Clough interview sums up feelings on supporters

[Pinchy]

We have some of the worst 'fans' in the land. I've seen them; home and away. An element of the away 'regulars' are particularly bad. They believe their opinions have some special merit because they choose to travel week-in, week-out. It gives their opinions enhanced authority and provides a licence for vociferous and vile abuse from minute one and, most of all (like many on here, I'm afraid) don't dare to challenge their views. They are Bladey Blades; They love Bassett, Montgomery and Upanatem. They know best.

Multiply the "Hate Wilson" Neanderthals in that shamefully embarrassing photograph and you have them. Drunken, arrogant, ignorant, hate-filled single-cells with alcohol filled veins throbbing visibly in their absurdly thick necks and even thicker heads who purport to speak for the crowd but can barely speak English. Every week they turn out to watch "the worst United team I've ever seen" and they make it clear from the first misplaced pass. Spitting phlegm, alcohol and bile with every one-syllable sub-human volley of abuse.

Players who are not selected are wonderful. The ones on the pitch are appalling, even the ones who were wonderful when the idiot manager didn't pick them the week before.

They demand never-say-die. They demand Upanatem. They demand Getstuckin. They demand Gerritintbox. They have no time for sophistication or talent because they haven't an iota of either themselves. Occasionally one bright spark who's borrowed an extra braincell will deliver an abbreviated "fucking get it down and play you wankers" but that imperative is short-lived and can't survive the first time anyone dares to give the ball away. "Fuck off Baxter you lazy useless fat cunt"

Good old Bladey Blades. Fans to be proud of...everywhere we go... They know what they want and they know best...

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

What about them?

Is that the kop or JS?

 

[Pinchy]

Agree Silent. An intense backing at match time is always a contributor to performance.

But isn't that why places such as this are the ideal place for people to vent their frustrations, anger, "impatience", and dissatisfaction? I'm pretty sure at 15:00 on match day everyone on here, clapper and knocker alike is behind the team.

Yes...until 15:01. Then the players are all shite and why hasn't the manager changed it...

Most of the "fans" are there to moan and abuse, I'm afraid, mate. It's their stage; their once-a-week chance to be important. You see they've paid their money and they'll say what they want. The entrance fee entititles you to spout uneducated bollocks as loudly and abusively as you like...and fuck anyone who disagrees.

 

[alcoblade]

Yes...until 15:01. Then the players are all shite and why hasn't the manager changed it...

Most of the "fans" are there to moan and abuse, I'm afraid, mate. It's their stage; their once-a-week chance to be important. You see they've paid their money and they'll say what they want. The entrance fee entititles you to spout uneducated bollocks as loudly and abusively as you like...and fuck anyone who disagrees.

Out of interest Pinchy do you, like me, vocally back the team during the games?

Most people sit in silence and offer nothing other than "it's quiet today isn't it.

For all the debate about criticism and praise, the only thing that affects the players when it counts is the way they are backed during a game. Most supporters fail miserably in this aspect.

UTB

 

[grafikhaus]

The problem for me, and for most of the fans I sit with, is that we have absolutely no idea what Clough and the management team are trying to do............... I could go on, but whenever NC and the management team are challenged on any of the above they fail to provide any sort of coherent response. As a result I have absolutely no clue what NC and the management team are trying to do.

Agree with all that and I'm sure most do. The last bit is true and hardly augurs well for the 'Give him time' brigade. He won't change. He doesn't know how to change.

He has to have the rest of the season.
At the very most he'd get next season, but if we are still in L1 ahead of the 16-17 season it won't be with Clough in charge.

So, exactly how long do we stick with NC? The mention of the 16-17 season is chilling, but probably accurate if we just wait and hope things will miraculously improve.

Some people are talking as if we are just going through a bit of a 'blip' and will eventually come good, get through the play-offs and all home in time for tea and medals.

Not so. Our 'blip' started with the first game of the season and is still continuing. The only 'blips' in between have been the one or two surprise results we've got along the way.

