Return of the cobbler

[Woodwardfan]

Exactly. We've just binned FIFTEEN of his signings in one go, let alone what's gone before and still to come. We wont get a single penny for any of them.

How anyone can claim that this utterly disastrous transfer policy should have been allowed to continue, given the hindsight we now have, is ridiculous.

UTB

I often wondered how successful Clough would have been if he had appointed a different Head Scout.

We will never know how good Adkins' man Turnbull would have been for us, only two signings while he was with us and one was Hammond who was not 'scouted'.

For the immediate job at hand I'm sure Wilder and Knill personally know exactly which players they want and a good few more as second choices if needed.

When we go up they'll need wider knowledge and information possibly, maybe not.

 

[Large Mendonca]

Bob Holmes had a bookies shop on Birley Moor Road.

You are quite right Pinchy, just adjacent to the Birley Pub. Not that i've been in a bookies for what must be 20 years !

 

[United Aren't Back.]

A no bullshit, no cobblers attitude. Unlike his dunno predecessors, gobshite Nigel 2 and gobshite Nigel 3.
Good luck Cobblers for next season.

 

[Ecco1889]

Oh Bob Holness, who definitely didn't play saxophone on Baker Street.

That would be Raphael Ravenscroft..
Think Bob did play a mean triangle tho

 

[Davie Blade]

I often wondered how successful Clough would have been if he had appointed a different Head Scout.

We will never know how good Adkins' man Turnbull would have been for us, only two signings while he was with us and one was Hammond who was not 'scouted'.

For the immediate job at hand I'm sure Wilder and Knill personally know exactly which players they want and a good few more as second choices if needed.

When we go up they'll need wider knowledge and information possibly, maybe not.

One of Wilder's biggest problems is getting the shite off the wage bill as quickly and as economically as possible. This is a big restraint to refreshing the squad.
Sadly this is the same legacy that ultimately fucked Adkins over.
Time ran out on Adkins to wield the guillotine and who know whom Turnbull had identified. You'd hope someone at the club taped this infobefore sacking Adkins so his work isnt wasted and can now be passed onto Wilder.
Wilder is in the fortunate position to have a bit more wriggle room by contracts already run down, and starting earlier in the year before many potentials are snapped up. He also has been shopping in the bargain basement longer too, so has built up a good knowledge of potentials.

Liking what I hear from him!
He also isn't taking any glue sniffed figures from agents too.

 

[Jon Bon]

Bob Holmes had a bookies shop on Birley Moor Road.

Bob Holmes got a bookies shop and what he takes
He gives for what he's got
And what he's got he says he has not
Stole from anyone

Name that toon...

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Hello Blades, having returned from a grand day out at wemberly today I have seen that you appear to be signing Ricky Holmes. I think I predicted this on my first thread. Needless to say if he comes your getting a quality little player, who should have def been playing at a higher level in his career. Match winner and great football brain. My fav player and will be gutted if he leaves. I'm sure under Wilder he will perform for you guys. He only has one year left so you will bet getting a complete steal.

Losing Rose/Adams and possibly Holmes I'm dreading next season.

On another note, what sort of impression is Wilder making on you lot so far? He pleasing you with his attitude etc?

Good, very good. His attitude is most certainly pleasing.

But we're at that satisfied post-coital stage right now. The difficult "relationship" bit is just starting.

Got a hell of a lot of confidence it's going to work well though: really seems the right fit for this club, at this time, in these circumstances

 

[Woodwardfan]

One of Wilder's biggest problems is getting the shite off the wage bill as quickly and as economically as possible. This is a big restraint to refreshing the squad.
Sadly this is the same legacy that ultimately fucked Adkins over.
Time ran out on Adkins to wield the guillotine and who know whom Turnbull had identified. You'd hope someone at the club taped this infobefore sacking Adkins so his work isnt wasted and can now be passed onto Wilder.
Wilder is in the fortunate position to have a bit more wriggle room by contracts already run down, and starting earlier in the year before many potentials are snapped up. He also has been shopping in the bargain basement longer too, so has built up a good knowledge of potentials.

