Why is it always "Sack the Manager?"

[Lane Ender]

SUFC are in the entertainment business . IMO everyone has the right to a opinion , if they are a paying customer at the lane . We are not getting value for money , so fans are entitled to moan and have a go.

Yes i love taking rough with the smooth and paying for the pleasure.

UTB

Far too much rough this season though Bos

 

[Pedro Verde]

On Tuesday we conceded two late goals. It is football, not good - but Derby did the same thing yesterday it happens.
HH

Yes and that Derby result cost me £35 as had them for a home win in my acca

 

[Fulwood Blade]

SUFC are in the entertainment business . IMO everyone has the right to a opinion , if they are a paying customer at the lane . We are not getting value for money , so fans are entitled to moan and have a go.

Yes i love taking rough with the smooth and paying for the pleasure.

UTB

Bos - it was more a moan at the world really - we are becoming so intolerant to so many things and it is so easy now to moan..........so people do.

changing times I am afraid........think Blade in Spain ahs it perfectly correct !

UTB

 

[TarquinDelouche]

Today is a day for "Mark all forums as read"

 

[metalblade]

Simples in the case of SUFC we never employ the right manager to start with, inevitably pretty soon they will have to be sacked.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

Why is sacking the manager every time something goes wrong the answer? Football fans really can be a ridiculous bunch sometimes. I witnessed an awful game yesterday and I was gutted, felt sold short, felt that we should be so much better than we are, and felt ashamed I had brought my boy to witness such mediocrity, but I don't just turn to the Manager as the culpable one. I can't be the only one who doesn't react like this.

You have good form and he is a hero (nominated for Manager of the Month last month), wins away at the League leaders easily, then three weeks later people want his head on a spike.

Look at the last 2 managers who got us to the Premiership (DIvision 1). 1 took us down before he got us promoted and the other one had the best part of 8 years at it. Bassett handed his notice to the board following relegation to the third division and they decided not to accept it. Can't see that happening following a relegation in this day and age can you? Warnock got various goes at promotion before he finally got it right.

What I would say is in the first case, had it been this day and age with social media and forums Dave Bassett would never have had the opportunity to do what he did. I don't for the life of me know why McCabe gave Warnock another shot at promotion but he did and look what happened.

I think that team I saw yesterday is labouring in part under a weight of expectation at home, playing on a surface that I wouldn't have been keen on as a Sunday League player and also having issues gelling as a unit. We didn't get the players we wanted when we wanted them in August so we are paying the price now. You can blame Clough for all or some of that but the ridiculous thing is, had Turner not had a mare we could have won that game and we would have bimbled on regardless. These fine lines are what keeps a guy in a job or gets him sacked.

What am I saying? Right now is not the time to throw everything out and wholesale change the manager and his backroom staff. Certainly they should be criticised and I hope people from the board are talking to NC and saying you need to sort this out. But some of the Clough must go rubbish and speculation based on what people heard from Derby fans previously (who are probably as fickle as we are) really isn't the reason to just bin the bloke off and start again. I hear some of the names bandied about and some people must be labouring under the misapprehension that we are still a big club. We are not so all that would happen is another Danny Wilson type will come in, things will look up for a period of time before ultimately going down the pan, us paying another manager off and starting all over again.

While he has to get things right Clough has us in TWO cup semi finals in the past 12 months. We are a third division club so I would suggest he has the ability to do something right. Tactically he must be able to achieve something with his teams to beat Premiership and Championship opposition with such apparent ease. We took Spurs to within 5 minutes of extra time in a semi final only a few weeks ago. Yet a few weeks later people want the bloke sacked?

Stay calm, steer the course and lets get the fuck on with the rest of the season. If we get promoted then we have achieved what we set out to do. If we don't then questions can and should be asked then. Not before.

Best post on here in weeks.

Your point about Bassett and Warnock is spot on. If 1990 was nowadays then Basset would have been sacked by Christmas when we were without a win, instead he was allowed to continue with his job and got us to a 13th place finish, the following season to a 9th place finish and the following season in a FA Cup semi. Only reason we went down is because the Board sold Deane and failed to invest.

With Warnock he got 7 years, several of which were shocking - most notably the 2004-2005 season, yet the season after he gets us promoted.

