Clough interview sums up feelings on supporters

[Going up]

Is it our fault that James Wallace has not played in living memory?

Is it our fault that we have no defenders good enough to prevent goals from set pieces being scored regularly?

Is it our fault that we are regularly trying to defend a 1-0 lead with 3 tiny central midfielders?

Is it our fault that we have lost points regularly via reckless red cards and daft penalties?

Is it our fault that Turner has no idea where his near post is?

The only people to blame for these things are Clough and the players themselves.

And if the players don't want to play for us, fine. Play for yourselves. Play with pride.

Tge answer to most of the wuestions was a resounding YES. Confidence is everything in sport. Bash the players publicly and criticize Clough for doing the same thing...it is the Blades way!

I dare say, NC and the team, would be more positive if he wasn't fearful of the fans reaction. The constant harping can only drag down confidence and therefore performance and therefore, results.

Of course, we hear the same old diatribe from some, how we, the supporters, have suffered for so many years. Very little has to do with Clough or the current team. Yet, some will make sure this crop pay for past blunders. We have been saved by the current Manager, staff and team from a Weir debacle. We have been treated to some great football and great cup runs. We are in 5th. Everything to look forward to.

As a poster said, great cup runs again, in line for the playoffs...the supporters should be 100% behind the team. At the very least until the playoffs are over.

If there is to be an inquisition afterwards, as much as the fans debate the performance of the management, we should look inwards upon ourselves too. Were we the extra man at the Spurs game? No, in fact we were quite disappointing other than for a few minutes. Was that an exception, No, it has been the norm all year.

I guarantee, a few great performances from the fans would translate into great performances on the pitch. Are we prepared to take any blame, I doubt it.

 

[sheffielder]

I guarantee, a few great performances from the players would translate into great performances in the stand. Are they prepared to take any blame, I doubt it.

corrected it for you

Maybe both fans and players have not performed this year, but I know a high energy performance tomorrow would bring us closer together. Blaming ONLY the fans is really fucking me off.

 

[sitwell]

When will managers realise poor transfer dealings, team selections, tactics and poor performances drives out the confidence in said manager? and on match days fans turn up thinking what the fuck are we here for?

ITS NOT THE FANS FAULT!

Hes answered a direct question as diplomatically and sensibly as he can. Why in the 2nd post on this thread does the clown have to introduce FAULT into it in capital letters ,and everyone falls for it. Serious shit stirring which unfortunately has worked on 2 fronts ,to turn opinions against Clough and to give the poster the attention he craves. Sad on both parts and harmful to UTD.

 

[bartman]

We have the biggest budget, best home attendance and probably one of the best squad's in this league yet we are 5th nearly 20 points off automatic promotion! How is this acceptable to anyone, fans are right to moan and voice their opinions because its simply not good enough. Clough doesn't inspire anyone and looks for escape clauses all the time.

Its all well and good people saying our fans don't back the team etc but we are the biggest team in this league, we should be winning the majority of our games and players that sign for Sheffield United in league one need to realise that it is a high pressured environment with high expectations!

I'm sick of reading every week in the papers "10 cup finals" "we will come good" blah blah blah.........just go out there and do it and silence your critics that way!

Rant over.

Who has said it is acceptable ?
Before the season started would you have accepted a play off spot ?
What 'escape clauses' has Clough looked for ?
How do you know he doesn't inspire 'anyone'
How do you know that playing for SUFC doesn't bring high expectations and is high pressured ?
Do you agree that the fans have a part to play by not abusing and heckling players during games?
Are you implying that because we are a so called big club in L1,it is acceptable to heckle and abuse the team when things don't go the way fans expect ? Are you happy that some fans appear to go to games and can't wait to abuse the team and tell everyone round them how good at being a manager they would be

For me, back the team and manager until the end of the season then take stock. If we don't make the play offs, NC will be sacked which I am sure will make some fans happy based on the schoolboy histrionics after the game at Scunthorpe.

