Fairly quiet on here.....

[Lane Ender]

McNulty did ok yesterday without being spectacular. He's playing an unfamiliar position alone up front, he's used to playing off a bigger striker I think and I suspect that would suit him better.

Great day yesterday and created a staggering number of chances, but this served to highlight what many have said over the last 4 / 5 weeks. We desperately need a strong pacey striker who CAN score lots of goals. Until we have one, we are at best, playoff material atm.
UTB & FTP

Up top with Higdon maybe?

Worth a try Nigel ?

 

[itsinyerblood]

McNulty did ok yesterday without being spectacular. He's playing an unfamiliar position alone up front, he's used to playing off a bigger striker I think and I suspect that would suit him better.

Great day yesterday and created a staggering number of chances, but this served to highlight what many have said over the last 4 / 5 weeks. We desperately need a strong pacey striker who CAN score lots of goals. Until we have one, we are at best, playoff material atm.
UTB & FTP[/Q

Cheers Darthblade, I know it's little consolation, but at least we're creating chances. I think everyone recognises the need for a striker possessed of real threat, until then I fear we'll do ok, but no more.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Ask them if they have 7up on the soda gun.

I did, he had a sense of humour failure

 

[blade too long]

unless we lose it does lack a bit of edge , beginning to hope we lose so the regulars come back , brian for lord mayor
lets build another hotel

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Because Bristol City are doing it. If they can, why can't we?

Do we have a right to be above Bristol City? Sorry I'm missing something here.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

No we can debate all you want about football, but Bristol City's wage bill will be miles ahead of ours. They hve massive earners even on the bench (e.g Emmanuel-Thomas) plus they've signed most of their players from championship or premiership.

Also, if our bill was bigger than Bristol City's then Clough should be sacked tomorrow as he clearly isn't delivering with the biggest budget in the league. It's one or the other.

So based on your logic we should be above Bristol City even though they supposedly have a much bigger wage bill?

Given your incredulous feeling to a supposed lack of spending by the club and your belief that the manager should be sacked if we're in fact spending more it seems you have this all tied up that someone should be held to account for something.

I think you're just hypercritical to be honest and any defeat or lack of transfer activity gives you something to pass the time with.

 

[blader]

So based on your logic we should be above Bristol City even though they supposedly have a much bigger wage bill?

Given your incredulous feeling to a supposed lack of spending by the club and your belief that the manager should be sacked if we're in fact spending more it seems you have this all tied up that someone should be held to account for something.

I think you're just hypercritical to be honest and any defeat or lack of transfer activity gives you something to pass the time with.

Yes, I believe we should be above Bristol City or, at worst, equal to them. I don't think that's too much to ask really. My point to Bob is the hypocrisy of the other argument. I feel we haven't had investment, some say we have, but then I say we should be walking the league and all of a sudden we're 'not throwing money at it'. You can't have it both ways. Do you feel we have provided sufficient financial backing to the management? If no, then we agree. If yes, then should Clough not be held accountable as he has the largest budget in the league and should be doing better?

I'm a great Clough lover, and the reason I fail to believe we have had 'Game Changing Investment' is that if Clough was genuinely backed he is more than good enough to have us waltzing the league. I'm on the side of the manager on this one. You must understand it's one or the other though.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Yes, I believe we should be above Bristol City or, at worst, equal to them. I don't think that's too much to ask really. My point to Bob is the hypocrisy of the other argument. I feel we haven't had investment, some say we have, but then I say we should be walking the league and all of a sudden we're 'not throwing money at it'. You can't have it both ways. Do you feel we have provided sufficient financial backing to the management? If no, then we agree. If yes, then should Clough not be held accountable as he has the largest budget in the league and should be doing better?

I'm a great Clough lover, and the reason I fail to believe we have had 'Game Changing Investment' is that if Clough was genuinely backed he is more than good enough to have us waltzing the league. I'm on the side of the manager on this one. You must understand it's one or the other though.

So Cloughs been given everything he's asked for, therefore given your logic you have to blame Clough.
However listening to Cloughs interviews he's also said he won't sign players who'll block the youngsters coming through. This is where you and the manager differ you aren't interested in developing good players just buying them in. You are after guaranteed success at any cost, Clough is looking at promotion while bringing the young players through and keeping spending within affordable limits.
I'm with Clough.

 

[blader]

So Cloughs been given everything he's asked for, therefore given your logic you have to blame Clough.
However listening to Cloughs interviews he's also said he won't sign players who'll block the youngsters coming through. This is where you and the manager differ you aren't interested in developing good players just buying them in. You are after guaranteed success at any cost, Clough is looking at promotion while bringing the young players through and keeping spending within affordable limits.
I'm with Clough.

Clever spin that Bob. Well, if he doesn't want to block our youngsters coming through, where are they? As far as I can see, we've had a couple of appearances from Reed and that's it. So he isn't succeeding on that front either. Am I after guaranteed success, yes. At any cost? Well, no, but that certainly isn't the only option. Do you think Bristol City will go up? Have they done it at 'any cost'? No, they've just bought intelligently and paid what is required to do the job. They've also bought young players who could potentially make the step up. You're 'doing a blader' really in making it black and white, when clearly they aren't the two options, they're just extremes.

