The Implications of Clough's Footballing Morals.

[highpeakblade]

I just had another listen back to Clough being interviewed regarding any potential transfer movement and whilst it is hard not to respect the man for refusing to conform with usual football going ons it does make you wonder how the gaffers morals and beliefs are impacting the way we go about business in the transfer market.

We have heard Clough say on several occasions that no potential signings or representatives or signings will hold the club at ransom. He went on this week to say that the financial arrangements would be dealt with only after he has spoken to the player and can see first hand that they want to play for the football club. Again you have to admire this because Clough is obviously looking to bring players in for the right reasons and as fans we want our players to play with passion for the club and to want us to achieve and succeed in the same way that we want them to.

His approach is textbook when it comes to promoting and protecting the old fashioned values of the game however is he fighting a losing battle by living in the past? Football is a completely different game these days and clubs are discovering first hand that loyalty falls behind finances and ego in the pecking order when it comes to a footballer and his values.

When it comes to building a solid team to players with unity and togetherness who all want to do well for Sheffield United Football Club then fair enough Clough is going about things in the right manner however do you sacrifice real quality in order to develop such a team? I'm not saying we don't have quality because we do have sufficient quality for this league however impact players who could add some serious quality to the team probably have a big of an ego about them and command a certain wage that Clough wouldn't entertain which means he isn't interested in signing them if that makes sense?.

I do honestly respect Clough for his efforts to go about business with the old fashioned morals and values of the game at the forefront of his mind however you have to question how detrimental this could be going forwards?

 

[zablade]

Do you believe it's Clough's Morals or is it that we don't have the money in the first place?

 

[DronnieBlade]

Mario Balotteli
Ravel Morrison
Nile Ranger
Dani Osvaldo.
Etc Etc.

The football world is full of nutters. Why the fuck would you want to even semi criticise a guy that plays as much importance on due diligence and "fit" as much as footballing ability ???

Its my opinion that Clough is a stand out Manager in this regard. And long may it continue.

UTB

 

[highpeakblade]

Mario Balotteli
Ravel Morrison
Nile Ranger
Dani Osvaldo.
Etc Etc.

The football world is full of nutters. Why the fuck would you want to even semi criticise a guy that plays as much importance on due diligence and "fit" as much as footballing ability ???

Its my opinion that Clough is a stand out Manager in this regard. And long may it continue.

UTB

Nobody is questioning whether he has the right morals and values, he is cut from the right Clough and I salute him for trying to do good not only for the club but for the sport as a whole. I'm just posing the question as to whether he is fighting a losing battle? The sport as a whole has changed ten fold, finances do the talking and players are becoming bigger than clubs.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

People can stand in one of two camps:

In Clough we Trust

or

In Clough we don't trust, or we don't quite trust him enough because of various reasons already made by a certain few on here who will never, ever be pleased with any manager we get or what he does or who he signs or tactics we plays or decisions he makes, (that if truth be known are in the best interests of ALL parties) and continues to want to undermine them for what ever reason suits their purpose until the day he leaves.

UTB

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I just had another listen back to Clough being interviewed regarding any potential transfer movement and whilst it is hard not to respect the man for refusing to conform with usual football going ons it does make you wonder how the gaffers morals and beliefs are impacting the way we go about business in the transfer market.

We have heard Clough say on several occasions that no potential signings or representatives or signings will hold the club at ransom. He went on this week to say that the financial arrangements would be dealt with only after he has spoken to the player and can see first hand that they want to play for the football club. Again you have to admire this because Clough is obviously looking to bring players in for the right reasons and as fans we want our players to play with passion for the club and to want us to achieve and succeed in the same way that we want them to.

His approach is textbook when it comes to promoting and protecting the old fashioned values of the game however is he fighting a losing battle by living in the past? Football is a completely different game these days and clubs are discovering first hand that loyalty falls behind finances and ego in the pecking order when it comes to a footballer and his values.

When it comes to building a solid team to players with unity and togetherness who all want to do well for Sheffield United Football Club then fair enough Clough is going about things in the right manner however do you sacrifice real quality in order to develop such a team? I'm not saying we don't have quality because we do have sufficient quality for this league however impact players who could add some serious quality to the team probably have a big of an ego about them and command a certain wage that Clough wouldn't entertain which means he isn't interested in signing them if that makes sense?.

We have to respect Clough for his efforts to go about business with the old fashioned morals and values of the game at the forefront of his mind however you have to question how detrimental this could be going forwards?

For SUFC and the game of football Mr Clough is a breath of fresh air . Mr Clough wants players who will fight for the cause . He expects from others what he gives - honesty , loyalty and commitment.

