Time for McCabe to show leadership and banish myths

[Darthblade]

If he cared about the club, he'd have sold us to someone far better years ago. Pigs are showing us how to invest properly, they're going places. McCabe has got it so completely wrong over the years, it almost feels irrelevant he has put £90 million in.

I don't believe the comment about £90million any more than I believe that there has been "game changing investment" in the Club by our newest co-owner.

Its all spin and chat ....... he should stop "talking the talk" and start "walking the walk" ..........

I've listened to his interview and read the transcripts as well and I find myself thinking that he talks more crap than I originally thought he did .....

UTB & FTP

 

[Sean Thornton]

I agree with you.

McCabe's perspective in today's interview: something along the lines of: if a top half Championship club comes in offering Jamie Murphy a lot more money and he's ambitious, you've got to let him go.

I don't accept this premise and would hold a player to his contract unless we were very sure we'd got an equal or better replacement.

You'd expect we could make a player honour his contract until we found a suitable replacement. Instead we've taken the money ASAP
and looked only in the bargain basement.

The most disappointing thing for me was the less than subtle "it's Cloughs fault " whine without actually naming him. They all bent over for him unless they're suggesting he did all the poor deals behind their backs.

 

[Sean Thornton]

But you just have

He sez £90m you suggest £60m

S'pose it's close enough not to matter

No. It's semantics. He says he's put £90m in. Not it still owes him £90m. He's making a point about his commitment to the club I think. People need to decide whether they think he's spinning or lying, not picking and choosing whichever it suits at the time.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I don't believe the comment about £90million any more than I believe that there has been "game changing investment" in the Club by our newest co-owner.

Its all spin and chat ....... he should stop "talking the talk" and start "walking the walk" ..........

I've listened to his interview and read the transcripts as well and I find myself thinking that he talks more crap than I originally thought he did .....

UTB & FTP

Why don't you believe it? Based on what?

 

[Worksop II]

unless they're suggesting he did all the poor deals behind their backs.

I got the impression when Jimbo talked about this, that it was done when they wern't looking

Or they thought they shouldn't have needed to look

 

[Sean Thornton]

I got the impression when Jimbo talked about this, that it was done when they wern't looking

Or they thought they shouldn't have needed to look

That's my point. Seemingly accepting no blame for it. Surely someone was running the club from the top?

 

[derryblade]

I't shows how selective KM and JP are when giving fans information, £90 million, £15 million, £8 million this year it's like life insurance forecasts in years gone by always quoting the highest figure possible.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I't shows how selective KM and JP are when giving fans information, £90 million, £15 million, £8 million this year it's like life insurance forecasts in years gone by always quoting the highest figure possible.

The £15m put on by the Prince comment doesn't tie in with the info available unless he's chucked a million at it as a loan.

 

[derryblade]

As I said they are selective in information they give, financial or anything else for that matter.

 

[Worksop II]

unless he's chucked a million at it as a loan.

I think Kev has just forwarded Princey the Desso Pitch Invoice

 

[Sean Thornton]

I think Kev has just forwarded Princey the Desso Pitch Invoice

Lol

 

[Sean Thornton]

As I said they are selective in information they give, financial or anything else for that matter.

Exactly. Posters say that all the time and are then surprised when it happens again.

 

[Worksop II]

You can hear it can't you when the Prince pops home for the weekend

Mum shouts, hello Princey is that you

Yes mom

Dad shouts, how are you going on with those infidels in Sheffield ?

Ok, I think, you just have to keep an eye on them

Dad, spent £15 million havn't you ?

Yes Dad

Dad, what have you got for that money ?

About an acre of Grass

Dad, I hope to fuck there is Oil underneath it

 

[Sothall_Blade]

I agree with you.

McCabe's perspective in today's interview: something along the lines of: if a top half Championship club comes in offering Jamie Murphy a lot more money and he's ambitious, you've got to let him go.

I don't accept this premise and would hold a player to his contract unless we were very sure we'd got an equal or better replacement.

Seeing as you know him quite well, can you put that concept across to him?
It never seems to cross his mind...

 

[Woodwardfan]

I got to know McCabe quite well before he became Chairman and when I was a bit more involved with The Blades. Well enough to feel the need to speak up for him when his integrity and intentions are questioned and when accusations are made that I know are false.

That's not to say we're mates and I hadn't been in touch with him for a few years, but earlier this week I felt the need to drop him a line. He's always been forthcoming with supporters and he shared some information, which I felt appropriate to pass on in order to provide a bit of context to forum discussion.

I was delighted that he chose to go public today and state or restate his own perspective. Not that it will appease everyone but his ongoing level of financial commitment will not easily be replaced and it might encourage a few people to pause for thought before slaughtering the guy.

