Clough interview: 6 or 7 signings this summer?

[LoughboroBlade]

Just listened to his interview with Paul Walker where he talks about the new signings.

On McNulty
- isn't going to pressurise him by saying he's the main source of goals this season, he will be part of 3 or 4 strikers in the squad
- highlighted that in Scotland the players at that age seem to be much more developed than their equivalents in England

On Campbell-Ryce
- always liked him, offers a different option
- looked into his character before making a decision whether to sign him, comes with good references in those regards
- not here as a squad player, if he impresses more than Murphy or Flynn in pre-season, he'll be starting
- may be played up front at times

On squad recruitment
- in talks with 3 or 4 where there may be development in the next two weeks (assuming that's aside from those like Davies and Porter that have been offered deals)
- wants 18 or 19 in the squad, when the loans are taken out we're down to 11 or 12. He's not counting players like Kennedy in that total
- re: Sheehan from County, he is aware that he may be becoming available soon, but hasn't been in touch with the player
- re: Kevin Stewart, looks like he's accepting an offer from a Premiership club
- re: Porter, no word, though Clough mentioned that what the club offered will likely have been less than what he wanted
- re: Miller, reason he's gone is that "we simply can't afford to wait" to see if he gains fitness back, wants the team all ready and firing on all cylinders at the start of August. Yet another reason why I don't think a striker unavailable till October will be one Clough will bring in.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

He has said once or twice that he wont know the availability of some of the players he's wants until after the play offs, he's also said he's not waiting around for those who hang fire looking for a better offer....

Wonder if this is a nudge in Coadys direction ?

 

[mattbianco1]

He has said once or twice that he wont know the availability of some of the players he's wants until after the play offs, he's also said he's not waiting around for those who hang fire looking for a better offer....

Wonder if this is a nudge in Coadys direction ?

Hmmm, does that mean we're looking at Rotherham players?! Can't see them hanging on to Frecklington and Pringle if they don't go up. Also Kieran Agard. I'd take all of those

 

[Houso]

Hmmm, does that mean we're looking at Rotherham players?! Can't see them hanging on to Frecklington and Pringle if they don't go up. Also Kieran Agard. I'd take all of those

More likely Derby players no?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

One topic not in the interview was updating on the Coady & Brayford situations. James Shield has picked this up today - both look unlikely to return at the minute.

“We have spoken to Cardiff about John and they are going to give him a go in the Championship. So, at the moment, he is not available. To be fair, we knew when he came in that it was likely to be a four month thing. And then considering how well he did, the chances of sneaking him back in again were slim. From Cardiff’s point of view, he is a lad who did exceptionally well in League One so he can do well in the Championship. If it doesn’t work out, he knows where we are.”

"Conor, I think, will be away with Liverpool in pre-season. He is still waiting for a decision as to what they will do over his future. He only has a year left on his contract so Liverpool have to make a decision whether to extend it or sell. With loans you can’t guarantee anything so we can’t wait and miss out on other people for the chance he might come. If we get the nod off Liverpool and are told he will do pre-season with them but then come here that’s different. But that is not the situation now.”

 

[grafikhaus]

On McNulty

- highlighted that in Scotland the players at that age seem to be much more developed than their equivalents in England

Interesting. I saw the highlights of the Scottish Cup Final and St. Johnstone were very good. Scottish football has always been seen as a bit of a joke, but it could be coming a hotbed for emerging talent and one we seem to be exploiting.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Interesting. I saw the highlights of the Scottish Cup Final and St. Johnstone were very good. Scottish football has always been seen as a bit of a joke, but it could be coming a hotbed for emerging talent and one we seem to be exploiting.

This from the Shield interview:
“We’ve always maintained that Scotland is a good market for us because, given the money situation, young players are given an opportunity quickly. It’s not an easy level to score goals at because it’s tough football and physically the youngsters can get battered a bit."

The reported fee for McNulty is £125k. If the reported fees via the press are right we've got Flynn (£150k), Murphy (£100k), Scougall (£400k) and McNulty for barely £750k in total. Very good business.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Interesting. I saw the highlights of the Scottish Cup Final and St. Johnstone were very good. Scottish football has always been seen as a bit of a joke, but it could be coming a hotbed for emerging talent and one we seem to be exploiting.

