Clough's signings

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Sorry Bladesway I'm despondent right now. On return from a long holiday I see a manager and asst. manager under pressure, bollocking their players every hand and turn, and I don't see many players enjoying their football.

I've been at the last 3 home games and play in the final third is generally pessimistic and lacking confidence. We are not getting players in the box and the last three visiting goalkeepers have hardly made a save between them.

The manager has to change the mood quickly as the promotion race forges ahead. Key players like Baxter, Scougall and Murphy must get the smile back on their faces somehow. We need Higdon to start and enjoy himself too, frankly he has to succeed if we are to succeed. O'Grady will help but he can't do it on his own. McNulty will help but only as a secondary striker surely. Both Higdon and O'Grady need our formation and tactics to play to their strengths, nobody can plough lone furrows week in week out. Playing away tactics at home doesn't work

The thread is about Clough's signings. 5/10 would be my rating overall. Not good enough really.

In the summer I was optimistic that we had a manager to take us all the way. I hope that is so but he's had a poor summer and a terrible time at Bramall Lane since then. Talk of sacking him is silly, but he has a lot of work to do and he knows it.

Keep your pecker up Woodward fan .You and Bladesway are the barometer with Fulwood Blade of all things positive . I put it down to mental attitude , mental strength and belief . The players require to have this instilled in them. Us fans have had to have these attributes , with supporting the Blades through thick and thin.

UTB

 

[sheffielder]

Congratulations ,you kept that quiet. It never stopped me ,I would miss it too much. All mine have had season tickets from 4 years old and I found it a good excuse to get out of the way when they were babies

Thanks, didn't want to put a voodoo on it. I think I used the baby more of an excuse on Tuesday night as I really didn't want to go. I nearly put my season ticket card on my seat and walked out on Friday.

 

[Woodwardfan]

You best have a word with Nigel about changing his ways. In regards to chances, there is nothing clearcut.. I didn't go last night, however on Friday can you tell us all about these chances we missed? Last 4 games at home 2 goals 2 points.

Due to personal reasons ( a 3 week old baby) I think this will be my last season ticket for a while due to the fact the banter time with the lads before and after is going to be considerably cut. If I am going to go just to watch matches, no thanks. This is awful

Babies. Better times

I remember getting permission to sit on the balcony of the cricket pavilion at the Arsenal match, with our daughter a babe in arms, the game we won 5-0 ( Currie sat on the ball)! She still goes to games now and again, 42 years later!! She's changed a bit and so have United. Me? much the same, but I'm a better typist than I was!!

 

[MiserableBlader]

Sacking Clough isnt the answer either, all the chopping and changing managers is why we are still in the League.

Chopping and changing managers has hardly killed Chelsea has it.

The problem is repeatedly appointing bad ones.
That's why we continue to plummet down the divisions.
This bloke is less bad than most appointed by Judas - but that doesn't take much

Does any one REALLY believe that sticking by/with a bad manager is the key to success :?
and not disaster.

 

[BerksBlade]

I don't understand what Clough's transfer policy is now?
During the summer the message coming from the club was "quality not quantity". Quality replacements for Brayford & Coady and a couple of proven goalscorers and we'd be ready. As it turns out we needed a replacement for Harry as well, but we got Butler just in case...
But where are we now? Back with a huge first team squad, but seemingly no proper cover for either first choice full back. Butler binned off after one game. Collins seemingly frozen out as well. And a load of new players who are either not fit, or no better than what we already have.

 

[Tezza1889]

I think all the squad are scared to death of making a mistake on the pitch in case clough freezes them out, he's a very very poor man manager, the nervousness and caution we show on the pitch must derive from an absolute fear of getting on the wrong side of clough....

Mcnulty, played well, got criticised on the radio.
Jcr, scored and got criticised on the radio.
Collins, was chastised and clough told eveybody live on radio sheffield he was getting dropped.
Butler, one fall out and he's turfed out the club.
Brandy, binned off back to walsall, clough hardly knew him at the time..
Porter, benched permanently, he was cloughs favourite last year, he was defending him in interviews and everything..

