Clough's unhappy .....

[Darthblade]

I don't suggest that I'm "ITK" and I don't usually repeat things I've been told, however, this one concerned me a little so I thought I would share to see if anybody had heard anything to corroborate or refute.

I was told today by somebody who I would consider to be a reliable source, that NC is well pissed off with the Board and doesn't believe that the promises made to him in terms of the resources available, have been forthcoming. It was also suggested that he had been linked to the Bolton job.

Now I don't know if there's anything in this but it certainly fits given the lack of action in the transfer window. Does anybody have anything to either back this up or bury it?
UTB & FTP

 

[Bladesman]

I don't suggest that I'm "ITK" and I don't usually repeat things I've been told, however, this one concerned me a little so I thought I would share to see if anybody had heard anything to corroborate or refute.

I was told today by somebody who I would consider to be a reliable source, that NC is well pissed off with the Board and doesn't believe that the promises made to him in terms of the resources available, have been forthcoming. It was also suggested that he had been linked to the Bolton job.

Now I don't know if there's anything in this but it certainly fits given the lack of action in the transfer window. Does anybody have anything to either back this up or bury it?
UTB & FTP

Well he got a new defender on loan which he was after.

Although I think the apparent lack of money during August and having to rely on the Maguire sale will have pissed him off a bit.

 

[Darthblade]

Well he got a new defender on loan which he was after.

Although I think the apparent lack of money during August and having to rely on the Maguire sale will have pissed him off a bit.

He did, but we missed out on all our targets in the transfer window ( just coincidence ? ) and in the loan window he said he wanted a CB, defensive CM and a striker. I just don't know .......
UTB & FTP

 

[Bladesman]

He did, but we missed out on all our targets in the transfer window ( just coincidence ? ) and in the loan window he said he wanted a CB, defensive CM and a striker. I just don't know .......
UTB & FTP

Yeah he would have expected a striker by now.

It might explain why we are looking at cheaper players further down the leagues if the trial of Fenwick is anything to go by.

 

[highpeakblade]

Did Clough not say in a Bladesplayer interview at the end of the recent trasnfer window that he had received full support from the board? If I remember correctly he said that he asked the board for what he thought he needed and they gave it him in full and that they had backed him completely in trying to sign the three players who he stated were "ambitious signings" and "far better than what we had already"

For me personally I think it's just a case of us hitting a bit of a rut including a couple of bad results against Swindon and Chesterfield to be honest which is causing the shite stirrers to dig out the big wooden spoon. Clough is a tough cookie all things said and done and he seems as the type who knows what he wants. He doesn't even like players to sit on the bench for no reason as he would rather them be out on loan playing football.

So for me I don't believe it what so ever.

 

[Lane Ender]

Bolton no way too far for him to travel!

 

[finlaytheblade]

I don't suggest that I'm "ITK" and I don't usually repeat things I've been told, however, this one concerned me a little so I thought I would share to see if anybody had heard anything to corroborate or refute.

I was told today by somebody who I would consider to be a reliable source, that NC is well pissed off with the Board and doesn't believe that the promises made to him in terms of the resources available, have been forthcoming. It was also suggested that he had been linked to the Bolton job.

Now I don't know if there's anything in this but it certainly fits given the lack of action in the transfer window. Does anybody have anything to either back this up or bury it?
UTB & FTP

i dont think cloughy would fancy taking on a club heading for the3rd division with debts of 190 million hes more sense than that.he has a good job to do for us and has control over the player budget whatever size that maybe there are not many managers with that power today.

 

[Bladesman]

Did Clough not say in a Bladesplayer interview at the end of the recent trasnfer window that he had received full support from the board? If I remember correctly he said that he asked the board for what he thought he needed and they gave it him in full and that they had backed him completely in trying to sign the three players who he stated were "ambitious signings" and "far better than what we had already"

For me personally I think it's just a case of us hitting a bit of a rut including a couple of bad results against Swindon and Chesterfield to be honest which is causing the shite stirrers to dig out the big wooden spoon. Clough is a tough cookie all things said and done and he seems as the type who knows what he wants. He doesn't even like players to sit on the bench for no reason as he would rather them be out on loan playing football.