At least it shows some of us were paying attention!!

Did he say he still is party to major decisions?

 

[The Bohemian]

At least it shows some of us were paying attention!!

Did he say he still is party to major decisions?

I have no doubt that's the case but no, he didn't say it.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I have no doubt that's the case but no, he didn't say it.

I got the distinct impression from Phipps' comments at the time that he was in charge of the recruitment process after Clough left.

Phipps also made the big statement about the club when he covered Clough exceeding his authority etc.

My belief is that the prince will buy out KM over a period. I also think KM will have lost a lot of energy and confidence these past few years and is happy to take a back seat, maybe involved in strategy but not week to week involvement any more.

Mind you I do not have his ear like you. If you were instrumental in him making the statement yesterday, well done. Not that certain fans believe a word he says.

I did play football with KM for a couple of seasons ( for Ranmoor). Solid bloke, good defender. I knew him well enough to know he's a Blade and not a bullshitter.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I don't believe the comment about £90million any more than I believe that there has been "game changing investment" in the Club by our newest co-owner.

Its all spin and chat ....... he should stop "talking the talk" and start "walking the walk" ..........

I've listened to his interview and read the transcripts as well and I find myself thinking that he talks more crap than I originally thought he did .....

UTB & FTP

Sorry to pick you out Darth, but McCabe just cannot make statements like that unless the figures were correct because on financial facts he could be proved a liar if he did.

It may be hard to believe that so much money can be spent with so little to show for it but that's a totally different matter. Over the years the amounts have built up and there has been a consistency in KM's statements. He has three freeholds to show for his losses but they are a drop in the ocean value-wise.

If you have any material clue why the figures are lies then why don't you enlighten all of us. Where are the discrepancies? Otherwise we might think you and similar posters are big bags of wind

P.S. As a shareholder I'm all too aware how much cash has been burned.

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

Sorry to pick you out Darth, but McCabe just cannot make statements like that unless the figures were correct because on financial facts he could be proved a liar if he did.

It may be hard to believe that so much money can be spent with so little to show for it but that's a totally different matter. Over the years the amounts have built up and there has been a consistency in KM's statements. He has three freeholds to show for his losses but they are a drop in the ocean value-wise.

If you have any material clue why the figures are lies then why don't you enlighten all of us. Where are the discrepancies? Otherwise we might think you and similar posters are big bags of wind

P.S. As a shareholder I'm all too aware how much cash has been burned.

It's not surprising that some are suspicious of McCabe's statements, given the fact that he has told fans a few porkies in the past. If we take McCabe's statement that his family have spent £90m over his tenure at face value, then I would argue that a big chunk of that has been wasted due to his (as the buck stops with him) godawful decisions. Perhaps if he had employed someone competent to oversee footballing affairs this would have been avoided. In the same vein, it's a bit rich that he indirectly blames the previous hiring regime for bloating the playing squad. This happened on your watch Kevin (along with the Saudi connection more recently). As ever, McCabe "speaks with fork tongue "when he suggests that the club needs to sign better quality players (like it's some kind of devine revelation); the clear evidence is that every time the club has a decent quality player (either though the academy or signed externally) they have been sold as soon as possible. It's not exactly difficult to comprehend why the club is in the position it's in; McCabe seems to imply that this is down to (in a significant part) luck - which is poppycock.

 

[Revolution]

I agree with you.

McCabe's perspective in today's interview: something along the lines of: if a top half Championship club comes in offering Jamie Murphy a lot more money and he's ambitious, you've got to let him go.

I don't accept this premise and would hold a player to his contract unless we were very sure we'd got an equal or better replacement.

And until McCabe alters his view on this issue, we will never progress.

 

[Woodwardfan]

It's not surprising that some are suspicious of McCabe's statements, given the fact that he has told fans a few porkies in the past. If we take McCabe's statement that his family have spent £90m over his tenure at face value, then I would argue that a big chunk of that has been wasted due to his (as the buck stops with him) godawful decisions. Perhaps if he had employed someone competent to oversee footballing affairs this would have been avoided. In the same vein, it's a bit rich that he indirectly blames the previous hiring regime for bloating the playing squad. This happened on your watch Kevin (along with the Saudi connection more recently). As ever, McCabe "speaks with fork tongue "when he suggests that the club needs to sign better quality players (like it's some kind of devine revelation); the clear evidence is that every time the club has a decent quality player (either though the academy or signed externally) they have been sold as soon as possible. It's not exactly difficult to comprehend why the club is in the position it's in; McCabe seems to imply that this is down to (in a significant part) luck - which is poppycock.

