I'll admit that I had been a Clough supporter throughout most of his reign and only recently started to sway to the idea that this season could have been his last (what a difference a few days make...)
The way NC has been treated by the board is imo disgraceful but given that we can't change the past my question is what exactly are the boards (realistic) expectations?
We are in a division with recently relegated Premier League teams and their parachute payments not to mention teams such as our neighbours down the road that are being funded by rich investors - so my question again is what exactly are our board hoping for?
I found this article a great read, specifically the bit near the bottom where it says that NC is furious with his dismissal as he had been working with on of the smallest budgets in the division;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/derby-county/10343147/Steve-McClaren-Nigel-Clough-Derby-County-manager.html
Whether or not you agree that NC had been doing a decent job given his backing, whoever comes in next will need a considerable cash injection to make good on Sam Rush's (frankly ridiculous) talk of competing at the top of the division - and as for chasing Steve McClaren why would you go after a manager that quit Forest over transfer constraints?
I don't know who we should appoint next as to be honest I don't think it will matter greatly - although I will quite happily eat my words! I think the biggest problem is that GSE either need to make good with some investment or sell up, we've had smoke and mirrors for too long now.
In my opinion sacking NC is as a result of dropping attendances above all else, if we had still been filling the ground and finishing mid-table I doubt he would have been pushed - you can argue why he was only finishing mid-table, but thats a topic for another discussion.
GSE have seen the attendances dropping and by shaking things up a bit hope to revitalise the fans that had been staying away. Sacking NC was probably a lot cheaper than going out and buying the number of players we need to make us competitive at the top end of the division.
Anyway, I've been supporting the Rams for 30+ years and we've been through worse - and probably will again! Just had to get that off my chest.
TLDR : GSE invest or sell up.
Expectations
posted on 30/9/13
'does not mean the situation' damn this silly tiny keyboard damn youuuuu
posted on 30/9/13
There are a few managers who have got sides promoted on a lower budget (really, what was the budget and how does it compare to ours).
even if they did get promotion on a lower budget, there are many, many more who didn't end finished mid table or lower.
So, are we now on a managerial merry-go-round until we fluke a promotion under one of them or is there suddenly a budget available to get Baptist and the quality players needed to increase our chances of promotion.
In pre-season Rush said that our transfer targets where to improve the team to make us top six. Where are they?
posted on 30/9/13
I've kept my own council until now in the hope that my anger would dissipate; unfortunately it hasn't. The sacking of Nigel is just another example of the Yanks not having a clue about football.
I would like to go on record and thank Nigel for laying the foundations for the club to move forward, it's just a shame that we cannot remove the board with the same callousness that the board has sacked Nigel.
We are where we are and as supporters all we can do is suck it and see as I don't see any sugar daddies looking to take over and provide the serious investment required to bring in some real quality, instead of untested kids.
One thing is for sure I will be a Rams fan til the day I die and long after the Yanks have gone.
posted on 30/9/13
I am entitled to say whatever the hell I want actually Dru, and after the way Clough has been treated this weekend, I will have a long way to go before I even come close to being as harsh as our laughing boy slap-headed fuzz-faced director.
Mclaren was on a 3 month contract which just happens to run out today. Curious.
posted on 30/9/13
It should be noted that I was prepared to give Clough a go at the job despite reservations about the logic behind his arrival, and the very things I wrote about in November 2009 are the self-same things that are widely-acknowldeged today.
If Moj decides that he'll not back the new manager, whoever that turns out to be, without even having the good grace to watch and assess first then it completely undermines that viewpoint and demonstrates it is an opinion based on loyalty to a fallen idol rather than objectively formed.
You're all Derby fans first and foremost, or profess to be, so by all means grieve for the boss you wish we still had but don't let that get in the way of progress. It's happened, it's done, and the majority are going to move forward behind the Rams. It's your prerogative not to, but don't pretend it's anything to do with the new man if that's your decision; it's based entirely on the fact you have decided to put Clough before Club.
posted on 30/9/13
I didn't really want Clough to go and I think appointing Steve McClaren will be a mistake *but* until I earn my first 1bn and can buy Derby myself I have to go with the flow!
Personally speaking, whoever comes in will have until Christmas 2014 to make his mark (a couple of transfer windows to bring in their own players)
After that we will know whether if;
A. The new manager is any better than the last
B. Whether GSE are willing to invest in a promotion bid.
posted on 30/9/13
666
Seems massively hypocritical to write Steve McClaren off before being given the opportunity to fail IMO is unfair and that my opinion.
The vast majority gave Clough the opportunity before voicing are concerns.
Certainly seems emotion is ruling the head a little.
posted on 30/9/13
'our' damn you touch screen
posted on 30/9/13
I think this was all done badly, I'm guessing here but it seems like Rush and Clough had the traditional alpha-male bust up again.
I think some of Rush's reasons are justified but wish he'd had the skills to highlight these to Clough at the end of last season. These are our targets, we want to see more activity in the transfer market, we want to see more tactical diversity and we want a director of football.
Clough would probably have said bite me, but the two of them could have then tried to work it out from there. Clough would have known where the board's frustrations lie, Rush could have listened to Clough's arguments and at that point Clough could have said okay I'm out or the two of them could have sat down and put some decent targets down on paper and moved forward.
Now it's all boiled up into this and the club i feel is delicately poised between equilibrium being maintained or sh't hitting the fan.
posted on 30/9/13
I'm not at all happy about the removal of Clough and even more dischuffed at the prospect of McClaren (hooray, I've learned to spell his name) taking over, but as soon as the ink's dry on the contract, then he will get my 100% backing.
It's just how I am.
Until that moment arrives, "Booooooooooo".