Clough Poll

[Rusty view]

in - By the skin of his teeth, but boy does he need a good start next season. 30 pts from 1st 10 games please.

 

[YES Blade]

Reply to Yes Blade
Errrr no. Where did I say that?
I assume you saw the game. We did of course have centre backs, but not our first choice pairing.
I suppose it's the IDIOT managers fault that we got injuries. Maybe he should have made Brayford play on crutches, or bring Kennedy back?
You said we had no centre backs, slight exaggeration I think.
Also what did you think of the ref in the first game?
Do you think he made a difference?
In what way?
The ref in the second game was OK IMHO.
Also to be fair, Swindon's attack was superb, any team would struggle against them, never mind a cobbled together pairing.
I'm not saying our defence played well, on the contrary they struggled, but then I half expected that once I knew the team.

We did have centre backs? Well yes, we did have two players playing as centre backs, shame they were both full backs.

Brayford is a right back, Kennedy's injury record meant we couldn't rely on him to play regularly.

The ref from the first match didn't have a good game, but was he the sole reason we lost? Was he supposed to be marking Ricketts for the first goal? Should he have saved Byrne's goal? Did he miss some good goal scoring chances for us? Blaming the ref and bad luck is just turning a blind eye to the real reasons we didn't get to Wembley or challenge for automatic promotion.

 

[sheffielder]

Just goes to show Sheffielder, never underestimate the silent majority

Happy to go with the silent majority again.

 

[Bergen Blade]

But for an idiot manager with no centre backs we could have been at Wembley.

But do you want him out to punish him for not sorting out centre backs this season, or because you don't think he'll sort them out for next season?

I think anyone who votes 'in' assumes he'll have learned a few lessons from this season. It would be good if he one of the next days spoke more of what we lacked this season, and how he plans to address these problems in the summer. There should be an element of admitting the management's mistakes this season in such an interview/statement.

 

[Putney Blade]

OUT

He won't and the Board won't change his approach.

This is the heart of the problem.

We will get the 'same' but with 'newer' players; simply won't work.

Suspect the Board will give him another season; but because of the above, doubt he will last the campaign and we will suffer AGAIN…

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Surely that will depend on who he signs?

We need a hard defensive triangle from the land of the giants, 2 CB and one DM.

Get those three positions sorted and we're nearly there IMO

The best thing that would turn my mood around would be a statement from Clough about the mistakes he's made and how he plans to rectify them.

I honestly believe that he doesn't really think he's made any mistakes and that there's nothing significant to rectify.

Of course, he will sign some CB's - that's the basics that he got wrong. But his philosophy on how the game should be played will not.

Go out and attack Fleetwood* Nigel. Please............

*insert random tiny club with 1/5 th of the resource at Clough's disposal.

UTB.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Alan Biggs@AlanBiggs1 · 3 hrs3 hours ago


Just had a raging call from an ex Blades star who "had to speak to somebody" about #sufc's "terrible defending." Blames players, not NC.

 

[AlBlade]

But do you want him out to punish him for not sorting out centre backs this season, or because you don't think he'll sort them out for next season?

The issue is that the centre back problem this season was not down to injuries or being forced to sell players, the problem was created by Clough falling out with players, and stubbornly refusing to fix a problem that he (and everyone else) knew about.

I don't know what happened with Butler and Collins, but I find it strange that two players who have captained teams, and previously been described as model pro's, suddenly start causing problems. What I do know is that we would not have conceded five of the worst goals (from a defensive point of view) if Butler and Collins had been playing at centre half last night. When Clough did fall out with these two players did he think (as most rational managers would) "right I am going to get two replacement centre halves, and then get shut of this pair.". No, he decided neither would play for the club again, even though we had sold Maguire and had no centre halves other than an injury prone Kennedy. This stubborness / crass stupidity / mother of all piss poor decisions (* delete as appropriate) has cost Sheffield United dearly this season.

So, do I want shut of Clough because I want to punish him for not sorting out the centre backs this season - No. Do I want shut of Clough because he caused the centre back problem, and I have no faith in the fact that he won't make a similarly monumental cock up next season - Yes!!!!!

 

[SwissBlade]

100% behind Clough

 

[secretchief]

While we are on the subject of 'learning lessons', I think one of the most important ones has to be learned, not by NC (that'll be the day), but by the board.

Which is that the last three iterations of primarily defensive 'containment' football as practised by Clough, Wier and Wilson (under his second season) did not make optimal use of the massive advantages we have in resources compared to other teams in this league, where it is demonstrated time and time again that progressive attacking teams that score heavily stand the best chance of getting out of it.

