Interview With Collins

[TheMonty45]

Seems like a massive improvement from Saturday. Both Offensively & Defensively. Clean sheet for Edgar & Collins with another powerful header! Hopefully he can do it in our own box a bit more... Always loved Collins' passion & would like to see him & Edgar together but now McEveley is captain, he's going to be in for the long term so we better get used to it.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

This the same Maguire that's hardly played since he left us, gifted Accrington a goal last night and missed a penalty?

Just asking like ;-)

Awful that HM . What i would do , if i was Steve Bruce , is ship the fella out on a season long loan to a league 1 club , pronto . Send him to Sheffield United

UTB

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

This lost all credibility the moment you said arguably our best player at the moment, Freeman is part of the problem.

Agree with you - reckon Freeman's the shining light in that back 4 at the moment, myself. His defensive failings are often greatly exaggerated, & his attacking flair is just enhanced by the clear to see self-confidence he's enjoying these days.

As for Collins - the interview just reinforces the sense (which has always been there) that he's a very likeable guy. Is he good enough to be first choice centre-half in a promotion winning side? - don't think so. He ought to be being no more than a (very useful) squad player for us this season

 

[AlienBlade]

On the known facts, I think there are faults to be found on both sides:-

As a manager, Clough would have been better served by calling Collins into his office and explaining the precise "tactical" reasons why he had been dropped. Offering to work on his failings in training, with a view to him improving and following team orders better when the next opportunity arose. His failure to do so, left him short of a player who with the right sort of nurturing and improvement could have made a vital difference to the season.

As a player, Collins should have gone to see Clough through his "open door". Indicated that he was keen to stay at the club and work on whatever Clough perceived were his failings. He gains little credit from me for hanging around on full pay for a year, supposedly not knowing why he had been dropped and wishing someone else (Morgan?) would speak up on his behalf rather than taking the initiative himself.

The fact that the situation seemingly dragged on with nobody willing to break the impasse was certainly to the detriment of Sheffield United.

I suspect what really happened is that Clough told Collins what his failings were after the Chesterfield match and Collins refused to accept this.

I couldnt agree more.

I also suspect that's exactly what happened to, but it's all speculation.

 

[him behind you]

Agree with you - reckon Freeman's the shining light in that back 4 at the moment, myself. His defensive failings are often greatly exaggerated, & his attacking flair is just enhanced by the clear to see self-confidence he's enjoying these days.

As for Collins - the interview just reinforces the sense (which has always been there) that he's a very likeable guy. Is he good enough to be first choice centre-half in a promotion winning side? - don't think so. He ought to be being no more than a (very useful) squad player for us this season

Freeman's attacking flair last night was more than a little disappointing. I lost count of the number of times he was played into great positions but either took too long, took the wrong decision, or just completely cocked it up. On saying that, he was solid enough defensively and made some really good challenges.

 

[Deleted member 875]

Has someone really said that Freeman is arguably one of our best players at the moment.

His is a shit, nesh full back, who poos his little pants whenever an opposition player runs at him, consistently gets caught out of position whilst he is up field pretending to be a Fantasy Island Market version of Roberto Carlos, and is an absolute fucking defensive liability.

Still let him go and talk to Andy Giddings, get all emotional, have a little cry and tell everyone how much he loves the club, and then he will be the big hero like good old Collo.

And people wonder this club has problems

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I like Freeman. I think he's been a good signing and will look better when Flynn is back playing in front of him (unimpressive start from Woolford- Scougall sounded a bit better last night). His final ball is not great yet but he has time on his side and is getting into good areas. If a few more made those sorts of runs I think we'd pose a much greater threat.,

 

[Bartleby]

why is it unprofessional?? he was constantly being asked about Collins and why he had a problem with him.... and why he hadnt done anything about it?? He stated he was unaware of any prorblems Collins had (as rumour were circling of some big fall out) so he simply said, if Collins has any problems he knows where the managers door is... meaning rather than Collins telling a mate who will then tell a mate and then the rumours get posted on here, he should just simply come to the manager and they could attmept to sort something out... this never happened

its pretty much the same as "What is said in the dressing room will stay in the dressing room" (which Adkins & Clough have said )

It's unprofessional cos he was supposed to be the gaffer, the one in charge of the situation and by all appearances he didn't take charge. This is all speculation on all our parts but yes, from what's been said if Collins didn't go to see him he is equally unprofessional. But he worked for Clough not the other way round and Clough did not deal with it. Froze him out, didn't let he even train with the squad, but didn't ship him out either and kept him on the payroll doing eff all. Great player in his day but a poor excuse of a manager.

