3 month loan to barrow. Not happy, if he's fit enough to play there, he should he in our squad 100%

https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2017/september/breaking--clements-makes-barrow-switch/

Joins Micky Moore on a 3 month loan.

Seems likely they'll make it permanent in Jan to me

But hes a central midfielder with technical ability why would Slade want to keep him.

Not happy about that.  

If he's fit to go there he is certainly fit enough to play for GTFC and he is one our more gifted players.

Something obviously has gone on in house....?

What a urine take.

Rather have Clements any day of the week than summerfield or Berrett,

Great signing for them will score a few in that league as well.

Shocking decision just like Pearson one over what we have signed

Slade out.

People still going with the horse excrement that he's not out of favour just not fit?

Fans treated like idiots again.

This stuff happens all the time. Probably dared to question things and be unhappy and now he'll be gone. State of this club and the backroom politics.

Fans won't always be told every single thing that goes on at a football club behind closed doors. Never have, never will.

We will probably never know the truth....thats football....on the plus side does that mean Clifton moves up the pecking order ?

To be honest whenever RS was asked about him I always got the feeling that RS was never that bothered he wasn't fit or playing him.

Oh dear. I think Mr Slade has inadvertently put even more pressure on Messrs Summerfield and Berrret.

Poor decision for me, it's not like we're well endowed with goal scoring midfielder's. Been obvious he's been frozen out for a while now.

Stupid decision

I don't know why anyone's surprised. He's a midfielder who can play football and Slade doesn't like those.

Why do we attach a conspiracy theory to everything? This might be the players choice after what on the outside appears to have been a tough few months from him. When he goes there you would think he'd be guaranteed a good run in the side from the off, much rather have him at GTFC though.

Didn't someone post on here a while back that Slade was unhappy that Clements and Osborne were on huge contracts with stipulations they didn't have to relocate from The Midlands?

Regardless of what's gone on, Clements is head and shoulders above everyone who's had a go in midfield this season. Crying out for him all season and unless Slade is going to pull a rabbit out his cap with a free agent, we won't be strengthened until January at the earliest.

I don't know what all the fuss is with Clements . He's been a player on the down turn for a few years now after leaving derby . Just the sort of player everyone's been harping on about us not wanting. Never looked like stamping his mark here and that makes you wonder about his commitment. I'd rather have a berrett or summerfield who gives 100% on the pitch or in training

I think I saw a post on here a while ago that Clements and Osbourne weren't Slades type of player.
God help us

Quoted from louth_in_the_south

I'd rather have a berrett or summerfield who gives 100% on the pitch or in training

even if their 100% amounts to 50% of what someone else can offer ?

Clements isnt Messi, Kante, Pogba but he was capable of scoring, demanded the ball off the back four, could shake off an opponent and beat an opponent and pick a pass.............work rate for me was questionable but i think there was room for his attributes in the squad.

Probably see McAllister going the same way before January or just being paid up and released allowing Slade some room for a midfield dynamo loanee come January.

Clements while not himself the best midfielder in league 2 by a long shot he is better than Summerfield and Berrett..

It's times like this when i think why just why.

I thought that Clements had the potential to really kick on this season. What a shame he didn't have the support of our coaching staff.

We'll keep plodding along with Summerfield and Berrett then, eh?  :-/

Quoted from The Waif

I thought that Clements had the potential to really kick on this season. What a shame he didn't have the support of our coaching staff.

We'll keep plodding along with Summerfield and Berrett then, eh?  :-/

How do you know he "didn't have the support of the coaching staff"?

Just thinking back, Clements came to us to take over from Summerfield when he was forced out on loan last season and now he's having to go out on loan himself because he can't dislodge the current incumbent

Funny old game isn't it? :-/

I watched Clements last season and simply don't get the love in. He was ok for league two, nothing more, nothing less. Not particularly rated in a struggling Mansfield side. Seems Mickey Moore is a huge fan as he has followed him around but nobody else seems bothered about him,

Also told he is on a huge wage ( compared with he vast majority of our players) so with tumbling gates that may have played a part?

Where's FFS when you need him ?

It should be Slade going to Barrow, not Clements ! (wallbash)

Tumbling gates follow Slade around like a bad smell.