There are others as well, but you get my drift...

The players play with fear and caution, in a cautious formation designed to prevent losses, we need to stop criticising the players, too many decent players are not performing under clough..... it can't be the player everytime, theyre frightened to death looking at them..

In cloughs eyes Collins was fine all last season, so was porter... whats changed?

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I think all the squad are scared to death of making a mistake on the pitch in case clough freezes them out, he's a very very poor man manager, the nervousness and caution we show on the pitch must derive from an absolute fear of getting on the wrong side of clough....

Mcnulty, played well, got criticised on the radio.
Jcr, scored and got criticised on the radio.
Collins, was chastised and clough told eveybody live on radio sheffield he was getting dropped.
Butler, one fall out and he's turfed out the club.
Brandy, binned off back to walsall, clough hardly knew him at the time..
Porter, benched permanently, he was cloughs favourite last year, he was defending him in interviews and everything..

There are others as well, but you get my drift...

The players play with fear and caution, in a cautious formation designed to prevent losses, we need to stop criticising the players, too many decent players are not performing under clough..... it can't be the player everytime, theyre frightened to death looking at them..

In cloughs eyes Collins was fine all last season, so was porter... whats changed?

In relation to the players being scared, our seats for the County game were quite close to the dug out and saw Garner trip over a pack of water bottles sat in the technical area. Anyone else see this?
He then turned and kicked the cool box; then what stuck out for me was the reaction of non playing players who shot out of the stand to move both the water and cool box out of the way as if "we can't have him such a mood".

Seems to me that they rule by fear? It was all so unnessary.

 

[Woodwardfan]

The quality of the signings are the crux of our problems at this stage of the season:

My ratings for each signing related to contributions and performances to date are as follows:

Alcock 7
Harris 7
Wallace 3 - obviously more potential if he gets fit
Basham 6 - as a midfielder, 8 as a defender
Scougall 7
McNulty 7
Davies 6 - more if he had played more games
McGahey 6
Porter 0
McEveley 7
Ryce 7
Higdon 5 - he has scored a few goals
Turner -
Butler 0
McCarthy 4
O'Grady -

Average Rating: 5.1

Such an average batch of players is hard to work with if promotion is the aim. There are no stars, I think that is a key point. There are also too many wasted wages. One or two of the younger ones have the potential to develop but these ratings are for the here and now.

In my view our current better players were here when Clough arrived. I have strong reservations about our scouts, which is one area I hoped would improve, it's a long standing weakness at the club.

Any manager is as good as his signings in the final analysis.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

The quality of the signings are the crux of our problems at this stage of the season:

My ratings for each signing related to contributions and performances to date are as follows:

Alcock 7
Harris 7
Wallace 3 - obviously more potential if he gets fit
Basham 6 - as a midfielder, 8 as a defender
Scougall 7
McNulty 7
Davies 6 - more if he had played more games
McGahey 6
Porter 0
McEveley 7
Ryce 7
Higdon 5 - he has scored a few goals
Turner -
Butler 0
McCarthy 4
O'Grady -

Average Rating: 5.1

Such an average batch of players is hard to work with if promotion is the aim. There are no stars, I think that is a key point. There are also too many wasted wages. One or two of the younger ones have the potential to develop but these ratings are for the here and now.

In my view our current better players were here when Clough arrived. I have strong reservations about our scouts, which is one area I hoped would improve, it's a long standing weakness at the club.

Any manager is as good as his signings in the final analysis.

Good fair assessment . We have no idea of the scouting set up at the lane . The only thing we know , is that it operates under the remit of Mr Clough brother. It may well be that the scouting system is still run in a outdated manner , therefore we do not get optimum potential from the system we adopt.

The scouting knowledge we have got , does seem to have its limits ,and i wonder if all things players ,just come through Mr Clough brother with no real role / duties / knowledge being in place , or if it is , not used to its full potential on all things players search. Are the correct reports / assignments of player spotting used and implemented , or do we go on a gut feeling between brothers Clough.