 

[UnitedBlade]

It's actually interesting what we do with the first goal regards set up. Collins and McEv are free, not marking anyone. This would suggest that the plan is for them to be aggressive and attack the ball. McEv is caught underneath it and rendered useless, Collins is static in the centre with no movement towards to ball, despite it being glaringly obvious where it's heading. To me that's shocking between the pair of them and a complete lack of reacting to a situation. The second is very similar with McEv free to attack again and is again caught under the ball. There seems to be zero organisation from our two supposed leaders in both of these situations.

I'll give Collins a bit of leeway with the 3rd but it sums up their afternoons work for me.

McEveley is forever being caught under the ball, he worries me far more than Collins. I wouldn't play McEveley at centre back at all.

I'm looking forward to seeing Edgar, it's a start on the way to improvement. Collins should be an important squad member, not necessarily starting but he is capable of playing well.

 

[Bartleby]

On the known facts, I think there are faults to be found on both sides:-

As a manager, Clough would have been better served by calling Collins into his office and explaining the precise "tactical" reasons why he had been dropped. Offering to work on his failings in training, with a view to him improving and following team orders better when the next opportunity arose. His failure to do so, left him short of a player who with the right sort of nurturing and improvement could have made a vital difference to the season.

As a player, Collins should have gone to see Clough through his "open door". Indicated that he was keen to stay at the club and work on whatever Clough perceived were his failings. He gains little credit from me for hanging around on full pay for a year, supposedly not knowing why he had been dropped and wishing someone else (Morgan?) would speak up on his behalf rather than taking the initiative himself.

The fact that the situation seemingly dragged on with nobody willing to break the impasse was certainly to the detriment of Sheffield United.

I suspect what really happened is that Clough told Collins what his failings were after the Chesterfield match and Collins refused to accept this.

Yes I pretty much agree with that but as I've said Clough was the one supposedly in charge and he handled it like a sulky child. In places where I have worked when summat like this happens someone higher up the ladder usually gets involved to bang their heads together and get it resolved, but it reflects badly on both afterwards.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Awful that HM . What i would do , if i was Steve Bruce , is ship the fella out on a season long loan to a league 1 club , pronto . Send him to Sheffield United

UTB

You can't get it that wrong by accident. Maybe Harry's thinking the same thing and angling for a move.

 

[Trigger Blade]

Freeman's attacking flair last night was more than a little disappointing. I lost count of the number of times he was played into great positions but either took too long, took the wrong decision, or just completely cocked it up. On saying that, he was solid enough defensively and made some really good challenges.

Yes, one challenge in particular in the 2nd half where they broke down their right and he covered all the way across to get a crucial block in, with the rest of our back four struggling to get back.

 

[Worksop II]

McEveley is forever being caught under the ball

Watch him Saturday, the Coin Toss will go over his head, though he will then catch it ......................

 

[Bergen Blade]

It's actually interesting what we do with the first goal regards set up. Collins and McEv are free, not marking anyone. This would suggest that the plan is for them to be aggressive and attack the ball. McEv is caught underneath it and rendered useless, Collins is static in the centre with no movement towards to ball, despite it being glaringly obvious where it's heading. To me that's shocking between the pair of them and a complete lack of reacting to a situation.

I'm not sure what the plan was regarding Norris, we don't see the situation before the ball comes in, but let's assume Collins is supposed to mark him. We then have a man marking each opponent + Basham and McEveley who are marking a zone each. It goes way past McEveley's zone, so no need to blame him. The fact that neither Collins and Basham does not jump for the ball at all, suggests to me that they've heard Long shout "Keeper!", which means they shall not attack the ball. So I think Collins could be guilty of not helping Long with Norris, if that was his task.

.

The second is very similar with McEv free to attack again and is again caught under the ball. There seems to be zero organisation from our two supposed leaders in both of these situations.
.

McEveley and Collins are both marking players at that corner. It is Freeman who loses his man, resulting in a free header and a scramble.

 

[metalblade]

It's actually interesting what we do with the first goal regards set up. Collins and McEv are free, not marking anyone. This would suggest that the plan is for them to be aggressive and attack the ball. McEv is caught underneath it and rendered useless, Collins is static in the centre with no movement towards to ball, despite it being glaringly obvious where it's heading. To me that's shocking between the pair of them and a complete lack of reacting to a situation. The second is very similar with McEv free to attack again and is again caught under the ball. There seems to be zero organisation from our two supposed leaders in both of these situations.

I'll give Collins a bit of leeway with the 3rd but it sums up their afternoons work for me.