I saw their U17 team got to the semi finals of the Euro Championships.

 

[DazBlade88]

If Brayford isn't going to be available and we need a proven full back that is still young, Luke Ayling could be one we look at. He's decided to leave Yeovil but he may have offers from the Championship.

 

[moDtheGod]

Interesting. I saw the highlights of the Scottish Cup Final and St. Johnstone were very good. Scottish football has always been seen as a bit of a joke, but it could be coming a hotbed for emerging talent and one we seem to be exploiting.

I watched the game and I wouldn't say they were great. They probably deserved to win, but Dundee United created just as many chances, if not more, and were just wasteful. On another day they'd have won by a couple. If that Ciftci free kick that hit the bar went in you'd have been looking at 1-1 rather than Saints going up the other end and making it 2-0.

Saint Johnstone's side that day contained former pig Steve MacLean, Lee Croft and Michael O'Halloran. Hardly fabulous talent. If we should be looking at anyone from those two sides, it's Gary Macaky-Steven or Ryan Gauld of Dundee United. I like Ciftci too, but I suspect he'd be out of our league.

 

[wizadry]

If Brayford isn't going to be available and we need a proven full back that is still young, Luke Ayling could be one we look at. He's decided to leave Yeovil but he may have offers from the Championship.

Don't mind ayling at all,but ryan woods of shrewsbury is more up our street,he's a very versatile good up and coming player.

 

[Gavlar]

I'm suprised we sold McMahon to Blackpool and not loaned him, I know he divides opinion but now if we end up without Brayford we will have zero right backs. Hopefully we'll get another decent one in.

 

[Fiery Blade]

I'm suprised we sold McMahon to Blackpool and not loaned him, I know he divides opinion but now if we end up without Brayford we will have zero right backs. Hopefully we'll get another decent one in.

Selling McMahon was a masterstroke !
There are many options out there including Freeman and Woods - both better than McMahon !

 

[itsinyerblood]

I watched the game and I wouldn't say they were great. They probably deserved to win, but Dundee United created just as many chances, if not more, and were just wasteful. On another day they'd have won by a couple. If that Ciftci free kick that hit the bar went in you'd have been looking at 1-1 rather than Saints going up the other end and making it 2-0.

Saint Johnstone's side that day contained former pig Steve MacLean, Lee Croft and Michael O'Halloran. Hardly fabulous talent. If we should be looking at anyone from those two sides, it's Gary Macaky-Stevens or Ryan Gauld of Dundee United. I like Ciftci too, but I suspect he'd be out of our league.

www.BetPal.com

I've written about Gauld a few times, exciting and dynamic is how I'd describe him, but he would come with a hefty-ish price tag attached. Good young talent and one who'd fit in at t'Lane.

 

[Gavlar]

Selling McMahon was a masterstroke !
There are many options out there including Freeman and Woods - both better than McMahon !

Freeman is a midfielder, I dont want square pegs in round holes. Who's Woods?

 

[Rossb123]

Yes it's exciting signing all these players, but it shows how badly Clough rated the squad he inherited from Weir. We went into last season with quite a big squad, we are now at the end of the season and we have around 11 or 12 players in the whole squad.

I trust Clough and I think he will make the right signings with the right attitude but the big test will be to make them gel together.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Freeman is a midfielder, I dont want square pegs in round holes. Who's Woods?

Woods played right-back for Shrewsbury last season at the Lane. A very consistent display on the day, and quite a few posted afterwards mentioning him as one to keep an eye on. Based on what I've seen, he wouldn't be out of place at united.

 

[Gavlar]

Woods played right-back for Shrewsbury last season at the Lane. A very consistent display on the day, and quite a few posted afterwards mentioning him as one to keep an eye on. Based on what I've seen, he wouldn't be out of place at united.

good stuff

 

[Esablade]

Good players on the same wavelength with strong leadership will bond quickly...'bad apples' such as McMahon and Brandy, as we've seen, will quickly be shown the door, no matter how talented.

Good management so far IMO!

"The big challenge is yet to come!"

UTB!