Aside from those two managers, and Blackwell who got 2, no other manager at this club in the past 26 years has had 2 FULL SEASONS in charge!! that is crazy.

No wonder we are where we are with that inconsistency. Imagine if a business sacked their CEO every 18 months, it would very quickly go out of business. In any industry it takes time to build a team, make a few mistakes and learn from them.

People are saying Clough hasn't got a clue, he has to go - yet forget what he's done right i.e. the Cup runs, amazing run last season, still being in the top 6 - this shows that he isn't bloody clueless.

If we were to sack Clough who would we get?? And then what, that manager gets 12 months before being branded clueless???

Even managers that have got us promoted, to play off finals etc. have been branded clueless by our support, what hope does ANY manager have that has to have a bit of time to get it right.

 

[The Fox]

Away from disecting the tactics , signings each performance etc to put it succinctly regarding clough.... I just don't like the bloke, I can't take to him, he lacks any humility, feels beyond criticism , I actually think he thinks we are lucky to have him.
Of course me liking the manager is no prerequisite for success and likewise not liking the bloke is not entirely due to our performances. For example Blackwell was out of his depth , but I liked his tenacity , warnock was embarrassing at times and could be an arse, but I liked his love for the club and the spirit he could bring to average players. Clough seams to have moulded a team in his own image, dull uninspiring, unimaginative, predictable .

In this worldof sound bites , people speak of "losing the dressing room" which I don't think is the case with clough yet , but I can't help thinking that in his open criticism of individuals , pettiness, favourites and signing of former players that perhaps enough of the players feel like I do. When they take the field it a mixture of unease, not quite knowing what the plan is and at all costs not being the one singled out post match. There appears to be a lack of trust between the manager and the team , and the lack of confidence is palpable.

i don't know the bloke, I can only work with actions and words, I hope I'm wrong and were on the cusp of something remarkable rather than something unravelling before our eyes. Time will tell

 

[HillmortonBlade]

but I can't help thinking that in his open criticism of individuals , pettiness, favourites and signing of former players that perhaps enough of the players feel like I do.

I was talking to a mate on Friday and he used to work with Mark Cooper of Swindon Town. Says he is a sound bloke who is great with the players and has their respect. Hope the same can be said of our manager. On the left hand, NC has certainly has developed players and attracted quality players to the team, On the other hand, the next game is critical.

 

[The Fox]

On the left hand, NC has certainly has developed players and attracted quality players to the team, On the other hand, the next game is critical.

Getting them to sign is one thing, getting a tune out of them is another.

I remain more hopeful than optimistic

 

[sitwell]

I thought it was Doyle who should have been sacked ,or Baxter ,no wait a minute Turner....no Garner ,he is the reason behind our decline ,or was it Coutts ,actually Ive remembered it was Jim Phipps for stopping tweeting or...or was it the stand in for Gary Sinclair ,fucking hell theres some P45s flying about tomorrow.
I blame BP ,that garage was a lucky charm ,good job it was only a football match.

 

[axel smeets]

With 20+ players on 2-3k a week average, its cheaper to dispose of a manager.

 

[stringjunior]

Why is sacking the manager every time something goes wrong the answer? Football fans really can be a ridiculous bunch sometimes. I witnessed an awful game yesterday and I was gutted, felt sold short, felt that we should be so much better than we are, and felt ashamed I had brought my boy to witness such mediocrity, but I don't just turn to the Manager as the culpable one. I can't be the only one who doesn't react like this.

You have good form and he is a hero (nominated for Manager of the Month last month), wins away at the League leaders easily, then three weeks later people want his head on a spike.

Look at the last 2 managers who got us to the Premiership (DIvision 1). 1 took us down before he got us promoted and the other one had the best part of 8 years at it. Bassett handed his notice to the board following relegation to the third division and they decided not to accept it. Can't see that happening following a relegation in this day and age can you? Warnock got various goes at promotion before he finally got it right.

What I would say is in the first case, had it been this day and age with social media and forums Dave Bassett would never have had the opportunity to do what he did. I don't for the life of me know why McCabe gave Warnock another shot at promotion but he did and look what happened.