I fully agree with KM that our recruitment of players has been poor value for years. The Board do not sign the players; the manager chooses them and the MD negotiates the contracts. However we were without a Head Scout for nearly two years after Philliskirk ( I think) left. Following that Dearden and S.Clough do not appear to have done very well. As far as I know not a single player has been signed yet on Turnbull's watch. How irritating it must be to watch games and know each player's wages in relation to their quality.

KM does not deny that good players have been sold ( how could he?) but he explains the reasons.

As for KM's lies, I think it is impossible for anybody in his position to openly tell the full story at every stage of every situation, there are too many confidences to honour and certain situations have to be played tactically. I'm satisfied that over the years he has been honest and open as you would expect.

The comment on luck mainly refers to the Tevez injustice and maybe the Ched debacle I imagine.

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

I fully agree with KM that our recruitment of players has been poor value for years. The Board do not sign the players; the manager chooses them and the MD negotiates the contracts. However we were without a Head Scout for nearly two years after Philliskirk ( I think) left. Following that Dearden and S.Clough do not appear to have done very well. As far as I know not a single player has been signed yet on Turnbull's watch. How irritating it must be to watch games and know each player's wages in relation to their quality.

KM does not deny that good players have been sold ( how could he?) but he explains the reasons.

As for KM's lies, I think it is impossible for anybody in his position to openly tell the full story at every stage of every situation, there are too many confidences to honour and certain situations have to be played tactically. I'm satisfied that over the years he has been honest and open as you would expect.

The comment on luck mainly refers to the Tevez injustice and maybe the Ched debacle I imagine.

The lack of a head scout is symptomatic of the club operating like a rudderless ship. There should be someone whose responsibility to ensure key positions are filled and to recruit suitable replacements when the need arises. It's basic business acumen and I would have thought McCabe should have been all over this.

As for player sales, McCabe's explanation is a bit pathetic to be honest. Other clubs with ambitions appear to hold on to key players or at least make sure they have a suitable replacement player lined up. Continuing to sell decent players at every opportunity is the road to mediocrity.

I'm sure every businessman has been "economical with the actualité" at one point or other, but there is a difference with being tactical and telling bare faced porkies (if for nothing else they make you look like a complete dick when the truth comes out - the "Beattie flu" incident for example). I think McCabe would have been better served by keeping schtum.

 

[Blade56]

Well just listened to his interview and it answered some myths like the Murphy money is avaiable for the manager when the right target is identified. He confirmed its been spent on running the club and Baxter has flu

 

[The Bohemian]

I got the distinct impression from Phipps' comments at the time that he was in charge of the recruitment process after Clough left.

Phipps also made the big statement about the club when he covered Clough exceeding his authority etc.

My belief is that the prince will buy out KM over a period. I also think KM will have lost a lot of energy and confidence these past few years and is happy to take a back seat, maybe involved in strategy but not week to week involvement any more.

Mind you I do not have his ear like you. If you were instrumental in him making the statement yesterday, well done. Not that certain fans believe a word he says.

I did play football with KM for a couple of seasons ( for Ranmoor). Solid bloke, good defender. I knew him well enough to know he's a Blade and not a bullshitter.

McCabe covered recruitment in his interview and suggested the Technical Board has responsibility (aka Phipps's "process"). I'm unsure if Phipps is part of that process - we can assume Adkins and Turnbull plus others from the Football Club board are. Whoever: it's not done very well so far has it?

I'm sure you're right about energy and confidence; he must be worn down. I don't know him that well - we had more dealings 15+ years ago. I do remember him being reluctant to take on the Chairman role - though that eventually became inevitable once McDonald left and he took on the responsibility as chief underwriter. He also made clear, subsequently, of his desire to return, at some point, to just being 'a supporter'.

 

[Woodwardfan]

McCabe covered recruitment in his interview and suggested the Technical Board has responsibility (aka Phipps's "process"). I'm unsure if Phipps impart of that process - we can assume Adkins and Turnbull plus others from the Football Club board are. Whoever: it's not done very well so far has it?

I'm sure you're right about energy and confidence; he must be worn down. I don't know him that well - we had more dealings 15+ years ago. I do remember him being reluctant to take on the Chairman role - though that eventually became inevitable once McDonald left and he took on the responsibility as chief underwriter. He also made clear, subsequently, of his desire to return, at some point, to just being 'a supporter'.

Sorry in that instance I had meant the manager recruitment process not the player process.

 

[The Bohemian]

The lack of a head scout is symptomatic of the club operating like a rudderless ship. There should be someone whose responsibility to ensure key positions are filled and to recruit suitable replacements when the need arises. It's basic business acumen and I would have thought McCabe should have been all over this.

As for player sales, McCabe's explanation is a bit pathetic to be honest. Other clubs with ambitions appear to hold on to key players or at least make sure they have a suitable replacement player lined up. Continuing to sell decent players at every opportunity is the road to mediocrity.

