Getting it into perspective for me.

[Woodwardfan]

Much froth and criticism from me about Clough.

Let me put it into perspective and compare him to our recent managers:

Weir: undecided as the man had no budget and no time
Wilson: Clough gets my vote.
Adams: had insufficient time to judge but probably Clough.
Blackwell: Clough way way better.
Robson: not enough time but Clough way better.
Warnock: Clough by a neck.
Bassett: Clough not in same street.

Thing is we need somebody really special to take us up two levels. Clough is not that man. Somebody has to unearth a diamond to realise the ambition of the Board.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

Whats funny is that out of that list, Adams is the one that seems to get most sympathy from our fans, yet he is the worst manager we've had in the past 25 years.

I recently met with an employee from the club at the time of Adam's reign (he was on the backroom staff), and he said at the start of March in 2011 Adam's just gave up, told all his staff that they we were down and that we would just go down and come back stronger. Didn't care one bit.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

Weir---No time......?
Adams---Insufficient time....?
Robson not enough time..?
Some times Woody you really worry me.......

 

[sitwell]

at the start of March in 2011 Adam's just gave up, told all his staff that they we were down and that we would just go down and come back stronger. Didn't care one bit.

Think you will find its the other way round ,some players gave up or couldn't be bothered and Adams didn't have a chance.

 

[Kenilworth]

How come from my perspective I always seem to see the shitty end of the fucking stick?

 

[alcoblade]

Much froth and criticism from me about Clough.

Let me put it into perspective and compare him to our recent managers:

Weir: undecided as the man had no budget and no time
Wilson: Clough gets my vote.
Adams: had insufficient time to judge but probably Clough.
Blackwell: Clough way way better.
Robson: not enough time but Clough way better.
Warnock: Clough by a neck.
Bassett: Clough not in same street.

Thing is we need somebody really special to take us up two levels. Clough is not that man. Somebody has to unearth a diamond to realise the ambition of the Board.

Neil Warnock, 7 promotions (several into the premiership) and trebled our gates. Nigel Clough, one promotion from the conference. And Clough wins. I'd despair if that wasn't so funny.

UTB

 

[Dkc]

Warnock – sacked in May 2007 Replaced with: Robson

Did we improve? No, we were awful, we got much worse

Robson – Sacked in early 2008 Replaced with: Blackwell

Did we improve? Positionally, yes, though the football wasn’t good. Play off final defeat the highlight of his tenure

Blackwell – Sacked in Sept 2011 Replaced with: Speed

Did we improve? Nope

Speed – Left at the New Year Replaced with: Adams

Did we improve? No, we got relegated

Adams – Sacked in May 2012 Replaced with: Wilson

Did we improve? Played some decent football, got to the Play Off final but ultimately remained in League One

Wilson – Sacked in Apr 2013 Replaced with: Morgan (temp)

Did we improve? No, we lost to Yeovil in the Play Off semi

Morgan – Stepped down in Summer 2013 Replaced with: Weir

Did we improve? No, we were on course for relegation to the 4th tier

Weir – Sacked in Oct 2013 Replaced with: Clough

Did we improve? Yes, we almost made the Play Offs and got to the FA Cup Semi Final. Second season disappointing, but still in the play offs as of March 19

So, are things likely to improve if we sack Clough?? I'm not so sure.

 

[alcoblade]

Warnock – sacked in May 2007 Replaced with: Robson

Did we improve? No, we were awful, we got much worse

Robson – Sacked in early 2008 Replaced with: Blackwell

Did we improve? Positionally, yes, though the football wasn’t good. Play off final defeat the highlight of his tenure

Blackwell – Sacked in Sept 2011 Replaced with: Speed

Did we improve? Nope

Speed – Left at the New Year Replaced with: Adams

Did we improve? No, we got relegated

Adams – Sacked in May 2012 Replaced with: Wilson

Did we improve? Played some decent football, got to the Play Off final but ultimately remained in League One

Wilson – Sacked in Apr 2013 Replaced with: Morgan (temp)

Did we improve? No, we lost to Yeovil in the Play Off semi

Morgan – Stepped down in Summer 2013 Replaced with: Weir

Did we improve? No, we were on course for relegation to the 4th tier

Weir – Sacked in Oct 2013 Replaced with: Clough

Did we improve? Yes, we almost made the Play Offs and got to the FA Cup Semi Final. Second season disappointing, but still in the play offs as of March 19

So, are things likely to improve if we sack Clough?? I'm not so sure.