Personally, i am just sick of some fans not being able to constructively criticise, making lies up pretending they are in the know, harassing and abusing our chairman on Twitter and throwing their toys out of the pram when things do go as they expect.

 

[Going up]

corrected it for you

Maybe both fans and players have not performed this year, but I know a high energy performance tomorrow would bring us closer together. Blaming ONLY the fans is really fucking me off.

Both need to improve for sure. Blaming only the players and management when we are so high and mighty, yet we too have been disappointing, is really fuckng me off as well.

Once more, great cup runs, rescued from our dire situation ladt year, still in the playoffs. Pathetic that we are even debating the subject.

We will set ourselves back a minimum of another 2 years should we start again with another management team.

 

[sitwell]

corrected it for you

Maybe both fans and players have not performed this year, but I know a high energy performance tomorrow would bring us closer together. Blaming ONLY the fans is really fucking me off.

But he doesn't does he ? When he blames McNulty or Turner or anyone else which he often does the world comes to an end on here.

 

[sheffielder]

But he doesn't does he ? When he blames McNulty or Turner or anyone else which he often does the world comes to an end on here.

Sorry, my reference was more to the fans on here who blame the fans

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Personally, i am just sick of some fans not being able to constructively criticise, making lies up pretending they are in the know, harassing and abusing our chairman on Twitter and throwing their toys out of the pram when things do go as they expect.

You are indeed correct, and some should be supporting TROLLS UNITED, not Sheff Utd...........all in the name of free speech though.

UTB

 

[sheffielder]

Both need to improve for sure. Blaming only the players and management when we are so high and mighty, yet we too have been disappointing, is really fuckng me off as well.

Once more, great cup runs, rescued from our dire situation ladt year, still in the playoffs. Pathetic that we are even debating the subject.

We will set ourselves back a minimum of another 2 years should we start again with another management team.

You could argue we have been set back with the signings. Were Southampton setback when they ditched Adkins?

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

Hes answered a direct question as diplomatically and sensibly as he can. Why in the 2nd post on this thread does the clown have to introduce FAULT into it in capital letters ,and everyone falls for it. Serious shit stirring which unfortunately has worked on 2 fronts ,to turn opinions against Clough and to give the poster the attention he craves. Sad on both parts and harmful to UTD.

What's your take on the way United have played this season? Having not seen them in the flesh myself it's impossible for me to comment, but the impression I get from a number on here is that they are fed up with slow build up play and what are generally perceived to be "negative" tactics, as much as they are with our current league position.

 

[Lane Ender]

Both need to improve for sure. Blaming only the players and management when we are so high and mighty, yet we too have been disappointing, is really fuckng me off as well.

Once more, great cup runs, rescued from our dire situation ladt year, still in the playoffs. Pathetic that we are even debating the subject.

We will set ourselves back a minimum of another 2 years should we start again with another management team.

What do you mean, Clough has set us back 2 years we are are worst side now than any of Wilsons line ups.
It will be same old tomorrow and we'll be having this same old debate.
He knows what the root problem is, the centre back saga, has he acted no.
So if we nick an early goal and go deep for sure Vale will punish us.

 

[Revolution]

Tge answer to most of the wuestions was a resounding YES. Confidence is everything in sport. Bash the players publicly and criticize Clough for doing the same thing...it is the Blades way!

I dare say, NC and the team, would be more positive if he wasn't fearful of the fans reaction. The constant harping can only drag down confidence and therefore performance and therefore, results.

Of course, we hear the same old diatribe from some, how we, the supporters, have suffered for so many years. Very little has to do with Clough or the current team. Yet, some will make sure this crop pay for past blunders. We have been saved by the current Manager, staff and team from a Weir debacle. We have been treated to some great football and great cup runs. We are in 5th. Everything to look forward to.

As a poster said, great cup runs again, in line for the playoffs...the supporters should be 100% behind the team. At the very least until the playoffs are over.

If there is to be an inquisition afterwards, as much as the fans debate the performance of the management, we should look inwards upon ourselves too. Were we the extra man at the Spurs game? No, in fact we were quite disappointing other than for a few minutes. Was that an exception, No, it has been the norm all year.

