Is Clough the right "type" of manager we need?

[Harry's Game]

By this I mean is he the sort of manager who can produce promotion winning teams on a tight budget? Is he the next generation manger from the Bassett / Warnock school, able to identify and get the best out of players of limited ability?

There have been managers who work well in the lower divisions when they are given exhorbatant budgets, Steve Bruce, Roy Keane spring to mind, but when constrained by Finances struggle, Bruce walked out on us but did well with money at Hull, Keane did well with money at Sunderland but struggled on a tight budget at Ipswich, I just wonder if Clough was attracted to us by the thought of the Prince's millions but has since is comimg to realise that this is not that forthcoming for player recruitment?

He turned things around for us last season with a couple of astute loan signings but it looks like he is having to operate on a tighter leash this season since the Prince's increasing commitments back home.

The rest of the transfer window and loan window is going to be very illuminating to see which way this will go.

 

[ScoobBlade]

Who would you say is a realistic alternative ?

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I don't know how old you, but I am old enough to have seen Brian clough in action and I have to say that NC has many attributes that his father had. NC has also played at some big clubs and spent 10 years on a virtual shoestring at Burton. Four years at Derby also, where he appears to have done a decent job, should also lead to him having added to the experience that is being a football club manager.

We have tried chop and change - it didn't work
We have tried chucking money (ie B Robson) at he problem - it didn't work.
We have tried getting a decent coach (Blackwell) to be a manager - it didn't work
We have tried giving a seasoned pro footballer (Wier) his first job in management - it didn't work, although he may have been given longer.

We don't have a history of longevity with a manger, I get the feeling the football management at United think Clough as long term.
We are going to have NC for at least tree years, when hopefully something has developed. Patience is a very hard virtue to have, but patience I believe as what we are going to have to have.

I doubt some on here will stand it - time will tell.

Your doubts of Clough is being thought by virtually every Blades supporter at present - strange pre-season, strange team selections and although it is hard we have to keep faith - as difficult as that might be by you, me and every other Blades supporter.

It is going to be bloody tough!

UTB

 

[Wapping Blade]

By this I mean is he the sort of manager who can produce promotion winning teams on a tight budget? Is he the next generation manger from the Bassett / Warnock school, able to identify and get the best out of players of limited ability?

There have been managers who work well in the lower divisions when they are given exhorbatant budgets, Steve Bruce, Roy Keane spring to mind, but when constrained by Finances struggle, Bruce walked out on us but did well with money at Hull, Keane did well with money at Sunderland but struggled on a tight budget at Ipswich, I just wonder if Clough was attracted to us by the thought of the Prince's millions but has since is comimg to realise that this is not that forthcoming for player recruitment?

He turned things around for us last season with a couple of astute loan signings but it looks like he is having to operate on a tighter leash this season since the Prince's increasing commitments back home.

The rest of the transfer window and loan window is going to be very illuminating to see which way this will go.

No - Clough aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhht

 

[Bladesman]

Who would you say is a realistic alternative ?

Exactly.

I am out of ideas now.

Clough should be able to do the job once he wakes up and notices he is playing the wrong players in the wrong formation.

 

[Bulletnut]

Clough is indeed the man for the job, he proved it last season. Our board on the other hand, complete with the mystical Prince, appear to be severely lacking in ambition.

Be patient I keep hearing. Patient? For how long? And patient for what? Players come and, so do managers but always the same old bullshit from Superblade and his fellow 100% Blades, both old and new.

Some say Cloughie sounded flat yesterday, I thought that too. I hope he's not about to be stiffed by the board because that would do us no good at all.

 

[zablade]

Who would you say is a realistic alternative ?

Well we all know that if Clough did go, and it's not inconceivable that he could walk, then Chris Morgan is gong to get the job.

 

[Bladesway]

By this I mean is he the sort of manager who can produce promotion winning teams on a tight budget? Is he the next generation manger from the Bassett / Warnock school, able to identify and get the best out of players of limited ability?

There have been managers who work well in the lower divisions when they are given exhorbatant budgets, Steve Bruce, Roy Keane spring to mind, but when constrained by Finances struggle, Bruce walked out on us but did well with money at Hull, Keane did well with money at Sunderland but struggled on a tight budget at Ipswich, I just wonder if Clough was attracted to us by the thought of the Prince's millions but has since is comimg to realise that this is not that forthcoming for player recruitment?