I think that team I saw yesterday is labouring in part under a weight of expectation at home, playing on a surface that I wouldn't have been keen on as a Sunday League player and also having issues gelling as a unit. We didn't get the players we wanted when we wanted them in August so we are paying the price now. You can blame Clough for all or some of that but the ridiculous thing is, had Turner not had a mare we could have won that game and we would have bimbled on regardless. These fine lines are what keeps a guy in a job or gets him sacked.

What am I saying? Right now is not the time to throw everything out and wholesale change the manager and his backroom staff. Certainly they should be criticised and I hope people from the board are talking to NC and saying you need to sort this out. But some of the Clough must go rubbish and speculation based on what people heard from Derby fans previously (who are probably as fickle as we are) really isn't the reason to just bin the bloke off and start again. I hear some of the names bandied about and some people must be labouring under the misapprehension that we are still a big club. We are not so all that would happen is another Danny Wilson type will come in, things will look up for a period of time before ultimately going down the pan, us paying another manager off and starting all over again.

While he has to get things right Clough has us in TWO cup semi finals in the past 12 months. We are a third division club so I would suggest he has the ability to do something right. Tactically he must be able to achieve something with his teams to beat Premiership and Championship opposition with such apparent ease. We took Spurs to within 5 minutes of extra time in a semi final only a few weeks ago. Yet a few weeks later people want the bloke sacked?

Stay calm, steer the course and lets get the fuck on with the rest of the season. If we get promoted then we have achieved what we set out to do. If we don't then questions can and should be asked then. Not before.

What he said ^^^^

 

[yuley82]

Why is sacking the manager every time something goes wrong the answer? Football fans really can be a ridiculous bunch sometimes. I witnessed an awful game yesterday and I was gutted, felt sold short, felt that we should be so much better than we are, and felt ashamed I had brought my boy to witness such mediocrity, but I don't just turn to the Manager as the culpable one. I can't be the only one who doesn't react like this.

You have good form and he is a hero (nominated for Manager of the Month last month), wins away at the League leaders easily, then three weeks later people want his head on a spike.

Look at the last 2 managers who got us to the Premiership (DIvision 1). 1 took us down before he got us promoted and the other one had the best part of 8 years at it. Bassett handed his notice to the board following relegation to the third division and they decided not to accept it. Can't see that happening following a relegation in this day and age can you? Warnock got various goes at promotion before he finally got it right.

What I would say is in the first case, had it been this day and age with social media and forums Dave Bassett would never have had the opportunity to do what he did. I don't for the life of me know why McCabe gave Warnock another shot at promotion but he did and look what happened.

I think that team I saw yesterday is labouring in part under a weight of expectation at home, playing on a surface that I wouldn't have been keen on as a Sunday League player and also having issues gelling as a unit. We didn't get the players we wanted when we wanted them in August so we are paying the price now. You can blame Clough for all or some of that but the ridiculous thing is, had Turner not had a mare we could have won that game and we would have bimbled on regardless. These fine lines are what keeps a guy in a job or gets him sacked.

What am I saying? Right now is not the time to throw everything out and wholesale change the manager and his backroom staff. Certainly they should be criticised and I hope people from the board are talking to NC and saying you need to sort this out. But some of the Clough must go rubbish and speculation based on what people heard from Derby fans previously (who are probably as fickle as we are) really isn't the reason to just bin the bloke off and start again. I hear some of the names bandied about and some people must be labouring under the misapprehension that we are still a big club. We are not so all that would happen is another Danny Wilson type will come in, things will look up for a period of time before ultimately going down the pan, us paying another manager off and starting all over again.

While he has to get things right Clough has us in TWO cup semi finals in the past 12 months. We are a third division club so I would suggest he has the ability to do something right. Tactically he must be able to achieve something with his teams to beat Premiership and Championship opposition with such apparent ease. We took Spurs to within 5 minutes of extra time in a semi final only a few weeks ago. Yet a few weeks later people want the bloke sacked?

Stay calm, steer the course and lets get the fuck on with the rest of the season. If we get promoted then we have achieved what we set out to do. If we don't then questions can and should be asked then. Not before.

Simple because he does the tactics training match prep and sign the players. Plus it's cheaper to sack the manager than 25 players!!!

 

[yuley82]

With 20+ players on 2-3k a week average, its cheaper to dispose of a manager.

I agree

 

[mattbianco1]

Why is sacking the manager every time something goes wrong the answer?

Because the majority of our fans, particularly the ones who phone Praise and Grumble don't have great brain cells.