It's not cause and effect. We don't improve because we employ rubbish managers. You can take the example of Real Madrid to see that, taken in isolation, sacking managers cannot be seen as s bad thing.

UTB

 

[Torrix1889]

Clough a better manager than Warnock.....are you clinically insane?

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Was 2000-2007 a dream?

Honestly Clough better than Warnock? Delusional thinking, Clough's not even as good as Wilson in my eyes. At least under Wilson you didn't sit in the lane daydreaming of a meteor coming to end the boredom.

 

[Dkc]

As has been mentioned before, a lot of the criticism that is being levelled at Clough now is the same as that which was being levelled at Wilson two years ago.

"We're the biggest team in the league, why aren't we challenging for automatic? This league is crap, we should be challenging for the top two at least. The football is boring. Our tactics are negative and baffling. The manager's lost the plot. Even when we score, it seems that we just try and hang on to a narrow lead rather than pushing on for a second goal. The manager has obviously "lost the dressing room". His record isn't that good anyway. We may have been OK last season, but now it's time for a change".

In hindsight, sacking Wilson might have been a bad move. I'm sure he wouldn't have made such a poor start to the following season as Weir did. He might even have negotiated that semi against Yeovil and got us to Wembley.

I'm as disappointed as the next Blade with our recent performances - but sacking another manager isn't necessarily the answer. We might improve but we could also get worse.

 

[Darren]

As has been mentioned before, a lot of the criticism that is being levelled at Clough now is the same as that which was being levelled at Wilson two years ago.

"We're the biggest team in the league, why aren't we challenging for automatic? This league is crap, we should be challenging for the top two at least. The football is boring. Our tactics are negative and baffling. The manager's lost the plot. Even when we score, it seems that we just try and hang on to a narrow lead rather than pushing on for a second goal. The manager has obviously "lost the dressing room". His record isn't that good anyway. We may have been OK last season, but now it's time for a change".

In hindsight, sacking Wilson might have been a bad move. I'm sure he wouldn't have made such a poor start to the following season as Weir did. He might even have negotiated that semi against Yeovil and got us to Wembley.

I'm as disappointed as the next Blade with our recent performances - but sacking another manager isn't necessarily the answer. We might improve but we could also get worse.

Sacking Wilson when we did was one of the most insane things the club has done over the past few years (and there has been some competition). With five games left there was still a reasonable chance of automatic and a play off place was secure. Especially as we had no one to replace him except the completely untried Morgan.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

As has been mentioned before, a lot of the criticism that is being levelled at Clough now is the same as that which was being levelled at Wilson two years ago.

"We're the biggest team in the league, why aren't we challenging for automatic? This league is crap, we should be challenging for the top two at least. The football is boring. Our tactics are negative and baffling. The manager's lost the plot. Even when we score, it seems that we just try and hang on to a narrow lead rather than pushing on for a second goal. The manager has obviously "lost the dressing room". His record isn't that good anyway. We may have been OK last season, but now it's time for a change".

In hindsight, sacking Wilson might have been a bad move. I'm sure he wouldn't have made such a poor start to the following season as Weir did. He might even have negotiated that semi against Yeovil and got us to Wembley.

I'm as disappointed as the next Blade with our recent performances - but sacking another manager isn't necessarily the answer. We might improve but we could also get worse.

The board of the McCabe family and us fans know the score with chopping and changing managers and the negative effect it has . However the new kid on the block Mr Prince and his auntarauge doesn't , The next 3 games are critical for both Clough and the club . His future depends on what he is paid for - results . We may find out , soon enough ,who does have the clout , and final say at the lane .

