Clough, the story so far...

[itsinyerblood]

Some managers come into a club and get their excuses in early, saying it'll take at least a couple of seasons to sort the mess out left by the previous incumbent. Nigel Clough has rolled his sleeves up, assessed who he wants to stay, who he feels is better off elsewhere, the style of play that suits the players we have, plus he's acquired players who have made a crucial difference. Nothing short of remarkable as far as turn-arounds go, and all done in a matter of months!

Now we sit in the heady heights of 12th in this poxy division. When I recall where we were only a few games ago and now we're able to breathe a little easier. None of which means we should count chickens, get too carried away.....but let's be right, it's difficult not to look at what's happened and stick our chests out. We're one cup game away from Wembley, we're no longer plagued by the thought of relegation as our destiny, and we're getting a squad together that looks as if, with a few more additions, it can offer us hope for next season.

Nigel, you, my son, deserve a huge round of applause from all of us, UTB

 

[Darren]

All credit to Clough for getting us out of the shit that Weir left us in, but even if we finish above 11th, in terms of league position it will still be the 5th worst ever season in the club's history in terms of league position,

The real test will come next season when we really have to be looking for promotion.

 

[blade too long]

I expect Brian to come on Radio Sheffield and eat a bucket of dog shit as a penance

 

[itsinyerblood]

All credit to Clough for getting us out of the shit that Weir left us in, but even if we finish above 11th, in terms of league position it will still be the 5th worst ever season in the club's history in terms of league position,

The real test will come next season when we really have to be looking for promotion.

Point taken Darren, but I wasn't applying an historical perspective (as valid as that is), just the relief that comes with seeing us move away from the dreaded relegation zone. The job's far from done and in our manager we have someone who is grounded and won't allow anyone to rest on any perceived laurels.

You're absolutely right, what Nigel needs is to add to what we have, move a few more on, and I can only hope we'll have a side fit for purpose.

 

[blade too long]

another 22 wins and we can go up and win the cup



only saying

 

[itsinyerblood]

another 22 wins and we can go up and win the cup



only saying

Ha! I'll have whatever you're having mate UTB

 

[Pinchy]

NC has performed wonders. Darren is right about the historical perspective but Nigel can't take the blame for that.

We are transformed. The team now has organisation, method, purpose, flexibility and a nice helping of quality. Oh and we're in the last eight of the greatest Cup in the world.

The tide is definitely turning. With backing Nige is going to build a very good team indeed. Maybe the crowd will give him a personal salute some time soon?

Happy days ahead. Let's enjoy.

Oh, forgot....

I Scoogs!

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

I think Cloughie is on a mission, which is to overtake Derby County....

Besides invigorating the flair players like Flynn and Murphy, and bringing in two stellar full backs, I've been most impressed with his development of an outstanding team spirit.

 

[Sheff de party]

did anyone honestly think we'd get relegated?

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

WLLWDDWDDWLLDLWWWW

 

[itsinyerblood]

did anyone honestly think we'd get relegated?

Quite a few did. Around the time of the defeat at Crewe, even earlier in some cases, there were naysayers contemplating life in Division 2. The posts are there, and they weren't isolated examples of one poster's pessimism, a head of steam was building around how life would be in the division below. I'm glad to say we now seem to have a more positive take on what to look forward to. UTB

 

[Mendi]

clough has been great, and is a great manager.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

One day, a few years into the future, I'd love to hear the crowd chanting

"Cloughie for England."

Bet he'd love it too.

 

[Sirius]

All credit to Clough for getting us out of the shit that Weir left us in, but even if we finish above 11th, in terms of league position it will still be the 5th worst ever season in the club's history in terms of league position,

The real test will come next season when we really have to be looking for promotion.

All the more credit to Clough. IMO patience, patience and more patience is the way forward. I am pleased that Clough assessed our situation carefully, unlike previous incumbents of the managers chair. IMO he has earned the respect of even the most disillusioned supporter. More than that he has shown that he can construct a team capable of better things and will test

 

[Sirius]

Sorry the rest of the above flew the coup without permission (Foxy it just left me with a blank screen)

Anyway------- Cont the resolve of HRH to invest.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Clough has done an excellent job. No doubt.

But to suggest he inherited a mess from Weir is harsh. Doubt I will get many to agree on this but consider this.

Someone HAD to take this club by the scruff of the neck and transform its ethos, mantra and philosophy from top to bottom.

This was bound to be painful initially, as the transformation required was a stark one.

Let us not forget who started the journey.

UTB.

 

[mattbianco1]

No.

After the Crewe game is the lowest I've felt all season but. Never said relegation was on

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

One day, a few years into the future, I'd love to hear the crowd chanting

"Cloughie for England."

Bet he'd love it too.

You'd like him to help out those twats who have sent the Charlton fans to Sheffield on a Sunday morning?

