fair play Steve McClaren

[Sussex Nomad]

And to think 10 games ago some thought Derby were our biggest threat because they'd won five games on the spin. How quickly things change

Yep, I was certainly guilty of believing that.

 

[Sheebo]

I'm a little concerned that he thinks we're sure to go up. Not sure he's a great judge, although his analysis tonight was spot on.

I am pretty sure it was Schteve's way of mind games to say that before our game. Almost certain in fact. We will never know for sure.

 

[Honky Tonx]

I doubt that he will last the season. Vast amounts of money spent, decent players who are not performing and no chance of reaching the play offs. Time to bring in a new manager who would then have a chance to access his playing staff and plan for next season

 

[chaileyjem]

I am pretty sure it was Schteve's way of mind games to say that before our game. Almost certain in fact. We will never know for sure.

To be fair he also said it after the match in various interviews including this Sky one.

"“That was the benchmark of the league, the championship. Brighton were fantastic, physical. [They had] 11 men out there. They can play too. They play direct, they’re full of running, and that’s the benchmark. Since coming back , there is not many teams that have done that to us. We were 2nd best. We didn’t deserve to win. They’ll go up, they’ve strength , organisation, physicality all around. I’m very impressed with them."
http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/10797567/brighton-display-impresses-mcclaren

 

[Sheebo]

To be fair he also said it after the match in various interviews including this Sky one.

"“That was the benchmark of the league, the championship. Brighton were fantastic, physical. [They had] 11 men out there. They can play too. They play direct, they’re full of running, and that’s the benchmark. Since coming back , there is not many teams that have done that to us. We were 2nd best. We didn’t deserve to win. They’ll go up, they’ve strength , organisation, physicality all around. I’m very impressed with them."
http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/10797567/brighton-display-impresses-mcclaren

Of course he did as it plays into his pre match comments - win win for him. We'll never know but Schteve is the sort of fella that thinks he's being clever in his pre match comments... And you believe everything a man on the TV tells you

 

[chaileyjem]

Of course he did as it plays into his pre match comments - win win for him.

"Win Win" - blimey. He's not far off getting the sack.

 

[Sheebo]

"Win Win" - blimey. He's not far off getting the sack.

That has nothing to do with his comments on the match... Before and after.

 

[chaileyjem]

That has nothing to do with his comments on the match... Before and after.

Not sure how being disingenuous about the albions promotion chances helps him in any scenario but you obviously believe he is so fair enough

 

[Driver8]

Here's McClaren's interview from Radio Derby, although he said much the same to Sky after the game too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04wh6cg

“It was only a couple of years ago we were coming here and winning handsomely. “

I must have missed that game.

 

[Perkino]

They have an outrageous number of expensive strikers on their books but I wouldn't swap any for murray or baldock.

I'd have Hughes for us tho

Derby have a squad of quality players, many who would improve our squad but for some reason they aren't gelling together currently

 

[Motogull]

I don't care about them or him.

I'd be pretty hacked off if I was a fan though. They have all the pieces required to put together a promotion winning team, and have probably had that for a few seasons, yet whoever is trying to fit them together is a bit impaired. Long may that continue.

 

[Arthritic Toe]

I just think they were tactically inept, which has to be McClaren's fault. They had no plan B - like us under Poyet. Sometimes you just have to go more direct and throw a few longer balls into the box. They won 3 or 4 free kicks in our half which should have given them the opportunity to fire something in for Bent and Vydra to scrap over. They took every one of these quickly and short gaining no advantage from them whatsoever. With the players they have at their disposal they should be challenging at the top end of the table.

 

[Albion in the north]

Derby have a squad of quality players, many who would improve our squad but for some reason they aren't gelling together currently

Hmmm... Dont wish to argue, but cant think of any of their players that would walk into our first team.
Hughes for who? Kayal or Stephens?
Ince for Knockeart?
Nugent or Bent for Murray or Baldock?
Their centre backs were atrocious.
Christie maybe as a long term replacement for Bruno (Perish the thought)
Olsson at left back? Better than Poc or Bong? Rosenior?
Carson??
That thug Bryson who came on for them in the second half?

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Did he offer to repay their fans travel and match tickets after stopping 25 seconds of his players weekly paypacket

The chairman already paid the first bit before they set off.

 

[Motogull]

Their centre backs were atrocious.

It looked like they weren't playing with centre backs to me.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Hmmm... Dont wish to argue, but cant think of any of their players that would walk into our first team.
Hughes for who? Kayal or Stephens?
Ince for Knockeart?
Nugent or Bent for Murray or Baldock?
Their centre backs were atrocious.
Christie maybe as a long term replacement for Bruno (Perish the thought)
Olsson at left back? Better than Poc or Bong? Rosenior?
Carson??
That thug Bryson who came on for them in the second half?

The one player who I think may improve our team is Johnny Russell, and he couldn't even make their starting eleven.

 

[Tarpon]

I don't rate him as a judge because of the following:

1. He is Dutch
2. He cost England a place in the Euros
3. He described a fantastic O'Grady assisted Lua Lua goal as lacking quality.(When it was ****ing Brilliant)
4. He is Manure bred.
5. He is perfectly prepared to 'Poyet' Derby as soon as bigger clubs start sniffing about.
6. He has a Dutch accent.
7. He cracks like humpty ****ing dumpty when any pressure is applied.
8. He might be a good coach and a brilliant number '2' but he'll never be a good number '1' or leader of men (see point 7).
9. The hair island thing and brolly shit
10. He is actually Dutch and I have proof.

Agreed. Especially points 1, 6 & 10.

 

[Tarpon]

I'm a little concerned that he thinks we're sure to go up. Not sure he's a great judge, although his analysis tonight was spot on.

Nah. He can't lose making that comment. If they had not lost it makes their result look better and he'd privately claim his comments increased pressure on us. Since we won he looks like he called it right. The bloke is an absolute grade A weapon who shops at Aldi for mind games (nothing wrong with Aldi mind you but mind games are not their forte).

Also, haaaaaaaaaaaaaaair islaaaaaaaaaaaaaand.

 

[crasher]

He definitely went for a turd during the first half. It doesn't take 10 mins to walk from the seats he was in originally to the dugout.

Or ringing up to enquire about the Norwich job perhaps?

 

[crasher]

Hmmm... Dont wish to argue, but cant think of any of their players that would walk into our first team.
Hughes for who? Kayal or Stephens?
Ince for Knockeart?
Nugent or Bent for Murray or Baldock?
Their centre backs were atrocious.
Christie maybe as a long term replacement for Bruno (Perish the thought)
Olsson at left back? Better than Poc or Bong? Rosenior?
Carson??
That thug Bryson who came on for them in the second half?

I think Hughes is a tremendous talent whose career has stalled at Derby now. I don't know why he signed a new contract with them (apart from the £££ obviously) when he needs to move on and stretch himself in the Premier league.

Any clubs going up this season could do worse than consider a bid for him.