ChaddesdenRam Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 http://90secondfootball.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/a-nigel-at-every-club-why-nigel-clough-is-the-saviour-of-english-football/ At a time when many clubs’ owners have a revolving door installed for prospective and departing managers, most would do well to employ the services of the ever understated and underwhelming Nigel Clough. The use of these adjectives is in no way derogatory towards the son of one of the most outspoken managers in football history, in fact, his understated and underwhelming demeanour are just some of the contributing factors that make managers like him essential in the rebuilding process of English football. It’s fair to say Derby County were at rock bottom when Nigel Clough took over from the calamitous Paul Jewell in 2009. Now the fifth longest serving manager in all four divisions, Clough has (very gradually) completely transformed the clubs fortunes, albeit in his own unassuming way. Clough’s strong focus on youth has taken time to bear fruit, but he’s now picking some of the ripest young talent from the tree in home grown quality players like Jeff Hendrick, Mason Bennett and the supremely talented England U21 international Will Hughes (remember the name). This is no surprise given that many of his backroom staff have strong affiliations to the club, (Darren Wassall, Craig Short, Andy Garner and Martin Taylor are all ex players) something of a rarity these days in the detached relationship between club and fans. Clough even takes the time to run the line for his son’s team down the local park. Clough also has somewhat of an incredible UK based player bias, with a passion for developing British talent, very rarely turning to the temptations of bargain basement buys from abroad. Think of that what you will but I for one would prefer to see a young and hungry academy graduate given the chance to prove himself when called upon rather than bringing in cheap options from the continent to plug the gap (we’re entering Paul Jewell territory again). Often the butt of jokes, Derby County’s restrictive scouting network rarely extends beyond England and Scotland, however, Clough’s ability to spot lower league gems (John Brayford, Kieran Freeman, Michael Jacobs and Craig Bryson to name but a few) on a budget is a skill that most managers simply don’t feel the need to develop nowadays, probably because they can pester the owner to throw a few more million quid their way in the desperate clamber for the big time. It also comes as no surprise that Clough used the least amount of players in the Championship last season with a grand total of 26, keeping faith with what he has to work with and taking the time to develop what he’s got. Compare that to Jewell who signed nearly the same amount of players during his fateful time at the club. He also lets his players know he’s the boss. In a time when player power borders on the ridiculous, Clough is not afraid to remind his employees who’s in charge if they don’t toe the line. Just ask Theo Robinson who was swiftly dropped and shipped out on loan for tweeting the fact he wasn’t in the starting line-up before the team was officially announced to the press. A man of principles, much like his father. Add to all this the fact that Derby County are now playing some off their most attacking and attractive football in years, instilling a philosophy that made Nigel such a great player to watch during his playing days. I don’t claim to profess that Nigel Clough is the most tactically gifted manager in the world, far from it, he makes mistakes on the pitch of that there’s no doubt (remember his only previous management job was at non-league Burton Albion) however, his passion for the club and desire to lay long term foundations is unquestionable. The foreseeable future for Derby County Football Club is very, very bright, every club needs a Nigel Clough, the fate of our national team depends on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Hmmm, a very thorough, well thought out article, which reflects the opinions of most fans. Wait for the **** storm... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSheep Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Atleast its positive for once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambitious Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Fantastic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cisse Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 This will get ugly when someone finds this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucktwo Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 fantastic article with well balanced viewpoint....the time is right now to be a rams fan.....hope some of the 6 or 7 thousand missing fans will come back this season, its going to be exciting stuff !!! COYR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uttoxram75 Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Its what a few of us have thought for some time really. We're on the right track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCFCfranco Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Surprised no one has said this yet. Clough out!! Good article though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uttoxram75 Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 fantastic article with well balanced viewpoint....the time is right now to be a rams fan.....hope some of the 6 or 7 thousand missing fans will come back this season, its going to be exciting stuff !!! COYR They're not "missing fans", they're the extras who'll come when we do well. Happens everywhere. Forest's gates went up to 22,000 when they became the Man City of the Midlands..