Nigel Clough..

[Bartleby]

Do I have to have an opinion. Always thought it wasn't compulsory, but just for you

Personally, I would look to get rid of both goalkeepers, Collins, Higdon, Woolford and McFadzean for starters. I would send Hammond back. If Cuvelier isn't going to get near the first team matchday squad he should also go as well. Personally I would like to see more of him before getting rid, but if he's unlikely to figure he is just taking up squad space.

I think James Wallace should have until the end of the season so that we can see if he can stay free from injury. If he ends up in the treatment room again I think we have to give up on him.

Obviously these departures depend on whether or not we can get better replacements.

Players I would keep for now are Done, Adams, JKR, Sharp, Sammon, Brayford, Basham,Coutts, Scougall, Freeman, Baxter, Harris, Wallace K, and probably Reed.

Haven't made my mind up about Kennedy (probably stay for now), McEveley, Alcock and Mcgahey, but probably two of those need to go.

Edit - would also keep Edgar if fit.

Certainly agree about Edgar, if fit. Not sure I agree about Hammond. Everyone is slating him, and I have to say I have only managed to get to one game he's played in so far (Southend) and he hardly stood out, but I would give him longer.

 

[oldblade]

Certainly agree about Edgar, if fit. Not sure I agree about Hammond. Everyone is slating him, and I have to say I have only managed to get to one game he's played in so far (Southend) and he hardly stood out, but I would give him longer.

I have nothing in particular against Hammond, but up to now I just don't think he has improved us. Maybe he needs more time and by the end of December I may have changed my mind!

 

[alcoblade]

I have nothing in particular against Hammond, but up to now I just don't think he has improved us. Maybe he needs more time and by the end of December I may have changed my mind!

He definitely hasn't improved us. There are real questions over a number of recent signings. There were questions over Jamie Murphy at this stage, and a year and a half later almost unanimous outrage at his sale.

I share the concerns, I'm happy to give it longer.

UTB

 

[Snowman]

I agree it's not going well now - but what are you suggesting, pulling the trigger again? If not, we are in complete agreement.

Did you want to stick with Clough? If so, I don't agree.

We can debate the scale of track records, and what is "exceptional". What isn't up for any serious debate is that Adkins track record is far, far better than Clough's.

I'm not inclined to go into the minutiae of decisions along the way, suffice to say Clough made loads of mistakes. Adkins has continued to make them.

 

[Snowman]

Usual fuck up with quote and reply. Anyway I regret to say I agree with Alco.

 

[Harry's Game]

and you think we wont be getting crowds of 15k next season if this shambles isnt halted...

and it would be argued that we would have been in a better postion on the pitch, he knew the defenders he wanted in, he knew the playerrs who was under performing, there wasnt any "clean slate" period to go through first. he also knew how to grind a win out (hence his win ratio with us)

check the points we had at this point last season.... 17 games played Last Season... 30 points... This season 25pts...

so as a business and a fan.... would you sooner see 15k in the gate this season... (bearing in mind most season tickets would have been sold prior to clough being given the heave ho) with more points... or shall we have less points but fill the lane...

and if you believe what comes out of Phipps mouth then you have some serious problems...he has more spin than spinny things spinning other spinny things.. according to him the coffers are brimming and we could go out and buy people... yet we seem to be struggling to bring in even loanees, (unless you are saying Adkins believe we are "ok" and can leave it until January before investing..)

Selling Murphy would have screwed Clough as much as its screwed Adkins, that sale alone has cost us six points at least this season.

 

[sitwell]

Selling Murphy would have screwed Clough as much as its screwed Adkins, that sale alone has cost us six points at least this season.

And if Clough hadn't acquired Adams and Done it would be a damned site worse. Oh forgot hes got Woolford.

 

[alcoblade]

Usual fuck up with quote and reply. Anyway I regret to say I agree with Alco.

Oi!

UTB

 

[Harry's Game]

And if Clough hadn't acquired Adams and Done it would be a damned site worse. Oh forgot hes got Woolford.

But would Clough have played Adams as much he seemed to be reluctant to do so even after the Spurs game?

 

[sitwell]

But would Clough have played Adams as much he seemed to be reluctant to do so even after the Spurs game?

I don't agree with playing Adams as much as we are doing to be fair ,he is still very naïve and has had some poor games ,he needs introducing slowly. Not replacing him with Done on Saturday was scandalous.

 

[Harry's Game]

I don't agree with playing Adams as much as we are doing to be fair ,he is still very naïve and has had some poor games ,he needs introducing slowly. Not replacing him with Done on Saturday was scandalous.

Well I agree about Saturday, however his goals in other games this season have been crucial.

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

I preferred his style of play, and to be honest i think when he played for the draw he took a calculated decision and I think we've seen Adkins go fro the win and then we've been exploited and they've scored and won, Bury for example and Millwall.

 

[sitwell]

Well I agree about Saturday, however his goals in other games this season have been crucial.

I prefer him out wide , but Adkins insists on playing him down the middle ,another big mistake ,along with his Done and Sammon out wide selections.