 

[Pinchy]

Out of interest Pinchy do you, like me, vocally back the team during the games?

Most people sit in silence and offer nothing other than "it's quiet today isn't it.

For all the debate about criticism and praise, the only thing that affects the players when it counts is the way they are backed during a game. Most supporters fail miserably in this aspect.

UTB

Yes I do mate. You really do feel like you are swimming against the tide, though. I think the silent portion is about equal to the audible moaners with 'vocal encouragement' coming in a distant third. Where, oh where are the 'great fans' I read about on here? Good Pele, we are routinely embarrassed by about 100 away fans!

 

[Rodley]

Good support isn't numbers, it's noise for me.

If an away team pull 2,000 and don't make a peep, I think that's poor support. A team that brings 500 and makes a real racket for 90 mins is good support for me. Never bought into the SWFC 'numbers' game re: support.

 

[Darthblade]

You could argue that some fans( not all) need to do the same and instead support the team during games instead of abusing and heckling them.

Any reason why you put some words in bold capital letters ?

Just because I was "having a rant" and I thought that those particular words needed emphasising.

I do think that professional footballers need to take some responsibility for their very privileged position and are often rather "precious". They sometimes deserve to be "heckled" imho, when their actions / inaction let the long suffering supporters down.

Rant is over now though and I'm looking forward to the game as I have done for the last 50 years ...... I always start the day optimistic
UTB & FTP

 

[Rodley]

We have some of the worst 'fans' in the land. I've seen them; home and away. An element of the away 'regulars' are particularly bad. They believe their opinions have some special merit because they choose to travel week-in, week-out. It gives their opinions enhanced authority and provides a licence for vociferous and vile abuse from minute one and, most of all (like many on here, I'm afraid) don't dare to challenge their views. They are Bladey Blades; They love Bassett, Montgomery and Upanatem. They know best.

Multiply the "Hate Wilson" Neanderthals in that shamefully embarrassing photograph and you have them. Drunken, arrogant, ignorant, hate-filled single-cells with alcohol filled veins throbbing visibly in their absurdly thick necks and even thicker heads who purport to speak for the crowd but can barely speak English. Every week they turn out to watch "the worst United team I've ever seen" and they make it clear from the first misplaced pass. Spitting phlegm, alcohol and bile with every one-syllable sub-human volley of abuse.

Players who are not selected are wonderful. The ones on the pitch are appalling, even the ones who were wonderful when the idiot manager didn't pick them the week before.

They demand never-say-die. They demand Upanatem. They demand Getstuckin. They demand Gerritintbox. They have no time for sophistication or talent because they haven't an iota of either themselves. Occasionally one bright spark who's borrowed an extra braincell will deliver an abbreviated "fucking get it down and play you wankers" but that imperative is short-lived and can't survive the first time anyone dares to give the ball away. "Fuck off Baxter you lazy useless fat cunt"

Good old Bladey Blades. Fans to be proud of...everywhere we go... They know what they want and they know best...

Bramall Lane, at it's best, is an fantastic atmosphere.

Particularly under Warnock, the atmosphere was hostile to the opposition, away support, match officials, etc. A trip to BDTBL was a real nightmare for the away team from start to finish. Now we seem to direct all that ire at our own team.

The best managers use all the advantages given to them, and NC needs to use the support. Start with aggression and a higher tempo and it should get the fans going. That said the supporters need to buy in as well and accept we'll need to grind out a win.

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

We have some of the worst 'fans' in the land. I've seen them; home and away. An element of the away 'regulars' are particularly bad. They believe their opinions have some special merit because they choose to travel week-in, week-out. It gives their opinions enhanced authority and provides a licence for vociferous and vile abuse from minute one and, most of all (like many on here, I'm afraid) don't dare to challenge their views. They are Bladey Blades; They love Bassett, Montgomery and Upanatem. They know best.