So for me I don't believe it what so ever.

You are probably right.

Although on Blades Player he is hardly going to say the board are bunch of lying tossers though.

 

[bartman]

but it certainly fits given the lack of action in the transfer window.
UTB & FTP

Apart from the 10 or so players that he signed that is

 

[WorkingtonBlade]

Apart from the 10 or so players that he signed that is

Well, quite.

Clough's chosen lots of players to sign - a greater number than he, himself, said he needed. Now it's up to him to get results.

He hasn't pointed the finger at the board, and nor would I expect him to in the circumstances.

 

[pommpey]

Clough is way to canny to criticise the board. They are his paymasters and it would be gross misconduct for him to come out in the press with flavoursome comments detrimental to the share price and standing of the club. It'll be in his contract.

He is quite obviously not happy with the quality of players out on the park and I would bet good money he is pissed off being short-changed in the shopping mall earlier this year. I don't doubt he finished last season thinking his achievements from January to May would be ample reason for the board to get out the cheque book and allow him to build a team based upon six or seven good-quality signings - ones which would not only see us in the top two all season but form a good framework for a Championship team which would not only stay up, but hopefully challenge for promotion within three seasons.

What has happened is Clough has been given a stupidly low budget (and we STILL don't know how much he has spent on his 'signings') and instructions to all to tell us cabbages that they were actively chasing a couple of (un-named) targets that they'd never get. This after flogging our keystone central defender. And get this ... Maguire didn't go without reason, did he? Maybe he became ITK that there would be no investment in the Blades and he would be propping up a rickety, vulnerable team for another round of bridesmaids in Div 3?

If Clough goes anywhere (Bolton or wherever) then think that an indicator of how shit things are with McCabe running the show. If he does go, then that will be that for me for Sheffield United until that bell-end fucks off. Clough is the best opportunity our club has to get out of this league.

pommpey

 

[Rodley]

Clough is way to canny to criticise the board. They are his paymasters and it would be gross misconduct for him to come out in the press with flavoursome comments detrimental to the share price and standing of the club. It'll be in his contract.

He is quite obviously not happy with the quality of players out on the park and I would bet good money he is pissed off being short-changed in the shopping mall earlier this year. I don't doubt he finished last season thinking his achievements from January to May would be ample reason for the board to get out the cheque book and allow him to build a team based upon six or seven good-quality signings - ones which would not only see us in the top two all season but form a good framework for a Championship team which would not only stay up, but hopefully challenge for promotion within three seasons.

What has happened is Clough has been given a stupidly low budget (and we STILL don't know how much he has spent on his 'signings') and instructions to all to tell us cabbages that they were actively chasing a couple of (un-named) targets that they'd never get. This after flogging our keystone central defender. And get this ... Maguire didn't go without reason, did he? Maybe he became ITK that there would be no investment in the Blades and he would be propping up a rickety, vulnerable team for another round of bridesmaids in Div 3?

If Clough goes anywhere (Bolton or wherever) then think that an indicator of how shit things are with McCabe running the show. If he does go, then that will be that for me for Sheffield United until that bell-end fucks off. Clough is the best opportunity our club has to get out of this league.

pommpey

He is quite obviously...what has happened is...

Is any of that conjecture evidenced? Apart from the mediocre start to the season how on earth have you extrapolated to that?!

 

[Sirius]

IMO money rules the game today. United failed to come up with enough dosh to persuade certain clubs, and/or players to come aboard.
Nothing new there then. Clough would not be the first manage to walk if promises made by the Board have not been kept. Always the cheap option, and if a promising player comes through the Academy, it will be likely that he will be sold and replaced with an old hack, the cheap way, the United way.

 

[alcoblade]

Clough is way to canny to criticise the board. They are his paymasters and it would be gross misconduct for him to come out in the press with flavoursome comments detrimental to the share price and standing of the club. It'll be in his contract.

He is quite obviously not happy with the quality of players out on the park and I would bet good money he is pissed off being short-changed in the shopping mall earlier this year. I don't doubt he finished last season thinking his achievements from January to May would be ample reason for the board to get out the cheque book and allow him to build a team based upon six or seven good-quality signings - ones which would not only see us in the top two all season but form a good framework for a Championship team which would not only stay up, but hopefully challenge for promotion within three seasons.