 

[oldblade]

I wouldnt class Adkins record as "exceptional" 4 promotions in 12 years of management, 3 from league 1 and 1 from the championship, he also managed to be relegated with scunthorpe and Reading (not saying it isnt a "good record" but not exceptional...

A bit harsh to say he got Reading relegated. He became their manager with only about six weeks of the season left.

 

[1889]

I agree with Sitwell, Adams has potential but he doesn't show enough hunger or desire as far as I'm concerned, which is criminal considering the opportunity he has been given.

I don't know where Adkins is looking, but if he can't see it the future looks bleak.

 

[AlienBlade]

A bit harsh to say he got Reading relegated. He became their manager with only about six weeks of the season left.

it's harsh but that is on his CV, he was unable to keep them up... he also then failed to do anything with them the season after (wasnt he midtable when he was sacked?) considering he had a "premiership" squad mid table is rather poor...

 

[AlienBlade]

Well I agree about Saturday, however his goals in other games this season have been crucial.

and Done's goals in games have been crucial last season... Adams isnt the finished article... he can control a ball further than I can kick it for a start...

he had 2 or 3 decent games in 8 or 9 games last season... he has probably had the same this season... Done (barring when he was playing through injury) was consistantly better than him, the fact that when Sammon and Sharp was up top with Adams on the wing created Sharps goalscoring run he seems want to persist with Adams up top... (and others lacking in form) which is something Clough did not do... if you played rubbish you tended to be dropped regardless.

 

[BushBlade]

it's harsh but that is on his CV, he was unable to keep them up... he also then failed to do anything with them the season after (wasnt he midtable when he was sacked?) considering he had a "premiership" squad mid table is rather poor...

If it was a premiership squad McDermott probably wouldn't have got the sack and they'd have stayed in the PL.
Bassett got the sack before he joined us. Does that mean he was shit and just got lucky with us?

If NA does get the sack, are you saying we should only look at managers who've never been sacked?

 

[AlienBlade]

I agree it's not going well now - but what are you suggesting, pulling the trigger again? If not, we are in complete agreement.

Did you want to stick with Clough? If so, I don't agree.

We can debate the scale of track records, and what is "exceptional". What isn't up for any serious debate is that Adkins track record is far, far better than Clough's.

I'm not inclined to go into the minutiae of decisions along the way, suffice to say Clough made loads of mistakes. Adkins has continued to make them.

I would agree with your last statement (so neither of them are covered in glory whilst in charge of the Blades)... and lets face it isnt that all that matters... past performance means nothing (look at clough who dragged us from 20th to 7th in one season and then not given any quarter in his first full season)

previous management jobs and their relatives success as you dont know the restrictions placed upon them, one might have had the freedom to bring in the best players.. the other might have had to work with what they have (either way it's rather irrelevent anyway... if Adkins got us relegated this season (we are after all closer to the relegation zone than the automatics...) then would any Blade go... ahhh but he did have 3 promotions with other clubs.

in answer to the other question, I dont want Adkins sacked, I also didnt want Clough sacked. (but I also didnt want Wilson Sacked) and it's not becuase I dont believe in sacking managers, as I think we were correct in getting rid of Weir, Heath and Adams.

 

[AlienBlade]

If it was a premiership squad McDermott probably wouldn't have got the sack and they'd have stayed in the PL.
Bassett got the sack before he joined us. Does that mean he was shit and just got lucky with us?

If NA does get the sack, are you saying we should only look at managers who've never been sacked?

I wasnt saying anything of the sort... I was actually making the point that his record (and that of cloughs) actually mean Jack Shit....

as I have just said in one post... if Adkins gob forbid relegates us... are we all going to be saying "ahhh well he had 3 promotions on his CV with clubs we dont give a rats arse about... (in the same way as being relegated means nothing) or not getting promoted... different clubs have different financial contraints different ideas on how to do things which all effect the manager.... so trying to say he has a promotion with x club is comparing apples and oranges... the ONLY record I give a monkees about is the one he has with us!! and currently it's going from bad to worse... his vehement defence of "HIS" player only serves to alienate him from the fans... as apparenlty (and this is how I read into it) we know jack shit about what Hammond does... (I was a suppoerter of Doyle and Monty before so I know exactly what is expected of such a role) and he does nothing like what is required...

people accused Clough of being ego centric and unable to admit when he got things wrong... Adkins is falling down that line quickly... as he sees all... and the fans know nothing... it's a very precarious positions to put yourself in.... when you lose the support of the voiciferous supporters... you are on a hiding to nothing...

 

[BushBlade]

I wasnt saying anything of the sort... I was actually making the point that his record (and that of cloughs) actually mean Jack Shit....

as I have just said in one post... if Adkins gob forbid relegates us... are we all going to be saying "ahhh well he had 3 promotions on his CV with clubs we dont give a rats arse about... (in the same way as being relegated means nothing) or not getting promoted... different clubs have different financial contraints different ideas on how to do things which all effect the manager.... so trying to say he has a promotion with x club is comparing apples and oranges... the ONLY record I give a monkees about is the one he has with us!! and currently it's going from bad to worse... his vehement defence of "HIS" player only serves to alienate him from the fans... as apparenlty (and this is how I read into it) we know jack shit about what Hammond does... (I was a suppoerter of Doyle and Monty before so I know exactly what is expected of such a role) and he does nothing like what is required...

people accused Clough of being ego centric and unable to admit when he got things wrong... Adkins is falling down that line quickly... as he sees all... and the fans know nothing... it's a very precarious positions to put yourself in.... when you lose the support of the voiciferous supporters... you are on a hiding to nothing...