I guarantee, a few great performances from the fans would translate into great performances on the pitch. Are we prepared to take any blame, I doubt it.

This was a really interesting thread until this post.

If you think the centre half situation or James Wallace's injury are the fans fault there' really no point in replying substantively to you.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

^^^^^^^^^^^ GET IN ^^^^^^^^^^^

Irrespective of how the fans behave the players should be giving it absolutely everything, their pride and desire to win should be the only motivation a footballer requires. If it isn't then they're in the wrong job. What's more, if the players showed a bit of passion the support would respond in kind.

Utd fans have always appreciated a never say die attitude and supported players who will give everything for the cause, ask Bob Booker. The supporters apathy isn't purely because of poor results, it's because we seem to be the only ones who are bothered!

The supporters response will always be the result of good performances, not the catalyst for a good performance.

I'm not saying they don't, who wouldn't. You are also conveniently forgetting how Booker's career started out at United. At first he was given loads of stick by fans and was the whipping boy before eventually winning them over - probably to do with being in a promotion winning team.

Not all players who give everything are appreciated, remember Nick Montgomery? That lad received some shocking abuse in his time at the lane and he never gave less than 100%. Also the like of Gannon, Bobby Ford, Doyle (the other season), Rob Kozluk etc. are all players that would always give 100% but were the whipping boys. Even Basham started out this season with getting loads of stick.

The fact is, the atmosphere created by some United fans is not in anyway supportive and will no doubt contribute to a drop in performance level. It's human nature. If you're put under extra pressure, shouted at that your shit, booed when you make a mistake...then your probably not going to perform to your optimum - unless your a top, top, player....but even Gareth Bale is having a tough time of it right now!

 

[bartman]

What do you mean, Clough has set us back 2 years we are are worst side now than any of Wilsons line ups.
.

He didn't take over from Wilson though did he. But it was fan pressure that also contributed to getting him sacked when we were in the play offs

Wilson had a midfield of Williamson, Doyle, McDonald ,Quinn along with a 30 goal striker and still didn't get us promoted. We are better now than we were for the last few weeks of Wilson's regime

Clough did act re the centre half problem. Trouble is some fans slagged McCarthy off because his distribution was poor and didn't train with us for 3 days a week. Yet he could actually defend at centre half .

You don't like a style of football so you want him sacked. Fine,that is your opinion but with 10 games to go,a change now might not make any difference just like when Morgan took over

 

[sitwell]

What's your take on the way United have played this season? Having not seen them in the flesh myself it's impossible for me to comment, but the impression I get from a number on here is that they are fed up with slow build up play and what are generally perceived to be "negative" tactics, as much as they are with our current league position.

Im not a fan of one up front which has worked for us in the past but we seem to have abandoned that now we have a player who can genuinely play that position up top in Done. 4-4-2 although it looks good on paper leaves us light in midfield and we have struggled against big physical sides with it. We have looked negative but its not just down to tactics ,a lot of players have been patchy with form ,I personally think only Murphy and Doyle have been consistent.
I think I have more patience than some and can see that this is a long term building process which has to be done for the good of the club ,the losses of J Wallace and non signing of OGrady are sickeners ,as is the loss of Maguire ,these are all factors in changing the way we play and fitting in different players.
Clough has made some mistakes but they are genuine ones in pursuit of the long term good of the club ,its all to easy to say we have negative tactics ,some of those games we have had 20 corners and 15 shots on goal.
I still think we have a great chance of going up this season ,will be much better suited to the Championship ,but Im always optimistic.
In short ,it hasn't been good to watch at times but we have introduced a lot of new players and we have to have patience. Changing manager would be a disaster.

 

[Blade56]

Hes answered a direct question as diplomatically and sensibly as he can. Why in the 2nd post on this thread does the clown have to introduce FAULT into it in capital letters ,and everyone falls for it. Serious shit stirring which unfortunately has worked on 2 fronts ,to turn opinions against Clough and to give the poster the attention he craves. Sad on both parts and harmful to UTD.