Multiply the "Hate Wilson" Neanderthals in that shamefully embarrassing photograph and you have them. Drunken, arrogant, ignorant, hate-filled single-cells with alcohol filled veins throbbing visibly in their absurdly thick necks and even thicker heads who purport to speak for the crowd but can barely speak English. Every week they turn out to watch "the worst United team I've ever seen" and they make it clear from the first misplaced pass. Spitting phlegm, alcohol and bile with every one-syllable sub-human volley of abuse.

Players who are not selected are wonderful. The ones on the pitch are appalling, even the ones who were wonderful when the idiot manager didn't pick them the week before.

They demand never-say-die. They demand Upanatem. They demand Getstuckin. They demand Gerritintbox. They have no time for sophistication or talent because they haven't an iota of either themselves. Occasionally one bright spark who's borrowed an extra braincell will deliver an abbreviated "fucking get it down and play you wankers" but that imperative is short-lived and can't survive the first time anyone dares to give the ball away. "Fuck off Baxter you lazy useless fat cunt"

Good old Bladey Blades. Fans to be proud of...everywhere we go... They know what they want and they know best...

My personal favourites are the grey tracky bottomed binners who barf on the concourse and wanna feyt. Top Blades.

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

We have some of the worst 'fans' in the land. I've seen them; home and away. An element of the away 'regulars' are particularly bad. They believe their opinions have some special merit because they choose to travel week-in, week-out. It gives their opinions enhanced authority and provides a licence for vociferous and vile abuse from minute one and, most of all (like many on here, I'm afraid) don't dare to challenge their views. They are Bladey Blades; They love Bassett, Montgomery and Upanatem. They know best.

Multiply the "Hate Wilson" Neanderthals in that shamefully embarrassing photograph and you have them. Drunken, arrogant, ignorant, hate-filled single-cells with alcohol filled veins throbbing visibly in their absurdly thick necks and even thicker heads who purport to speak for the crowd but can barely speak English. Every week they turn out to watch "the worst United team I've ever seen" and they make it clear from the first misplaced pass. Spitting phlegm, alcohol and bile with every one-syllable sub-human volley of abuse.

Players who are not selected are wonderful. The ones on the pitch are appalling, even the ones who were wonderful when the idiot manager didn't pick them the week before.

They demand never-say-die. They demand Upanatem. They demand Getstuckin. They demand Gerritintbox. They have no time for sophistication or talent because they haven't an iota of either themselves. Occasionally one bright spark who's borrowed an extra braincell will deliver an abbreviated "fucking get it down and play you wankers" but that imperative is short-lived and can't survive the first time anyone dares to give the ball away. "Fuck off Baxter you lazy useless fat cunt"

Good old Bladey Blades. Fans to be proud of...everywhere we go... They know what they want and they know best...

You thought David Weir was awesome, so what do you know?

 

[Darthblade]

Loving the general positivity and reasoned debate on this thread.

If we can get darthblade onside we are sorted ;-)

PS. I'm always glass half full because I enjoy the distractions away from real life provided by TRAWW.

Whilst I would love us to have boundless success at the end of the day it's only a game, and it's really not worth getting your knickers in a knot over it.

I'm sorry mate ...... its the last 50 years of supporting United ( most of the time with a set of incompetent numpties on the Board and with a varied selection of Managers & players ) that have made me such a cynical old twat !!

I do get particularly cross though when we are the "architects of our own problems". There are enough problems, obstacles and variables in the game of football without making life difficult for ourselves. Having said that; I have supported United through good times and shit times, in all four divisions, home and away and I don't expect I will stop until they stick me in a box.

COYRAWW (even if theyre not very wizardy at the moment )
UTB & FTP

 

[Darthblade]

Good support isn't numbers, it's noise for me.

If an away team pull 2,000 and don't make a peep, I think that's poor support. A team that brings 500 and makes a real racket for 90 mins is good support for me. Never bought into the SWFC 'numbers' game re: support.

Ah ..... but they are MASSIVE though aren't they
UTB & FTP

 

[JohnDenver]

Bramall Lane, at it's best, is an fantastic atmosphere.

