Clough Interview

[SandyMcBlade]

Ryan Flynn was in his early/mid-twenties so likely to improve. Davies is past 30 and only going to get worse.

In twelve months ?
Give it a rest, he's scored 3 goals in 9 apps, I think he's worth a gamble...

 

[alcoblade]

People won't be surprised to hear that I'm disappointed we've offered Porter a deal. Not as much because I think he's totally useless, but more because it puts into perspective the likely power of our spending. If we're making space for such low quality, we clearly aren't going to be spending "big".

I'm very happy with the club at the minute. I can't wait for next season - but I was waiting for the summer to assess what the Prince's spending intentions were. I think we've just found out.

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[LoughboroBlade]

I can't wait for next season - but I was waiting for the summer to assess what the Prince's spending intentions were. I think we've just found out.

Might be worth waiting just a little longer than till May 10th before drawing the line under our summer spending. I would have thought we will see two new strikers at the very least.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Might be worth waiting just a little longer than till May 10th before drawing the line under our summer spending. I would have thought we will see two new strikers at the very least.

In agreement L'boro, resigning ourselves to what Clough may, or may not do is foolish. The Prince isn't responsible for team affairs, Nigel is.

If Cloughie can pick up a player of good enough quality for X, why pay Z? From everything we've witnessed with Clough so far, does anyone really think he'd tolerate interference in who he chooses to buy, keep, or release? From all accounts Nigel has been handed a budget of £2mil, which doesn't include the money we made from the cup run. It's not as if we aren't armed with the funds to compete at this level, so why the sorry resignation at such an early stage? All because Clough decided to retain Porter? Seems a bit of an over-reaction if you ask me.

 

[alcoblade]

Might be worth waiting just a little longer than till May 10th before drawing the line under our summer spending. I would have thought we will see two new strikers at the very least.

Who's drawn a line? Clearly whatever spending we have in mind leaves space for Chris Porter. I'm disappointed with that, whilst remaining optimistic overall.

I agree we'll still bring in 2 strikers, but it's the first sign of the spending intentions.

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[alcoblade]

In agreement L'boro, resigning ourselves to what Clough may, or may not do is foolish. The Prince isn't responsible for team affairs, Nigel is.

If Cloughie can pick up a player of good enough quality for X, why pay Z? From everything we've witnessed with Clough so far, does anyone really think he'd tolerate interference in who he chooses to buy, keep, or release? From all accounts Nigel has been handed a budget of £2mil, which doesn't include the money we made from the cup run. It's not as if we aren't armed with the funds to compete at this level, so why the sorry resignation at such an early stage? All because Clough decided to retain Porter? Seems a bit of an over-reaction if you ask me.

For someone who doled out a lecture about not reading more into your posts than you wrote, you're doing a good job of reciprocating here.

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[itsinyerblood]

For someone who doled out a lecture about not reading more into your posts than you wrote, you're doing a good job of reciprocating here.

UTB

Sorry Alco, you'll have to remind me, giving chapter and verse. Then I can respond in a way that I feel is appropriate. Don't know about you but I'm busy, so expecting me to suddenly know what you're referring to isn't possible. We have a different opinion on what's happening at United, nothing more than that, but if you wish to turn it into an article of faith, just provide the detail about the supposed 'lecture' and I can then see if your comment is worth responding to.

 

[alcoblade]

Sorry Alco, you'll have to remind me, giving chapter and verse. Then I can respond in a way that I feel is appropriate. Don't know about you but I'm busy, so expecting me to suddenly know what you're referring to isn't possible. We have a different opinion on what's happening at United, nothing more than that, but if you wish to turn it into an article of faith, just provide the detail about the supposed 'lecture' and I can then see if your comment is worth responding to.

I don't want or need to earn your response. Suffice to say, don't infer that I've said things that I haven't. A point you've lectured on before. Find it, or don't. I don't care either way.

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[JohnDenver]

On the Davies question, if other clubs offer him more than a year, we shouldn't reciprocate. We should offer him extra promotion and performance related bonuses. Perhaps even the promise of an extra year tied to these targets being met.

Set the bar high enough and if he meets the targets we'd want to keep him as much as he'd want to stay. Otherwise, it's cheerio.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I agree we'll still bring in 2 strikers, but it's the first sign of the spending intentions.

I read this as we've offered him something on reduced terms (think there were hints in Clough's interview to suggest this) and he'll likely be fighting three other strikers for a role rather than one non-striker as he has done these past months. A significant improvement in my mind - Clough will get enough out of Porter to have made it worthwhile.