Ah the almighty clown, has the power and charm to turn so many posters opinions against Clough whereas before they loved his tactics and style of football so much they didn't realise it was them not being supportive enough. The fans are not fools so Veronica you can sqweam and sqweam all you want but NN must be the most undiplomatic manager I have ever heard.

Don't like my opinions? Stop reading em.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

James Shield ‏@JamesShield1 5m5 minutes ago
Jason Holt says Sheffield United's squad has grown closer together following recent criticism. http://goo.gl/Nh7SFa

Shows that the players have concluded that the fans are against them

This will not end up smelling of roses - I can feel it in me water

Kenilworth , i think the opposite . If this is the case its a winner . I hope the players come out with a fuck you fans attitude , we will show you bastards , we can play and win. A bit of reverse siege mentality phycology . Wonder if McCabe has made Clough ring Harry or Neil.

UTB

 

[Kenilworth]

Kenilworth , i think the opposite . If this is the case its a winner . I hope the players come out with a fuck you fans attitude , we will show you bastards , we can play and win. A bit of reverse siege mentality phycology . Wonder if McCabe has made Clough ring Harry or Neil. UTMFB

Hope you are correct

 

[Blade56]

I'm not saying they don't, who wouldn't. You are also conveniently forgetting how Booker's career started out at United. At first he was given loads of stick by fans and was the whipping boy before eventually winning them over - probably to do with being in a promotion winning team.

Not all players who give everything are appreciated, remember Nick Montgomery? That lad received some shocking abuse in his time at the lane and he never gave less than 100%. Also the like of Gannon, Bobby Ford, Doyle (the other season), Rob Kozluk etc. are all players that would always give 100% but were the whipping boys. Even Basham started out this season with getting loads of stick.

The fact is, the atmosphere created by some United fans is not in anyway supportive and will no doubt contribute to a drop in performance level. It's human nature. If you're put under extra pressure, shouted at that your shit, booed when you make a mistake...then your probably not going to perform to your optimum - unless your a top, top, player....but even Gareth Bale is having a tough time of it right now!

Tbh Borbokisfreekick it was more the "never say die attitude" I was quoting though you make a good point re Booker and Monty. I don't know any Blade that wants anything other than total sucess and a return above the Pigs then back to the PL.

By its very nature though this thread shows how the current ownership, management, tactics etc is dividing fans. Although I will not partake some are even getting somewhat personal and offensive. Some don't like what's going on on the pitch and speak out, some don't like them speaking out but it's cause we all want the best for the Blades.

I must sit in a very un partisan part of the ground cause we don't get that many negative shouters around us it's just a general combined sense of dispare at times. Oh how we could do with a Monty in midfield now!

 

[Grappler]

Tbh Borbokisfreekick it was more the "never say die attitude" I was quoting though you make a good point re Booker and Monty. I don't know any Blade that wants anything other than total sucess and a return above the Pigs then back to the PL.

By its very nature though this thread shows how the current ownership, management, tactics etc is dividing fans. Although I will not partake some are even getting somewhat personal and offensive. Some don't like what's going on on the pitch and speak out, some don't like them speaking out but it's cause we all want the best for the Blades.

I must sit in a very un partisan part of the ground cause we don't get that many negative shouters around us it's just a general combined sense of dispare at times. Oh how we could do with a Monty in midfield now!

That's three of us said that today!, you, me and Grafikhaus

 

[Blade56]

James Shield ‏@JamesShield1 5m5 minutes ago
Jason Holt says Sheffield United's squad has grown closer together following recent criticism. http://goo.gl/Nh7SFa

Maybe he was talking about the criticism NN has dished out in his radio interviews?

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

Tbh Borbokisfreekick it was more the "never say die attitude" I was quoting though you make a good point re Booker and Monty. I don't know any Blade that wants anything other than total success and a return above the Pigs then back to the PL.

By its very nature though this thread shows how the current ownership, management, tactics etc is dividing fans. Although I will not partake some are even getting somewhat personal and offensive. Some don't like what's going on on the pitch and speak out, some don't like them speaking out but it's cause we all want the best for the Blades.

