I wouldn't even think of comparing MON to the great Brian Clough, but for those not old enough to remember, Old Big 'Ead built a team around a bunch of cast offs/has beens and journeymen who went on to dominate English football and Europe. When he signed for Forest, Frank Clark was condidered finished - having won the old Fairs Cup with Newcastle 6 years earlier and Larry Lloyd was way past his best. John O'Hare had spent a virtual lifetime at Sunderland before joining Cloughie and his perennial follower John McGovern was always his linchpin without ever making waves outside his club. I can't believe that MON didn't pick up some tips from his then boss and perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt in his player choice. I'm sure he will disappoint some fans with his supposedly low key signings, but I get the feeling that he is perhaps the shrewdest manager we have had for many years and he will surprise many with his ability to achieve without constantly spending big bucks.
Wasn't expecting big signings this window Argus. I have been surprised at some of the comments about his style of play. As if he only has one way to play, that he only likes to play the long ball? Clearly has never been the case. Does he like a big old fashioned striker? Yes because at times that can be a great out ball. Does he like wingers like Cloughie did? Most definitely, as evidenced by the likes of Young and Milner at Villa. Didn't Cloughie say if we were meant to play footy in the sky thats where the grass would be. One of the thick skunks actually claimed MON plays the long ball game like Cloughie did????? He is working with a group of players he didn't assemble and getting the best from them, the best way he can, at the moment. I think it will be a few years before we see MON's team. Lets not forget Cloughie broke the bank at times to get a player he knew he needed. The silverware he won proved him right!
I firmly believe that MON's style of management has been heavily influenced by the time he spent playing for Clough...
Agree with you 100% there MR. Don't know what people were expecting this window, at no time has MON even hinted he was going to be making some big signings. Some seem to think if your not hoying 20 million around it's a waste of time...........look at Chelski last year, £75 million on two players who have done exactly jack ****.
For the sake of argument I will explain my theories concerning this matter. MON spent the most successful playing days of his football career under the management of Brian Clough. In my opinion Clough never seemed to be one for trying to assemble a star studded team, and went for players who would fit in with the style of play that he wanted. Sometimes this did involve expensive stars, but more often than not it was players who were either not household names or had not been particularly successful at their previous clubs..I believe that MON has inherited/adopted some of these traits, and looks at the team as more of a jig-saw puzzle that needs to be assembled correctly rather that a team of individually gifted players. I hope this helps..
