Jim Phipps on Facebook

[William Henry Foulkes]

Wasn't that just his reaction to the last point? about what the fans can do?

Does it matter?

The fans can contribute. It's the first thing I would suggest. There may be other priorities but I liked the idea of the Blades Ultras (if that's what I think it is) as proposed - and sniped at - on here recently. I'd suggest having a look at what's going on with the crowds in the Bundesliga - there's a really positive interaction between players and fans there.

Do we need Ultras more than midfield reinforcements? No.

Would it enhance the club? Yes.

 

[Roygbiv]

Easily the most open he has been and fair play to him. These may just be empty words to some but it does seem as though the club acknowledge where they have gone wrong and understand that things as they stand are not good enough

 

[Greenwich Blade]

"the diabolical nature of the competition in L1"

I stopped reading there. Complete lack of respect for where we are.

He needs to apologise for that.

I'm going for 'unpleasant'.

 

[SwissBlade]

I have 6 Facebook messages in reply to my message to Jim last night waiting for me, credit on that side. However I'll address those when sober.

Quick comment on the above- The fans have nothing more to give. 20,000 fans in 3rd division after 5 years is a backing pretty much unrivalled in any league in Europe, perhaps globally. I'm sure someone will counter this.

There are positives and negatives in the current regime, but I'd say from an outside view that they need to stabilise our club. Quickly

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Actions Jim. Lets see action and less words.

I think we're lucky to have statements like that, bit refreshing.

Time will tell how genuine they are, just hope their not pulling the wool over my eyes because as a fan it would be easy to.

Bit of relief from the depression and for that thanks Jim.













But £13M, wow, just wow.

 

[derryblade]

It's quite clear he's admitting they got it wrong. He refers to allowing it and not putting a stop to it. It's not ambiguous in any way.

Sounds very similar to KM criticizing managers for over using the loan system, weren't my fault guv I was over there. Who signs the cheques the manager CEO

 

[bladesmanluke]

Isnt that basically what hes saying though
That even with the investment we cant afford to bring anyone in without money generated by player sales and cup runs

That's the concensus I got. Not with a squad like this. It's ridiculously bloated and completely understandable that we need to get rid of a few to bring in, but not our good players. That would be utterly stupid and it's why we are where we are

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

If Clough ignored the "process" all last season why oh why was he still allowed to sort out the retained list at the end of the season and lumber us with this squad ??

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

So basically it's Clough's fault

You can read a lot between the lines but seems Clough didn't buy into what we were trying to do. Not often you see statements like that. Refreshing.

 

[Bartleby]

Good for him to come out with that, though he's set himself up to be slated and will be by many.

Bit surprised at the " allowed the Technical Board process to be thoroughly undermined by a gaffer, who was not interested in the process;" when the prime members of that technical board were the MD and manager - I thought Clough and Mal Brannigan were mates from Derby days?

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

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I'm going for 'unpleasant'.

Demanding would have been a better D word

 

[LoughboroBlade]

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I'm going for 'unpleasant'.

I'm going with "so evil as to recall the Devil" – there's another force at work that's doomed us to this league.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Sounds very similar to KM criticizing managers for over using the loan system, weren't my fault guv I was over there. Who signs the cheques the manager CEO

It's a mea culpa. They've learned. They're moving forwards, and asking for positive suggestions.

 

[PeteBlade]

It's a far cry from the days when everyone complained about a lack of communication from the board so fair play to them for that.

He's previously stated that he wouldn't release exact details of take investment as it alerts others to our position so I'm surprised he's changed his mind on that.

It's good to admit to mistakes, I just hope we're as good at fixing them.

I also like his much they are behind Adkins, although we've heard the same about Clough so hopefully not the dreaded vote of confidence.



NB- it's a shame the message board's thought police are busy trying to clamp down on anyone not jumping for joy at the statement.