This may have worked under the life of Mr Clough senior , years ago , but this is now outdated and the game has moved on with agents etc.

The other fundamental question , and just as important , is who actually deals with making the right offer , negotiations with agents / players , other clubs board , etc , which is another important area , we again seem to be lacking.

Our knowledge on scouting and player recruitment , does seem to be a weak link , in the on / off field progression of all things SUFC.

UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Keep your pecker up Woodward fan .You and Bladesway are the barometer with Fulwood Blade of all things positive . I put it down to mental attitude , mental strength and belief . The players require to have this instilled in them. Us fans have had to have these attributes , with supporting the Blades through thick and thin.

UTB

"All things positive"...........I actually didn't think we played too bad the other night v MK. For all the Blades on here having a go, the true barometer was Robinson the day after saying they didn't deserve to win whilst at the same time acknowledging the "cynical" nature by saying he would never criticise is players for what went off. Very clever of him to say it that way and he has gone up in my expectations - used to be a twat, now he's nearly a twat, but I think that KR believes there may be a job here for him in the future after our last 2 aborted attempts - very clever of him.

We need a bit of luck and have had precious little in the past two games - Oldham was probably a fair result. Still 5th, a bit a drift but still plenty of time. Knee jerk, but understandable reactions from some on here, think we are all a bit deflated but tomorrow is another game. Nice steady result, get in the 3rd round coupled with a decent performance away next week and we could be back on track. Quite fancy the next 2 home games and away game v Port Vale and Notts C (who were really really poor last Friday) may get us on side with some on here. We should take bucket loads to PV and Notts and it is true that our present formation does suit away games. At the moment it has to be one games at a time and what better way to start than to put an ex piggy right back in his trough.

As for being positive, working in IT gives me enough stress as it is - the Blades is just a release at times and if I was as sad as some on here it would be virtually a suicide job.

Keep the faith and UTB.

 

[Woodwardfan]

We can actually win each of the next 5 league games, but the 4 after that are very hard. If we do go out and win say4 out of the next 5 then we should be in good shape for the bigger challenges thereafter.

Clough has to create that more ambitious and aggressive attitude, starting tomorrow as a warm up. He also has to get the players AND HIMSELF enjoying the games more.

If we don't do well in the next 5 league games then it would be improbable that we could pull it back. These last 3 home results are damaging phsycologically as well as league position wise.

 

[Lane Ender]

The quality of the signings are the crux of our problems at this stage of the season:

My ratings for each signing related to contributions and performances to date are as follows:

Alcock 7
Harris 7
Wallace 3 - obviously more potential if he gets fit
Basham 6 - as a midfielder, 8 as a defender
Scougall 7
McNulty 7
Davies 6 - more if he had played more games
McGahey 6
Porter 0
McEveley 7
Ryce 7
Higdon 5 - he has scored a few goals
Turner -
Butler 0
McCarthy 4
O'Grady -

Average Rating: 5.1

Such an average batch of players is hard to work with if promotion is the aim. There are no stars, I think that is a key point. There are also too many wasted wages. One or two of the younger ones have the potential to develop but these ratings are for the here and now.

In my view our current better players were here when Clough arrived. I have strong reservations about our scouts, which is one area I hoped would improve, it's a long standing weakness at the club.

Any manager is as good as his signings in the final analysis.

And how many of that lot could you take into the Championship
Not many if any

 

[Woodwardfan]

And how many of that lot could you take into the Championship
Not many if any

Good question. To be fair, with another 12 months experience Scougall probably. Alcock, Basham and Harris have been there and would be OK. McNulty maybe. Wallace if he gets fit.

I think the big point is that Clough has not signed any "main men", we would need a few of those and that's the hard bit.

I have always believed there is little point going up with a squad that will struggle at the higher level. That's the point you are making I think.

