Clough's demeanour...

[zablade]

Is it concerning anyone else? I have heard most of the interviews he has given since preseason started and to be bluntly honest he doesn't seem to have the same spark he had last season, back then even in the darkest moment after Crewe away he was Spikey his "we didn't pick up any injuries as no one put in a tackle" comment springs to mind.

Listening to his interviews after Mansfield and especially today on RS he sounded completely flat and almost distracted, is something happening behind the scenes we don't know about. is it the Ched situation weighing on his mind? Whatever is up it seems to me something is not right with him.

 

[s4-blade]

Noticed that also. A couple of times on radio pig today he answered with a simple no or even changed to question slightly and seemed very down beat. Worrying

 

[Roygbiv]

Things don't seem to be well behind the scenes and for once I don't think it's down to the board. The Butler situation is strange whichever way people try and dress it up. Butler going to watch his old team and not his new one just adds to it. Whatever people think of them as players dropping Collins AND Doyle is also a perplexing move after they started every game under Clough last season.

I'm not suggesting a conspiracy but I think most people have the feeling that the camaraderie at the club isn't what it was at the end of last season. Whether Clough has upset players simply by dropping them or something else the lack of fight and aggression is worrying.

 

[alcoblade]

A number of possibilities, likely from;

Lots of new faces disrupting team spirit.

Being forced to sign a convicted rapist.

The chasm between expected funding and reality.

UTB

 

[davidpinder]

I've heard about a bust up with Collins, Doyle and butler anyone else heard anything?

 

[Foxy]

I've heard about a bust up with Collins, Doyle and butler anyone else heard anything?

Only that every man and his dog has apparently talked to them after each match about their unhappiness with Nige.

 

[metalblade]

Only that every man and his dog has apparently talked to them after each match about their unhappiness with Nige.

So something has gone off to make them unhappy then ?

 

[Foxy]

So something has gone off to make them unhappy then ?

I'd hope they are all unhappy we've lost two...

I was merely commenting on the rumours made up after each match so far

 

[zablade]

Excellent tweet on twitter.. Says it all..

 

[Chezzy Blades]

Nevermind Nige, the team looked as heartless today as they did at Crewe, Carlisle or anywhere else we rolled over and had our bellies tickled last season.

No tackling, no last ditch tackling, no shots. Even the fans were deflated today in the second half. When the fourth official put up 4 minutes time, i'm fairly sure I wasn't the only one thinking "Bloody hell, can't we just go home now?!"

Amazing how things have changed over a 3 month period.

 

[wizadry]

I'm not been funny,but its quite clear to me that all is not well at our beloved club and some of the decisions Cloughy is making at the moment is making a mockery of us at the minute.

Cloughy,either play players in their right positions or bring influential players on when needed,don't carry on doing what you're doing because i for one am not liking it at this moment in time.Get it sorted.

 

[Toronto Blade]

Different players different attitude,Coady Maguire Brayford have not been replaced we will know how we stand after the loan window.
As for the Ched situation why would Clough if he doesn't want the lad worry about someone who is in jail until October,Clough needs to get points now.

 

[true99blade]

I thought at the time I was listening to NC on radio pig he just seemed extremely pissed off. I'd have thought that would be to do with the performance. Although this situation with Butler seems to be very odd. I never thought he was that woeful in preseason so there has to be something happening between the two which is stopping Butler from making the squad.

It could well be a variety of things that made Nige sound pissed off in his interview. Maybe he doesn't want Ched? Maybe there is a bust up between him and a couple of players? Perhaps he still has hard feelings with Maguire's unprofessional actions? Only time will tell but I'm definitely not going to hop onto the "Clough's lost the plot" wagon. Let's remember that Clough has been unable to bring back Brayford and Coady (neither would drop permanently to League One when they can play Championship football and receive Championship wages) and he had his hands tied with Maguire. So things in preseason haven't been great for Nige. Not to mention Scougall, Murphy, Flynn inserting their finger back in. Don't jump on NC's back over two league games. If we fail to win in at least one of the next two... then I will be worried.