What Revolution has been rightly pointing out, for quite a while, is that we need to score about 30 more goals next season than we scored this season in order to be in with a chance of the top two.

I seriously doubt that Clough 'learning lessons' or buying centre backs, or really anything he does within his manegerial repertoire is going to add 30 goals to our goal tally next season. And when it doesn't there will be hell to pay.

The board need to appoint someone that pledges to attack the living shit out of the division, makes no apologies for it, and worry about the championship if and when. I am sorry if that pisses on anyone's ideas about 'stability', but it is madness to persevere with a defensive manager in this league.

 

[Mad Mick]

We did have centre backs? Well yes, we did have two players playing as centre backs, shame they were both full backs.

Brayford is a right back, Kennedy's injury record meant we couldn't rely on him to play regularly.

The ref from the first match didn't have a good game, but was he the sole reason we lost? Was he supposed to be marking Ricketts for the first goal? Should he have saved Byrne's goal? Did he miss some good goal scoring chances for us? Blaming the ref and bad luck is just turning a blind eye to the real reasons we didn't get to Wembley or challenge for automatic promotion.

I think we are getting closer to agreement. It was a shame that both payers who played in the centre back position were full backs. But then the manager can only use the players he has available. It does not make him an idiot.
I do blame the ref for the result of the first game, if he had done his job correctly we could have won. Mistakes will always be made in defence no matter who plays, and that is not always down to poor refereeing decisions. But then their defence made some howlers and got away with them in the first game. Firstly Murphy's stonewall penalty and later, Flynn brought down in the area with a red card tackle. I'm afraid the biggest influence on the game Thursday in my opinion was the ref. We can argue all day who was at fault, but saying we had no centre backs and calling the manager an idiot is just plain wrong.

 

[YES Blade]

But do you want him out to punish him for not sorting out centre backs this season, or because you don't think he'll sort them out for next season?

I think anyone who votes 'in' assumes he'll have learned a few lessons from this season. It would be good if he one of the next days spoke more of what we lacked this season, and how he plans to address these problems in the summer. There should be an element of admitting the management's mistakes this season in such an interview/statement.

That was the biggest issue from this season, but it's not the sole reason I want him out. If Clough was manager for another 5 years, I don't believe he would get us promoted. He hasn't learned from his mistakes at Derby, so why will he change now?

 

[TonyAgana]

We will NEVER play open, expansive football under Clough, he doesn't know how to.

Except for pretty much all last season. And plenty of games this season. I'm sure you believe your own narrative so I'm wasting my breath trying to convince you but putting NEVER in caps doesn't make it true.

 

[metalblade]

100% behind Clough

with a bucket and a shovel

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I dont seehow anyone can defend a manager & his brother when its been glaringly obvious what we have been missing most fo the season yet NOTHING has been done to try & sort it out.
.

How would you know that?

 

[Pinchy]

No brainer he has got to go ..........................
boring negative football
piss poor signings
playing his ex Derby mates even if they are in shit form or unfit
playing players out of their preferred positions
falling out with players rather than managing them
constantly publicly slating certain players
always moaning about refs or anyone else after a defeat, never his mistakes is it.
failing to address the CB problem we have had all season
failing to address the striker problem we have had since the day he came to SUFC
his view of progress is being 4pts better of than last season, yes the season where we had 4pts from David Weirs management. Sorry we have gone backwards Nigel
the ridiculous decision to spend near on £2m on a full back, other clubs in this league build entire teams for less than that
no league promotions on his CV and you can see why
playing players who are unfit
the general poor fitness levels of the entire squad most are blown out of their arse after 60mins
the poor levels of medical care it seems most players are suffering injury after injury it can't all be down to bad luck, not signing players coming back from serious injury might help a bit.
poor scouting there is a whole world outside of Derby, Blackpool and the lower levels of Scotland you know.
refusing to use modern technology like pro zone, then some wonder why he is called non league Nigel.

Read no further than the first two words....

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

We will NEVER play open, expansive football under Clough, he doesn't know how to, look at his record at Derby, dull as dishwater, set up not to lose, sound familiar?

I personally can't understand why he is so negative, he played for 2 of the most attacking sides in his day in Liverpool and Forest but he just cannot seem to bear the thought of losing a game which in turn breeds this constant negativity.

Sorry Nigel, you have to go.

How many would we have scored last night if we hadn't parked the bus?

 

[metalblade]

Read no further than the first two words....

Had a good holiday ?

 

[Torrix1889]

How many would we have scored last night if we hadn't parked the bus?

Last night was a freak game.....10 goals, defensive howlers, stray passes, penalties, 9 yellow cards, goalmouth scrambles.....all that was missing was a streaker!