However, if you believe Clough has been given everything he asked for, and you don't think Clough is to blame.... Who is? It can't be the board, as above, and if it isn't Clough, what's left? There must be a reason we are sat 8 points behind the leaders already.

Edit: let me categorically state on record I will lay no blame at Clough's door if we fail to gain automatic promotion. If we fail to reach the playoffs he has failed my expectations of this squad.

 

[Lane Ender]

Clever spin that Bob. Well, if he doesn't want to block our youngsters coming through, where are they? As far as I can see, we've had a couple of appearances from Reed and that's it. So he isn't succeeding on that front either. Am I after guaranteed success, yes. At any cost? Well, no, but that certainly isn't the only option. Do you think Bristol City will go up? Have they done it at 'any cost'? No, they've just bought intelligently and paid what is required to do the job. They've also bought young players who could potentially make the step up. You're 'doing a blader' really in making it black and white, when clearly they aren't the two options, they're just extremes.

However, if you believe Clough has been given everything he asked for, and you don't think Clough is to blame.... Who is? It can't be the board, as above, and if it isn't Clough, what's left? There must be a reason we are sat 8 points behind the leaders already.

Edit: let me categorically state on record I will lay no blame at Clough's door if we fail to gain automatic promotion. If we fail to reach the playoffs he has failed my expectations of this squad.

Looks like Bristol have sold well an all Boldock can't hit a barn door for Brighton

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Yes, I believe we should be above Bristol City or, at worst, equal to them. I don't think that's too much to ask really. My point to Bob is the hypocrisy of the other argument. I feel we haven't had investment, some say we have, but then I say we should be walking the league and all of a sudden we're 'not throwing money at it'. You can't have it both ways. Do you feel we have provided sufficient financial backing to the management? If no, then we agree. If yes, then should Clough not be held accountable as he has the largest budget in the league and should be doing better?

I'm a great Clough lover, and the reason I fail to believe we have had 'Game Changing Investment' is that if Clough was genuinely backed he is more than good enough to have us waltzing the league. I'm on the side of the manager on this one. You must understand it's one or the other though.

Do you think in binary or something? Its just that you never seem to consider more than two possibilities.

I'm not even sure we are talking about the same sport sometimes.

 

[Bladesman]

We won, dominated the match and have little to complain about.

Get that extra striker in and perhaps a defender then I think we are sorted.

Good weekend all round.

 

[blader]

Do you think in binary or something? Its just that you never seem to consider more than two possibilities.

I'm not even sure we are talking about the same sport sometimes.

Whilst normally you may be correct, not in this scenario. Now I know we're a great team, we're gonna piss the league and we're gelling... But let's think hypothetically for a second. IF, by some amazing upturn, we fail to go up this season, who would you feel should take the brunt of the blame? Because really, I can only think of two parties who can be at fault in this scenario. Would you feel it was the fault of the board or the manager? There's no one else who could be involved in this failure, so there are only really 2 outcomes.

And force a rebuttle as much as you please, but I do ask you provide and answer to my question. Who should take the MOST blame?

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

However, if you believe Clough has been given everything he asked for, and you don't think Clough is to blame.... Who is? It can't be the board, as above, and if it isn't Clough, what's left? There must be a reason we are sat 8 points behind the leaders already.

Why does there have to be blame all the time?!

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Clever spin that Bob. Well, if he doesn't want to block our youngsters coming through, where are they?

No spin it's a statement I've been making since Coady went elsewhere. Check back on my posts, you'll also see I also mentioned the board giving Clough everything he's asked for so has to be responsible quite a few weeks ago.

As far as I can see, we've had a couple of appearances from Reed and that's it. So he isn't succeeding on that front either.

You don't play young players every game to introduce them and then take them out of the team. Neither of the two I mentioned should play more than 20-25 games. It's a development thing they aren't supposed to be first teamers for the entirety of this season. That's not the point at all.

Am I after guaranteed success, yes. At any cost? Well, no, but that certainly isn't the only option. Do you think Bristol City will go up? Have they done it at 'any cost'? No, they've just bought intelligently and paid what is required to do the job. They've also bought young players who could potentially make the step up. You're 'doing a blader' really in making it black and white, when clearly they aren't the two options, they're just extremes.

Yes I think they have done it at all costs. If they go up they will already have an expensive side to which they will have to spend significantly again. They have no young players being developed so to supplement the squad again they have to buy. What about those who haven't been good enough but we're brought in for this season? They have to be paid off to move on. The strategy you talk about is very expensive and short termist relying on you continually dipping into your coffers.

However, if you believe Clough has been given everything he asked for, and you don't think Clough is to blame.... Who is? It can't be the board, as above, and if it isn't Clough, what's left? There must be a reason we are sat 8 points behind the leaders already.