He turned things around for us last season with a couple of astute loan signings but it looks like he is having to operate on a tighter leash this season since the Prince's increasing commitments back home.

The rest of the transfer window and loan window is going to be very illuminating to see which way this will go.

You say something close to fuck all last season when things were going well and now you are all over the forum with your tales of woe, doubt and doom. You are of course entitled to your opinion but have you ever stopped to think how much more credible you may be if you had something positive to add when things are going well?

Of you think anyone isn't concerned at our non start you would be wrong but we really have to shift mentality away from "is Clough this" or "is he the one". This is what we have and like it or not and continual nay saying helps no one. None of us know what is happening at the club deep within and while some enjoy spreading rumours of rifts it is all a bit wet in my opinion. I know we want wins and goals, but we have to give this squad chance to bed in. I'm as concerned as anyone but understand time will be the telling factor. Impatience will just lead us to another managerial hunt and rebuild. We can't go there again.

 

[BeatleBlade]

I don't really expect him to say. We have a very tough run of games this month and if we are not out of the bottom four by september I don't think the board will be too happy and the blame will be placed at his door.
There seems to be some problems going on behind the scenes right now which makes me think he is more likely to resign than anything else.
If he starts playing players in the right positions then I have hope that we will finish mid table this year. I'm pretty sure he's said this was a year of transition so missing out on the play offs won't surprise me but will a disappointment nonetheless as I am sick of this league.
Do I want him to leave? No but I'd like the Clough of last year back.

 

[metalblade]

Clough is indeed the man for the job, he proved it last season. Our board on the other hand, complete with the mystical Prince, appear to be severely lacking in ambition.

Be patient I keep hearing. Patient? For how long? And patient for what? Players come and, so do managers but always the same old bullshit from Superblade and his fellow 100% Blades, both old and new.

Some say Cloughie sounded flat yesterday, I thought that too. I hope he's not about to be stiffed by the board because that would do us no good at all.

You should know by now every manager at SUFC gets stiffed by the board some just get it sooner than others.

You say something close to fuck all last season when things were going well and now you are all over the forum with your tales of woe, doubt and doom. You are of course entitled to your opinion but have you ever stopped to think how much more credible you may be if you had something positive to add when things are going well?

Of you think anyone isn't concerned at our non start you would be wrong but we really have to shift mentality away from "is Clough this" or "is he the one". This is what we have and like it or not and continual nay saying helps no one. None of us know what is happening at the club deep within and while some enjoy spreading rumours of rifts it is all a bit wet in my opinion. I know we want wins and goals, but we have to give this squad chance to bed in. I'm as concerned as anyone but understand time will be the telling factor. Impatience will just lead us to another managerial hunt and rebuild. We can't go there again.

When exactly do things go well at this club, the next disaster is always just around the corner, Like Colin once said we are Sheffield United we never do things the easy way.

I have to say I think Clough is the best we have had for a good while but I can't help feeling the promise of game changing investment is melting away faster than a kids ice cream on a summers day

 

[Jonboy60]

Heard this a few times over the years, from various people and forums. SUFC are fucking cursed. The spell on this club needs to be broken. Was it Barry fry that pissed somewhere near the corner flag( Birmingam I think) to break an alleged curse. Bollox I know, would just like to them to achieve something before I kick the bucket. UTB, FTO.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

We seem to have just stood still and let the rest go sailing past us.

Funny old game in it........

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I'm not going to get on his back too much yet. He's earned some patience after what he did for us last season but I do want to see him change things a little bit. Whatever he's trying to do at the moment might work in the long run but I doubt it. I think he's making some mistakes with his team selection but the best of us make mistakes.

Overall I feel he's the right man for the job but I want to see a few points on the board by the end of the month or I'm going to have more questions.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I don't know anymore and I'm starting to not care.

It's fucked, it's all just fucked.

 

[alcoblade]

I have to say I think Clough is the best we have had for a good while but I can't help feeling the promise of game changing investment is melting away faster than a kids ice cream on a summers day

I said at the start of the summer, when we resigned he who shall not be named, that there were clear signs that game changing wasn't going to mean what most people wanted.

