This is not Clough's fault

[alcoblade]

Good post by the OP.

We need to stop changing managers every season, and stick with a single man though thick and thin. That means not calling for his head when times are tough. Who have been our most successful managers in recent years? Those who have been given time to build a squad. We shouldn't be calling for a manager's head after two or three bad results.

I wonder what the reaction would have been if we hadn't managed those late goals against Rochdale, Colchester and Gillingham. We'd be in the relegation zone now.

I've not supported the sacking of any manager in recent yearsapart from Robson and Weir. They were both special cases.

I agree with that. No choice. However, and I made the point at the time, we should have gone for a winner. But that would have demanded us poaching someone like Steve Evans, and it seems we don't even have the financial muscle to do it, or the will to go for winners over the mystical ethos attribute.

So yes, probably stick with it. But let's face it, that's based more on hope than judgement. Our manager ticks many positive boxes, but his ability to get teams promoted was always in real question.

UTB

 

[Captain]

Had confidence in NC back end of last season, however his signings have been woeful and for that reason he is solely too blame.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

We're not aloud to request pace. Don't you remember Luton Shelton? He's clearly evidence that ALL fast players are shit.

Youre making your own straw men now. Who's said we don't need pace?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Had confidence in NC back end of last season, however his signings have been woeful and for that reason he is solely too blame.

Wallace, JCR, McGhey, Alcock, all shit?
3 of that 4 are in the highest average rated in games this season but shit?

 

[judge]

What happened to lionel cristiano wallace today anyway ?

 

[grafikhaus]

Is it still raining? Christ, it's gonna be fun on here tonight!

​

Is anybody really surprised about our defeat today? Our games against Crawley, Rochdale, Gillingham and - yes - today have merely papered over the cracks. NC has bought quantity rather than quality. If he's relying on Higdon to fire us to promotion, God help us. Why didn't he bring J C-R on much earlier?

At the moment, it's one step forward and one step back - illustrated by our 16 points out of a possible 30. However, it's a solid start - one which can be built on but only if we act very quickly. Keep this up and Swindon, Bristol etc. will be out of sight.

For fucks sake, get 1/2 strikers. Don't want Sturridge but a plainly overweight bloke from a relegated Dutch team is obviously a pathetic strategy.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

What happened to lionel cristiano wallace today anyway ?

He didn't play well by some accounts. What a cunt, clearly he's shit.

 

[blader]

Youre making your own straw men now. Who's said we don't need pace?

Not saying you pal, but there were plenty making references to Shelton last week when someone suggested we needed to sign pace. Not aimed at you.

 

[judge]

He didn't play well by some accounts. What a cunt, clearly he's shit.

Maybe he is a shit cunt one week and a brilliant cunt the next

An inconsistent cunt

 

[Blade58]

today's defeat was absolutely nailed on once Phipps said he wanted Clough to be managing here for the next 20 years

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Maybe he is a shit cunt one week and a brilliant cunt the next

An inconsistent cunt

I'd take that. Rest him midweek then and let him loose again Orient to tear them a new one.

 

[judge]

I'd take that. Rest him midweek then and let him lose again Orient to tear them a new one.

Great typo

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Not saying you pal, but there were plenty making references to Shelton last week when someone suggested we needed to sign pace. Not aimed at you.

Probably valid points if the comment was we need to sign pace. We don't just need Forest Gump.

 

[Bladesway]

Welcome to the official web forum for the Bi Polar society. Whens Stephen Fry making an appearance? It wasn't brilliant at the start of the season, it wasn't brilliant after 5 games and it isn't brilliant now. Fuck all has changed, we sold our best player and we haven't replaced him. The sum of the parts isn't up to what we did last season. Is this a shock to anyone? We lost by a single goal away at a team above us. Is this a shock or should we be steamrollering little old Chesterfield 4-0 like we have never done in the time I have supported us. We really are starting to sound like the massives of the lower leagues.