The vision of a 5 year plan is great and commendable , when things are going well . When loss of revenue and targets are not met , then policies drastically change.

We may have our own thoughts even more come 5pm saturday.

UTB

 

[Gavlar]

Much froth and criticism from me about Clough.

Let me put it into perspective and compare him to our recent managers:

Weir: undecided as the man had no budget and no time
Wilson: Clough gets my vote.
Adams: had insufficient time to judge but probably Clough.
Blackwell: Clough way way better.
Robson: not enough time but Clough way better.
Warnock: Clough by a neck.
Bassett: Clough not in same street.

Thing is we need somebody really special to take us up two levels. Clough is not that man. Somebody has to unearth a diamond to realise the ambition of the Board.

I'm amazed you think Clough is better than Warnock?!! Most successful manager we've had in our recent history apart from Harry......and also Blackwell did pretty well, got us to within the last game of the season of auto promotion back to the Prem. Only lost the playoff final by 1 goal, got us to 9th with a poor squad and then bombed out after 2 games of the new season. Not a likeable guy, but his record was pretty good.

 

[Esablade]

Getting it into perspective for me...it's the Blades way...

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

Was 2000-2007 a dream?

Honestly Clough better than Warnock? Delusional thinking, Clough's not even as good as Wilson in my eyes. At least under Wilson you didn't sit in the lane daydreaming of a meteor coming to end the boredom.

Nah, the football was proper dogshit when Wilson was coming to the end of his reign.

When he had a good set of players to pick from it was great to go and watch. Brilliant rapid attacks down the wings, through the middle and people up front in the right places. Even Cresswell looked decent despite being in his mid forties. However, as his squad started dropping to bits and he was given no funds or backing, he started playing negative football and it was the old 'can't see where our next goal is coming from' scenario. I can't remember to be honest but I think he had more success on the defending side but definitely set up not to lose.

With the set of players we've got now, Wilson would have us in the top two. And he was a nicer bloke than our Nige (on t'wireless anyway).

 

[DI36O]

Bassett>>>>>>>>Warnock>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Clough>Wilson>>>Blackwell>>>>>>>>>>other 3

Obviously our track record has been really poor since Warnock. Is it because we are just really bad at employing managers?

 

[Bladesway]

Much froth and criticism from me about Clough.

Let me put it into perspective and compare him to our recent managers:

Weir: undecided as the man had no budget and no time
Wilson: Clough gets my vote.
Adams: had insufficient time to judge but probably Clough.
Blackwell: Clough way way better.
Robson: not enough time but Clough way better.
Warnock: Clough by a neck.
Bassett: Clough not in same street.

Thing is we need somebody really special to take us up two levels. Clough is not that man. Somebody has to unearth a diamond to realise the ambition of the Board.

Whatever medication you have started taking please don't stop.

 

[Dkc]

Sacking Wilson when we did was one of the most insane things the club has done over the past few years (and there has been some competition). With five games left there was still a reasonable chance of automatic and a play off place was secure. Especially as we had no one to replace him except the completely untried Morgan.

I'd like to see the league table on the day we sacked him. A Google search says that we were to six points off an automatic promotion spot with two games in hand, but had only won one of the last six.

We're currently 17 points off an automatic promotion spot with no games in hand, having won one in the last six.

 

[DI36O]

Nah, the football was proper dogshit when Wilson was coming to the end of his reign.

When he had a good set of players to pick from it was great to go and watch. Brilliant rapid attacks down the wings, through the middle and people up front in the right places. Even Cresswell looked decent despite being in his mid forties. However, as his squad started dropping to bits and he was given no funds or backing, he started playing negative football and it was the old 'can't see where our next goal is coming from' scenario. I can't remember to be honest but I think he had more success on the defending side but definitely set up not to lose.

With the set of players we've got now, Wilson would have us in the top two. And he was a nicer bloke than our Nige (on t'wireless anyway).

That's a pretty strong statement. I was a fan of Wilson's first season and thought we were desperately unlucky but can you really say we have better or equal resources in terms of players now?