 

[JohnDenver]

Woods played right-back for Shrewsbury last season at the Lane. A very consistent display on the day, and quite a few posted afterwards mentioning him as one to keep an eye on. Based on what I've seen, he wouldn't be out of place at united.

I read up a bit about him after the game. He's a youth team product and young player of the year in a relegated team, so surely affordable in terms of wages and fees.

He can play in midfield and fullback, and if that one performance is enough to go on, his touch and passing is excellent.

 

[Gavlar]

I read up a bit about him after the game. He's a youth team product and young player of the year in a relegated team, so surely affordable in terms of wages and fees.

He can play in midfield and fullback, and if that one performance is enough to go on, his touch and passing is excellent.

Sounds like a poor mans Lowton

 

[Gavlar]

Good players on the same wavelength with strong leadership will bond quickly...'bad apples' such as McMahon and Brandy, as we've seen, will quickly be shown the door, no matter how talented.

Good management so far IMO!

"The big challenge is yet to come!"

UTB!

I think Clough has done fantastic so far, but I also think good management is about getting the best from 'bad apples' as you call it. Fergie was great doing this with Players Like Cantona and Keane and even Mark Hughes who had some shocking moments.

 

[JohnDenver]

Sounds like a poor mans Lowton

If you'd seen that performance you wouldn't be so dismissive.

I think Clough has done fantastic so far, but I also think good management is about getting the best from 'bad apples' as you call it. Fergie was great doing this with Players Like Cantona and Keane and even Mark Hughes who had some shocking moments.

The idea that McMahon and Brandy can be compared to Cantona and Keane, even in the lowly context of Division 1 football, is frankly bizarre.

Your point about management is a fair one, but not using these examples. Warnock tolerated Paul Devlin despite his pretty poisonous character, simply because he was key to our team. But all the evidence points to the replacement of McMahon and Brandy as being key to our revival.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Gavlar, point taken mate about Fergie's handling of 'difficult' characters, but don't forget how, once a line had been crossed, he would move a player on, as in the case of Stamm, who was a first rate centre half, or when Beckham's ego threatened to cause problems for Ferguson.

Manager's, like players, make mistakes. Clough has, and no doubt will make mistakes in future, but it's the bigger picture that creates the bond between supporter's and the man who manages their team. I'm a fan of Nigel and the way he has made us look like a team worth following. We're no longer a retirement home for lost causes, and although we're sure to see a few experienced players arrive, there's also a nice balance of younger players eager to make their mark.

If someone leaves the club, I doubt Nigel won't have explored ways and means of getting the best out of said player. At that point they'll be shown the door, with the best wishes of everyone at SUFC, and quickly forgotten about. Players sometimes forget their obligations, which are not all contractual, they also represent the club, so if they cannot be thankful for the manager's belief in them, then it's best that they pursue their trade somewhere else.

 

[Derby_Blade]

Freeman is a midfielder, I dont want square pegs in round holes. Who's Woods?

Freeman's a right back...

 

[TarquinDelouche]

Sounds like a poor mans Lowton

And we are poor.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I watched the game and I wouldn't say they were great. They probably deserved to win, but Dundee United created just as many chances, if not more, and were just wasteful. On another day they'd have won by a couple. If that Ciftci free kick that hit the bar went in you'd have been looking at 1-1 rather than Saints going up the other end and making it 2-0.

Saint Johnstone's side that day contained former pig Steve MacLean, Lee Croft and Michael O'Halloran. Hardly fabulous talent. If we should be looking at anyone from those two sides, it's Gary Macaky-Steven or Ryan Gauld of Dundee United. I like Ciftci too, but I suspect he'd be out of our league.

Gauld just gone to Sporting Lisbon. If we want him now we'll have to trigger his buy out clause. A snip at €60m!

 

[SwissBlade]

Gauld just gone to Sporting Lisbon. If we want him now we'll have to trigger his buy out clause. A snip at €60m!

So what's scoogs worth then!

 

[Highbury_Blade]

So what's scoogs worth then!

Dunno, but good to see a brit taking his chances abroad.

 

[SwissBlade]

Dunno, but good to see a brit taking his chances abroad.

Yeah it's unusual but good on him and good luck to the lad