Go have a wank or something but some people clearly need to lighten up a little. None of this should shock us and when we win by the odd goal next week shall we all be hitting the happy pills? A bit of perspective is required.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

The message board is simply serving its purpose allowing frustrated Blades to vent some steam. But don't ye worry lads, Cloughy will take us up this year.

 

[alcoblade]

. Don't want Sturridge but a plainly overweight bloke from a relegated Dutch team is obviously a pathetic strategy.

Whilst I'm all for getting in more strike power, I honestly believe Higdon would get a hatful of goals in a team that attacked and pressed more.

He's never been mobile, but was prolific (if too overweight) right up to us signing him. However, I don't see how he fits into Clough's gameplan, unless he's planning on changing it when he can rely on his striker. Chicken and egg.

UTB

 

[judge]

Welcome to the official web forum for the Bi Polar society. Whens Stephen Fry making an appearance? It wasn't brilliant at the start of the season, it wasn't brilliant after 5 games and it isn't brilliant now. Fuck all has changed, we sold our best player and we haven't replaced him. The sum of the parts isn't up to what we did last season. Is this a shock to anyone? We lost by a single goal away at a team above us. Is this a shock or should we be steamrollering little old Chesterfield 4-0 like we have never done in the time I have supported us. We really are starting to sound like the massives of the lower leagues.

Go have a wank or something but some people clearly need to lighten up a little. None of this should shock us and when we win by the odd goal next week shall we all be hitting the happy pills? A bit of perspective is required.

Its not a shock to me but apathy is killing this club
We are meekly standing by and watching on as tge club just flounders around

Is it so wrong to demand the club put all available resources into getting us out of this godforsaken league

We just leave too much to chance,this side wont get promoted not without 3 or 4 quality signings (for this level) but the manager seems happy to try and mould a team out of cast offs and misfits which is fine if you have the dogged mentality that goes with it ,we dont

We get steamrollered by average teams who just want it more

 

[alcoblade]

The message board is simply serving its purpose allowing frustrated Blades to vent some steam. But don't ye worry lads, Cloughy will take us up this year.

But seriously, what have you seen over the first quarter of a season to make you sure of that?

Assuming you aren't a regular (based on your name), believe me it's neither frustrated Blades or bad luck that has us placed in mid table of the third division.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Welcome to the official web forum for the Bi Polar society. Whens Stephen Fry making an appearance? It wasn't brilliant at the start of the season, it wasn't brilliant after 5 games and it isn't brilliant now. Fuck all has changed, we sold our best player and we haven't replaced him. The sum of the parts isn't up to what we did last season. Is this a shock to anyone? We lost by a single goal away at a team above us. Is this a shock or should we be steamrollering little old Chesterfield 4-0 like we have never done in the time I have supported us. We really are starting to sound like the massives of the lower leagues.

Go have a wank or something but some people clearly need to lighten up a little. None of this should shock us and when we win by the odd goal next week shall we all be hitting the happy pills? A bit of perspective is required.

I try and apply perspective every week. But have you tried applying it after a win? There seems to be very few who actually want any perspective.

You speak some truth though. Spend some time in the Shoutbox during a game to witness grown men melt at the first sign of a misplaced pass. It's truly unbelievable.

UTB

 

[Lane Ender]

We we're well in control before Higdon got sent off even with that wonder strike from Ches
Disappointed with Hig for that challenge.
This wasn't a game to give a centre half some practice that selection was pathetic

 

[LoughboroBlade]

This wasn't a game to give a centre half some practice that selection was pathetic

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It worked in 2006 at Hillsborough when Neill Collins was thrown in less than 24 hrs after signing for us on loan.

 

[alcoblade]

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It worked in 2006 at Hillsborough when Neill Collins was thrown in less than 24 hrs after signing for us on loan.

That was forced though, wasn't it?

UTB

 

[Lane Ender]

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It worked in 2006 at Hillsborough when Neill Collins was thrown in less than 24 hrs after signing for us on loan.