It shows Mr Clough is not for the short term , but wanting to build a succesful city club and dynasty with a model example on how to have both moral and financial values.

If any player , never mind how good , does not follow this type of agenda ,they are no good for SUFC.

Football may have evolved , but it is still about kicking a ball , fans and togetherness. Boom or bust , forget it .

Mr Clough knows what he is doing . Wait and see.

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

People can stand in one of two camps:

In Clough we Trust

or

In Clough we don't trust, or we don't quite trust him enough because of various reasons already made by a certain few on here who will never, ever be pleased with any manager we get or what he does or who he signs or tactics we plays or decisions he makes, (that if truth be known are in the best interests of ALL parties) and continues to want to undermine them for what ever reason suits their purpose until the day he leaves.

UTB

There is another lobby who know full well that our manager has admirable qualities and he also has some weaknesses, like most managers.

The scouting and signing of game-changing players appears to be a weakness. Rampage the Derby fan told us in Oct 2013 that Clough had lost a lot of deals on "value" grounds in his 4 years at Derby. He also told us scouting and transfer dealings appeared "amateurish". On the other hand he credited Clough with a good record "overall".

As a Yorkshireman I applaud a manger who manages his budget and cuts his cloth according to the width. He is not Pellegrini or Mourinho who don't have to worry about the odd few millions. He has objectives and he has a budget and at this level managers have to identify value and mange the funds available.

I think our scouting appears to be a weakness in relation to finding strikers which are needed beyond question or doubt and have been since the beginning of last summer - that is a long time and we have suffered because of it. There are no excuses really - we only have McNulty and Higdon.

Other than that the manager has done great.

 

[alcoblade]

People can stand in one of two camps:

In Clough we Trust

or

In Clough we don't trust, or we don't quite trust him enough because of various reasons already made by a certain few on here who will never, ever be pleased with any manager we get or what he does or who he signs or tactics we plays or decisions he makes, (that if truth be known are in the best interests of ALL parties) and continues to want to undermine them for what ever reason suits their purpose until the day he leaves.

UTB

This "in Clough we trust" rubbish is as cringeworthy as it is false.

He will make some good judgements, some bad ones and some questionable ones. We can judge every one on their merit, for the negligable worth of Internet forum discussion.

I remain to be convinced about Clough's track record and style, but I am enjoying watching us develop under him and will be for quite some time yet. I will question, criticise and applaud along the way.

Jump in to one camp or another if you feel the need, but there really is no need.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

There is another lobby who know full well that our manager has admirable qualities and he also has some weaknesses, like most managers.

The scouting and signing of game-changing players appears to be a weakness. Rampage the Derby fan told us in Oct 2013 that Clough had lost a lot of deals on "value" grounds in his 4 years at Derby. He also told us scouting and transfer dealings appeared "amateurish". On the other hand he credited Clough with a good record "overall".

As a Yorkshireman I applaud a manger who manages his budget and cuts his cloth according to the width. He is not Pellegrini or Mourinho who don't have to worry about the odd few millions. He has objectives and he has a budget and at this level managers have to identify value and mange the funds available.

I think our scouting appears to be a weakness in relation to finding strikers which are needed beyond question or doubt and have been since the beginning of last summer - that is a long time and we have suffered because of it. There are no excuses really - we only have McNulty and Higdon.

Other than that the manager has done great.

How very dare you!

UTB

 

[Darthblade]

There is another lobby who know full well that our manager has admirable qualities and he also has some weaknesses, like most managers.

The scouting and signing of game-changing players appears to be a weakness. Rampage the Derby fan told us in Oct 2013 that Clough had lost a lot of deals on "value" grounds in his 4 years at Derby. He also told us scouting and transfer dealings appeared "amateurish". On the other hand he credited Clough with a good record "overall".

As a Yorkshireman I applaud a manger who manages his budget and cuts his cloth according to the width. He is not Pellegrini or Mourinho who don't have to worry about the odd few millions. He has objectives and he has a budget and at this level managers have to identify value and mange the funds available.

I think our scouting appears to be a weakness in relation to finding strikers which are needed beyond question or doubt and have been since the beginning of last summer - that is a long time and we have suffered because of it. There are no excuses really - we only have McNulty and Higdon.

Other than that the manager has done great.

I think we can comfortably add a dominant CH, and two big strong football playing CMs to the list
UTB & FTP

 

[highpeakblade]

People can stand in one of two camps:

In Clough we Trust

or

In Clough we don't trust, or we don't quite trust him enough because of various reasons already made by a certain few on here who will never, ever be pleased with any manager we get or what he does or who he signs or tactics we plays or decisions he makes, (that if truth be known are in the best interests of ALL parties) and continues to want to undermine them for what ever reason suits their purpose until the day he leaves.

