The answer is 888 to the harsh criticism.
8th as it stands
8 fewer goals than Leyton Orient (who are bottom)
8 points above Coventry (20th position) who are having a shocking season
For the size of squad and the wage bill compared to the rest of the division that is utter shit.
Not advocating Clough gets sacked but to suggest he shouldn't be in line for some serious criticism is just bonkers.
Following the huge success when he came in last season, the board have backed him and gone for it, both in the Summer and January Windows.
He's been in a privileged position this year that very few managers outside the top four in the Premier league are fortunate enough to get. He's been given a big budget to bring in a lot of players, a whole new squad really.
The signs were there before Christmas that something was building, FA Cup and League Cup games have been exceptional. A great effort and shows that if we stick with him, he will build a side based on youth and pace. 3 goals v QPR, coming back from 2 down in the Spurs game. The side looked unphased by the big boys in front of them.
However, its probably been a millstone around Cloughs neck. Success in cups and spending in the transfer windows to bring so many players. Most of which are undoubtedly talented and have shown their potential.
I said in the summer we needed time for the players to gel and it took a lot of time, its still taking time. Then we've added again in December and January, none of the players that we've brought in have been shit. They all fit the Clough mould - decent footballers, adaptable, able to fit into Cloughs 'Total football system' of being able to slot into several positions, wingers slotting in for Full backs, centre halves sitting in midfield. In many ways we've bought a side of Utility players.
Cloughs bought in youth and pace as well, but whilst we've got very little height in what would be the first 11, the side he put out at Preston in the Cup was like a side of giants compared to the previous game with Spurs. But it seems that the mix of these two sides isn't happening like we and Clough would like.
Lets make no mistake, this is a poor division from top 6-8 down, with many sides getting success through physicality rather than footballing prowess. Its not a criticism its just the way the division is. So it seems.
After Preston I saw lots of post about how poor we were, how we got bullied (we did, i said this myself), well it took Preston 4 games to work us out and beat us. Yet the criticism was levelled all the same.
I will admit, i didn't hold out much hope for Gillingham away, its not our game. It doesn't mean that all the work of Clough and his team has failed, it doesn't mean that we need endless threads of how Clough hates Butler, Collins and Diego.
This season has really turned into another season of transition. Its sad to say, but whilst Bristol City, MK Dons and Swindon have both hit the ground running and been consistent, we've lacked a killer instinct too much. I think too much was placed on bringing O'Grady in during the summer and then in January, the side is set up ready for that one last player to make it all click, i sincerely think that.
The worry is that Matty Done, whilst i am sure he'll add more pace and goals to the side, he's not going to be the O'Grady that we need.
Personally i think Clough is the right man for the club for both now and the next few years. Let him build and take the time, sadly it will be another season in League one...
quite a while for " the league form to just mirror that poor form". Not that I'm moaning like.