Evans, SQuinn, Lowton, Maguire, Williamson, McDonald
or
Done, Murphy, Brayford, McEveley, Coutts, Baxter

Admittedly we've probably improved on keeper and left back. But even in terms of recruitment, right now it would be hard to sign the quality of player of those above in 11/12 without getting seriously profligate on wages.

 

[Bladesman]

Warnock is better than Clough by a fair margin that said I would not be in a rush to see Warnock back as manager.

 

[Darren]

I'd like to see the league table on the day we sacked him. A Google search says that we were to six points off an automatic promotion spot with two games in hand, but had only won one of the last six.

We're currently 17 points off an automatic promotion spot with no games in hand, having won one in the last six.

Indeed. I had a feeling automatic was still in our own hands and it turns out it was. We lost 2-0 at home to Crawley, which in those days was, I presume, assumed to be so embarrsing no manager could survive. These days we lose at home to Fleetwood and the manager carries on blithely. Expectations are much lower two years on it would seem.

 

[DI36O]

I'd like to see the league table on the day we sacked him. A Google search says that we were to six points off an automatic promotion spot with two games in hand, but had only won one of the last six.

We're currently 17 points off an automatic promotion spot with no games in hand, having won one in the last six.

If we win our next 5 games we'll be at an equivalent position regarding points but with the form book upside down and much less of a chance of automatic, if any.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Indeed. I had a feeling automatic was still in our own hands and it turns out it was. We lost 2-0 at home to Crawley, which in those days was, I presume, assumed to be so embarrsing no manager could survive. These days we lose at home to Fleetwood and the manager carries on blithely. Expectations are much lower two years on it would seem.

We hadn't scored at home for nearly 2 months. Not sure how in our hands it was at all really.

 

[Dkc]

Thanks for that. If we'd won our two games in hand (big if) we'd have made up the goal difference on Bournemouth and been in second place with three left to play. There was still an outside chance of winning the league.

Given our run of form at the time it's pretty certain that we wouldn't have made automatic. I can understand the board's decision - the "new manager effect" could potentially have seen us over the line.

Very interesting to compare that to today's table.

 

[Dkc]

If we win our next 5 games we'll be at an equivalent position regarding points but with the form book upside down and much less of a chance of automatic, if any.

How far were we off 7th? There was probably a feeling that we might not even make the play offs too

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

That's a pretty strong statement. I was a fan of Wilson's first season and thought we were desperately unlucky but can you really say we have better or equal resources in terms of players now?

Evans, SQuinn, Lowton, Maguire, Williamson, McDonald
or
Done, Murphy, Brayford, McEveley, Coutts, Baxter

Admittedly we've probably improved on keeper and left back. But even in terms of recruitment, right now it would be hard to sign the quality of player of those above in 11/12 without getting seriously profligate on wages.

Wilson had a bloody good team at his disposal when you look back at his first season and was unlucky with what happened at the end. Second season he was dry bummed by having nearly all of his best players sold for him and not allowed to replace them adequately. With good players, he the man. The squad now would be decent playing with the tactics he used in that first season.

 

[Darren]

How far were we off 7th? There was probably a feeling that we might not even make the play offs too

We were a long way ahead of 7th as I recall. From memory I think we needed 2 points from those 5 games to be mathematically certain.

 

[DI36O]

Wilson had a bloody good team at his disposal when you look back at his first season and was unlucky with what happened at the end. Second season he was dry bummed by having nearly all of his best players sold for him and not allowed to replace them adequately. With good players, he the man. The squad now would be decent playing with the tactics he used in that first season.

I agree I'd like to see something more like his first season approach adopted now. It could be said that with that first season team we should have gone up and maybe even another man may have taken us there, but you'd gladly accept 90 points at the start of that season, given how the previous one ended.

With this set of players I'd swiftly detach your arm for 90 points. The difference is you can question the recruitment and suggest we could have built a better quality side between last summer and January. But probably not that good a side.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

We were a long way ahead of 7th as I recall. From memory I think we needed 2 points from those 5 games to be mathematically certain.

4 pts off 7, but with 2 games in hand.