The Southampton's, Norwich'es and the Swansea's had something going on, the development of exciting, young hungry squads with real quality. That's how they went straight through.

Such as MKD will have to replace their main strikers if they go up, that's not easy either.

We haven't got "main men" in the team, other than Murphy who would find the Championship a personal challenge anyway, Baxter too; they are not Clough signings either of them. Reed would probably do well but he's not a Clough signing.

The big job at hand is to get us to the Premiership and I have to agree we are not building good foundations at this level to do that .

 

[Lane Ender]

Good question. To be fair, with another 12 months experience Scougall probably. Alcock, Basham and Harris have been there and would be OK. McNulty maybe. Wallace if he gets fit.

I think the big point is that Clough has not signed any "main men", we would need a few of those and that's the hard bit.

I have always believed there is little point going up with a squad that will struggle at the higher level. That's the point you are making I think.

The Southampton's, Norwich'es and the Swansea's had something going on, the development of exciting, young hungry squads with real quality. That's how they went straight through.

Such as MKD will have to replace their main strikers if they go up, that's not easy either.

We haven't got "main men" in the team, other than Murphy who would find the Championship a personal challenge anyway, Baxter too; they are not Clough signings either of them. Reed would probably do well but he's not a Clough signing.

The big job at hand is to get us to the Premiership and I have to agree we are not building good foundations at this level to do that .

Alcock , Basham and Harris are ok but L1 tops.
Mcnultys green hard to make an assumption really do hope he makes it.
Scougall is really having a bad time at the moment he's hardly shining in this league is he.
Murphy is in and out but he's a could be.
Reed if given a chance could be something special.
Baxter has the talent but hasn't got the belief I reckon.
And if Clough conducts the pre season as he did the last one if we are in the championship now that would be alarming

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

And how many of that lot could you take into the Championship
Not many if any

That's why investment will come after promotion.

 

[Lane Ender]

That's why investment will come after promotion.

I hope you're right fella that would make watching this garbage we're been dished up at the moment easier to stomach.

 

[pommpey]

That's why investment will come after promotion.

Why not invest now to get promotion? Team better gelled and better for survival. It isn't all about getting up - its staying up, innit?

pommpey

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Good question. To be fair, with another 12 months experience Scougall probably. Alcock, Basham and Harris have been there and would be OK. McNulty maybe. Wallace if he gets fit.

I think the big point is that Clough has not signed any "main men", we would need a few of those and that's the hard bit.

I have always believed there is little point going up with a squad that will struggle at the higher level. That's the point you are making I think.

The Southampton's, Norwich'es and the Swansea's had something going on, the development of exciting, young hungry squads with real quality. That's how they went straight through.

Such as MKD will have to replace their main strikers if they go up, that's not easy either.

We haven't got "main men" in the team, other than Murphy who would find the Championship a personal challenge anyway, Baxter too; they are not Clough signings either of them. Reed would probably do well but he's not a Clough signing.

The big job at hand is to get us to the Premiership and I have to agree we are not building good foundations at this level to do that .

Yes agree Woodwardfan . Southampton , Norwich , Swansea are the benchmarks for the blades . The job in hand is to get us into the premiership , but i look at the task , as one league at a time , with sound , safe building blocks of playing staff . The manager to get us out of league 1 and have championship stability is Mr Clough . There is only one other manager i would have at the lane , and that would be Eddie Howe , who is building Bournemouth from the bottom upwards . I had a trip round the ground and met Mr Howe whose vision and enthusiasm is infectious .

He has a exciting , hungry young squad with a mix of experience . He is also on good terms with Chelsea , West Ham , Fulham , Southampton and both managers and board at the clubs mentioned , help Bournemouth , which i am sure will become a feeder club.( if not already )

Our aspirations are greater , but our infrastructure foundations still being built , and perhaps a little amateurish ..


I am a advocate and believer of Mr Clough , but he has to build a base of players who can gain promotion to the championship and help us stabilise there.

What is the road map to move forward . Simple - Change the scouting system with a more professional approach.