Liking what I hear from him!
He also isn't taking any glue sniffed figures from agents too.

I don't think for one minute that Wilder is not happy about his budget to do the job at hand.

The owners are desperate for promotion and will either fund "the shite" as you call them, subsidise their wages elsewhere or come to a settlement and pay them off. The budget reduces but man did it need to and it's still up there in this league. The extra costs of moving them away will not be held against the new manager I'm sure; the costs are like an exceptional loss on past mistakes. Yes Sean will confirm it'll go down as wages but I reckon it won't count against the new manager's spending budget.

Wilder said the budget is fine and he has almost unprecedented circumstances to cherry pick L1 and L2 and bring loads of quality and fresh blood in.

 

[bornablade]

With regards to Adkins being 'nice'. I hate the word 'nice'. It means nothing in business.

We needed to employ someone who was tactically aware, resourceful, a good man manager, could connect with the fans, hardworking, industrious, excellent leadership skills, good role model (ie not a piss head), good communicator, honest and possibly other attributes.

But Adkins was 'nice'. So ignore all the others because he ticked the most important box.

 

[BushBlade]

With regards to Adkins being 'nice'. I hate the word 'nice'. It means nothing in business.

We needed to employ someone who was tactically aware, resourceful, a good man manager, could connect with the fans, hardworking, industrious, excellent leadership skills, good role model (ie not a piss head), good communicator, honest and possibly other attributes.

But Adkins was 'nice'. So ignore all the others because he ticked the most important box.

'Nice' in business does mean something - it means soft as shit, which is what people are saying about Adkins. Not that he was pleasant company.

 

[Ecco1889]

Bob Holmes got a bookies shop and what he takes
He gives for what he's got
And what he's got he says he has not
Stole from anyone

Name that toon...

Waiting for an alibi...very good my friend

 

[Bladesince59]

'Nice' in business does mean something - it means soft as shit, which is what people are saying about Adkins. Not that he was pleasant company.

Yep and what we need instead is a hardnosed bastard. Thankfully we seem to have got one.

 

[Sean Thornton]

'Nice' in business does mean something - it means soft as shit, which is what people are saying about Adkins. Not that he was pleasant company.

Nice = We'll lift his leg.

Not much doubt it happened really.

 

[wizadry]

Who's Bob Holmes?

Maybe he's getting confused with that BLOCKBUSTER of a player we've been coveting ??

Just for clarification, he's a bookie with a shop at Manor Top and not the Blockbuster host.

Can I have an 'ADT' please Bob, yes wiz. Right, here goes, if you don't know who someone is without looking them up what are you?

Is it 'A Dozy Twat', Bob

 

[CarlMcBlade]

John Holmes had decent tackle on him.

 

[Pinchy]

You are quite right Pinchy, just adjacent to the Birley Pub. Not that i've been in a bookies for what must be 20 years !

There are times when I wish I hadn't mate. Here's a recent image of my Turf Accountant....

 

[Pinchy]

I often wondered how successful Clough would have been if he had appointed a different Head Scout.

We will never know how good Adkins' man Turnbull would have been for us, only two signings while he was with us and one was Hammond who was not 'scouted'.

For the immediate job at hand I'm sure Wilder and Knill personally know exactly which players they want and a good few more as second choices if needed.

When we go up they'll need wider knowledge and information possibly, maybe not.

Yeah, but we want a nationally broadcast press conference when the new guy is announced....

 

[s4-blade]

I often wondered how successful Clough would have been if he had appointed a different Head Scout.
.

He did. His brother Simon. Talk about jobs for mates, not only did this policy affect his playing squad but also his back room staff.

 

[Large Mendonca]

There are times when I wish I hadn't mate. Here's a recent image of my Turf Accountant....

