Jim Phipps on Facebook

[FleaPitBlade]

Following United is a lot less fun nowadays. Not because of the standard of football or the caliber of opposition either - part of me prefers being in the lower leagues, well away from the riches and corruption that are rotting football from the top down.

Whats killing the mood is a whiff of arrogance about the place that we're Sheffield United, the biggest club in League one.

Every single week I hear phrases like;

'this shit league'
'we should be beating the likes of [insert any team here]'

You'd have thought 5 years of continued failure against such apparently inferior opposition would have bought about some humility but instead we're fast transforming into the Chelsea of the lower divisions with our god given right to walk the league and 'i'll throw my toys everywhere at the first sign of it not going exactly how I want it to' attitude.

This is not a 'piss off to Meadowhall' or 'So Called Fans' finger pointing at my own here by any means but there's been a black cloud hanging over Bramall Lane for a while.
Nobody can argue with the numbers, nobody can argue with the loyalty we show, nobody can argue with the amount of shit we have flung at us and how somehow, and god knows why, we still keep going back for more... but the atmosphere stinks like shit at the moment and it certainly isn't helping anyone.

 

[Sean Thornton]

My reading of it is that they implicitly trusted the manager to take overall charge in Cloughy's case. The process was put in place but it was left to Clough to follow (or not, as he saw fit). If we'd have got promoted, then fine. Even without getting promoted, still fine if Cloughy agreed to stick to the agreed process in future (possibly, this is me surmising). Basically, they got their hands burnt though.

Now though, there is ongoing communication between board & a communicative manager (as opposed to leaving things to a manager who wants to micromanage & be in full control). This isn't to say that the new methods are faultless, far from it - why the incredible delays in getting Dean Hammond in?; is Martyn Woolford a quality rather than a quantity signing?... But they are preferrable methods all round, I'd have thought.

We can all speculate as I'm going to do but surely someone oversaw even some of it? Who looked at the medical reports for example? For the players signed coming back from serious injury, do the contracts cover hardly ever playing? Etc etc

 

[Rodders]

We can all speculate as I'm going to do but surely someone oversaw even some of it? Who looked at the medical reports for example? For the players signed coming back from serious injury, do the contracts cover hardly ever playing? Etc etc

Exactly - it's not exactly the most professional thing to do to reveal every detail of the inner workings of the Club, but it does raise more questions than it answers due to the purposefully-vagueness of the statement.
While calls to arms statements are to be applauded, there is more than a little hint of an arse-covering exercise with this missive from Phippsy. I do rather suspect he regrets opening himself up on the Internet (ooh-err missus) like this. And so he should IMO - the stuff he gets back is ridiculous.

 

[derryblade]

My reading of it is that they implicitly trusted the manager to take overall charge in Cloughy's case. The process was put in place but it was left to Clough to follow (or not, as he saw fit). If we'd have got promoted, then fine. Even without getting promoted, still fine if Cloughy agreed to stick to the agreed process in future (possibly, this is me surmising). Basically, they got their hands burnt though.

Now though, there is ongoing communication between board & a communicative manager (as opposed to leaving things to a manager who wants to micromanage & be in full control). This isn't to say that the new methods are faultless, far from it - why the incredible delays in getting Dean Hammond in?; is Martyn Woolford a quality rather than a quantity signing?... But they are preferrable methods all round, I'd have thought.

Then why did they appoint Mel Brannigan in 8th January 2014 to allegedly part of his remit was player recruitment. That implies he most have been aware of the budget spiralling out of control, surely MB first duty is to SUFC after all he is also aware of the financial problems we have but apparently he allowed them to deteriorate.

 

[Maidenhead]

It's after the horse as bolted, the damage is done we have an excess of players on contracts that we will struggle to move on restricting what the current manager is able to do. Surely the manager has meetings with the CEO/board during the season when exactly did they realize he was ignoring their blueprint. Obviously it must have been after the season, he even authorized the retained list.