You're wasting your breath Wards Bergs thinks Long shouted and will not accept it could have been poor defending by the central defenders for the first goal or tell us how it could be sorted out in 5 mins in training, he has made his mind up Long was at fault end of.

 

[EastonBlade]

It wasn't just Collins that spoke to George though, was it? Maybe they weren't actually bollocking him but gee-ing him up?

I wasn't there so other than highlights I don't know what went on.

Did any that went hear what was said?

I was right behind Long's goal. He took a goalkick aimed at Collins standing by the side of the penalty area, but Collins was being marked and Long should have seen this. Collins kicked the ball back to Long - I thought before it had crossed the line - Long dithered with kicking it out and finally kicked it against the Gillingham player and could easily have given away a goal on the rebound. It was shockingly bad play. I am not a lipreader but I think Collins said something along the lines of "Not very clever, that, Longy old chap; do try not to do it again..."

 

[Bergen Blade]

You're wasting your breath Wards Bergs thinks Long shouted and will not accept it could have been poor defending by the central defenders for the first goal or tell us how it could be sorted out in 5 mins in training, he has made his mind up Long was at fault end of.

Not sure I got all of that, but it makes no sense to me that both Basham and Collins would choose to not try nodding the ball away unless there was a shout.

cooperblade 's son is a goalkeeper, what do they tell defenders to do if the goalkeeper shouts "Keeper" as a high ball comes in? Challenge him or avoid jumping?

Metal, I've already told you once that I didn't think Long was at fault, you seem to be saying that I disagree with myself?


Making it crystal clear who's going to help Long with an opponent trying to block him at set pieces shouldn't take too long, don't you agree?

 

[AlienBlade]

It's unprofessional cos he was supposed to be the gaffer, the one in charge of the situation and by all appearances he didn't take charge. This is all speculation on all our parts but yes, from what's been said if Collins didn't go to see him he is equally unprofessional. But he worked for Clough not the other way round and Clough did not deal with it. Froze him out, didn't let he even train with the squad, but didn't ship him out either and kept him on the payroll doing eff all. Great player in his day but a poor excuse of a manager.

surely "freezing him out" was doing something?

I dont know how things work at your place, but if I have a personal problem with how my job is going, it's not for the manager to ask me what my problems are. its for me to speak to the manager to get them sorted, otherwise the manager will simply assume that everything is hunky dorey. remember rumours float around all the time so managers will ignore things being said in the media etc. (otherwise they would have players in the office all the time)

you also cant just ship out a player, a player can refuse to go out on loan (and Collins did exactly that, and was quoted as so in the Sheffield Star at the time) so despite probably wanting him out Collins basically stole a wage for months before finally going out on loan

as many have said Clough will have told Collins a few home truths (remember he hasnt taken out a full page spread in the star announcing those home truths) but having conceded 17 goals in 13 games I can bet they were on the lines of him not doing his job... the likely hood (bearing in mind what we have seen of Collins blasting other player for his own failings) he refused to take any blame and instead looked to shift it. you can only help a player who wants to be helped, if you point blank refuse to acknowldge a failing on your own behalf then you cannot be helped....

I also suspect Collins didnt like what he heard and decided to tell Clough what he really thought... (again the Employee/Manager things come into question and if you had bollocked your own manager would you still be in a job....)

the problem is whatever happened Clough has now gone Collins is still shit, but because those who didnt like clough would argue we played in blue and white if Clough said we played in red and white... Collins is now seen as some type of messiah and free from blame which is nonesense... (many people criticised Clough for being tough on the rules... however you cant have it both ways) in truth had clough backed down he would have been seen as weak in the eyes of people like Collins and you dont take orders from a weak manager... (so catch 22)

 

[sitwell]

Its a shame he didn't have the passion and love of the badge to force himself back into the team last season.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

As a player, Collins should have gone to see Clough through his "open door". Indicated that he was keen to stay at the club and work on whatever Clough perceived were his failings. He gains little credit from me for hanging around on full pay for a year, supposedly not knowing why he had been dropped and wishing someone else (Morgan?) would speak up on his behalf rather than taking the initiative himself.

For me it looks like there was a personal edge to what went off with two stubborn blokes digging their heels in to the detriment of Sheffield United Football Club. I suspect Clough had told him something like "you will never play in the first team defence again while I am manager" and Collins saying "You won't get rid of me that easily".

This was the interview from The Stir, Nov 14th 2014 - http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheff-utd/sheffield-united-neill-collins-breaks-his-silence-1-6961851 ? -rehashed in http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheff-utd/sheffield-united-neill-issues-blades-pledge-1-6961702 . Collins must have got the club's agreement to give the interview.