Particularly under Warnock, the atmosphere was hostile to the opposition, away support, match officials, etc. A trip to BDTBL was a real nightmare for the away team from start to finish. Now we seem to direct all that ire at our own team.

The best managers use all the advantages given to them, and NC needs to use the support. Start with aggression and a higher tempo and it should get the fans going. That said the supporters need to buy in as well and accept we'll need to grind out a win.

All that begins with a competitive, winning team to watch. Only then does it become reinforced by the secondary stuff.

That's why this season has been such a missed opportunity so far.

 

[Rodley]

Ah ..... but they are MASSIVE though aren't they
UTB & FTP

I read on here recently someone saying "Who cares about SWFC?" and that it was just another club. I sometimes wonder whether some have strayed too far from our core values.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

We did start the season with a target of a top two spot and with only ten games left we are 17pts off 2nd placed Preston and a whopping 28pts off the top Bristol City. We are conceding goals to schoolboy defending almost every game and find ourselves hanging on to a play off spot by our fingernails so considering the size of our budget and squad compared to the rest of the division any normal thinking person could be forgiven for considering this an abject failure not Borbokisfreekick and William Henry Foulkes though it would seem. There is a section of our supporters who prefer to hide their heads in the sand or turn on others blaming them for Clough's and the teams failings. I agree there is no point getting rid of Clough at this stage but whatever happens the board have to seriously consider our options in the summer. Is he the man to take us forward ? I think not, the brand of football is negative and boring just as bad as Blackwells hoof it style if you ask me.

No, any normal thinking person would acknowledge we're not quite where we want to be, but over the past 18 months see that Clough has demonstrated that he is capable of winning big games, having the team play good football and is tactically astute. You don't beat that many higher level teams and get to two cup semi's, and be in the top 6 by being a complete idiot.

So we have evidence to say that Clough has the ability to do a good job. Yes he's made some mistakes, some of his signings haven't quite worked, but the whole point of giving someone time is to allow them to make a few mistakes along the way to eventually get it right. It worked with Warnock.

I'm as disappointed as anyone in regards to our 'failure' to get automatic promotion this season, but I'm not going to right Clough off, especially seeing as we can still get promoted. And in my opinion, I would give him another shot at it next year regardless of what happens, rather than overhauling everything again.

The most successful club in English history stuck with a manger for 4 years before winning anything, and then a further 3 years before winning the title. They pumped loads of money into it (probably comparable to our budget for league 1), their manager even had two 11th place finishes and a13th placed finish, in this day an age he would have been thrown on the scrap heap. The club stuck with him and he went onto be the most successful manager in history and build the biggest club in the world.

I'm not saying we're Man United, or Clough is Fergie, but that example given our stature in League 1 is a good one, and would indicate that sometimes its worth sticking with someone, especially if that manager has brought some level of success in his already short time at the club.

 

[him behind you]

The most successful club in English history stuck with a manger for 4 years before winning anything, and then a further 3 years before winning the title. They pumped loads of money into it (probably comparable to our budget for league 1), their manager even had two 11th place finishes and a13th placed finish, in this day an age he would have been thrown on the scrap heap. The club stuck with him and he went onto be the most successful manager in history and build the biggest club in the world.



That, my friend, is a very good point.

I remember those days when manure were going nowhere and the vast majority of their fans were desperate to get rid of Ferguson because they could see no progress. I have to admit to feeling like that with Clough at the moment but maybe I'm just displaying typical football fan behaviour and have no patience?

I'm not saying I'm convinced that we should give Clough another year or two but you have certainly made me question my current view and start to wonder whether we might be missing the bigger picture and a possible brighter longterm future if we actually stick with a manager a little longer than we have recently?

 

[him behind you]

The most successful club in English history stuck with a manger for 4 years before winning anything, and then a further 3 years before winning the title. They pumped loads of money into it (probably comparable to our budget for league 1), their manager even had two 11th place finishes and a13th placed finish, in this day an age he would have been thrown on the scrap heap. The club stuck with him and he went onto be the most successful manager in history and build the biggest club in the world.