By default the retained list has to include everyone already under contract.

Which, crocks, dwarfs and inadequates did we give new contracts to before Clough was sacked?

 

[Sean Thornton]

Then why did they appoint Mel Brannigan in 8th January 2014 to allegedly part of his remit was player recruitment. That implies he most have been aware of the budget spiralling out of control, surely MB first duty is to SUFC after all he is also aware of the financial problems we have but apparently he allowed them to deteriorate.

Jim doesn't say the budget has spiralled out of control. That's simply your take on it. Mans remit included, as far as I'm aware, the financial terms of recruitment.
The budget would have been prepared before he even started and I'd be very surprised if it forecast a profit. Maybe Clough decided he'd spend it all at once but he could still have been within it. Enough to knock the whole board about without statements with little foundation.

 

[Maidenhead]

Because I'm a realist and say it how it is. I don't hesitate for the fear that posters like you will disapprove of my opinions.

Nothing would ever change if all fans had the mindset of yours. Phipps would be rubbing his hands though.

you're not a realist you're a fantasist who believes that we should be doing much better than we are, and not playing at the level we deserve to be as is the case at the moment

 

[derryblade]

By default the retained list has to include everyone already under contract.

Which, crocks, dwarfs and inadequates did we give new contracts to before Clough was sacked?

Mceverley and Howard were offered extensions as I understand it

 

[Maidenhead]

I know the difference very well, thanks very much for smugly asking.

You've missed the point by 3 country miles, so I'll explain it again.

The person I was replying to speaks as Phipps and co and here for our benefit, like they've taken us on for a love of Sheff United and we should all be grateful as they are doing us a massive favour.

They aren't. They are here to make money from our football club.

And as Jim's status admits, they've messed up so far.

I hope they make bucket loads because the only way they can do that is to get us into the Champions League

 

[Pierre's PC]

Mceverley and Howard were offered extensions as I understand it

 

[derryblade]

Good luck to the lads leaving the Club, it is disappointing when you have tell experienced lads that they are not being kept on, we've thanked them for their efforts," said boss Nigel Clough.


Meanwhile, the Club have taken the option to extend the contracts of Jay McEveley, George Long, George Willis, Kieran Wallace, Ben Whiteman, Jamie McDonagh, Otis Khan, CJ Hamilton, Connor Dimaio, Joel Coustrain and Julian Banton. An offer has also been made to Diego De Girolamo.


Read more at http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-nigel-clough-2458296.aspx#OpQ7C9MroUbvhH1t.99

 

[Maidenhead]

Mceverley and Howard were offered extensions as I understand it

One of whom Adkins made captain and the other is our first choice keeper. I'm sure that Nigel Adkins will sign a better keeper if he deems it necessary and if one becomes available but at the moment our alternative is George Long. It hardly makes authorising the retained list a major blunder by the board.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Mceverley and Howard were offered extensions as I understand it

Howard?

 

[Maidenhead]

Good luck to the lads leaving the Club, it is disappointing when you have tell experienced lads that they are not being kept on, we've thanked them for their efforts," said boss Nigel Clough.


Meanwhile, the Club have taken the option to extend the contracts of Jay McEveley, George Long, George Willis, Kieran Wallace, Ben Whiteman, Jamie McDonagh, Otis Khan, CJ Hamilton, Connor Dimaio, Joel Coustrain and Julian Banton. An offer has also been made to Diego De Girolamo.


Read more at http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-nigel-clough-2458296.aspx#OpQ7C9MroUbvhH1t.99

well I can't see any issues there, a list of potentially good youngsters, a back up keeper and Nigel Adkins' captain

 

[derryblade]

One of whom Adkins made captain and the other is our first choice keeper. I'm sure that Nigel Adkins will sign a better keeper if he deems it necessary and if one becomes available but at the moment our alternative is George Long. It hardly makes authorising the retained list a major blunder by the board.

One of whom Adkins made captain and the other is our first choice keeper

Says it all really

 

[Sean Thornton]

Howard?