What has happened is Clough has been given a stupidly low budget (and we STILL don't know how much he has spent on his 'signings') and instructions to all to tell us cabbages that they were actively chasing a couple of (un-named) targets that they'd never get. This after flogging our keystone central defender. And get this ... Maguire didn't go without reason, did he? Maybe he became ITK that there would be no investment in the Blades and he would be propping up a rickety, vulnerable team for another round of bridesmaids in Div 3?

If Clough goes anywhere (Bolton or wherever) then think that an indicator of how shit things are with McCabe running the show. If he does go, then that will be that for me for Sheffield United until that bell-end fucks off. Clough is the best opportunity our club has to get out of this league.

pommpey

A few genuine questions;

"He is quite obviously not happy with the quality of players out on the park " - Based on what? Perhaps you mean that it's impossible to be, because it's not very good right now? Or do you know something else?

"we STILL don't know how much he has spent on his 'signings" - What are you expecting here? We're never going to know this are we, and why should they reveal that?

"Maguire didn't go without reason, did he? Maybe he became ITK that there would be no investment in the Blades and he would be propping up a rickety"........Well, he might have feared an alien invasion too. But my hunch is it was an extra 10 grand a week that sealed it.

I'm no happy bunny right now, and there's enough reason not to be without us inventing a few more.....

UTB

 

[Hartley Hare]

Clough is no quitter. He must be one of the most loyal managers in the league.

It can not be easy to persuade that fringe Premier league player to drop to L1, particularly when he will no doubt have offers from the Championship. Likewise established Championship players, those that have fought hard to escape the lower leagues will not drop down again lightly. There are also the wages to consider, and maintaining a pay structure within the club.

I do believe however that the board should push the boat out this year to win promotion, it will not be any easier. Perish the thought that next year, we have Fulham, Birmingham, or Bolton to contend with.

I don't know, we lose a couple of games and anyone would think we were doomed. Win our game in hand and we are only six points off the top.

The last year has been very entertaining, the cup run and trip to Wembley, memorable victories over Fulham, Villa, Notts. Forest on the way. This seasons win at West Ham and cracking fight back at Colchester.

Keep the faith, there is a long way to go and there will be more ups than downs.

HH

 

[Darthblade]

Apart from the 10 or so players that he signed that is

Well yes he has signed about 10 players, but none really of any quality, with perhaps the exception of Wallace. Either v. small fees or no fee at all and doubtful if any of the new signings are on huge wages. Therefore in reality, he hasn't been given much financial backing and it certainly appears that he may be being asked to get promotion on a cheap budget.

Anybody who would have commanded a sizeable fee we " missed out on" and we still don't know who they were. Bearing in mind the money from the cup run, plus the Maguire money and that is without any input at all from the board. We should have a sizeable "war chest" but don't appear to want to open it.

I'm not suggesting that we splash huge fees and / or wages at this level, its not necessary, but we do need consistent players of good quality "for this level" to get out of this Division and it doesn't seem to be happening.
UTB & FTP

 

[pommpey]

A few genuine questions;

"He is quite obviously not happy with the quality of players out on the park " - Based on what? Perhaps you mean that it's impossible to be, because it's not very good right now? Or do you know something else?

His comments, post Colchester and Swindon.

"we STILL don't know how much he has spent on his 'signings" - What are you expecting here? We're never going to know this are we, and why should they reveal that?

I am expecting some sort of revelation as to how much Clough spent - or more rightly was allowed to spend - on signings during the break. You shouldn't easily give up on the sophistry of the club when they tell you 'x' player came to the club for an 'undisclosed' fee, because we don't want to reveal our financial position. That is horseshit and fans who just swallow that are playing into the hands of the board. When McCabe comes out with the legendary 'Game Changing Investment' statement to justify bringing in a now-obviously disengaged Saudi businessman to draw fire away from the dire mess he has placed this club in, he needs to understand that the measure of his words will be taken literally by a now dyed-in cynical fan base who have kinda grown tired of smoke and mirrors from those running the club.