I remember all sorts of stuff coming out from Clough that didn't add up to explain Collin's continued absence over the following months when we clearly had CH problems - "injuries", "not training with the first team so unfamiliar with tactics" etc (remember the miraculous recovery from injury for Collins loan move to Port Vale in March 2015? - he played that Saturday and scored an own goal days after Clough had said he was injured and not available for selection). I can't help thinking the Clough-Collins thing was a bit of a running sore for the club and was divisive. There certainly seemed to be some effort (and maybe favours called in) to try and get Collins out of the club.

In January 2015 the club website said that Collins had turned down a loan move to former Blade Keith Curle's Carlisle. He had already been sent training with the kids for some time by that point. On 7th Jan 2015 the Star reported that Collins was set to decline further loan move offers in order to try and force himself back into Clough's reckoning. He then turned down former Blade Shaun Derry's Notts County.

If Clough had stayed I suspect Collins would be gone now since he had accepted that he had to move to have a chance of a game - hence the loan move in March to former Blade Robert Page's Port Vale.

Ironically Collins outlasted Clough. What's the betting Collin's sent Clough a text or two after Clough got the sack and Collins got a clean slate?

 

[Bartleby]

For me it looks like there was a personal edge to what went off with two stubborn blokes digging their heels in to the detriment of Sheffield United Football Club. I suspect Clough had told him something like "you will never play in the first team defence again while I am manager" and Collins saying "You won't get rid of me that easily".

This was the interview from The Stir, Nov 14th 2014 - http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheff-utd/sheffield-united-neill-collins-breaks-his-silence-1-6961851 ? -rehashed in http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheff-utd/sheffield-united-neill-issues-blades-pledge-1-6961702 . Collins must have got the club's agreement to give the interview.

I remember all sorts of stuff coming out from Clough that didn't add up to explain Collin's continued absence over the following months when we clearly had CH problems - "injuries", "not training with the first team so unfamiliar with tactics" etc (remember the miraculous recovery from injury for Collins loan move to Port Vale in March 2015? - he played that Saturday and scored an own goal days after Clough had said he was injured and not available for selection). I can't help thinking the Clough-Collins thing was a bit of a running sore for the club and was divisive. There certainly seemed to be some effort (and maybe favours called in) to try and get Collins out of the club.

In January 2015 the club website said that Collins had turned down a loan move to former Blade Keith Curle's Carlisle. He had already been sent training with the kids for some time by that point. On 7th Jan 2015 the Star reported that Collins was set to decline further loan move offers in order to try and force himself back into Clough's reckoning. He then turned down former Blade Shaun Derry's Notts County.

If Clough had stayed I suspect Collins would be gone now since he had accepted that he had to move to have a chance of a game - hence the loan move in March to former Blade Robert Page's Port Vale.

Ironically Collins outlasted Clough. What's the betting Collin's sent Clough a text or two after Clough got the sack and Collins got a clean slate?

could be right, we just don't know do we. Was aware of one report about him saying he wanted to force his way back in, but when that obviously wasn't happening and he was sat at home on match days he surely should have been more open to going out on loan.

 

[Bartleby]

surely "freezing him out" was doing something?

I dont know how things work at your place, but if I have a personal problem with how my job is going, it's not for the manager to ask me what my problems are. its for me to speak to the manager to get them sorted, otherwise the manager will simply assume that everything is hunky dorey. remember rumours float around all the time so managers will ignore things being said in the media etc. (otherwise they would have players in the office all the time)

you also cant just ship out a player, a player can refuse to go out on loan (and Collins did exactly that, and was quoted as so in the Sheffield Star at the time) so despite probably wanting him out Collins basically stole a wage for months before finally going out on loan

as many have said Clough will have told Collins a few home truths (remember he hasnt taken out a full page spread in the star announcing those home truths) but having conceded 17 goals in 13 games I can bet they were on the lines of him not doing his job... the likely hood (bearing in mind what we have seen of Collins blasting other player for his own failings) he refused to take any blame and instead looked to shift it. you can only help a player who wants to be helped, if you point blank refuse to acknowldge a failing on your own behalf then you cannot be helped....

I also suspect Collins didnt like what he heard and decided to tell Clough what he really thought... (again the Employee/Manager things come into question and if you had bollocked your own manager would you still be in a job....)

the problem is whatever happened Clough has now gone Collins is still shit, but because those who didnt like clough would argue we played in blue and white if Clough said we played in red and white... Collins is now seen as some type of messiah and free from blame which is nonesense... (many people criticised Clough for being tough on the rules... however you cant have it both ways) in truth had clough backed down he would have been seen as weak in the eyes of people like Collins and you dont take orders from a weak manager... (so catch 22)

fair enough can't argue with most of that. I'm not one of those who didn't like Clough as such, certainly not in the first season when I kept an open mind and backed him even though I was skeptical about his track record in management . It was obvious summat had gone down in the close season though with collins and doyle on the bench against bristol.