Just seen the link, not on it is he?

 

[Maidenhead]

One of whom Adkins made captain and the other is our first choice keeper

Says it all really

what it says is that Nigel Adkins doesn't share your expert opinion on the retained list

 

[derryblade]

well I can't see any issues there, a list of potentially good youngsters, a back up keeper and Nigel Adkins' captain

The point which you appear to have missed is why was NC allowed to oversee that process, when a while later he was on his bike. At what moment in time did our management realize NC had disregarded the recruitment process when did they notice they had a squad above 30, injury prone players or few players of quality enlighten me please

 

[Jonboy60]

View attachment 14176

I'm going for 'unpleasant'.

I'm going for satanic.

 

[derryblade]

what it says is that Nigel Adkins doesn't share your expert opinion on the retained list

You actually rate Mceverley and Howard, sorry this is an example of how some supporters expectations have fallen

 

[Pierre's PC]

Good luck to the lads leaving the Club, it is disappointing when you have tell experienced lads that they are not being kept on, we've thanked them for their efforts," said boss Nigel Clough.


Meanwhile, the Club have taken the option to extend the contracts of Jay McEveley, George Long, George Willis, Kieran Wallace, Ben Whiteman, Jamie McDonagh, Otis Khan, CJ Hamilton, Connor Dimaio, Joel Coustrain and Julian Banton. An offer has also been made to Diego De Girolamo.


Read more at http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-nigel-clough-2458296.aspx#OpQ7C9MroUbvhH1t.99

Fair enough, couldn't remember seeing that

 

[Maidenhead]

The point which you appear to have missed is why was NC allowed to oversee that process, when a while later he was on his bike. At what moment in time did our management realize NC had disregarded the recruitment process when did they notice they had a squad above 30, injury prone players or few players of quality enlighten me please

I haven't missed any point. You criticised the board for allowing Clough to decide the retained list. I merely pointed out that the effect of this was negligible.

You actually rate Mceverley and Howard, sorry this is an example of how some supporters expectations have fallen

Where have I said that I rate, or indeed I don't rate these players?

I have passed no opinion on their football abilities but have merely stated that our rookie manager Nigel Adkins doesn't appear to fully concur with your expert view.

If you wish to respond to my posts may I respectfully suggest that you read them and understand exactly what I have said, rather than respond to what you think I have said.

 

[derryblade]

Just seen the link, not on it is he?

Mceverley is though isn't he and that's 50% right, similar rate to our points tally so far 24 gained and 21 lost and you appear happy enough with that.

 

[derryblade]

I haven't missed any point. You criticised the board for allowing Clough to decide the retained list. I merely pointed out that the effect of this was negligible.



Where have I said that I rate, or indeed I don't rate these players?

I have passed no opinion on their football abilities but have merely stated that our rookie manager Nigel Adkins doesn't appear to fully concur with your expert view.

If you wish to respond to my posts may I respectfully suggest that you read them and understand exactly what I have said, rather than respond to what you think I have said.

I wouldn't class myself as an expert but unless I'm mistaken this forum is to voice your opinion, you might not agree but it doesn't make your opinion any better than mine.

By the way when did the management realize he wasn't following club protocol

 

[Sean Thornton]

Mceverley is though isn't he and that's 50% right, similar rate to our points tally so far 24 gained and 21 lost and you appear happy enough with that.

Point me to where I've said im happy with that.

 

[Maidenhead]

I wouldn't class myself as an expert but unless I'm mistaken this forum is to voice your opinion, you might not agree but it doesn't make your opinion any better than mine.

By the way when did the management realize he wasn't following club protocol

I have no problem with differences of opinion and I love a good debate.

Your honestly held opinions are equally as valid as mine, even in my eyes and I'm always happy to agree to disagree but I do like to deal in specifics not suppositions because I'm a pedantic cantankerous old bugger.

As for your btw question, I have no idea. I believe that managers are employed to manage and the board should monitor at arms length.