It's entirely possible he might get offered a better deal elsewhere of course, from a lower League 1 side, League 2, or Scotland.

 

[alcoblade]

I read this as we've offered him something on reduced terms (think there were hints in Clough's interview to suggest this) and he'll likely be fighting three other strikers for a role rather than one non-striker as he has done these past months.

It's entirely possible he might get offered a better deal elsewhere of course, from a lower League 1 side, League 2, or Scotland.'s

Yep, agreed. My only point here is that I was hoping we'd be spending enough to inflate the squad to a point where there was no room for players of the quality of Porter. Given that's what I'd hoped, I'm going to be disappointed when that's not the case. That's not to say that I'm not very optimistic about next year.

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[JohnDenver]

I read this as we've offered him something on reduced terms (think there were hints in Clough's interview to suggest this) and he'll likely be fighting three other strikers for a role rather than one non-striker as he has done these past months. A significant improvement in my mind - Clough will get enough out of Porter to have made it worthwhile.

It's entirely possible he might get offered a better deal elsewhere of course, from a lower League 1 side, League 2, or Scotland.

Yup, he probably should choose to leave and play as a first choice pick somewhere. At his age he needs to be doing that.

That said, if he stays and scores another 11 goals as regular substitute that'll do very nicely.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I don't want or need to earn your response. Suffice to say, don't infer that I've said things that I haven't. A point you've lectured on before. Find it, or don't. I don't care either way.

UTB

Sorry you feel that way Alco. I re-read my post and there's no inference, just a reflection of you deciding that United's spending policy had peaked, nothing more, nothing less. Bit of advice though, don't imply I've doled out a lecture, then be incapable of backing up the statement by not producing said comment. Think we both want to see a stronger squad next season, so let's not make this a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[alcoblade]

Sorry you feel that way Alco. I re-read my post and there's no inference, just a reflection of you deciding that United's spending policy had peaked, nothing more, nothing less. Bit of advice though, don't imply I've doled out a lecture, then be incapable of backing up the statement by not producing said comment. Think we both want to see a stronger squad next season, so let's not make this a mountain out of a molehill.

You really are a patronising b.........



UTB

 

[itsinyerblood]

You really are a patronising b.........



UTB

Bit touchy aren't we? Never mind, next season to look forward to

 

[ScoobBlade]

I think he will be a good solid signing and I also can't understand the question marks over his fitness, he's a stocky lad that isn't built for flying past his man but it's refreshing to see a wide man who's difficult to knock about

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think he will be a good solid signing and I also can't understand the question marks over his fitness, he's a stocky lad that isn't built for flying past his man but it's refreshing to see a wide man who's difficult to knock about

It is true that Davies is very slow. There was one occasion where he got the ball and had a good head start on an opposition, but knowing he'd easily catch up with him Davies waited for him, and then turned backwards to at least keep possession. I'm impressed that he's looked so steady at full back though. It's not a signing that excites fans, but as a squad player he may be useful.

I assume Clough will sign another out and out winger, similar to Murphy, especially if Brandy is leaving. But if this new player isn't as good defensively as Flynn I think Clough will be reluctant to play him and Murphy out wide in a 4-4-2 system, hence the need for a different, steadier option. So if Clough wants to play 4-4-2 in an difficult away fixture when Flynn is out injured/tired/out of form he can put Davies in on the right and reduce the chance of the team becoming too attacking.

 

[JOEYDEE]

Don't reckon much to this mark mcnulty wot cloughies ravin abaht !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McNulty

 

[SwissBlade]

Don't reckon much to this mark mcnulty wot cloughies ravin abaht !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McNulty

If you ask some of our fans, many of out strikers over the last few years have been 'none footballers'. So at least we know that this lad isn't a footballer

 

[Bladepicker]

Who's drawn a line? Clearly whatever spending we have in mind leaves space for Chris Porter. I'm disappointed with that, whilst remaining optimistic overall.

I agree we'll still bring in 2 strikers, but it's the first sign of the spending intentions.

UTB

I think the key here is Clough saying he wants five strikers, it would be very difficult to keep 5 strikers happy, especially if we only play one up front at times next season. Therefore it maybe unrealistic to have 5 'top quality' strikers - if Porter is being signed as the 5th striker, someone who will be happy to be a squad player on a pittance, but who we know can score goals and make an impact coming off the bench, then I think it is a good option to have.