UTB

Just to clarify I don't want this to turn into a hate thread or even one that questions clough as a manager as a whole mate. It is merely what I ask about his old fashioned way of business in today's modern game.

 

[blade too long]

lets be reyt , if we can sign Brayford everyone will love Clough

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Just to clarify I don't want this to turn into a hate thread or even one that questions clough as a manager as a whole mate. It is merely what I ask about his old fashioned way of business in today's modern game.

Like everything in life , things go round in circles . The way Mr Clough does business ( which may be seen as old fashioned ) , will come back in fashion on the way to do business. In one way we are ahead of the game.

Do agree with Woodward on the scouting .

UTB

 

[Bladesway]

Just to clarify I don't want this to turn into a hate thread or even one that questions clough as a manager as a whole mate. It is merely what I ask about his old fashioned way of business in today's modern game.

Ah well too late

 

[JJBlade]

The club are running out of ways to say "We are the tightest bunch of retards who cant see further than our own knob ends and we haven't even seen that for years"
So, they bring in a manager to use that old chestnut "We wont be held to ransom" in the hope that fans will support it because they know we dont believe fuck all that they ever say.
Hope that clears things up a bit.

 

[judge]

Some crazy fucking threads on here lately and what's with the ridiculously long thread titles ?

 

[Woodwardfan]

lets be reyt , if we can sign Brayford everyone will love Clough

Why sign Brayford when we've got the "Mighty Flynn", come on without, come on within,you ain't seen nothing like the "Mighty Flynn"

 

[alcoblade]

lets be reyt , if we can sign Brayford everyone will love Clough

I must say it quietly, but if we pay out £1.5m for a right back in the third division, I'll think we've lost the plot. I'm probably in a club of 5 people though.

UTB

 

[Lane Ender]

I must say it quietly, but if we pay out £1.5m for a right back in the third division, I'll think we've lost the plot. I'm probably in a club of 5 people though.

UTB

I'm in it

 

[itsinyerblood]

Just to clarify I don't want this to turn into a hate thread or even one that questions clough as a manager as a whole mate. It is merely what I ask about his old fashioned way of business in today's modern game.

I don't think Clough's approach is either old fashioned or for that matter one based on morality (although I suspect he's a standup type of guy who won't tolerate those around him crossing lines that cause disruption). Clough's approach to business seems to be based on sound business principles, not on behaviour you'd find in a casino. It might mean we'll lose out on some players, but there again this division will cause some players to think twice about coming here, but that's outside of Clough's hands. I know there are several vocal posters who employ a set of repeated cliches that amount to no more than a throw of the dice, but I for one will let the man who was appointed as manager decide what he feels is the right path for this club to follow.

Being able to post on this forum doesn't mean that there's a coherent grasp of what it takes to run a club, which is not to suggest that I wish to censor anyone from airing their opinion, but please, if you feel you could do better than Clough, which means you are equipped to do that particular job, then call for Clough's resignation and apply for the vacancy if it arises.

 

[highpeakblade]

Some crazy fucking threads on here lately and what's with the ridiculously long thread titles ?

What's crazy about discussing facts? Clough stated what is views and we all know how football works. And there was me thinking that was what forums were all about .

As for long titles blimey 6 words! And there was me thinking a title was designed to describe the content of a thread in order to give others an idea of whether the content of the thread would be of relevance or not and whether they would want to read it , Maybe I should have just been completely vague and entitled it "Cluff" to suit some

Sticks and Stones and all that T'old Judge. If that doesn't want to read it don't feel like I am holding you to ransom or owt fella

 

[highpeakblade]

I don't think Clough's approach is either old fashioned or for that matter one based on morality (although I suspect he's a standup type of guy who won't tolerate those around him crossing lines that cause disruption). Clough's approach to business seems to be based on sound business principles, not on behaviour you'd find in a casino. It might mean we'll lose out on some players, but there again this division will cause some players to think twice about coming here, but that's outside of Clough's hands. I know there are several vocal posters who employ a set of repeated cliches that amount to no more than a throw of the dice, but I for one will let the man who was appointed as manager decide what he feels is the right path for this club to follow.

Being able to post on this forum doesn't mean that there's a coherent grasp of what it takes to run a club, which is not to suggest that I wish to censor anyone from airing their opinion, but please, if you feel you could do better than Clough, which means you are equipped to do that particular job, then call for Clough's resignation and apply for the vacancy if it arises.

