IF we don't do it this year .....

[wizadry]

I agree except I wouldn't include Wallace until there is some evidence that he will recover from injury and will be able to play for a significant part of a season - waiting on him has already cost us this season so new CM.

I agree, we will propably get to find this out with all the pre season friendlies, if he doesn't look upto it fitness wise then get rid. I do like the bits i've seen though so i'd perhaps give him as long as he needs to prove himself.

 

[Kenilworth]

May as well save this thread for next season too

 

[itsinyerblood]

And what of the rarely seen Cuvelier?

As with Wallace, his reputation is held in high regard. He appears to have the attributes we've missed in midfield.

I hate the thought of any player ending their career through injury, so I hope both Wallace and Flo are through the worst and can contribute fully. We'll need their qualities and I look forward to seeing them play for us.

 

[wizadry]

And what of the rarely seen Cuvelier?

As with Wallace, his reputation is held in high regard. He appears to have the attributes we've missed in midfield.

I hate the thought of any player ending their career through injury, so I hope both Wallace and Flo are through the worst and can contribute fully. We'll need their qualities and I look forward to seeing them play for us.

Yes, it would be great to see him in a Blades shirt next season, he'd be good in a 5 man midfield but i'd like us to have Basham and Wallace in a 4 man midfield and get 2 up top if we're still in this league next season. We have some good players here, we just need the manager to install some confidence into them, it's a task he's struggling with at present.

 

[maidmarion]

We haven't had bad injury problems, we can't fill key positions with specialists and we've ended the season in poor form, as far from automatic promotion as relegation.

So a serious question, but based on what do you form that opinion?

UTB

We haven't had bad injury problems but can you say that Scougall, Done, Coutts, Murphy, Flynn and Kennedy have not had injury problems this season?
I think the poor form has been due to recurrent injuries and the inability to play a fixed team.
However it has been a disappointment that we haven't as you say been able to fill key positions.

 

[alcoblade]

Scougall and Coutts aren't good enough, I fear. Flynn and Murphy have missed a bit, but not anything out of the ordinary. There's a risk Kennedy is finished.

Out if the list, I can only see Done making a big difference. That said, we have been unlucky there, as he's class.

UTB

 

[itsinyerblood]

Yes, it would be great to see him in a Blades shirt next season, he'd be good in a 5 man midfield but i'd like us to have Basham and Wallace in a 4 man midfield and get 2 up top if we're still in this league next season. We have some good players here, we just need the manager to install some confidence into them, it's a task he's struggling with at present.

I hear what you're saying wiz, but I sometimes wonder about formations and how much any side needs to adhere to what's down on paper? Obviously players need clear instruction about their responsibilities and what's expected of each of them. But let's say that within a five man midfield, surely there has to be fluidity so that as long as there's at least one or two players acting as cover for the defence, the others should be free to involve themselves in any attacks that we create?
I know that's a bit obvious, but the sides that have impressed me have always had a willingness to work hard, and, when necessary, strike when the chances seem even half worthwhile. I suppose it's about energy levels and a desire to work harder than most sides we meet.

 

[wizadry]

I hear what you're saying wiz, but I sometimes wonder about formations and how much any side needs to adhere to what's down on paper? Obviously players need clear instruction about their responsibilities and what's expected of each of them. But let's say that within a five man midfield, surely there has to be fluidity so that as long as there's at least one or two players acting as cover for the defence, the others should be free to involve themselves in any attacks that we create?
I know that's a bit obvious, but the sides that have impressed me have always had a willingness to work hard, and, when necessary, strike when the chances seem even half worthwhile. I suppose it's about energy levels and a desire to work harder than most sides we meet.

I think what has become apparent to us this season is that next season we must get more players in support of our forwards no matter what the formation is, so in short, yes, i agree.

 

[Bladesman]

No if about it - we won't do it this year

Agreed, I did not see enough from us on Thursday to go and win at Swindon.

It has been said that if you don't get out of this league at the first time of asking then expect to be here for a while.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Agreed, I did not see enough from us on Thursday to go and win at Swindon.

It has been said that if you don't get out of this league at the first time of asking then expect to be here for a while.

Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Norwich, Leicester, Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday were all out within 3 seasons.

Just us that are making a meal of it.

 

[Bladesman]

Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Norwich, Leicester, Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday were all out within 3 seasons.

Just us that are making a meal of it.

That's not like us, we usually bounce back at the first time of asking.

 

[Wards]

I'd keep him even if we lose tomorrow but on the premise he gets fuck all to spend in the summer save for a centre half or two. If he wants to spend then he'll need to free up the budget by trimming a ridiculously big squad.

Would get until end of September to have us firing on all cylinders otherwise out the door.

Aside from that I hope none of it is needed and we give Swindon and Preston a royal thrashing!

 

[Blade58]

I'd keep him even if we lose tomorrow but on the premise he gets fuck all to spend in the summer save for a centre half or two. If he wants to spend then he'll need to free up the budget by trimming a ridiculously big squad.

Would get until end of September to have us firing on all cylinders otherwise out the door.

Aside from that I hope none of it is needed and we give Swindon and Preston a royal thrashing!

If Clough fails to win promotion then for me any change has to be asap. Reason being purely that any available manager currently not in employment that may have an interest in joining us will be snapped up this close season, as I assume they will be in demand and perhaps our opportunity to get an experienced, promotion winning manager in may well be gone come September

If the club are looking at candidates such as Adkins, Lambert etc, I can't see them being available once the season starts

 

[Cyprus Blade]

I still think that you have to have a reasonable prospect of securing someone better before you start to show the current incumbent the door.

That said I see no real benefit of giving NC the summer transfer budget and close season unless he is given until Xmas at least. By the end of September most of the likely candidates are fixed up and they would come in to face a zero transfer budget and Derby County rejects 'r Us. If we keep NC you just know he will sign Davies , who isn't good enough and god knows who else. I think if we are changing him he should be gone by Wednesday morning (if we aren't in the play-off final) to give whoever replaces him time to clear out some of the dross NC has bought and to put a decent spine into the team.

I was ambivalent about him having another season because of the disruption that will ensue following a change, but I see less and less reason to keep him as the season goes on and the Centre Half situation makes me question his competence more and more the longer it goes on. The Scougall substitution v Swindon was costly and inept. Let's see where we are after tonight.