades. Can we not wish him well and move on. We have more than enough problems of our own to concentrate on

Here we go again

 

[PeteBlade]

Opinions vary from one of the scale to the other, on the job Clough did. I fully accept that in the opinion of some Clough did a terrible job. I personally believe that there had been progress while he was manager. Was it fast enough ? No
Was getting in the play offs good enough ? No, however sacking him at the point we did was stupid. He had been allowed to sign his own men and was making progress, all be it slowly and not quick enough for fans, including myself, who are desperate to return to the Championship.
Many fans are wanting Adkins retaining for continuity and stability, however these are the very reasons why it was a mistake to sack Clough at the point we did, after allowing him to sign his own men. We then have to right off this season while Adkins attempts to get rid of Cloughs players. We might as well have kept Clough for this season and if promotion was not achieved, got rid of him then, along with all the out of contract players, thus allowing the new manager to start again at the end of this season by signing players of his choice. Adkins is now in this position, so has no excuses, however this season could have been different, we will never know.

Our points per game ratio decreased in his second season.
And for all the talk of how great he was for getting us in the play offs, we scraped in snd never looked like a team capable of winning them.

The team that tickled our bellies got battered in the final and are now in a relegation scrap.

 

[mattbianco1]

If only, if only, if only...

If we had beaten Gillingham then I would still be optimistic. It's too far a gap now.

I think Barnsley will take 6th spot with Gillingham missing out.

 

[mattbianco1]

The team that tickled our bellies got battered in the final and are now in a relegation scrap.

"Team" as in Swindon Town not "Team" as in players. They had their heart and soul ripped out of them in the summer.

All their best players departed:
Foderingham
Byrne
Luongo
Stephens
Gladwin
Smith
Williams
Toffolo

If we lost that many first team players we would be down there too.

 

[PeteBlade]

"Team" as in Swindon Town not "Team" as in players. They had their heart and soul ripped out of them in the summer.

All their best players departed:
Foderingham
Byrne
Luongo
Stephens
Gladwin
Smith
Williams
Toffolo

If we lost that many first team players we would be down there too.

I don't disagree with you.
The same team still did get bartered in the final though after dispatching us quite easily (despite what the second leg score line suggested.)

 

[Ricky]

I think the scoreline makes a lot of people forget just what a total embarrassment that game was. And one man was responsible. That man then tried to tell us we hadn't failed and had made progress. Yet he still has his supporters!

 

[nowtfancy]

I think the scoreline makes a lot of people forget just what a total embarrassment that game was. And one man was responsible. That man then tried to tell us we hadn't failed and had made progress. Yet he still has his supporters!

Jesus Christ it's like being in the opticians.
Better with? Better without?
Better before? Better after?

Erm not sure can we try again?!