 

[Pierre's PC]

Surely, we can all stretch a bit more to realise our shared goal. Let's talk to and about each other in a way that assumes that we all want the same thing and desire to do what's necessary to get there. We do not have to agree on everything, but we can safely assume we are in a common cause and talk to each other as friends, rather than as adversaries. Let's get united and be a strength to each other.

This surely is the most important line?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

from an outside view that they need to stabilise our club. Quickly

They did. Quickly.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I'm going with "so evil as to recall the Devil" – there's another force at work that's doomed us to this league.

We need one of those exorcisms they used to occasionally have at grounds in the 70s and 80s. Put holy water in the sprinklers or something.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Sounds very similar to KM criticizing managers for over using the loan system, weren't my fault guv I was over there. Who signs the cheques the manager CEO

So you don't think they are accepting the blame with those statements? Just more excuses? Really?

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

If Clough ignored the "process" all last season why oh why was he still allowed to sort out the retained list at the end of the season and lumber us with this squad ??

Probably because like me they thought Clough had it sussed and would make the changes needed.
His de-brief revealed not.

Perhaps I was a bit wrong?

 

[Bartleby]

"the diabolical nature of the competition in L1"

I stopped reading there. Complete lack of respect for where we are.

He needs to apologise for that.

you took umbridge at that 4 lines in and didn't read the rest? Really? Fuckin ell! Hopefully the fact you haven't read it will prevent you commenting on it further then.

 

[derryblade]

It's a mea culpa. They've learned. They're moving forwards, and asking for positive suggestions.

Lets beg to differ shall we, you see an improvement in the board/owners I see the same mistakes being made over and over.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

We need one of those exorcisms they used to occasionally have at grounds in the 70s and 80s. Put holy water in the sprinklers or something.

Just piss in each corner.

 

[Worksop II]

This surely is the most important line?

It is asking for understanding, maybe he wants a reset, lets all start with a clean sheet and be verbal to each other.

Unfortunately they did their deal with the Devil, and he is a busted flush ...... buy him out Jim, that would be a clean sheet

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

too say nothing

Jim!

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Lets beg to differ shall we, you see an improvement in the board/owners I see the same mistakes being made over and over.

So suggest something positive.

 

[Tyler Durden]

"the diabolical nature of the competition in L1"

I stopped reading there. Complete lack of respect for where we are.

He needs to apologise for that.

And if he said that we've struggled due to the incredible strength of the teams in this league, you'd be the first to have a pop about that too.

You're actually becoming more transparently full of shit with every post.

 

[Blade58]

I think Jimbob has been as open and as honest as far as he dare go and I for one applaud him for that

Taking a step back from all the frustrations we are experiencing as Blades fans, I see that post for what it is and the board for all what's happened have my full support

If the Prince hadn't have come on board and we were still soley reliant upon Mr McCabe, who was rumoured to have withdrawn personal funding for players saying the club has to stand on it's own two feet (virtually impossible without being relegated), can anyone imagine where the club would be right now? Yes, McCabe still paid the bills , but there was basically fk all in the pot to get us a competitive squad

I don't blame the current board for Clough's failings in bringing in a big squad mainly of average Joes and crocks. Yes' they could've and should've put a halt to proceedings, that's were they were weak. But you can bet your bottom dollar they won't allow that to happen a second time.

 

[Blade56]

Refreshing but do I understand he's saying all the cup, Harry and Murph money has been spent?

 

[derryblade]

So you don't think they are accepting the blame with those statements? Just more excuses? Really?

Don't you actually find it bizarre that not one person at management level curbed NC actions, it suddenly hit them like a thunder bolt from heaven eventually. Really? smacks of incompetence to me

 

[Chezzy Blades]

"the diabolical nature of the competition in L1"

I stopped reading there. Complete lack of respect for where we are.

He needs to apologise for that.

You get a lot of stick on here but I 100% agree on this.

Phipps makes a lot of interesting and valid points in the post, but openly slating the other teams in the league is not what we need our co-chairman to be doing. It will only fire them up more to play against us.

Weren't we all laughing at the Wigan chairman and manager for doing similar not so long ago?