I still need to invent a bubble that I can sit in at matches so I can't here the moronic shouts that some let out. It's like negative Tourette's.

I'm gonna get one of these

 

[Davie Blade]

 

[Fiery Blade]

Because the majority of our fans, particularly the ones who phone Praise and Grumble don't have great brain cells.

I still need to invent a bubble that I can sit in at matches so I can't here the moronic shouts that some let out. It's like negative Tourette's.

I'm gonna get one of these

I would venture they don't have ANY Brain Cells if they are like the ones around me !

 

[grafikhaus]

No wonder we are where we are with that inconsistency. Imagine if a business sacked their CEO every 18 months, it would very quickly go out of business. In any industry it takes time to build a team, make a few mistakes and learn from them.

In any other business, an organisation considering the appointment of a key, senior figure would check on previous performance, exercise due diligence, set targets and talk to people who have prior knowledge of the guy being considered for the post.

But not in football and certainly not at SUFC.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

In any other business, an organisation considering the appointment of a key, senior figure would check on previous performance, exercise due diligence, set targets and talk to people who have prior knowledge of the guy being considered for the post.

But not in football and certainly not at SUFC.

That probably has something to do with the people available at the time, in football you sometimes have to take the best option you can get, being a League 1 side Clough was a great option. As for Clough, he's got a good football pedigree, played at the highest level, was an England international, did a good job at Burton, did a decent job at Derby with little to no resources. So he has a decent background in the game.

In 18 months in charge at the Lane he's saved us from relegation and somehow got us to a 7th place finish last season, got us to the FA Cup Semi, the League Cup Semi and we're currently 5th in the division. Hardly a sack-able offense.

Now he's going through a rough patch. Things aren't quite working, not quite gelling. He's probably realized he's made a few mistakes, and some of his players have let him down. Maybe some of the players in key positions aren't connecting with each other as he had hoped, and he's had a few injuries, and had a key loan signing recalled by his parent club. Warnock went through similar seasons in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 before getting it right in 06-07.

At times like this maybe a manager could do with some support. 30,000 of our fans were all too happy to snap up their tickets to Wembley last season and ride on the Clough bandwagon, but now things aren't quite going as expected a large section revert to personal attacks and want him sacked.

It's pathetic, and its sad to see what modern football has become.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Because the majority of our fans, particularly the ones who phone Praise and Grumble don't have great brain cells.

I still need to invent a bubble that I can sit in at matches so I can't here the moronic shouts that some let out. It's like negative Tourette's.

I'm gonna get one of these

That David from Bolton always talks sense to me on RS.

UTB

 

[HillmortonBlade]

In any other business, an organisation considering the appointment of a key, senior figure would check on previous performance, exercise due diligence, set targets and talk to people who have prior knowledge of the guy being considered for the post.

But not in football and certainly not at SUFC.

Phil Clarke was brought into Tesco to bring successes. He tried a variety of plans and ploys, but seemingly not in a long term philosophy and it ended up more like tinkering. But the Board held on to him for too long and look how it didn't turn round. Then they bring in a new boss, who takes stock and then introduces radical (if common sense) reforms and already the ship has started to change course, albeit slowly. I am NOT advocating getting rid of NC, he must be given time, but the well of goodwill is noticeably down. Football clubs are not just a business, but Leaders need to Lead.

 

[Woodwardfan]

The OP states a common sense view of the current dilemma the board faces and I do not envy them.

In any case Clough has been given the keys to our castle with unprecedented power. He has family and friends in all key positions and runs the show. Only last month he was given kings ransom to spend and duly signed a further 4 ex-Derby players amongst 6 signings. Every ex-Derby player signed signifies another reason why it would be hard to sack the manager they came to the club for. About half the squad has past and present allegiance to Clough so would presumably be disaffected if he was sacked. If I were to sack the manager I would have to terminate so many contracts all over the club.

That would be very expensive and I think it will be much easier to accept the status quo and just hope for the best.

If I were the new owner I would be deeply worried about the state of the first team and asking serious questions of those advisors who told him Clough was the man to trust with the keys to my half owned castle. On further examination the manager has done hardly owt in his long managerial career. Why should he start now?