UTB

 

[Lane Ender]

Why not invest now to get promotion? Team better gelled and better for survival. It isn't all about getting up - its staying up, innit?

pommpey

That's how I see it we are in false position now on current form but 2 or 3 key signings and I don't mean loanees could secure promotion and build a foundation for the Championship.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Why not invest now to get promotion? Team better gelled and better for survival. It isn't all about getting up - its staying up, innit?

pommpey

Agree but I wouldn't be surprised that the apparent lack of game changing investment is structured as such that our final league position will kick the money in so therefore the higher we finish the more we get.

 

[yuley82]

Apart from Brayford on loan has anyone of them been a succes?

Basham perhaps, but he has only shown desire not a lot of skill.

The rest? can't think of any standouts. Wouldn't trust him with any money in January (if there is any)

His signings are shit!!! If the board just gambled for once and signed brayford coady n freeman then grabbed a striker??? Yes a big gamble for lg1 not really we would gain promotion then just 1-2 more for championship stay in fair play league n still survive this season in championship. All if n butts tho!! Ohhhh butts (sorry I like big butts n I can not lie)

 

[Woodwardfan]

Yes agree Woodwardfan . Southampton , Norwich , Swansea are the benchmarks for the blades . The job in hand is to get us into the premiership , but i look at the task , as one league at a time , with sound , safe building blocks of playing staff . The manager to get us out of league 1 and have championship stability is Mr Clough . There is only one other manager i would have at the lane , and that would be Eddie Howe , who is building Bournemouth from the bottom upwards . I had a trip round the ground and met Mr Howe whose vision and enthusiasm is infectious .

He has a exciting , hungry young squad with a mix of experience . He is also on good terms with Chelsea , West Ham , Fulham , Southampton and both managers and board at the clubs mentioned , help Bournemouth , which i am sure will become a feeder club.( if not already )

Our aspirations are greater , but our infrastructure foundations still being built , and perhaps a little amateurish ..


I am a advocate and believer of Mr Clough , but he has to build a base of players who can gain promotion to the championship and help us stabilise there.

What is the road map to move forward . Simple - Change the scouting system with a more professional approach.

UTB

Considering the insight you have had at Bournemouth, I am delighted you see merit in our set up. That energy will see me through until the end of the year and I thank you for it. Although I do not see the scouting system changing, do you?

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

His signings are shit!!! If the board just gambled for once and signed brayford coady n freeman then grabbed a striker??? Yes a big gamble for lg1 not really we would gain promotion then just 1-2 more for championship stay in fair play league n still survive this season in championship. All if n butts tho!! Ohhhh butts (sorry I like big butts n I can not lie)

yuley82 . it is not the board this time who should gamble for once , it is actually Mr Clough . Mr McCabe i know is willing to back Mr Clough on any player . However we fall flat on our face with scouting the right players , and negotiations with agents and players on wages and length of contract.

Believe it or not the vast majority of players outside the premiership will play anywhere as long as the money and contract are right .

We are missing a trick , and this time in the blades history , blame cannot be levelled at the board . We can all make our own conclusion to the answer on this one , where the problem stems from.

It is a catch twenty two situation , but this is all part of managing a football team and getting the right staff / team around you.

Mr Clough does hold the power base at the lane . However one of the problems , could be very close to home , and blood is thicker than water.


UTB

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Considering the insight you have had at Bournemouth, I am delighted you see merit in our set up. That energy will see me through until the end of the year and I thank you for it. Although I do not see the scouting system changing, do you?

Mr Howe did talk about his time at Burnley and how he set the infrastructure there . The reason he left his well documented and is indebted to Bournemouth his spiritual home .


The cause and effect at the lane is down to scouting in both management and correct defined assignments for viewing potential players and opposition.

The judgement on players ability , potential , character require a more professional approach . As Mr howe said , throwing money around does not gurantee success , but throwing money at a player using a analytical approach does , for the present and future

For what it is worth he thinks SUFC will get promoted . He is so infectious and knowledgeable , if he said we would get relegated , i would believe him.