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

You'd like him to help out those twats who have sent the Charlton fans to Sheffield on a Sunday morning?

What, the TV people and the police?

 

[grafikhaus]

Let us not forget who started the journey.

UTB.

That'd be Morgs, then.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Clough has done an excellent job. No doubt.

But to suggest he inherited a mess from Weir is harsh. Doubt I will get many to agree on this but consider this.

Someone HAD to take this club by the scruff of the neck and transform its ethos, mantra and philosophy from top to bottom.

This was bound to be painful initially, as the transformation required was a stark one.

Let us not forget who started the journey.

UTB.

Thanks then to Robson?

 

[Revolution]

Clough has done an excellent job. No doubt.

But to suggest he inherited a mess from Weir is harsh. Doubt I will get many to agree on this but consider this.

Someone HAD to take this club by the scruff of the neck and transform its ethos, mantra and philosophy from top to bottom.

This was bound to be painful initially, as the transformation required was a stark one.

Let us not forget who started the journey.

UTB.

Not this nonsense again.

He signed 13 players, of whom about 3 are starting.

The league results were awful. We were going to be relegated.

The cup results were worse.

The football was turgid.

He has the worst managerial record of any United manager ever.

He trousered a fortune in compensation when he was rightly fired.

He deserves to be forgotten.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Clough has done an excellent job. No doubt.

But to suggest he inherited a mess from Weir is harsh. Doubt I will get many to agree on this but consider this.

Someone HAD to take this club by the scruff of the neck and transform its ethos, mantra and philosophy from top to bottom.

This was bound to be painful initially, as the transformation required was a stark one.

Let us not forget who started the journey.

UTB.

DronnieBlade, you may well be right about the need to flip SUFC on it's head and bring about a change in fortunes. Where I'd disagree with your rather too kind analysis of what Weir did to this club is that what was needed was evolution as opposed to revolution. Weir attempted, unsuccessfully let's not forget, wholesale changes in personnel and playing style. Even more pointedly, this was all done in this crap-hole of a division not exactly renowned for the type of cultured football Weir was intent in bringing to this club. We lost our way, the loss of points during his time with us amounted to a mountain to climb for whoever his successor would eventually be.

Clough arrived at a time when spirit and fortunes were low. The reasons for this can be laid fairly and squarely at the feet of Weir, so please don't describe any of this time in our history as a harsh analysis, it's fact, nothing other than a fair assessment of ill-equipped mismanagement. The comparison in styles, both man management and playing style, brought this club to it's knees only to be revived by someone with management experience compared to the naivety of someone who may have had vision but was lacking in implementation.

Clough has not only changed our fortunes, he has achieved this against a backdrop of someone else's failure, which resulted in a mood of despair and negative acceptance as to our future. To achieve what has happened, and all in a few months, is superb and a testament to Clough, his management team, and the way the players have responded to his methods.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Weir

Not this nonsense again.

He signed 13 players, of whom about 3 are starting.

The league results were awful. We were going to be relegated.

The cup results were worse.

The football was turgid.

He has the worst managerial record of any United manager ever.

He trousered a fortune in compensation when he was rightly fired.

He deserves to be forgotten.

Weir thought football management was like Championship Manager. Sign players with decent attributes, play a fancy fashionable formation, sit back and expect results.

 

[Darren]

Not this nonsense again.

He signed 13 players, of whom about 3 are starting.

The league results were awful. We were going to be relegated.

The cup results were worse.

The football was turgid.

He has the worst managerial record of any United manager ever.

He trousered a fortune in compensation when he was rightly fired.

He deserves to be forgotten.

Of the players who started last night only Coady and Baxter were Weir signings. His other signings.

1. Hall - came and went on loan - nothing special
2. Taylor - clearly not up to D3 - shipped back to Scotland
3. McGinn - seems reasonable
4. Cuvelier - poor - shipped out on loan
5. King - started well - turned crap and released
6. Brandy - good in occasional flashes - completely undisciplined - shipped out on loan
7. McGinty - not up to D3 - shipped out on loan
8. Bunn - on loan - barely played - sent back
9. Lappin - on loan - started appalingly - got better and then sent back
10. Johns - still with us but clearly not up to D3.

I can't recall if Weir signed White - if so see Hall.

So of 12(or 13) players signed by Weir only 4 are still with us and only 3 are any good. So much for Weir doing any good.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

 

[Darren]

View attachment 7420

That includes cup games of course

 

[itsinyerblood]

View attachment 7420

Don't know where you found that stat board Sothall_Blade, but just another point to underline how well Cloughie has done since taking the job as manager UTB

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

another 22 wins and we can go up and win the cup



only saying

23 and you can chuck in The Charity Shield

 

[Selly]

That includes cup games of course

And is based on 3 points for a win, seems a little harsh to judge pre 3 points for a win managers by the 3 points for a win stick.

Overall percentage of points available gained may be useful to see...