I'm sure every businessman has been "economical with the actualité" at one point or other, but there is a difference with being tactical and telling bare faced porkies (if for nothing else they make you look like a complete dick when the truth comes out - the "Beattie flu" incident for example). I think McCabe would have been better served by keeping schtum.

Didn't the flu story come first from Blackwell?

Blackwell added: "After training yesterday James was clearly suffering from a touch of flu. If he's fit then he'll play."

Read more: http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foot...attie-for-stoke-riddle-1-265430#ixzz40nQEjAGF

Whilst it doesn't change my perspective on selling our better players, an overlooked fact is that our form and points per game return improved significantly after Beattie left. We were 10 points off second place and 5th when he joined Stoke and finished 3rd, just 3 points off the autos.

Sometimes he'd have been better advised to keep quiet - though he would then be admonished for keeping supporters in the dark, of course.

 

[Darthblade]

Sorry to pick you out Darth, but McCabe just cannot make statements like that unless the figures were correct because on financial facts he could be proved a liar if he did.

It may be hard to believe that so much money can be spent with so little to show for it but that's a totally different matter. Over the years the amounts have built up and there has been a consistency in KM's statements. He has three freeholds to show for his losses but they are a drop in the ocean value-wise.

If you have any material clue why the figures are lies then why don't you enlighten all of us. Where are the discrepancies? Otherwise we might think you and similar posters are big bags of wind

P.S. As a shareholder I'm all too aware how much cash has been burned.

no problem mate ...

If he's really put £90 million in then it is definitely evidence of gross incompetence on a biblical scale, to achieve so little ........

I've got no evidence at all mate ........ but I suspect that he'd find it impossible to substantiate ........ not that anyone will ever require him to do so. I suspect its a significant over-exaggeration and rounding up, together with a bit of smoke & mirrors to be honest.

£30-40 million I could believe over the period, however, I've no sympathy for him either way as you don't go into supporting a football club to make money ( if you've any sense anyway ) and a big chunk of that has been thrown away on some of his personal massive errors of judgement ........ eg Robson, Weir, Adams, Blackwell etc

UTB & FTP

 

[JohnDenver]

The lack of a head scout is symptomatic of the club operating like a rudderless ship. There should be someone whose responsibility to ensure key positions are filled and to recruit suitable replacements when the need arises. It's basic business acumen and I would have thought McCabe should have been all over this.

In the crudest terms, someone at the club needs to have a eye on the academy, the first team and our scouting reports. Using those three resources, we need to know we've a younger player backfilling the current first team incumbent. How we ended up with a zillion midget midfielders, four right backs and no central defenders is an utter mystery. It's not like there were players in the academy we'd pinned our hopes on. It was just appalling succession planning.

 

[Revolution]

Whilst it doesn't change my perspective on selling our better players, an overlooked fact is that our form and points per game return improved significantly after Beattie left. We were 10 points off second place and 5th when he joined Stoke and finished 3rd, just 3 points off the autos.

That is not overlooked. It has often been used as an after the fact justification for selling Beattie.

As I have said before, what actually happened was:

1. We won a couple of games against weaker teams in the League (Norwich and Watford!) and won a couple of cup games after Beattie went.

2. We then had a run of poor form, with only 1 win in 7 league and cup games (at another poor team - Southampton).

3. After the 4th of these games - the home defeat to the Pigs - Blackwell brought Cotterill back. He also dropped Sharp, who had not scored in 16 league games, around this time.

4. Cotterill's good form, and the excellent form of the best defence we've had in my lifetime, saw us go on a great run. Sharp's non scoring was replaced by the odd goal from the likes of Craig Beattie, which was better than nothing.

5. United lost only one league game after this - 0-1 at Burnley. when Cotterill was dropped.

6. However, we scored only once in the last 4 matches, 2 of which (Forest and Palace) being 0-0 draws and one of the others being the Burnley defeat, and just missed promotion.

The idea that we could not have done even better than that had we kept Beattie and had him in the side rather than, say, Henderson, Sharp, Craig Beattie or Lupoli is laughable IMHO.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Didn't the flu story come first from Blackwell?

Blackwell added: "After training yesterday James was clearly suffering from a touch of flu. If he's fit then he'll play."

Read more: http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foot...attie-for-stoke-riddle-1-265430#ixzz40nQEjAGF

Whilst it doesn't change my perspective on selling our better players, an overlooked fact is that our form and points per game return improved significantly after Beattie left. We were 10 points off second place and 5th when he joined Stoke and finished 3rd, just 3 points off the autos.

Sometimes he'd have been better advised to keep quiet - though he would then be admonished for keeping supporters in the dark, of course.

Steady Bohemian. Don't let the truth get in the way of the rhetoric.