 

[Harry's Game]

I thought at the time I was listening to NC on radio pig he just seemed extremely pissed off. I'd have thought that would be to do with the performance. Although this situation with Butler seems to be very odd. I never thought he was that woeful in preseason so there has to be something happening between the two which is stopping Butler from making the squad.

It could well be a variety of things that made Nige sound pissed off in his interview. Maybe he doesn't want Ched? Maybe there is a bust up between him and a couple of players? Perhaps he still has hard feelings with Maguire's unprofessional actions? Only time will tell but I'm definitely not going to hop onto the "Clough's lost the plot" wagon. Let's remember that Clough has been unable to bring back Brayford and Coady (neither would drop permanently to League One when they can play Championship football and receive Championship wages) and he had his hands tied with Maguire. So things in preseason haven't been great for Nige. Not to mention Scougall, Murphy, Flynn inserting their finger back in. Don't jump on NC's back over two league games. If we fail to win in at least one of the next two... then I will be worried.

It don't think anyone on this thread has jumped on his back they seem, quite rightly, to be worried about the the differences between him from last season and this.

 

[judge]

Its because like pullis hes been asked to repeat his miracle last season on a shoestring budget

 

[Fulwood Blade]

to be worried about the differences between him from last season and this.

and the big danger is that what we see this season is the "real" NC.

I genuinely hope not or we have even bigger issues than Wier.

UTB

 

[Wards]

Just listened to his interview and he sounds thoroughly pissed off with the players and their application to be honest. Suggests that Collins and Butler have been abysmal in preseason and nowhere near the team and from what I was told last week suggests there's one or two more that are treading on thin ice.

Will go one of two ways; either they'll come out all guns blazing midweek or you'll see 3 or 4 being moved on before September. Be interesting to see if we try to bring any more in as he hinted that his main targets haven't materialised (for whatever reason that might be....availability/funding??)

His final comment in that interview that 'got enough players trying to get up to speed' is the most worrying. The cynic in me would think that pre season didn't go as hoped. Have to admit that the schedule seemed both odd and rushed.

https://audioboo.fm/boos/2400437-sufc-manager-nigel-clough-post-ccfc

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

I think Nige always sounds quite monotone come win, lose or draw. The morale in the squad isn't there anymore, but turning over 10 signings and a few players being released to boot will do that.

What is pissing me off with Nige is the 'square pegs/round holes' approach and being stubborn with it despite that we have a natural player to occupy every position on the pitch. If he doesn't ring the changes for the next game it's going to start feeling very Weiresque.

Next game i'd go with;

Howard
Alcock McGahey Collins Harris
Campbell-Ryce Scougall Basham Murphy
McNulty Higdon

Subs;
Turner, McEveley, Butler, Davies, Baxter, Flynn, Porter

 

[sheffielder]

I think Nige always sounds quite monotone come win, lose or draw. The morale in the squad isn't there anymore, but turning over 10 signings and a few players being released to boot will do that.

What is pissing me off with Nige is the 'square pegs/round holes' approach and being stubborn with it despite that we have a natural player to occupy every position on the pitch. If he doesn't ring the changes for the next game it's going to start feeling very Weiresque.

Next game i'd go with;

Howard
Alcock McGahey Collins Harris
Campbell-Ryce Scougall Basham Murphy
McNulty Higdon

Subs;
Turner, McEveley, Butler, Davies, Baxter, Flynn, Porter

A midfield two of Scougall and Basham will have it's backdoors smashed in

 

[Jon Bon]

A number of possibilities, likely from;

Being forced to sign a convicted rapist.

UTB

Maybe he's worried about being forced to pass on a talented goalscorer who's served his time for a misdemeanor?

 

[Roygbiv]

I think Nige always sounds quite monotone come win, lose or draw. The morale in the squad isn't there anymore, but turning over 10 signings and a few players being released to boot will do that.

What is pissing me off with Nige is the 'square pegs/round holes' approach and being stubborn with it despite that we have a natural player to occupy every position on the pitch.