I'd give him another season as a matter of principle but cut his spending power because my fear would be throwing more good money after bad. Perhaps that should be enough reason to sack him if we don't go up really, but I would much prefer the football world to take note that I am a serious businessman not a chancer and 19 months is not long enough for a bloke like Clough to be a proved a failure.

I would also buy out my co-owner because he was mesmerized by Mr Clough such a short time ago. I'm sure this all sounds like puddled thinking but this is a farcical situation actually. There's no right or wrong way to look at it. The faith shown in Mr Clough could only be justified if he succeeds. If he fails it looks plain stupid.

 

[mattbianco1]

That David from Bolton always talks sense to me on RS.

UTB

I rarely tune into it as it annoys me. Only listen on way home from games..
Is David from Bolton you by chance?

 

[grafikhaus]

I think a blatantly-obvious point is being missed. On RS last night, the in-house Wednesdayite 'presenter' compared Clough 'bringing in players he knows' with Bassett doing the same with his ex-Wimbledon lads.

In Bassetts case, he knew these players would piss blood for the cause and, when their legs had carried them as far as they could, they were deemed surplus to requirements.

Clough 'knows' players who will comply, keep schtum and get away with shockingly bad performances. They will be rewarded with extended runs in the team while guys like Adams, Reid, McNulty (Giralomo?) etc. are made to sit on the 'naughty step' while Clough shows them who's in charge.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

In any other business, an organisation considering the appointment of a key, senior figure would check on previous performance, exercise due diligence, set targets and talk to people who have prior knowledge of the guy being considered for the post.

But not in football and certainly not at SUFC.

But if that happened, loads of managers would never be employed again

 

[forever_blade]

For me it's assessing what options we have & where we are currently at, would you sack Clough like we did Wilson two seasons ago in a similar position? Or do we stick with him & start getting to the route of what’s going wrong at Bramall Lane & fast because clearly something is definitely not right.

When Clough joined the players were lacking in confidence, staring relegation in the face & needed a massive pick me up. He installed confidence in them, made them believe in their ability & stuck with a settled eleven & squad that saw us charge up the league, he encouraged from the sidelines, encouraged the players in post-match interviews & got the feel good factor back into the club with his refreshing approach (alright granted to follow David Weir’s approach was never going to be a hard one to better but you catch my drift). However you were always aware of Clough’s authority as the gaffer, now for me the fine line between authority & all-in-it-together at this moment in time has been broken.

We can look at Clough’s tactics which at times have been bizarre, the fact he doesn’t know his best eleven with 12 games left to go is worrying & the fact he needs to turn this around & fast is something that needs addressing urgently.

Now I’m a half glass full Blade but no Blade can say they are not concerned at the way we are playing at the minute under Clough’s instructions. Last season there was no pressure on Clough, Bramall Lane was a happy place to go to, we we’re taking every side infront of us apart, there was encouragement from the sidelines but at the same time a word in the ear when mistakes we’re made. The tension now is there from minute one, you can say the players should be big enough & man enough to deal with it & I agree they should but surely some of this can be helped by Clough transpiring the calm influence he first brought into the club back into the players?

The pressure well & truly looks to be getting to him & that is transpiring into the tactics & performances we are seeing. You can say he’s ‘negative Nigel’ & will not change his ways but last season we played with freedom & broke at pace, it’s the same man in charge, the same man that saw us go on a ten game winning streak & looked unplayable at times. The personnel has changed granted however look at our squad we still should have more than enough to achieve success this season. The players currently look like rabbits in headlights, fearing of making a mistake because they know the backlash they are going to receive off their own gaffer & backroom staff everytime they do, don’t get me wrong there’s always a time for constructive criticism but surely there has to be a level of encouragement to counteract the bollocking’s you give out?

To me Clough needs to look at himself, take note of the approach he arrived with that gave him 100% of the fan base backing last season. He had all players on-side as he gave them self-belief from no-hopers to promotion chasers, we feared no-one & played the same system with more or less the same personal week in week out, partnerships we’re given time to develop which hasn’t been the case this season BUT that’s been & gone now there’s no point dwelling on it.

He’s got 12 games to go, calm yourself down Nige, you need these players & us on-side if this is gonna work out well. Stop blaming everyone else & have a look in the mirror about the approach you need to implement, sit these players down & give them the self-confidence to achieve what we all want & more importantly you need & want to remain in a job.