I'm not saying we're Man United, or Clough is Fergie, but that example given our stature in League 1 is a good one, and would indicate that sometimes its worth sticking with someone, especially if that manager has brought some level of success in his already short time at the club.

Meant this

That, my friend, is a very good point.
I remember those days when manure were going nowhere and the vast majority of their fans were desperate to get rid of Ferguson because they could see no progress. I have to admit to feeling like that with Clough at the moment but maybe I'm just displaying typical football fan behaviour and have no patience?

I'm not saying I'm convinced that we should give Clough another year or two but you have certainly made me question my current view and start to wonder whether we might be missing the bigger picture and a possible brighter long term future if we actually stick with a manager a little longer than we have recently?

 

[jediblade]

No, any normal thinking person would acknowledge we're not quite where we want to be, but over the past 18 months see that Clough has demonstrated that he is capable of winning big games, having the team play good football and is tactically astute. You don't beat that many higher level teams and get to two cup semi's, and be in the top 6 by being a complete idiot.

So we have evidence to say that Clough has the ability to do a good job. Yes he's made some mistakes, some of his signings haven't quite worked, but the whole point of giving someone time is to allow them to make a few mistakes along the way to eventually get it right. It worked with Warnock.

I'm as disappointed as anyone in regards to our 'failure' to get automatic promotion this season, but I'm not going to right Clough off, especially seeing as we can still get promoted. And in my opinion, I would give him another shot at it next year regardless of what happens, rather than overhauling everything again.

The most successful club in English history stuck with a manger for 4 years before winning anything, and then a further 3 years before winning the title. They pumped loads of money into it (probably comparable to our budget for league 1), their manager even had two 11th place finishes and a13th placed finish, in this day an age he would have been thrown on the scrap heap. The club stuck with him and he went onto be the most successful manager in history and build the biggest club in the world.

I'm not saying we're Man United, or Clough is Fergie, but that example given our stature in League 1 is a good one, and would indicate that sometimes its worth sticking with someone, especially if that manager has brought some level of success in his already short time at the club.

The difference with fergie was he'd had success before he took over man u, there was something worth waiting for. Look at the threads on here from Derby fans they say said exactly what to expect, boring dull football, a manager detached from the fans and no plan b. It was the same with Warnock there was something worth waiting for because of his track record.

 

[metalblade]

A bit of a difference between Sir Alex and negative Nigel though. Sir Alex had success in Scotland when he took Aberdeen from nowhere to champions and then went on to do well in Europe before going to Man Utd whereas Negative Nigel has after years of trying has done sweet fuck all unless you consider a promotion from the conference north as an indication of tactical genius.

 

[metalblade]

The difference with fergie was he'd had success before he took over man u, there was something worth waiting for. Look at the threads on here from Derby fans they say said exactly what to expect, boring dull football, a manager detached from the fans and no plan b. It was the same with Warnock there was something worth waiting for because of his track record.

Beat me to it have a like fella,

 

[jediblade]

Beat me to it have a like fella,

Have one back, you put the icing on my cake.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

The difference with fergie was he'd had success before he took over man u, there was something worth waiting for. Look at the threads on here from Derby fans they say said exactly what to expect, boring dull football, a manager detached from the fans and no plan b. It was the same with Warnock there was something worth waiting for because of his track record.

That's a fair point. However, Warnock did also have a relegation on his C.V., plus awful spells at Oldham and Bury. I'm sure both their sets of fans warned us of his volatile sideline antics and terrible, hoof ball football. Yet given time he got us to the Premier League and a couple of good cup runs.

Some of the Derby fans are now complaining about McClaren! I couldn't give a shit what they say about Clough.

The main point was that even the very best needed time, even with huge resources and a massive club. And also, just because a manager has a bad year (like Fergie did in the 80s's or Warnock did in 2004-2005) it doesn't mean they can't build on that, make improvements and get success.