I've just made a similar comment . For all the criticism of the new signings we do clearly have a team in our pool of players who can challenge at this level. How many teams in this league would be happy with Alcock, McGahey, Butler and Harris as their defence? Most I would think

 

[Deadbat]

Its because like pullis hes been asked to repeat his miracle last season on a shoestring budget

I agree to an extent and we have not really signed any real quality and pushed the boat out. However we have signed 12/13 players all that will be on as good if not better than most others players at this level in my opinion. WE would have been better pooling our resources to sign 2 or 3 quality permanent signing and a couple of season long loans than players that are all much of a muchness.

We have a squad of 20-22 senior players and there is no real marked difference between them in quality from 1-22. That is reality. It is a very, very ordinary, one paced squad. I did not think we could have had so many slow unathletic footballers but seemed to have added to this collection in the summer if at all possible. We need some raw pace and power for me. CLough is over complicating thinks. The sides that went up last year were solid at the back and then had genuine pace and power up top and played 2 up top (Donaldson, Dicko etc). The solid base we had last year has gone and we still don't get enough men forward to score goals. We relied a lot on the defence and getting 1-0's last season on the great run we had. Now we losing such games by an odd margin.

 

[alcoblade]

Maybe he's worried about being forced to pass on a talented goalscorer who's served his time for a misdemeanor?

Quite possibly that too.

However, my hunch is that there'd be a 50 / 50 split of people who see it both ways. But of the 50% who see it how you suggest (me included), there'll be a huge proportion who think the damage to the club and the reputation of those within it just aren't worth it.

And the part that isn't a huch - he'll still be a convicted rapist.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

I've just made a similar comment . For all the criticism of the new signings we do clearly have a team in our pool of players who can challenge at this level. How many teams in this league would be happy with Alcock, McGahey, Butler and Harris as their defence? Most I would think

Actually, I'm not sure. Fact is I'd heard of none of them before they came here. And, in reality, if "Oldham Athletic" had signed the players we have this season, I doubt it would even have been noticed outside Oldham. Game changing it wasn't.

UTB

 

[Esablade]

Just a thought and obviously in no way ITK at all...but perhaps some of the more 'established' players have had their collective noses put out by the incoming players...and maybe Butler has sided with the 'established' lot in a 'clear the sir 'chat'?

Higdon seems quite a forceful character and it was a slight surprise he was handed the Captains armband initially..

 

[Fulwood Blade]

His final comment in that interview that 'got enough players trying to get up to speed' is the most worrying. The cynic in me would think that pre season didn't go as hoped. Have to admit that the schedule seemed both odd and rushed.[/QUOTE]

If not enough are up to speed then the fault is entirely at the football clubs management.

Why have players in pre-season had only 2+ full games each - they were swapped around so much it seemed pretty worthless.

Have never really understood pre-season - why don't we play 8/9/10 games before the season so that each player gets about 5 games in each - at least then we hit the ground running come 1st league match.

Against Brizzle, we looked unfit, tired, not interested, lacking in ideas and short on ability - all signs of lack of proper preparation. What we are seeing now is the results of a disjointed pre-season being carried forward into the competitive games.

UTB

 

[Wards]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

A half decent thread descended into another fucking Ched-fest. Really?!

 

[sheffielder]

Maybe he's worried about being forced to pass on a talented goalscorer who's served his time for a misdemeanor?

He would probably play Evans at right back anyway, you know.. for cover

 

[wizadry]

Its because like pullis hes been asked to repeat his miracle last season on a shoestring budget

Most of our fans can't see that he's having to do it on the cheap.

They think because Cloughy has said he's happy with the budget,thats it,he's happy.He's clearly not happy.

Any manager loves to spend money and Cloughy is no different.

People coming out with Cloughy's playing hardball in not wanting to overspend are talking bollocks,he's not been aloud,simple imo.

Even though he's not been backed properly imo,he should still be trying to do his job properly and stop embarrasing our club against teams that are in shit creek by making stupid lineups and even more so,the substitutions.

Everything is a bit baffling atm to say the least

 

[metalblade]

Reading different threads it is clear no one has a clue what Nigel is up to with his bizarre team selections