He hasn't really got a record with us though, he's not been here long enough to call it a record. So we can only go on what we know; that he's proven with two very different clubs that he knows what he's doing.
I accept it's no guarantee that he will replicate his former success here but I'd be a lot more nervous if we had a manager with no experience and who'd never proven his worth, as we had with Weir.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

What's Cec Coldwell up to?

Turning in his grave

 

[AlienBlade]

He hasn't really got a record with us though, he's not been here long enough to call it a record. So we can only go on what we know; that he's proven with two very different clubs that he knows what he's doing.
I accept it's no guarantee that he will replicate his former success here but I'd be a lot more nervous if we had a manager with no experience and who'd never proven his worth, as we had with Weir.

tbh I tend to be more nervous about those with vast experience, as they tend to think that the way they did it before will work now, new managers (weir excluding) tend to accept that they need to still learn.

I have just been looking through old articles when Adkins came in... (so this is slightly off at a tangent) but it the reason I feel less and less inspired by Adkins,

and his words were that the Blades were going to entertain the fans..... so far I am about as entertained as I was under Robson... and it's slowly creeping to Weir Territory... I have missed two home games in probably 8 years.... once was under Robson when I literally couldnt be arsed to watch this football anymore... I lost any passion I had... and the second was the JPT game this season.. because I simply heard Adkins tell us all we had to wait until January (despite telling us we would make moves in the loan market following failing to get permenant players on the last day) and when January comes we will no doubt have to wait until the loan market... and then until the end of the season (there is a pattern forming)

if he honestly thinks we can go the next 6 games with the current crop of players then can we really honestly trust his judgement... (even more so when he tells us all how wonderful Hammond is...)

now as I have said, I can accept things dont get changed overnight.. (but little even looks like it's changed from the clough reign... we are still playing 1 up top, still playing players out of position, still being over run in midfield, still being bullied, still awful at the back...still wont shoot on sight, prefering to knock the ball out wide when the goal is gaping, still prefer to pass it backwards and sidewards even when a forward pass is on. we still seem to defend with 11 men behind the ball, especially in the last 20 and especially when a corner is being taken... if we clear it where does Adkins expect the ball to go with no outlet.)

the simple fact is.. Clough had these players playing better than Adkins has them playing currently, (which is why we are languishing in 11th position) he is failing to utilise the players (Done hardly getting a sniff,) even if its just as an impact sub, some may say he needs his own players to really stamp his mark... (he's brought in 5 and only 2 can make the starting 11... and neither of them currently deserve to) so when he has said he isnt going to bring players in for the sake of it... it seems that's what he has done...

 

[BushBlade]

tbh I tend to be more nervous about those with vast experience, as they tend to think that the way they did it before will work now, new managers (weir excluding) tend to accept that they need to still learn.

I have just been looking through old articles when Adkins came in... (so this is slightly off at a tangent) but it the reason I feel less and less inspired by Adkins,

and his words were that the Blades were going to entertain the fans..... so far I am about as entertained as I was under Robson... and it's slowly creeping to Weir Territory... I have missed two home games in probably 8 years.... once was under Robson when I literally couldnt be arsed to watch this football anymore... I lost any passion I had... and the second was the JPT game this season.. because I simply heard Adkins tell us all we had to wait until January (despite telling us we would make moves in the loan market following failing to get permenant players on the last day) and when January comes we will no doubt have to wait until the loan market... and then until the end of the season (there is a pattern forming)

if he honestly thinks we can go the next 6 games with the current crop of players then can we really honestly trust his judgement... (even more so when he tells us all how wonderful Hammond is...)

now as I have said, I can accept things dont get changed overnight.. (but little even looks like it's changed from the clough reign... we are still playing 1 up top, still playing players out of position, still being over run in midfield, still being bullied, still awful at the back...still wont shoot on sight, prefering to knock the ball out wide when the goal is gaping, still prefer to pass it backwards and sidewards even when a forward pass is on. we still seem to defend with 11 men behind the ball, especially in the last 20 and especially when a corner is being taken... if we clear it where does Adkins expect the ball to go with no outlet.)

the simple fact is.. Clough had these players playing better than Adkins has them playing currently, (which is why we are languishing in 11th position) he is failing to utilise the players (Done hardly getting a sniff,) even if its just as an impact sub, some may say he needs his own players to really stamp his mark... (he's brought in 5 and only 2 can make the starting 11... and neither of them currently deserve to) so when he has said he isnt going to bring players in for the sake of it... it seems that's what he has done...

Can't really argue with that but the only manager I'm aware of that doesn't want to sign more players is Wenger.