"Maguire didn't go without reason, did he? Maybe he became ITK that there would be no investment in the Blades and he would be propping up a rickety"........Well, he might have feared an alien invasion too. But my hunch is it was an extra 10 grand a week that sealed it.

Maguire has his sights firmly set on a level of football commensurate with his ability. Why should he stick about when it is very obvious quality signings to augment the playing staff aren't forthcoming? Don't forget, he is in and around the club and I doubt he would have been quite so eager to fuck off in a hurry to warm the bench elsewhere had five, six or seven good quality players come in during the summer to get shut of the underperforming wasters currently in the squad. So another hit and miss season with no prospect of Championship and later Premiership wages wasn't spinning his props, maybe? And, like it or now, he propped Collins up.

pommpey

 

[LoughboroBlade]

His comments, post Colchester and Swindon.

I am expecting some sort of revelation as to how much Clough spent - or more rightly was allowed to spend - on signings during the break.

Undisclosed fees are the norm. There are instances where we have requested it (e.g. Maguire's sale) but likely it's also been a request of other clubs for some of the transfers. We've seen press reports of 'in the region of' sums from local press, don't really see why this is such a big deal. I thought Phipps's interview pre-Gillingham explained the rationale behind this perfectly to be honest.

And, like it or now, he propped Collins up.

They complemented each other. And I've seen plenty of occasions the past three seasons where Collins has bailed out Maguire too - it's hardly all been one way.

 

[pommpey]

It can not be easy to persuade that fringe Premier league player to drop to L1, particularly when he will no doubt have offers from the Championship. Likewise established Championship players, those that have fought hard to escape the lower leagues will not drop down again lightly. There are also the wages to consider, and maintaining a pay structure within the club.

Isn't that what 'Game Changing Investments' are all about, though? Since the Saudi came, who is on big wages then at BDTBL? Who has come in and is on big wages? Money talks. It has done in the past with clubs in our predicament languishing in the shithouse league. Wolves ring a bell?

I do believe however that the board should push the boat out this year to win promotion, it will not be any easier. Perish the thought that next year, we have Fulham, Birmingham, or Bolton to contend with.

Damned right and then some more. I think they now just don't owe it to the fans, they need to show now ... today ... what the 'big plan' is rather than watch us get turned over and over in game after disappointing game.

I don't know, we lose a couple of games and anyone would think we were doomed. Win our game in hand and we are only six points off the top.

Hartley - we have won only fifty per cent of the games we have played this season. Six points off the top is a gigantic gap considering the ground we have to make up to gain automatic promotion. That is what we are aiming for, isn't it? It was a physical impossibility last season (but good effort Blades) and the spectre of the playoffs should not even be entered into. And if we lose our game in hand, we are still nine points off the top. Given our rate of attrition at the moment, I can't honestly put my hand on my heart and express faith that won't happen. Can you?

The last year has been very entertaining, the cup run and trip to Wembley, memorable victories over Fulham, Villa, Notts. Forest on the way. This seasons win at West Ham and cracking fight back at Colchester.

The past year has been an uninspiring roller coaster. The dismal Weir days assuaged by a blinding spell with some decent players (for once) resulting in a resurgent United and a satisfying (not delightful) finish. And now we are back at square one, minus that quality, shipping goals against Chesterfield and trying our hardest to be brave and offer excuses for suitcases like Higdon. This after season after season of bridesmaid offerings selling players, sacking inept managers and watching our beloved club rot in hell. It is high time the club paid back what the supporters invest by doing something they'd said they'd do for once, and restored faith that they want the club to survive and succeed, instead of short-changing the manager and fans.

pommpey

 

[Isiah]

Not sure there is a funding problem in the sense suggested so far. I think money is available but that NC has very clear ideas of what a player is worth and will not pay "over the odds".
Against that we are seen by selling clubs as cash rich - Saudi backing, good cup revenues and selling HM - and are quoted over the top prices as happened with Coady.
Add to that that NC is probably looking at ambitious signings anyway and you have a recipe for frustration and dissapointment.

 

[grafikhaus]

I don't suppose we'll get to know until he leaves and has his say.