Sheffield United, without financial backing, should not be relying on players of that quality to back the squad up.

Unfortunately, though I spent all summer hoping that investment would come, I'm not very surprised we got what we got.

I'm sure there's more to come from the present crop, but I'd be very happy with a playoff spot from it.

I will bare my arse on the town hall steps if the current squad gains automatic promotion.

UTB

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I remember you making such promises before Alco. That's filled me with optimism now!

Seriously though, no chance of automatic based on what we've seen so far.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Yes

100%

UTB

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Yes

100%

UTB

Is that yes Clough is the right man or

yes I want to see Alco's arse?

 

[DronnieBlade]

Is that yes Clough is the right man or

yes I want to see Alco's arse?

Former

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Former

 

[DronnieBlade]

 

[Silent Blade]

Heard this a few times over the years, from various people and forums. SUFC are fucking cursed. The spell on this club needs to be broken. Was it Barry fry that pissed somewhere near the corner flag( Birmingam I think) to break an alleged curse. Bollox I know, would just like to them to achieve something before I kick the bucket. UTB, FTO.

The curse of the South Stand! The dead cricketers were responsible !

Copied from a website

In 1906 a Gypsy's curse was placed on St Andrews and Birmingham City by Romany people who were angry at being moved from the site for a new football ground.

Various attempts were made to relieve the club of the curse, including Barry Fry's interesting and infamous corner flag themed attempt in the 90's.

 

[alcoblade]

Is that yes Clough is the right man or

yes I want to see Alco's arse?

Everyone wants to see my arse .

I am sex.



UTB

 

[blader]

Ofcourse he's the right man. He's the best football manager we have had since warnock (arguably better in some ways) but what can you do when you're given fuck all resources. Our net spend in every transfer year over the last 6/7 years has been negative, and despite what some on here are trying to convince themselves, money DOES equal success.

Absolutely pathetic showing from our 'investors'. I have said this all pre-season as I saw this coming early on, Clough is not to blame for this shambles. Some even trying to convince us that Clough is trying to be thrifty. Bullshit. No manager in the world would refuse to spend money. He has what he has, which is quite frankly the square root of fuck all. Some people need to wake up and see the reality of this situation and stop living in a dream world. We're only heading in one direction if we keep refusing to spend.

 

[sitwell]

Is harrys game the right ''type'' of supporter we need ?

 

[zablade]

Is harrys game the right ''type'' of supporter we need ?

Sitwell, I have had a pop at HG as much as anyone but I can't see what it is he is saying wrong here, seem some balanced and fair questions, he isn't calling for Clough's head like some of the twonks on these forums and phone ins.

 

[Blade]

Personally I believe some perspective is required. We've lost two games. There's no doubt Clough is the right man for me. There have been some extremely overreacted responses. It's a long season and it's clear at this stage more is to come from players we know are capable of more and new players who is have shown potential.

I won't start worrying unless the improvement we are capable of doesn't come through after allowing the team to bed in although im certain I'd sooner have nobody else in charge than Nigel.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

What worries me is that Clough is our best asset - Championship level manager minimum
Players are what they are 3rd division players playing for a 3rd division club.

I could see Clough taking the step up to the Championship without too much of a problem and onwards to a lower level Prem team as well.

Can't see any of the players at the moment looking Championship class.
Of those left from last season only Murphy and Scoogs would fall in that classification but both need to up their game this season as neither would get a bid at the moment. Long may be but long term.

Sorry but the squad is the week link.

 

[Rossb123]

My fear is IF (big if) we are promoted this season how many of our players are good enough for the championship? Will we have to have another over haul of players? The Championship is a much better league than this one.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

What worries me is that Clough is our best asset - Championship level manager minimum
Players are what they are 3rd division players playing for a 3rd division club.

I could see Clough taking the step up to the Championship without too much of a problem and onwards to a lower level Prem team as well.

Can't see any of the players at the moment looking Championship class.
Of those left from last season only Murphy and Scoogs would fall in that classification but both need to up their game this season as neither would get a bid at the moment. Long may be but long term.

Sorry but the squad is the week link.

weak - proof read it first

Doh