Cloughie cannot win
Thu Jan 08 08:57AM
'Ooh great', thought Early Doors yesterday, 'Derby are playing. Haven't had a chance to rip it out of them for a while.'
What's more, they were playing Manchester United - a certain defeat and a chance to pour cold water all over the Nigel Clough era.
And what happened? They only went and won. Easily too. United's best chances came in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo free-kicks, which were duly whacked straight over the bar.
Ronaldo's free-kicks are now so bad they may soon start to have the precise opposite effect of Rory Delap's long throws.
While teams have started conceding corners rather than face a Delap throw-in, they may now start deliberately fouling United players on the edge of the box, safe in the knowledge that they are almost certain to win a goal-kick.
The worst thing that can happen is that somebody ends up with a concave face if Ronaldo shoots into the wall.
United never looked like scoring, despite playing against a side that narrowly beat non-league opponents 4-3 in the Cup on Saturday.
Four days earlier they conceded three goals against Forest Green Rovers, and yet here they were repelling the champions of England, Europe, the world and probably parts of other galaxies too.
Maybe it was that United fielded a 'weakened' team featuring Tevez, Scholes, Vidic and Anderson, with Ronaldo, Rooney and Carrick coming off the bench.
Or maybe it was the difference in managerial ability between Chris Hutchings - who presided over the Forest Green near-debacle - and nobody.
Clough sat in the stands having been given the 'watching brief' that is increasingly fashionable for new managers.
New Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies did something similar in the FA Cup on Saturday and saw his team thrash Manchester City at Eastlands.
Although the watching brief is meant to help managers settle into their job, all it really seems to do it exhibit the utter pointlessness of the profession - the way to seal an unlikely and famous victory is to make sure the gaffer comes nowhere near the dressing room.
So, what does Early Doors have against Derby? Nothing really, except that Pride Park is the only football ground it has been to that has a Starbucks in it.
Despite that nod to early-noughties consumerism, all the Frappuccinos in Seattle cannot disguise the unpleasantness of the location - an industrial estate sandwiched between a railway line and a water treatment facility on the outskirts of town.
Incidentally, Atletico Madrid's Vicente Calderon stadium encompasses a car showroom - possibly to help the club drive their manager to the dole office every three months.
Either that or it was a dodgy sideline set up by the late, lamented Jesus Gil to flog the sports cars of his unwitting players during games.
Anyway, Early Doors doesn't mind Derby - it just can't help but be massively cynical about the Nigel Clough hype.
Clough Jr cannot possibly be a success, simply because of the weight of family history weighing on him.
Anything short of promotion within 18 months, European qualification within 5 years and global domination inside a decade will be deemed a failure.
Ask Jordi Cruyff how easy it is to follow in the footsteps of a famous father. Mind you, Jordi Cruyff was rubbish.
Later this month Clough takes on Forest in the FA Cup - the team that named a stand after his dad.
The Cloughs are in the unlikely position of being revered by fans of both Derby and Nottingham Forest, despite the surprisingly hostile rivalry between the two clubs.
Brian Clough is loved by Forest fans for leading the team to a league title and two European Cups; Nigel Clough is loved because he scored a few goals, but mainly because his dad led the team to a league title and two European Cups.
And that is his problem. He will be forever in his father's shadow, and has no hope of emulating him, even if he puts on a green jumper, starts drinking too much and calls everybody 'young man'.
- - -
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It was Chelsea's fault. Real Madrid
did not want me to go there, but Chelsea
did not help themselves. Everything would have gone ahead but they put that
picture of me on the website and Madrid were
very upset," Robinho confirms what everybody knows - it's Peter Kenyon's
fault he didn't sign for Chelsea.
FOREIGN VIEW: Gazzetta dello Sport must have been watching Ronaldo at Pride Park last night. They ask who is the player of the decade - Kaka or Lionel Messi?
morning all!! first ??
probably not
From andyc147 on Thu Jan 08 09:02AMhated watching derby last season. but you have to admit, they do have the most loyal of fans. SHOCKED is an understatement that they managed to beat man ure. morning all
From moody_tariq on Thu Jan 08 09:02AMFIRST
From nyachdutoit on Thu Jan 08 09:04AMOPEN LETTER TO ED (08 JANUARY 2009)
Dear ED, it has come to my attention that over the last few months, you no longer mention any comment contributions posted by visitors/contributors to your blog. Is this some way of reducing your work load (your lazy sods) or is there some other pertinent reason for this (Yeah. Make one up why don't you).
A previously regular contributor,
Aquapond1
From aquapond1 on Thu Jan 08 09:07AMyou snooze you lose nyachdutoit!!!
From andyc147 on Thu Jan 08 09:08AMi'm with you on that aquapond1 , the comments were the best bit of the ED!!! bring it back you layabouts !!
From andyc147 on Thu Jan 08 09:15AMJulian is becoming totally predictable - something sucks and Roxy rocks!
Man Utd have a major problem: they cannot score goals!
Welbeck & Teves are both ineffectual; Rooney & Ronaldo have forgotten how to score goals and the defenders and midfielders need to be reminded where the goal is as opposed to Row X!!
From jonathangrosskopf on Thu Jan 08 09:19AMPlayer of the decade?!?!? isnt messi about 15 years old?!
From jediknight20001 on Thu Jan 08 09:23AMNice one andyc147.
To use formal speak, I PROPOSE THAT ALL IN FAVOUR OF ED RESUMING "HONORABLE MENTIONS" MAKE THEIR FEELINGS KNOWN ON THIS BLOG. AS CONTRIBUTORS TO ED, I BELIEVE WE DESERVE TO HAVE OUR GRIEVANCES HEARD BY ED.