He can’t keep being the headmaster, he needs to stop letting the authority, power & pressure get the better of him. The balance needs to be bridged between players & management that’s where I feel the fine-line is going wrong. Get everyone singing from the same hymn sheet Clough, encourage the lads, their feeling the pressure as much as you & you need to create that all-in-it-together atmosphere in the dressing room to get morale up as at the minute it’s sinking like the titanic. Some ‘fans’ might disagree but take ‘em go-karting or on another team morale building exercise after training one day & get that team spirit up as if we’re gonna achieve anything then that team spirit is gonna be vital in this run-in.

Pick a system, pick the personnel to play in that system & I pray for your own sake & ours it’s the one that works.

12 games to go, now or never Nige

UTB, Keep the faith x

 

[Woodwardfan]

For me it's assessing what options we have & where we are currently at, would you sack Clough like we did Wilson two seasons ago in a similar position? Or do we stick with him & start getting to the route of what’s going wrong at Bramall Lane & fast because clearly something is definitely not right.

When Clough joined the players were lacking in confidence, staring relegation in the face & needed a massive pick me up. He installed confidence in them, made them believe in their ability & stuck with a settled eleven & squad that saw us charge up the league, he encouraged from the sidelines, encouraged the players in post-match interviews & got the feel good factor back into the club with his refreshing approach (alright granted to follow David Weir’s approach was never going to be a hard one to better but you catch my drift). However you were always aware of Clough’s authority as the gaffer, now for me the fine line between authority & all-in-it-together at this moment in time has been broken.

We can look at Clough’s tactics which at times have been bizarre, the fact he doesn’t know his best eleven with 12 games left to go is worrying & the fact he needs to turn this around & fast is something that needs addressing urgently.

Now I’m a half glass full Blade but no Blade can say they are not concerned at the way we are playing at the minute under Clough’s instructions. Last season there was no pressure on Clough, Bramall Lane was a happy place to go to, we we’re taking every side infront of us apart, there was encouragement from the sidelines but at the same time a word in the ear when mistakes we’re made. The tension now is there from minute one, you can say the players should be big enough & man enough to deal with it & I agree they should but surely some of this can be helped by Clough transpiring the calm influence he first brought into the club back into the players?

The pressure well & truly looks to be getting to him & that is transpiring into the tactics & performances we are seeing. You can say he’s ‘negative Nigel’ & will not change his ways but last season we played with freedom & broke at pace, it’s the same man in charge, the same man that saw us go on a ten game winning streak & looked unplayable at times. The personnel has changed granted however look at our squad we still should have more than enough to achieve success this season. The players currently look like rabbits in headlights, fearing of making a mistake because they know the backlash they are going to receive off their own gaffer & backroom staff everytime they do, don’t get me wrong there’s always a time for constructive criticism but surely there has to be a level of encouragement to counteract the bollocking’s you give out?

To me Clough needs to look at himself, take note of the approach he arrived with that gave him 100% of the fan base backing last season. He had all players on-side as he gave them self-belief from no-hopers to promotion chasers, we feared no-one & played the same system with more or less the same personal week in week out, partnerships we’re given time to develop which hasn’t been the case this season BUT that’s been & gone now there’s no point dwelling on it.

He’s got 12 games to go, calm yourself down Nige, you need these players & us on-side if this is gonna work out well. Stop blaming everyone else & have a look in the mirror about the approach you need to implement, sit these players down & give them the self-confidence to achieve what we all want & more importantly you need & want to remain in a job.

He can’t keep being the headmaster, he needs to stop letting the authority, power & pressure get the better of him. The balance needs to be bridged between players & management that’s where I feel the fine-line is going wrong. Get everyone singing from the same hymn sheet Clough, encourage the lads, their feeling the pressure as much as you & you need to create that all-in-it-together atmosphere in the dressing room to get morale up as at the minute it’s sinking like the titanic. Some ‘fans’ might disagree but take ‘em go-karting or on another team morale building exercise after training one day & get that team spirit up as if we’re gonna achieve anything then that team spirit is gonna be vital in this run-in.

Pick a system, pick the personnel to play in that system & I pray for your own sake & ours it’s the one that works.

12 games to go, now or never Nige

UTB, Keep the faith x

Then in the summer get yourself a new Head Scout and a young, positive assistant manager instead of one who looks and acts like the Grim Reaper!!