Right point out where I have knocked Clough as a whole and point out where I have said that I can do a better job than him and you might have a valid point. From where I am sat you have misread the whole meaning of the thread and jumped on your high horse in some what a mildly insulting manner seeing as though you incorrectly chose to paraphrase my quote.

 

[Wards]

Reckon Cloughy views the long term game rather than short sighted gains. Rightly so as well.

 

[Lane Ender]

There's a lot on here who think Cloughs the saviour of this club with the cup exploits and our run in last season it's understandable.
Down side is though through not replacing McGuire , Coady, Brayford resulting in a torrid pre season cup exploits aside it's been the most uninspiring season for many a year.
Without drawing things out and going over old ground I'm not convinced he's the right man for job I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Right point out where I have knocked Clough as a whole and point out where I have said that I can do a better job than him and you might have a valid point. From where I am sat you have misread the whole meaning of the thread and jumped on your high horse in some what a mildly insulting manner seeing as though you incorrectly chose to paraphrase my quote.

To be fair to you highpeakblade and all replies , i think all blades deep down ,appreciate what Mr Clough is doing , his morales and how he conducts business , but it is the lack of movement in the transfer market , to date , if truth be known , that gives us all itchy feet. Transparency from the club is the key , and not get false hopes up.

We all come at it from different angles , on the reason why nothing is happening in the JTW . To be honest its only Mr Clough who i believe , when he says owt about players and finances .

UTB

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I think Clughs attitude can only take us so far. At some point if you want game changing players, then you might have to go shopping for a few cunts.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Right point out where I have knocked Clough as a whole and point out where I have said that I can do a better job than him and you might have a valid point. From where I am sat you have misread the whole meaning of the thread and jumped on your high horse in some what a mildly insulting manner seeing as though you incorrectly chose to paraphrase my quote.

Bit touchy aren't we HPB?

Ok, let's see if I can't address this as briefly as possible. You haven't actually pointed out where you feel you were insulted so it's impossible to comment. As for mentioning that you feel NC's approach is old fashioned, that tells me you've chosen to view his approach as you've suggested, and not how it actually is. Of course you're entitled to do so, but I'm entitled to say you're wrong. That seems fair to me, and how you feel that's an insult is puzzling.

Asking if anyone thinks they can do better than Clough isn't the same as saying they've said that, you can see that can't you? It was a question, not an accusation, perhaps that's why you misinterpreted my tone. Seriously, if I wanted to berate anyone I'd make sure my post would be far more severe in tone.

Don't take what I wrote so personally HPB, it wasn't written as you seem to think I intended.

 

[highpeakblade]

To be fair to you highpeakblade and all replies , i think all blades deep down ,appreciate what Mr Clough is doing , his morales and how he conducts business , but it is the lack of movement in the transfer market , to date , if truth be known , that gives us all itchy feet. Transparency from the club is the key , and not get false hopes up.

We all come at it from different angles , on the reason why nothing is happening in the JTW . To be honest its only Mr Clough who i believe , when he says owt about players and finances .

UTB

That's the thing though Bos, I have every faith that Clough will bring somebody in and am not worried about it in the slightest. I think we have enough in the team already to be beating teams in this league. My thread is merely as it says, not looking at Clough as a whole, no hidden agenda or anything. It is others who are taking it out of context.

 

[Lane Ender]

Surely we deserve to know what's going on transfer wise.
Is Clough a puppet being manipulated by the board? Nobody knows the answer to that but playing mind games with the fans regarding transfers does us no good.

 

[highpeakblade]

Bit touchy aren't we HPB?

Ok, let's see if I can't address this as briefly as possible. You haven't actually pointed out where you feel you were insulted so it's impossible to comment. As for mentioning that you feel NC's approach is old fashioned, that tells me you've chosen to view his approach as you've suggested, and not how it actually is. Of course you're entitled to do so, but I'm entitled to say you're wrong. That seems fair to me, and how you feel that's an insult is puzzling.

Asking if anyone thinks they can do better than Clough isn't the same as saying they've said that, you can see that can't you? It was a question, not an accusation, perhaps that's why you misinterpreted my tone. Seriously, if I wanted to berate anyone I'd make sure my post would be far more severe in tone.

Don't take what I wrote so personally HPB, it wasn't written as you seem to think I intended.

Me a bit touchy? You took everything out of context and put together your own assumptions about how you felt I was knocking Clough as a whole and felt I would be a better manager than him. I that isn't how it was intended then you need to both read threads in full and put your view across better because that is how it looks.