Collins was fuckin rubbish in that game

 

[metalblade]

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It worked in 2006 at Hillsborough when Neill Collins was thrown in less than 24 hrs after signing for us on loan.

I don't think we had much choice then, we did today but all we got was a slow pairing that has never trained together let alone played a competitive match. I'm not knocking the player but I'm not happy with this loan we are just getting someone fit for uncle Neil and blocking the development of our own young player.

 

[Bladesway]

Its not a shock to me but apathy is killing this club
We are meekly standing by and watching on as tge club just flounders around

Is it so wrong to demand the club put all available resources into getting us out of this godforsaken league

We just leave too much to chance,this side wont get promoted not without 3 or 4 quality signings (for this level) but the manager seems happy to try and mould a team out of cast offs and misfits which is fine if you have the dogged mentality that goes with it ,we dont

We get steamrollered by average teams who just want it more

Can't argue with that Judge. My single biggest gripe is we don't have a genuine clue what is going on at the football club. We have a well meaning spin doctor in JP who is exactly that and McCabe and the Fake Shake (as he is now back to being) tell us that something is game changing and we are in a great position. We are striking back and we are all of these wonderful forward momentum type phrases that in reality are bullshit.

What I would like is someone just to stand up and tell it as it is. I don't expect that after years of bullshit but just once I would like someone to say "we are fucked and don't have a bean" or "this is going to change in January and Clough can spend whatever he needs". Whatever it is just fucking tell us and stop layering crap on top of crap.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Look at his record before he joined us
He is mr manageonashoestring
If he ever did get us up to the championship we would have to replace him with someone who could take the cub forward

He has been brought in as he fits the boards criteria of being a manager who can work with a limited budget and a squad of limited players

Actually he is very similar to Blackwell, hes thought of as a good manager due to his family name for some bizarre reason, whereas Blackwell wasn`t.Both put out sides that would bore you half way to death on a good day.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

There are big question marks about his ability to get teams promoted. Perhaps his style and drive just doesn't tick the right boxes.
Time and again people (just search around here) get wrapped up in bullshit about connecting with the fan base, sounding right, playing the right way, encouraging youth etc etc. Managers like Warnock and Steve Evans are disliked because they don't tick enough of these boxes, they just know what winning is all about.

This will be followed by a bunch of pots about "if we ever had Steve Evans as manager". After all, he eats too many pies and is a gobshite. Never mind his track record that proves without doubt that he knows how to win things.

Of course, many more years in this pitiful league and these nonsense clichés will be exposed for what they are, with 10,000 of us struggling to muster the enthusiasm to bother any more. But we’ll still have the right ethos, apparently.

UTB

We will..but I must say that in my opinion, Colin or Evans not the answer either.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Dont get the impression the players would run through a brick wall for clough do you ?

Think the fans deserve better than this
A well organised team with a bit of pace and commitment could walk this league

And we have a team that is short in all 3 areas.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Welcome to the official web forum for the Bi Polar society. Whens Stephen Fry making an appearance? It wasn't brilliant at the start of the season, it wasn't brilliant after 5 games and it isn't brilliant now. Fuck all has changed, we sold our best player and we haven't replaced him. The sum of the parts isn't up to what we did last season. Is this a shock to anyone? We lost by a single goal away at a team above us. Is this a shock or should we be steamrollering little old Chesterfield 4-0 like we have never done in the time I have supported us. We really are starting to sound like the massives of the lower leagues.

Go have a wank or something but some people clearly need to lighten up a little. None of this should shock us and when we win by the odd goal next week shall we all be hitting the happy pills? A bit of perspective is required.

No but we won 4 1 April 2012 .

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Collins was fuckin rubbish in that game

I recall him being fairly solid. The next home game he played though (vs QPR?) I think he was tactically subbed at h/t.

Take the point above that this example was a necessity due to injuries though, rather than choice as happened today. Clough's post-match suggested he was keen to give McGahey a break though, while highlighting how he's exceeded expectations this season.