I must sit in a very un partisan part of the ground cause we don't get that many negative shouters around us it's just a general combined sense of despair at times. Oh how we could do with a Monty in midfield now!

And this is the whole point of this thread. The reason fans are divided is because a section of our fans are so quick to jump on the managers and players backs - its happened under EVERY manager from when Bassett started, and probably before that.

I remember when we got promotion under Warnock in 2005-2006. In March when we were having a bad run fans were calling for Warnock to be sacked. When we played Leeds at home after clinching promotion the players did a lap of honor. By the time they got round to the Bramall Lane end of the stadium half the ground was empty...some fans couldn't be bothered to celebrate our finest hour in years, probably because of their stubborn dislike for Warnock.

It's that mentality, and the mentality that would shout abuse at players that give 100% and managers that are striving for success, that I will never understand.

In all this my biggest gripe is that we're still 5th, still with a lot to play for. As Clough said, we're not where we had planned on being, but we're still in it. Coupled with the extraordinary Cup success's, you would have thought that would be enough to give Clough a bit more backing. But unfortunately not.

 

[Rossb123]

Who has said it is acceptable ?
Before the season started would you have accepted a play off spot ?
What 'escape clauses' has Clough looked for ?
How do you know he doesn't inspire 'anyone'
How do you know that playing for SUFC doesn't bring high expectations and is high pressured ?
Do you agree that the fans have a part to play by not abusing and heckling players during games?
Are you implying that because we are a so called big club in L1,it is acceptable to heckle and abuse the team when things don't go the way fans expect ? Are you happy that some fans appear to go to games and can't wait to abuse the team and tell everyone round them how good at being a manager they would be

For me, back the team and manager until the end of the season then take stock. If we don't make the play offs, NC will be sacked which I am sure will make some fans happy based on the schoolboy histrionics after the game at Scunthorpe.

Personally, i am just sick of some fans not being able to constructively criticise, making lies up pretending they are in the know, harassing and abusing our chairman on Twitter and throwing their toys out of the pram when things do go as they expect.

A few fair points you have made there, me personally I'm not one to abuse the chairman, ring Radio Sheffield or scream at the players on a weekly basis but I am very frustrated by the way my club is playing. Our team IS the biggest in L1 everything about the club compared to others makes that a fact, I agree that doesn't give us a right for promotion nor does it give us a right for fans to abuse the players but it does give us the right as fans who travel home and away spending a lot of money on a weekly basis to be frustrated by our teams performance. Clough blames the referee almost every week, is that not an escape clause? Playing for SUFC must be high pressured there's so much expectation, although we can be a negative bunch nobody can drive a team forward like our fans can...big teams have commented how much of a daunting place this can be, we don't just get that reputation from being a bunch of negative hecklers.

We have spent more on players this season than any other team, if you was the chairman who's given the manager all the resources he's requested would you not be frustrated by our current position? I want to see success at this club and with the way we are currently playing I cant see it coming for a long time until something dramatically changes.

 

[Blade56]

Do you agree that the fans have a part to play by not abusing and heckling players during games?
Are you implying that because we are a so called big club in L1,it is acceptable to heckle and abuse the team when things don't go the way fans expect ?

I said in an earlier post I must sit in a very un partisan part of the ground and don't hear any abuse being directed at players, I would find that unacceptable, no excuses. However, I do hear strong opinions about the tactics and negative team selections, some I agree with some I don't but everyone has a right to opinions whereas no one has the right to abuse.

 

[bartman]

We have spent more on players this season than any other team, if you was the chairman who's given the manager all the resources he's requested would you not be frustrated by our current position? I want to see success at this club and with the way we are currently playing I cant see it coming for a long time until something dramatically changes.