View attachment 17878

My dad always said "you'll never see a poor bookie"........

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Hello Blades, having returned from a grand day out at wemberly today I have seen that you appear to be signing Ricky Holmes. I think I predicted this on my first thread. Needless to say if he comes your getting a quality little player, who should have def been playing at a higher level in his career. Match winner and great football brain. My fav player and will be gutted if he leaves. I'm sure under Wilder he will perform for you guys. He only has one year left so you will bet getting a complete steal.

Losing Rose/Adams and possibly Holmes I'm dreading next season.

On another note, what sort of impression is Wilder making on you lot so far? He pleasing you with his attitude etc?

I’d say he’s done an excellent job so far when it comes to talking the talk. He’s renewed a lot of enthusiasm amongst the fans though some of us remain sceptical after feeling this way every June only for it to all come crashing down by August.


He’s made his first couple of singings and Holmes looks to have excellent technique from the clips I’ve seen. I still think we need some more pace and power through the team though and if Wilder is looking at raiding Northampton, I wouldn’t mind seeing him in for O’Toole and McDonald. What are your thoughts on those 2?

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Well no, he wasn't. He was a thoroughly decent guy. He also has a managerial record of which he can rightly be proud. It didn't work out for him with us but I see no need at all for the sort of vilification to which he is now subjected. The same thing happened to Nigel Clough who is no mug either.

Excellent post. And you didn’t even slag of Dave Bassett or any of our academy players. Well done.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

To do what. Sign an even bigger squad,?
To pay more ex-Clough players massive contracts?
To finish even more points off the autos than Adkins did ? (A little known FACT on here)
To sign every single player who will never get a better club, a better wage or a bigger transfer fee. (bar maybe one)
To have a non scoring midfield of epic unbalancedness.
To have a team a team of midgets who routinely were picked off at set plays.
To make do and mend for a whole season with no specialised centre backs.
Whose style of play was some of the most turgid in my long lifetime/
Clough had shown he was the worst recruiter in the clubs history, he showed this 30/40 times over. He couldn't be trusted with signings. He coudn't be trusted with transfer money or negotiating wages, he was just looking for an every expanding wages balloon and ignoring the constraints.
We went backwards massively when some of the better players that Clough inherited left ( Coady Maguire)
Imagine him managing then managing without Murphy and then Baxter.
His Murphy replacement was???
Can anyone seriously think that a team that had missed auto relegation/promotion equally by 20/21 points, was going to be anything than lower mid table.
We've just fucked off 10 off his failures, (with several more just hanging on barely by a thread) what bigger indictment do folks need?
I can't believe some blades STILL cant see the plain truth that his legacy of utter fuckery was on a proportionate scale much higher than Robsons.

Just a small point. Cuvelier and Baxter were Weir’s failures. Kennedy and Callum McFadzean were also here before Clough. I don’t know if he gave either a new contract. He renewed Flynn and Howard’s deals.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Good, very good. His attitude is most certainly pleasing.

But we're at that satisfied post-coital stage right now. The difficult "relationship" bit is just starting.

Got a hell of a lot of confidence it's going to work well though: really seems the right fit for this club, at this time, in these circumstances

He’s showing plenty of grit, determination, honesty, endeavour. But will he be able to do it in the arena Saturday Tuesday Saturday Tuesday?

 

[1danewhitehouse]

With regards to Adkins being 'nice'. I hate the word 'nice'. It means nothing in business.

We needed to employ someone who was tactically aware, resourceful, a good man manager, could connect with the fans, hardworking, industrious, excellent leadership skills, good role model (ie not a piss head), good communicator, honest and possibly other attributes.

But Adkins was 'nice'. So ignore all the others because he ticked the most important box.

I don’t think anyone is lauding his management on the basis of being “nice”. People have pointed to him coming across as a decent man in response to a poster calling him a twat. Some have also suggested that if he wasn't so "nice", he might have also been more successful with us.