One thing puzzles me though (not just NC - other managers as well). Imagine you're a player who has just signed for a club. You sit down, agree terms, shake hands and it's all done. However, when your first pay cheque hits the bank you see that, far from the £X-per-week you were promised, it's actually considerably less than that. How do you prevent that from happening? You get it all down in effin writing. Same goes for any manager. No use bleating about vague promises made at the interview stage if you have nothing concrete to fall back on.

 

[gavtheblade]

He's more than likely to be pissed off with the way his players are playing. No desire to win,clueless and unfortunately going nowhere.
Makes me think what they do and install to the squad in training.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

You are probably right.

Although on Blades Player he is hardly going to say the board are bunch of lying tossers though.

Why not? What would he have to lose?

The whole OP sounds like fans making up some ITK info in order to push their opinon of what is happening.
Clough has consitantly said he's had backing, and if he hasn't he would be daft to state otherwise given it's his reputation on the line. You can come out and say you've not been given what was promised without going down the gross misconduct line plus the board would have a huge PR nightmare on their hands if they tried to force him out after he said that.

None of the OP sits right for me.

 

[SE9 Blade]

If people are/were expecting Clough to spend big on marquee signings, I fear they are going to continue to be disappointed!
He is not that sort of manager, never has been and never will be. I personally prefer his approach of building a squad and trying to unearth a gem here and there.
True, some of his signings haven't worked yet and he has made mistakes in the transfer window, but all managers make mistakes - (Alex Ferguson - Djemba Djema anyone??)

 

[TarquinDelouche]

He's probably read this forum and is disappointed with some of the moronity amongst some of our fans.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I don't suppose we'll get to know until he leaves and has his say.

One thing puzzles me though (not just NC - other managers as well). Imagine you're a player who has just signed for a club. You sit down, agree terms, shake hands and it's all done. However, when your first pay cheque hits the bank you see that, far from the £X-per-week you were promised, it's actually considerably less than that. How do you prevent that from happening? You get it all down in effin writing. Same goes for any manager. No use bleating about vague promises made at the interview stage if you have nothing concrete to fall back on.

I don't understand the question of being paid less than was promised. Surely, once a salary has been agreed the terms are then transferred to a written contract? At all times, solicitors represent both parties and act as representatives to safeguard their clients. Before signing said contract, both parties are provided with copies to read and check before signing. Once read and checked, unless there's anything that's not as agreed, both parties sign the agreement. So your question is answered. I don't understand the point you're making. The scenario you've mentioned wouldn't occur, so the OP is empty, pointless, and never had legs to begin with.

 

[grafikhaus]

Sorry.

The point I was making is that, unless solid assurances were sought - and gained - at the time of these so-called 'promises' of investment (if ever they were made), it's too late to go back and make claims about something without proof.

Goddit?

 

[itsinyerblood]

Sorry.

The point I was making is that, unless solid assurances were sought - and gained - at the time of these so-called 'promises' of investment (if ever they were made), it's too late to go back and make claims about something without proof.

Goddit?

Thanks graf, my point was really directed at the OP. I think it's a bit of a non-starter really.

Regarding financial assurances, in my experience Clough would have had a representative at any meeting where this was discussed, thus he'd not be a solitary voice when it came to he said, I said.

 

[OllyBlade]

Clough's unhappy with his players. The fans are unhappy with the board, the players, and Clough himself. The players are presumably the only happy ones, playing in a great stadium for great fans with apparently absolutely no consequences for repeated failure.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I don't suggest that I'm "ITK" and I don't usually repeat things I've been told, however, this one concerned me a little so I thought I would share to see if anybody had heard anything to corroborate or refute.

I was told today by somebody who I would consider to be a reliable source, that NC is well pissed off with the Board and doesn't believe that the promises made to him in terms of the resources available, have been forthcoming. It was also suggested that he had been linked to the Bolton job.

Now I don't know if there's anything in this but it certainly fits given the lack of action in the transfer window. Does anybody have anything to either back this up or bury it?
UTB & FTP

Suggest his feelings if true should be aimed at his brother who recommends the dead meat we're buying.