 

[Torrix1889]

Except for pretty much all last season. And plenty of games this season. I'm sure you believe your own narrative so I'm wasting my breath trying to convince you but putting NEVER in caps doesn't make it true.

YES IT DOES.

 

[Kev Gee]

How would you know that?

Because we have 4 FBs playing in the back 4.

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

But do you want him out to punish him for not sorting out centre backs this season, or because you don't think he'll sort them out for next season?

I think anyone who votes 'in' assumes he'll have learned a few lessons from this season. It would be good if he one of the next days spoke more of what we lacked this season, and how he plans to address these problems in the summer. There should be an element of admitting the management's mistakes this season in such an interview/statement.

Do you think he has the humility to do that? What should happen if he doesn't make such a statement?

 

[Trigger Blade]

I think anyone who votes 'in' assumes he'll have learned a few lessons from this season. It would be good if he one of the next days spoke more of what we lacked this season, and how he plans to address these problems in the summer. There should be an element of admitting the management's mistakes this season in such an interview/statement.

The best thing that would turn my mood around would be a statement from Clough about the mistakes he's made and how he plans to rectify them.

I was thinking this morning about how there used to be a quiz the manager session at the AGM and I don't know if that still happens, but I had exactly the same thoughts as Bergen and alco.

How fantastic would it be if Clough listed the things that he did wrong (ie not blaming outside factors, which he's very good at). I also wonder what his management team think about some of the decisions he's made, for example, what's Morgs view on playing small full backs at centre half, does he just say "great idea gaffer"?

 

[Lane Ender]

The best thing that would turn my mood around would be a statement from Clough about the mistakes he's made and how he plans to rectify them.

I honestly believe that he doesn't really think he's made any mistakes and that there's nothing significant to rectify.

Of course, he will sign some CB's - that's the basics that he got wrong. But his philosophy on how the game should be played will not.

Go out and attack Fleetwood* Nigel. Please............

*insert random tiny club with 1/5 th of the resource at Clough's disposal.

UTB.

Clough admitting mistakes youve got to be kidding me

 

[drinksmat]

Either you are for or against and so any commentary in either direction is unlikely to sway opinion.

Having said that I am in the stay camp. For those with short memories we have just come out of a period of merry go round managers and that did not end well it is how we ended up in L1.

Be careful what you wish for.

 

[drinksmat]

Last night was a freak game.....10 goals, defensive howlers, stray passes, penalties, 9 yellow cards, goalmouth scrambles.....all that was missing was a streaker!

You mean you didn't see her? I guess you were more focused on the defensive calamity roadshow out on the pitch.

 

[alcoblade]

Either you are for or against and so any commentary in either direction is unlikely to sway opinion.

Having said that I am in the stay camp. For those with short memories we have just come out of a period of merry go round managers and that did not end well it is how we ended up in L1.

Be careful what you wish for.

So, we should have stuck with either Micky Adams, Bryan Robson, or Kevin Blackwell then! Someone tell the DSS they're claiming under false pretences!



UTB

 

[Pinchy]

Had a good holiday ?

It's always good to get away from knee-jerk drivel for a while. It refreshes the old grey cell(s).

You should try it.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

I haven't voted either way yet because there is no way I could vote to keep him unconditionally and equally I don't know who there is that is better to replace him with that could do a job without major disruption and costs. For me

1) Whoever we replace him with has to be better - don't want another Weir situation.
2) The disruption of him going is against sacking him - and the cost will be high
3) The only option I could sanction with him staying is that he relinquishes the absolute control he has on transfers and that he agrees to and fully endorses a modernisation of our transfer set-up and that his brother is replaced. Clough's squad building is not good enough.
4) I hate the unprofessional public slagging of players immediately after a game and his refusal to accept any responsibility for performances himself. That needs to stop.
5) I would prefer a want to win attitude rather than don't want to lose. Its 3 points for a win not 2 any more Nigel.
6) I really want to believe he can change but I can't. He is 49 and set in his ways and attitudes.
7) I cannot get the image of him retreating into the dug-out and visibly shrinking as he buried his head in his hands at 3-0 last night. He looked like he had given up - thank god the players didn't. 7-6 last night might save his job, 7-1 he would be history.

JP has said the Board will review Front Office and Coaching staff at the end of the season. I think NC will keep his job if he agrees to the changes they will want to make and see happen. It will mean strings being put on him I think and maybe some unpalatable decisions to be made, possibly in regard to his brother and transfers. I reckon it will be then up to Nigel and I can see him choosing to go.

 

[Bayingblade]

How many would we have scored last night if we hadn't parked the bus?

The question is Grumpy, how many would we have let in if we hadn't parked the bus??