As someone has said above I believe that this is how it was at the Lane and my opinion (but I have no information to support it) is that Clough was told that he must conform to the management strategy determined by the board. He did not like this, made his thoughts clear and a parting of the ways became inevitable.

Football managers are notorious in not wanting board interference in football matters and I believe Clough was strongly of this opinion.

I can't honestly see that the board could have done too much differently given that they employed a manager to manage and subsequently intervened when they weren't getting the required results.

 

[derryblade]

Point me to where I've said im happy with that.

I must apologize I assumed that with your posts being over protection of any criticism aimed at the club you would be quite happy not ecstatic but quite happy.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I must apologize I assumed that with your posts being over protection of any criticism aimed at the club you would be quite happy not ecstatic but quite happy.

That's because I haven't said it. But let's see if you can get beyond 50% right and show me a post where I'm overprotective of the club.

Or to make it easier, just stop making things up.

 

[derryblade]

I have no problem with differences of opinion and I love a good debate.

Your honestly held opinions are equally as valid as mine, even in my eyes and I'm always happy to agree to disagree but I do like to deal in specifics not suppositions because I'm a pedantic cantankerous old bugger.

As for your btw question, I have no idea. I believe that managers are employed to manage and the board should monitor at arms length.

As someone has said above I believe that this is how it was at the Lane and my opinion (but I have no information to support it) is that Clough was told that he must conform to the management strategy determined by the board. He did not like this, made his thoughts clear and a parting of the ways became inevitable.

Football managers are notorious in not wanting board interference in football matters and I believe Clough was strongly of this opinion.

I can't honestly see that the board could have done too much differently given that they employed a manager to manage and subsequently intervened when they weren't getting the required results.

I assumed Mel Brannigan was brought into the club to work alongside NC , certainly when Alan Biggs interviewed him in the Telegraphy on Thursday 19 February 2015 that's what was said. If they were working together why has MB not been brought to task or more importantly why didn't he see the problems and report to the board. That's what bothers me about the statement from JP it doesn't add up, that's me done we shall choose to disagree on this occasion.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Right.

Here goes.

I like Jim. I engaged with him briefly about 12 months ago and was impressed. As many confirm, his commitment to the cause is absolute and passionate. He is a good guy with UTDs best interest at heart.

I have HUGE reservations about his willingness to engage freely with supporters via social media, and I told him so. While the intentions on his part will always be good, the way in which this good intention will be interpreted by its target audience will frequently and widely vary. Many will take a genuinely positive point made as negative. That is the risk of non verbal communications. It's easier to misinterpret.

Now, and with this in mind, and also in the hope that Jim just might tune in to this forum from time to time, I would like to take him up and other forum members on one particular sentence in his statement.

Specifically "the diabolical nature of the competition in L1".

Really. Do you and the board really believe this ?

It's further qualified later in the statement by confirming how much money has been made available to the 1st team squad and amplified further with confirmation it's one of the biggest budgets in the division.

It comes across as arrogance of the very highest order.

It comes across as do you know who we are ? We are Sheffield Utd.

It comes across as being we are bigger richer and better than our L1 counterparts, who should bow to our vastness and superiority.

Which gets me to wondering if this arrogance is also present on the playing side and management team.

We have absolutely no right to positive results. They need to be earned. This starts with hard graft in training.

if the standard of football in this division is so diabolical, why aren't we running away with it then ??

Truth is, the standard is far from diabolical. It's the best standard of division 3 football that I can certainly remember.

Statements like Jims, in this context, are not at all helpful. It is a swipe at managers and players in that it is felt they are not doing enough. Ironically, I reckon Jims intention was more to rally the fans rather than rattle the players.

To finish, it's not going to be easy getting out of this division, wether by Auto or via Play Offs. Throwing shitloads of money at it is no guarantee of success. Jim and the board would do well to remember this.

All this of course IMHO and only that !!!!!!!

UTB