 

[alcoblade]

I don't think for one minute that Wilder is not happy about his budget to do the job at hand.

The owners are desperate for promotion and will either fund "the shite" as you call them, subsidise their wages elsewhere or come to a settlement and pay them off. The budget reduces but man did it need to and it's still up there in this league. The extra costs of moving them away will not be held against the new manager I'm sure; the costs are like an exceptional loss on past mistakes. Yes Sean will confirm it'll go down as wages but I reckon it won't count against the new manager's spending budget.

Wilder said the budget is fine and he has almost unprecedented circumstances to cherry pick L1 and L2 and bring loads of quality and fresh blood in.

Wilder was always going to say the budget is "fine". He will also have a budget that's "right up there". However, as with Adkins, a huge chunk of that is allocated to decisions not if his making.

They were unfair criticisms when they were laid at Adkins door, and they should be swept away from Wilder's before his honeymoon period is finished, and the usual crowd are baying for blood after six months (or 6 days in Barney's case).

UTB

 

[Davie Blade]

AF

Just a small point. Cuvelier and Baxter were Weir’s failures. Kennedy and Callum McFadzean were also here before Clough. I don’t know if he gave either a new contract. He renewed Flynn and Howard’s deals.

I'm not referring to the ten not retained list on the official site, because he has in effect kicked out 21 players.

In post 25# The ten of the players Clough gave a contract to are Kieron Freeman, Kieran Wallace, James Wallace, Paul Coutts. Diego De Girolamo, Mark Howard, Bob Harris, Harrison McGahey, and Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Jay McEveley.
I think it fair to say not many blades will be shedding a tear for most of them leaving.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

be interesting to see if we do nick any Northampton players - read an interview with Alan Stubbs in Rovvrum advertiser at the weekend, saying said it would be morally wrong for him to nick that star striker from Hibs straight after leaving (though sort of implying it might be OK if he waits a while).

When was there any morals in football . Stubbs is now paid by Rotherham . Certain statements by managers can dictate if they are to be successful or not . Poor Rotherham have just appointed another dud IMO.

You need to be ruthless or you get the sack .

Wilder appears he can be ruthless .

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

Wilder was always going to say the budget is "fine". He will also have a budget that's "right up there". However, as with Adkins, a huge chunk of that is allocated to decisions not if his making.

They were unfair criticisms when they were laid at Adkins door, and they should be swept away from Wilder's before his honeymoon period is finished, and the usual crowd are baying for blood after six months (or 6 days in Barney's case).

UTB

Here we go again. Look, Wilder has loads of dosh to spend and the Board will not sign a single player. Wilder will be involved in any sale of any player and when he comes on here and says " we could not stand in the way of the player and besides I can sign two good players for the same money" you won't believe him. Relax though, we've no players in demand.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Yeah, but we want a nationally broadcast press conference when the new guy is announced....

Pinchy, you are one who exaggerates a point to get it across, so I'm surprised you found it so daft. I think everybody now realises the vital role scouts perform and how our success will depend on the quality of this year's signings affect us for the next 2 seasons at least.

 

[alcoblade]

Here we go again. Look, Wilder has loads of dosh to spend and the Board will not sign a single player. Wilder will be involved in any sale of any player and when he comes on here and says " we could not stand in the way of the player and besides I can sign two good players for the same money" you won't believe him. Relax though, we've no players in demand.

Are you sure that response addresses the issues I raised? It doesn't seem to to me, at all. Have you responded to another post by mistake?

For clarity - once you strip away the budget already allocated, there are questions over how much money Wilder has to spend. The blunt statement of "he's got the biggest budget in the division" , or "right up there" is not necessarily relevant for the reasons I've stated.

I am not suggesting the board make signings, I'm saying Wilder, like Adkins, will suffer from the carnage of Clough. It's his signings that "the biggest budget" is already committed to.

If you were answering that point, then can you rephrase it?


UTB