If you are a serious and dour leader it is best to have a much different character to complement your own character, much like the Brian Clough/ Peter Taylor combination, albeit those characters were in the different positions of course.

The Clough/Garner like with like duo might just be the cause of so little notable success over all those years - that factor which might have prevented them from winning things. When they were both younger they will have been less battle weary and hardened and probably more optimistic and ebullient. Does Morgan contribute that factor? Maybe, not at all sure.

Get a new Head Scout anyway!

 

[grafikhaus]

But if that happened, loads of managers would never be employed again

Ian Holloway might be worth a punt - he's due for a good run. He certainly hasn't fucking had one yet!

 

[Eyeball]

For me it's assessing what options we have & where we are currently at, would you sack Clough like we did Wilson two seasons ago in a similar position? Or do we stick with him & start getting to the route of what’s going wrong at Bramall Lane & fast because clearly something is definitely not right.

When Clough joined the players were lacking in confidence, staring relegation in the face & needed a massive pick me up. He installed confidence in them, made them believe in their ability & stuck with a settled eleven & squad that saw us charge up the league, he encouraged from the sidelines, encouraged the players in post-match interviews & got the feel good factor back into the club with his refreshing approach (alright granted to follow David Weir’s approach was never going to be a hard one to better but you catch my drift). However you were always aware of Clough’s authority as the gaffer, now for me the fine line between authority & all-in-it-together at this moment in time has been broken.

We can look at Clough’s tactics which at times have been bizarre, the fact he doesn’t know his best eleven with 12 games left to go is worrying & the fact he needs to turn this around & fast is something that needs addressing urgently.

Now I’m a half glass full Blade but no Blade can say they are not concerned at the way we are playing at the minute under Clough’s instructions. Last season there was no pressure on Clough, Bramall Lane was a happy place to go to, we we’re taking every side infront of us apart, there was encouragement from the sidelines but at the same time a word in the ear when mistakes we’re made. The tension now is there from minute one, you can say the players should be big enough & man enough to deal with it & I agree they should but surely some of this can be helped by Clough transpiring the calm influence he first brought into the club back into the players?

The pressure well & truly looks to be getting to him & that is transpiring into the tactics & performances we are seeing. You can say he’s ‘negative Nigel’ & will not change his ways but last season we played with freedom & broke at pace, it’s the same man in charge, the same man that saw us go on a ten game winning streak & looked unplayable at times. The personnel has changed granted however look at our squad we still should have more than enough to achieve success this season. The players currently look like rabbits in headlights, fearing of making a mistake because they know the backlash they are going to receive off their own gaffer & backroom staff everytime they do, don’t get me wrong there’s always a time for constructive criticism but surely there has to be a level of encouragement to counteract the bollocking’s you give out?

To me Clough needs to look at himself, take note of the approach he arrived with that gave him 100% of the fan base backing last season. He had all players on-side as he gave them self-belief from no-hopers to promotion chasers, we feared no-one & played the same system with more or less the same personal week in week out, partnerships we’re given time to develop which hasn’t been the case this season BUT that’s been & gone now there’s no point dwelling on it.

He’s got 12 games to go, calm yourself down Nige, you need these players & us on-side if this is gonna work out well. Stop blaming everyone else & have a look in the mirror about the approach you need to implement, sit these players down & give them the self-confidence to achieve what we all want & more importantly you need & want to remain in a job.

He can’t keep being the headmaster, he needs to stop letting the authority, power & pressure get the better of him. The balance needs to be bridged between players & management that’s where I feel the fine-line is going wrong. Get everyone singing from the same hymn sheet Clough, encourage the lads, their feeling the pressure as much as you & you need to create that all-in-it-together atmosphere in the dressing room to get morale up as at the minute it’s sinking like the titanic. Some ‘fans’ might disagree but take ‘em go-karting or on another team morale building exercise after training one day & get that team spirit up as if we’re gonna achieve anything then that team spirit is gonna be vital in this run-in.

Pick a system, pick the personnel to play in that system & I pray for your own sake & ours it’s the one that works.

12 games to go, now or never Nige

UTB, Keep the faith x

Post of the year

 

[RedandWhite]

I don't believe Clough is the problem, Doyle is.