 

[blade too long]

We won today so the whinging has diverted to the shirt.its a white shirt with thin red stripes.united play in red and white not white and red..Can we sound any more ridiculous. I have not liked about 10 of our previous styled shirts .but never kicked off in such a virilent manner .its a style change .probably from an Adidas designer who we all cheered getting .get a grip

 

[sheffielder]

We won today so the whinging has diverted to the shirt.its a white shirt with thin red stripes.united play in red and white not white and red..Can we sound any more ridiculous. I have not liked about 10 of our previous styled shirts .but never kicked off in such a virilent manner .its a style change .probably from an Adidas designer who we all cheered getting .get a grip

Is anyone allowed to have an opinion about anything anymore? Not a great fan of the kit, however I am not going to lose sleep about it. I don't like the change of bad more, if that's ok with you?

 

[blade too long]

Is anyone allowed to have an opinion about anything anymore? Not a great fan of the kit, however I am not going to lose sleep about it. I don't like the change of bad more, if that's ok with you?

people can have opinions if they like one or not .but some of the bile and rhetoric is way beyond just I dont care for it. As I said Ive not liked quite few weve had but I havent as been suggested thought its an affront to fans.or an insult.

 

[mark hones]

We have some of the worst 'fans' in the land. I've seen them; home and away. An element of the away 'regulars' are particularly bad. They believe their opinions have some special merit because they choose to travel week-in, week-out. It gives their opinions enhanced authority and provides a licence for vociferous and vile abuse from minute one and, most of all (like many on here, I'm afraid) don't dare to challenge their views. They are Bladey Blades; They love Bassett, Montgomery and Upanatem. They know best.

Multiply the "Hate Wilson" Neanderthals in that shamefully embarrassing photograph and you have them. Drunken, arrogant, ignorant, hate-filled single-cells with alcohol filled veins throbbing visibly in their absurdly thick necks and even thicker heads who purport to speak for the crowd but can barely speak English. Every week they turn out to watch "the worst United team I've ever seen" and they make it clear from the first misplaced pass. Spitting phlegm, alcohol and bile with every one-syllable sub-human volley of abuse.

Players who are not selected are wonderful. The ones on the pitch are appalling, even the ones who were wonderful when the idiot manager didn't pick them the week before.

They demand never-say-die. They demand Upanatem. They demand Getstuckin. They demand Gerritintbox. They have no time for sophistication or talent because they haven't an iota of either themselves. Occasionally one bright spark who's borrowed an extra braincell will deliver an abbreviated "fucking get it down and play you wankers" but that imperative is short-lived and can't survive the first time anyone dares to give the ball away. "Fuck off Baxter you lazy useless fat cunt"

Good old Bladey Blades. Fans to be proud of...everywhere we go... They know what they want and they know best...

FFS change the record. We scrape a win and as if by magic you appear, and you're still spouting the same old shit. You're the king of name calling when you're sitting behind your keyboard, yet you openly admit that you're too much of a coward to confront anyone with a different opinion at a match, despite the fact that there are only "100 single cells" in a crowd of at least 2000. You and your disillusioned ilk are doing more to harm our club than the "Neanderthals". Your constant excusing of the inexcusable says a lot, your blind faith in Weir says everything.

In truth you're the single cell, the coward, the embarrassment to our club. For all the bile and vitriol that you spout at others, you don't offer anything apart from a blind acceptance of anything and everything the club does, and you know what? That makes you the biggest Bladey Blade out there, how ironic.

I hated Montgomery more than any player who played for us, I despised Warnock. Most of all I hate being rubbing rags in division 3, and listening to know nowts bang on about why we should accept that is a wee bit pappy truth be told.

 

[grafikhaus]

Morning, Mark!

 

[mark hones]

Still night here mate but come on, listening to a so called fan refer to fellow Blades as "the worst fans", simply because they show a bit more passion is pretty low don't you think?

 

[grafikhaus]

Still night here mate but come on, listening to a so called fan refer to fellow Blades as "the worst fans", simply because they show a bit more passion is pretty low don't you think?

See Post #10 on this thread for my views on off-field behaviour...