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChaddesdenRam Posted June 20, 2013 Author Share Posted June 20, 2013 In fairness this points out Nigel's flaws just as much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uttoxram75 Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 In fairness this points out Nigel's flaws just as much. Depends how you look at it. My own opinion is that his positives outweigh the negatives. I can see the future of a young, British and Irish based team playing good football, with a strong team ethic (no one player is greater than the whole). Its a combination of his old man and Fergie's beliefs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North_Stand_Ram Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Surprised no one has said this yet. Clough out!! Good article though. Bit of a contradiction... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynny Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 I can't help but think this was written by a Derby fan. It does raise some very good points though. My favourite part is the "Clough has found some lower league gems" then mentions Kieran Freeman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChaddesdenRam Posted June 20, 2013 Author Share Posted June 20, 2013 Depends how you look at it. My own opinion is that his positives outweigh the negatives. I can see the future of a young, British and Irish based team playing good football, with a strong team ethic (no one player is greater than the whole). Its a combination of his old man and Fergie's beliefs. Oh no I wasn't eluding to the fact that the positives outweigh the negatives I was simply saying that this article spells out both sides justifiably. I agree with you tbh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B4ev6is Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 i could not say better myself mate and i would like to see one or two more youngster blooded through to the first team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodleyRam Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Good article, have thought this all along to be honest. He's building a proper football club again, one that stands a chance of being both succesful and self sustaining. It's taking time to deliver the finished article and no he isn't necessarily the world's best tactician but i'm delighted he's doing what he's doing and credit to the board for sticking with it too. There is definitely light at the end of that there tunnel and i can feel it's going to be an exciting time to be a ram in the next couple of years... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateDerby Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Main reasons I like our Nigel Puts his heart and soul into our club on a level that no other manager possibly could Has somehow bailed out and steadied our old, rusty, rat infested, sinking ship Has found some very good players from the lower leagues on the cheap Puts belief into our youngsters which is already paying off and will continue to Gives players on average two or three chances Works on respect, honesty and hard work Keeps it British Keeps it traditional Passing football Keeps his cool when things kick off... Impossible not to like him as a person Main reasons I get frustrated with Nigel He's a stubborn get at times He's extremely persistant at times He didn't kick Billy hard enough Errrrrrrrrmmmm Long live King Clough, he'll do it one day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostyn6 Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 they say there's no room for sentiment in football, and whilst it would be nice to succeed on homegrown talent, it's rare to do so. The club shouldn't be at a detriment as a result of a philosophy that leaves us trailing behind other clubs. The footballing world has expanded, and it's been expansive for 20 years now, we cannot play a 21st century game by 1960s ideals! Seeing how the England U21s performed, and those players were allegedly better than Bennett and Hughes, makes you wonder if it's madness to rely on young local talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smyth_18 Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 they say there's no room for sentiment in football, and whilst it would be nice to succeed on homegrown talent, it's rare to do so. The club shouldn't be at a detriment as a result of a philosophy that leaves us trailing behind other clubs. The footballing world has expanded, and it's been expansive for 20 years now, we cannot play a 21st century game by 1960s ideals! Seeing how the England U21s performed, and those players were allegedly better than Bennett and Hughes, makes you wonder if it's madness to rely on young local talent. All depends on how they look at it. May sound cheesy but if they believe they can do it they are one step closer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stive Pesley Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 they say there's no room for sentiment in football, and whilst it would be nice to succeed on homegrown talent, it's rare to do so. The club shouldn't be at a detriment as a result of a philosophy that leaves us trailing behind other clubs. The footballing world has expanded, and it's been expansive for 20 years now, we cannot play a 21st century game by 1960s ideals! Seeing how the England U21s performed, and those players were allegedly better than Bennett and Hughes, makes you wonder if it's madness to rely on young local talent. Mostyn old chap - I know your gut reaction is to disagree with the article on principle but every single one of your points is complete nonsense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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