UTB

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Mr Howe did talk about his time at Burnley and how he set the infrastructure there . The reason he left his well documented and is indebted to Bournemouth his spiritual home .


The cause and effect at the lane is down to scouting in both management and correct defined assignments for viewing potential players and opposition.

The judgement on players ability , potential , character require a more professional approach . As Mr howe said , throwing money around does not gurantee success , but throwing money at a player using a analytical approach does , for the present and future

For what it is worth he thinks SUFC will get promoted . He is so infectious and knowledgeable , if he said we would get relegated , i would believe him.


UTB

I'd suspect him to be a pig if he made such a statement.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Good question. To be fair, with another 12 months experience Scougall probably. Alcock, Basham and Harris have been there and would be OK. McNulty maybe. Wallace if he gets fit.

I think the big point is that Clough has not signed any "main men", we would need a few of those and that's the hard bit.

I have always believed there is little point going up with a squad that will struggle at the higher level. That's the point you are making I think.

The Southampton's, Norwich'es and the Swansea's had something going on, the development of exciting, young hungry squads with real quality. That's how they went straight through.

Such as MKD will have to replace their main strikers if they go up, that's not easy either.

We haven't got "main men" in the team, other than Murphy who would find the Championship a personal challenge anyway, Baxter too; they are not Clough signings either of them. Reed would probably do well but he's not a Clough signing.

The big job at hand is to get us to the Premiership and I have to agree we are not building good foundations at this level to do that .

any team getting promotion from any league needs strengthening norwich and soton did and with a young squad they were able to kick on.we have a number of young players in our squad who would probably be able to take the step up.
some of the experienced players we have will also be able to do so and thats where good management comes into play.
A step up in leagues sometimes brings on players who struggle lower down good managers can spot this an example
could be mcginn who shon for watford but is rubbish for us he is just a possible example not saying he would.
if we do go up this season i think with the right influx of better players allied to what we have and coming through the
academy we would be alright and possibly do really well.

 

[Woodwardfan]

yuley82 . it is not the board this time who should gamble for once , it is actually Mr Clough . Mr McCabe i know is willing to back Mr Clough on any player . However we fall flat on our face with scouting the right players , and negotiations with agents and players on wages and length of contract.

Believe it or not the vast majority of players outside the premiership will play anywhere as long as the money and contract are right .

We are missing a trick , and this time in the blades history , blame cannot be levelled at the board . We can all make our own conclusion to the answer on this one , where the problem stems from.

It is a catch twenty two situation , but this is all part of managing a football team and getting the right staff / team around you.

Mr Clough does hold the power base at the lane . However one of the problems , could be very close to home , and blood is thicker than water.


UTB

Alleheuliah. that's how it is! And if anyone needs another neutral view look at the illuminating thread " Nigel clough - a view from a Derby fan" written in Oct 2013 with remarkable resonance to today.

 

[Sirius]

That's why investment will come after promotion.

That's all well and good, but this is the chicken and egg situation. Promotion must come first, maybe without investment it will not come at all.

 

[Blade56]

Shit me WF if your on your knees from being the ray of light this quickly we really are all buggered.

We are buggered

 

[yuley82]

yuley82 . it is not the board this time who should gamble for once , it is actually Mr Clough . Mr McCabe i know is willing to back Mr Clough on any player . However we fall flat on our face with scouting the right players , and negotiations with agents and players on wages and length of contract.

Believe it or not the vast majority of players outside the premiership will play anywhere as long as the money and contract are right .

We are missing a trick , and this time in the blades history , blame cannot be levelled at the board . We can all make our own conclusion to the answer on this one , where the problem stems from.

It is a catch twenty two situation , but this is all part of managing a football team and getting the right staff / team around you.

Mr Clough does hold the power base at the lane . However one of the problems , could be very close to home , and blood is thicker than water.


UTB

Totally agree with you, clough has been backed and 15 signings prove this.