ALEX CHICK E.T.C TAKE NOTE.From aquapond1 on Thu Jan 08 09:25AMKaka is the player of the decade... he won a worldcup, champions league, the league, the world club championship, world player of the year, european footballer of the year and son on...
Man-U were totally rubbish yesterdya. Derby squandered chances they really should have put to bed... bad bad United
Robinho's talking again... crying over why 'he should have rightly just joined Chelsea'.... punk head
From omobobo on Thu Jan 08 09:37AMUnlucky ManPoo, What a goal from Commons tho. I dont think Derby will do anything at Old Twatford but they might aswell enjoy a win over the Champions of England.
From jay8my on Thu Jan 08 09:39AMquote of the day for me... kudos to ED...
''Brian Clough is loved by Forest fans for leading the team to a league title and two European Cups; Nigel Clough is loved because he scored a few goals, but mainly because his dad led the team to a league title and two European Cups.''
From omobobo on Thu Jan 08 09:39AMJulian,
You're becoming paranoid!
I cannot possibly "stalk" anyone on this blog page, certainly not you!
You are getting up everyone else's nose by your continued "open" relationship with Roxanne.
In fact she e mailed me today informing me that she wanted an apology from people who have used her as a tool to "get at you".
I think that you are your worst enemy for contining your relationship so openly - jealeousness or annoyance at your attitude seems to be at the heart of this stupidity.
I do as i choose - but i still amazed by your, me versus the rest of the world, attitude!
In the words of Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind : "I just don't care a damn anymore!"From jonathangrosskopf on Thu Jan 08 09:42AMJason,
A single echo or a double echo today?From jonathangrosskopf on Thu Jan 08 09:46AMMorning all! What a night ... last night! It was really fun seeing the mighty United fall! I am especially loving how Ferguson is crying! I can't wait to hear what w w w .t h e u n i t e d g u n n e r s . b l o g s p o t .c o m will say
From iudoka2000 on Thu Jan 08 09:48AMMan Utd should involve the fringe players more to get the best out of the established players, that is the way to rekindle competition. it is not good for rooney and ronaldo to be guaranteed a first team jersey simply bcos they are fit. we could have been down 3-0 by the end of the 1st half and the substitutions were ineffective, i don't expect much in the 2nd leg either, i remember we have struggled against the lowly teams this season
From aopeepeepee on Thu Jan 08 09:49AM19 - ill go with zidane....ronaldo (ugly brazilian one) was pretty awsome too for 6-7 years....and just to be biased....God Robbie Fowler ;)
From jediknight20001 on Thu Jan 08 09:50AMif ED has any ball(s) at all (s)he'd acknowledge aquapond1's post, and mine, by featuring him in tomorrows entry.
From moody_tariq on Thu Jan 08 09:52AMAnnie,
Don't let your anti - Man u bias cloud your judgement!
If SAF gets rid of the ineffectual Nani and Teves and gets say Roque Santa Cruz or another proven goals scorer; you will find that United will start to score 4 or 5 goals a game for fun!
Beware!!! SAF's been there and done it all before!
Just you concentrate on getting your beloved Stoke out of the bottom 3 - the big drop!!From jonathangrosskopf on Thu Jan 08 09:53AMi think rainbow head would criticise his own mirror image its jst the way he is made, he is "canterkerous" impersonated, he will attack anything in sight including his own shadow.
From aopeepeepee on Thu Jan 08 09:53AMEnjoy the Beatles ... 'Oh Darling!'
From omobobo on Thu Jan 08 09:54AMThis just proves their is a huge gap between premiership football and championship football!!!! anyone agree
From ggazcon on Thu Jan 08 09:57AMMorning all. Is it safe to come into the water today? Or are there still too many turds about? Glad to see MannPoo proving they are one last night. And gotta agree with FBF on Zidane. Does that bring me upto date?
From danny_saks on Thu Jan 08 10:01AMI think that Paul Scholes has come to the end of his useful life if last night's performance is anything to go by. United's midfield and forwards were totally hopeless.
Even SAF said that United was rubbish last night. Too many kids who think that all they need to do is to turn up for the opposition to fold need the kick up the proverbials or "the Hairdryer at full blast" for them to start to play for the United shirt!!From jonathangrosskopf on Thu Jan 08 10:03AMEarly days you have no chance in 2nd leg i liked clough snr he was the daddy but little clough no
From mal_godfrey on Thu Jan 08 10:08AMComment 30 Julian,
What you do in private is your own business, but such an immature attitude that the best you can say is to "call me names" is something akin to a child throwing a strop!!
There's none so blind as those who don't want to see.
Stop your childish name calling; stop rising to bob's silly bait and have a private tryst with rox and noone will bother with you.
I am past even bothering with you whilst you hide behind your silly clown avatar.
If you were really an adult you'd accept yourself as you are and show yourself as you are to the whole world!!
That's if you were a self confident adult???
Your problem Julian; sort it out yourself!!!From jonathangrosskopf on Thu Jan 08 10:09AMderby,remember its only half time.remember we have 32,000watching the grass grow,come on you reds--big al
From ahamnett343 on Thu Jan 08 10:10AMderby,remember its only half time.remember we have 32,000watching the grass grow,come on you reds--big al
From ahamnett343 on Thu Jan 08 10:10AMderby,remember its only half time.remember we have 32,000watching the grass grow,come on you reds--big al
From ahamnett343 on Thu Jan 08 10:10AMspam is for losers
From kajiraasha on Thu Jan 08 10:18AM
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