Re. "I dont know how things work at your place" - it's great, I took a redundancy/early retirement deal 2 years ago so I don't have to suffer that shit any more

 

[Bartleby]

Its a shame he didn't have the passion and love of the badge to force himself back into the team last season.

if he was being kept apart from the squad I'm not sure how he could have gone about doing that

 

[ziggy4001]

Good to hear Collins passion in the interview. Clearly a passionate chap. Not a promotion chasing league 1 CB though. I wonder who we could get in for his wages?

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

surely "freezing him out" was doing something?

I dont know how things work at your place, but if I have a personal problem with how my job is going, it's not for the manager to ask me what my problems are. its for me to speak to the manager to get them sorted, otherwise the manager will simply assume that everything is hunky dorey. remember rumours float around all the time so managers will ignore things being said in the media etc. (otherwise they would have players in the office all the time)

you also cant just ship out a player, a player can refuse to go out on loan (and Collins did exactly that, and was quoted as so in the Sheffield Star at the time) so despite probably wanting him out Collins basically stole a wage for months before finally going out on loan

as many have said Clough will have told Collins a few home truths (remember he hasnt taken out a full page spread in the star announcing those home truths) but having conceded 17 goals in 13 games I can bet they were on the lines of him not doing his job... the likely hood (bearing in mind what we have seen of Collins blasting other player for his own failings) he refused to take any blame and instead looked to shift it. you can only help a player who wants to be helped, if you point blank refuse to acknowldge a failing on your own behalf then you cannot be helped....

I also suspect Collins didnt like what he heard and decided to tell Clough what he really thought... (again the Employee/Manager things come into question and if you had bollocked your own manager would you still be in a job....)

the problem is whatever happened Clough has now gone Collins is still shit, but because those who didnt like clough would argue we played in blue and white if Clough said we played in red and white... Collins is now seen as some type of messiah and free from blame which is nonesense... (many people criticised Clough for being tough on the rules... however you cant have it both ways) in truth had clough backed down he would have been seen as weak in the eyes of people like Collins and you dont take orders from a weak manager... (so catch 22)

There's a lot of speculation in there. One point - you said he stole a wage by refusing to go on loan? How? He has a choice presumably?

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

if he was being kept apart from the squad I'm not sure how he could have gone about doing that

I told him today I want another one from him on Saturday!

 

[Fulwood Blade]

This lost all credibility the moment you said arguably our best player at the moment, Freeman is part of the problem.

It lost all credibility with you - don't have a problem with that - others happen to share similar opinions about out defence and Freeman also.
If he does happen to be our best player at the moment, then it shows how poor the rest are and how easily satisfied you are with poor performances.

Freeman, as Ihave posted before has a tremendous amount of skill - his goal v Swindon in the PO shoowed great technical ability - the goal v Newcastle as also very good. His ability to go forward is also very good but is more suited to a wing back.

It is a massive shame he is useless as a defender in a 4. - is easily skinned, and has been since he joined.

As for credibility of the post - it's all down to opinions and Freeman won't have a position once Brayford is back so enjoy his play while it lasts.

UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

This lost all credibility the moment you said arguably our best player at the moment, Freeman is part of the problem.

and btw - the following quote has come from someone in anther post who actually want to the game v Morecombe.

Read and weep.............UTB

"Freeman was absolutely horrendous with his last ball and decision making when attacking."

 

[metalblade]

I never have been a fan of Clough but whatever happened between Clough and Collins was not in the best interest of SUFC when we were going into the play off's with no fit centre backs it was criminal that Collins was sat on his arse at home. Far from thinking he was our saviour I thought like a lot more that Collins and Doyle for that matter should have been moved on after the Wembley semi final, how they both got in the team says everything to me about the state of the defence and midfield last season. I am utterly astounded that we start this season with a new manager who is using Collins in the back four of a team allegedly going for promotion and to top it all his partner in crimes against football is given the captains armband.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

People have short memories. Collins is a shit centre half, he had one good season next to a good centre half. If he was any good he would have played more last year, Clough effectively said he'd dropped him for being shit. Seen this before with radio interviews with Doyle who was also shit. No wonder Collins loves us he's been getting paid a very good wage for stealing a living, one goal at Morecambe doesn't change this. Fact of the matter is if we wish to progress upwards we need better.