Pretty sure I made this point prior to seeing you being it up recently. Both the board and Clough have said he's been backed for all he's asked for.
Clough is the manager, he decides who joins and ultimately who is signed. He is totally responsible for the performance of the first team and where we finish at the end of the season.

 

[blader]

No spin it's a statement I've been making since Coady went elsewhere. Check back on my posts, you'll also see I also mentioned the board giving Clough everything he's asked for so has to be responsible quite a few weeks ago.


You don't play young players every game to introduce them and then take them out of the team. Neither of the two I mentioned should play more than 20-25 games. It's a development thing they aren't supposed to be first teamers for the entirety of this season. That's not the point at all.


Yes I think they have done it at all costs. If they go up they will already have an expensive side to which they will have to spend significantly again. They have no young players being developed so to supplement the squad again they have to buy. What about those who haven't been good enough but we're brought in for this season? They have to be paid off to move on. The strategy you talk about is very expensive and short termist relying on you continually dipping into your coffers.


Pretty sure I made this point prior to seeing you being it up recently. Clough is the manager, he decides who joins and ultimately who is signed. He is totally responsible for the performance of the first team and where we finish at the end of the season.

Thanks bob. I understand the root of our disagreement now. I would feel it's the boards fault and you think it's the manager. That's a perfectly fair viewpoint, but explains a lot of why we see it differently.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Whilst normally you may be correct, not in this scenario. Now I know we're a great team, we're gonna piss the league and we're gelling... But let's think hypothetically for a second. IF, by some amazing upturn, we fail to go up this season, who would you feel should take the brunt of the blame? Because really, I can only think of two parties who can be at fault in this scenario. Would you feel it was the fault of the board or the manager? There's no one else who could be involved in this failure, so there are only really 2 outcomes.

And force a rebuttle as much as you please, but I do ask you provide and answer to my question. Who should take the MOST blame?

Refer to my previous post. WHY does there have to be blame?

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Thanks bob. I understand the root of our disagreement now. I would feel it's the boards fault and you think it's the manager. That's a perfectly fair viewpoint, but explains a lot of why we see it differently.

Here's another spin on it. If we go up automatically with this squad, who gets the credit?

 

[blader]

Refer to my previous post. WHY does there have to be blame?

You're avoiding the question. Do you feel not getting promotion this season is a failure on the club's part? If yes, there HAS to be blame, because someone f*cked up.

 

[blader]

Here's another spin on it. If we go up automatically with this squad, who gets the credit?

Clough all day for me.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

You're avoiding the question. Do you feel not getting promotion this season is a failure on the club's part? If yes, there HAS to be blame, because someone f*cked up.

How can I avoid giving a verdict on something that hasn't happened?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Thanks bob. I understand the root of our disagreement now. I would feel it's the boards fault and you think it's the manager. That's a perfectly fair viewpoint, but explains a lot of why we see it differently.

Apart from that I don't think there is any fault to be aimed at anyone at this part of the season because we've not failed at anything yet. That's where we truly have a difference of opinion.
Better squad than last year, better team too. Better start, better balance, better prospect.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Clough all day for me.

That's interesting. So in that event you would deny that the club has given the manager adequate tools to achieve promotion?

Funny how you could blame the club in the event that we don't go up with this squad, yet give them no credit at all if we do.

 

[blader]

Apart from that I don't think there is any fault to be aimed at anyone at this part of the season because we've not failed at anything yet. That's where we truly have a difference of opinion.
Better squad than last year, better team too. Better start, better balance, better prospect.

Such is the nature of a hypothetical question Bob. Maybe we should call a truce for a couple of months and see where we are.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Such is the nature of a hypothetical question Bob. Maybe we should call a truce for a couple of months and see where we are.

Nah fuck it, let's keep going as we are doing.

 

[blader]

That's interesting. So in that event you would deny that the club has given the manager adequate tools to achieve promotion?

Funny how you could blame the club in the event that we don't go up with this squad, yet give them no credit at all if we do.

Surely that's just consistency. If I believe the board have not backed Clough, then promotion is his good work and failure to win promotion would be their fault? You believe they have backed Clough, and again, that's where we come back to the root of our difference.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Nah fuck it, let's keep going as we are doing.

I'm sure a few of us will....ALL season.

 

[blader]

Nah fuck it, let's keep going as we are doing.

Well we have been debating for months about this season, and (aptly using your avatar as inspiration) we have budged as far as an asthmatic ant with some heavy shopping.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Well we have been debating for months about this season, and (aptly using your avatar as inspiration) we have budged as far as an asthmatic ant with some heavy shopping.

If the budget gives the manager what he wants to achieve his aims I don't understand how it's not sufficient.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Surely that's just consistency. If I believe the board have not backed Clough, then promotion is his good work and failure to win promotion would be their fault? You believe they have backed Clough, and again, that's where we come back to the root of our difference.

Dispute Clough saying he has been given what he's asked for?