Yes I would be frustrated however ,I would have thought that NC had two targets one of which was automatic promotion, the other would have been promotion via the play offs. As it stands now, the secondary target is in our own hands which is way I believe NC should be given the chance to get us promoted

I would be amazed thou if someone from the Board hadn't collared NC recently to asked why he has failed so miserably on the primary target and let him know the expectations of the club in clear terms

 

[Blade56]

And this is the whole point of this thread. The reason fans are divided is because a section of our fans are so quick to jump on the managers and players backs - its happened under EVERY manager from when Bassett started, and probably before that.

I remember when we got promotion under Warnock in 2005-2006. In March when we were having a bad run fans were calling for Warnock to be sacked. When we played Leeds at home after clinching promotion the players did a lap of honor. By the time they got round to the Bramall Lane end of the stadium half the ground was empty...some fans couldn't be bothered to celebrate our finest hour in years, probably because of their stubborn dislike for Warnock.

It's that mentality, and the mentality that would shout abuse at players that give 100% and managers that are striving for success, that I will never understand.

In all this my biggest gripe is that we're still 5th, still with a lot to play for. As Clough said, we're not where we had planned on being, but we're still in it. Coupled with the extraordinary Cup success's, you would have thought that would be enough to give Clough a bit more backing. But unfortunately not.

I remember that promotion season. Tbh we played some pretty bad footy but we were getting results. I think that season coined the saying about a bad win.

But cause we got the results and sucess it carried the fans along, can't remember much about the after match crowd, we were down the front getting photos etc and celebrating, happy days.

As for Clough If the results come in and we get to the play offs and win promotion that's all I want. However, like Warnock in the PL I would question if NC is the man to take United all the way!

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Borbokisfreekick
They are playing for themselves, their pay packet, career prospects, manager and lastly fans. All league players have priorities of a similar nature.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

I remember that promotion season. Tbh we played some pretty bad footy but we were getting results. I think that season coined the saying about a bad win.

But cause we got the results and sucess it carried the fans along, can't remember much about the after match crowd, we were down the front getting photos etc and celebrating, happy days.

As for Clough If the results come in and we get to the play offs and win promotion that's all I want. However, like Warnock in the PL I would question if NC is the man to take United all the way!

We actually played some decent stuff that season - the best kind of direct football. Pace up front, good wing play, Unsworth playing long diagonal switches, we scored lots of goals. We'd only lost 4 games up until the end of February, been in the top two for all of 1 week of the season, and just done the double over the pigs. We then had a bad run and lost 3 and drew 1 - cue the "Warnock Out" hysteria. Another perfect example of some of our fans mentality. When we lost 2-0 away at Coventry fans were calling into radio sheffield, posting on forums for Warnock to go so we could "save our season". Crazy. It was only a 4 game bad run in a 46 game season.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

H spot then hey presto premier league. Now a regu

When players performances are affected by negative fans it is. When managers and players don't feel they have the backing of the clubs support it is.

Our fans are notorious for being impatient and fickle. And the past 3 months has been the biggest example of this in recent times.

I am amazed fans turn up in such numbers to see such shit year in year out.A few years ago the cry was we will scrape into sixth place and storm the playoffs. Five years on we say the same but are now an established division three side playing shit football.

 

[Silent Blade]

And this is the whole point of this thread. The reason fans are divided is because a section of our fans are so quick to jump on the managers and players backs - its happened under EVERY manager from when Bassett started, and probably before that.

.

In the 1965 AGM, shareholders criticised John Harris for playing young players rather than go in the transfer market

1969-70 season many fans wrote to the Green Un criticising Harris for not starting John Tudor. Green Un reporter defended Harris saying that Addison is better at holding the ball up up front

Ken Furphy- attendances dropped in the 1974-75 season cos Furphy was signing too many lower division standard players even though we finished 6th place in the league

Jimmy Sirrel and Harry Haslam had a lot of critics

Martin Peters - justified

Ian Porterfield - was criticised heavily from the 1982-83 season and for dropping Keith Edwards

Billy McEwan- lowest attendances

Dave Bassett - I know many who didnt like him for his long ball tactics and for signing players who always get sent off

Howard Kendall - had a lot of criticisms in the final few months of the 1996-97 season