After reading all the comments about Clements on here since he arrived last season,

I have come to the belief  that he is a lot better player this season than he was last,

Even though he has not played a game . ;)

Clements played well last season and I was impressed with his application - worked hard and really got stuck in which wasn't necessarily what I was expecting with what fans of his former teams said. He'd undoubtedly have improved our midfield this season if he was fit and playing - 4 well-deserved goals from 16 games last season, let's not forget - our central midfielders have 2 goals between them in 10 matches so far this season (both scored by Rose, one a penalty).

If he's been on compassionate leave this season, you'd imagine something has gone on with his family. He started his career at Crewe and played for Hednesford for a couple of years so perhaps they are all based on that side of the country and he wants to move across there? Admittedly, Barrow is still a heck of a long way from Cheshire or Staffordshire!

Very disappointed to see him leave and it would be interesting to know why this has actually happened. If he's moved across there for personal reasons then fair enough, I suppose.

Mickey Moore likes him, Russell Slade doesn't. Simple as that. Some of us prefer Clements to Summerfield, some of us prefer Berrett to either - we aren't GTFC manager and we won't lose our job if we're wrong.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Didn't someone post on here a while back that Slade was unhappy that Clements and Osborne were on huge contracts with stipulations they didn't have to relocate from The Midlands?

Regardless of what's gone on, Clements is head and shoulders above everyone who's had a go in midfield this season. Crying out for him all season and unless Slade is going to pull a rabbit out his cap with a free agent, we won't be strengthened until January at the earliest.

Even then, he'll probably sign a forward or a wide player as a replacement..

We are one injury or suspension away from having no choice at either centre half or centre midfield irrespective of form or confidence and no left- footed replacement at left back (and please no one dare say Kelly)

Top squad building RS

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Why do we attach a conspiracy theory to everything? This might be the players choice after what on the outside appears to have been a tough few months from him. When he goes there you would think he'd be guaranteed a good run in the side from the off, much rather have him at GTFC though.

Stop being sensible!

I know someone who lives door next door to someone who saw on line that Slade is actually an alien hybrid (apparently he's a bit like one of those alien greys with the bald head ...PROOF!) Well allegedly Clements saw him eating a child in a baguette so that's why Slade wants rid ....FACT!!  

As stated before, I did like him but think there's a bit of an over reaction here. Plenty were on his back straight away last season. He can certainly pick out a pass and is confident on the ball, but obviously Slade doesn't fancy him.

At the end of the day he's gone to a conference team...

Too many wide players, too many strikers and not enough defenders and midfielders. With the formation we're playing we've got 9 players covering six places in the 11, and we have Mills injured. I don't count McAllister as he's never fit and Osborne is also probably too good a footballer for Slade. But then we have 10 players covering 4 places in a more advanced areas of the pitch. It's unbalanced thanks now primarily to Slade as he's shipped out most of Bignot's players already.

Quoted from grimsby pete

After reading all the comments about Clements on here since he arrived last season,

I have come to the belief  that he is a lot better player this season than he was last,

Even though he has not played a game . ;)

Last time I saw him play was in the reserves, and he ambled about looking overweight and disinterested no big loss IMO, who needs a midfield anyway when we are hoofing away all through the match ;)

I'd hope that we might see Clifton break into the squad which might be a positive from this. Berrett, Rose and Summerfield are obviously going to be the main three but an injury or suspension would leave a gap to be filled on the bench at the very least. This assumes we won't see anything of McAllister and nothing of Osbourne until around Christmas.

Quoted from Garth

Last time I saw him play was in the reserves, and he ambled about looking overweight and disinterested no big loss IMO, who needs a midfield anyway when we are hoofing away all through the match ;)

I haven't seen him in the reserves but told by others that he has a significant weight issue and doesn't seem keen on doing much about it. Still, if Slades a twit for not playing him so be it ;)

Is that real, I mean does that person genuinely know Clements?

That's pretty cowardly stuff right there, should be ashamed.

Could it be anything to do with  Pinuc   Pinnioo  Pinnocc---why has everybody got big noses at B.P. this year ? and last year

Quoted from Nelly GTFC

Slades a flipping tosser.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/sN4aNFz.png[/img]

Very very poor if this is what it’s all about. Slade had better sort this excrement out  very soon.

Dear dear me :(

UNBELIEVABLE!

Time for pearls of wisdom from J.F.

Come on J.F. get this sorted-somebody is lying AGAIN. We are being treated like idiots-time to look after the customers if you don't there will be empty stands before long. A lot of your season ticket holders are beginning to wish they weren't and ticket buyers are diminishing-doesn't look too good does it. Where has the usual excitement gone for tomorrows derby ?. The balls in your court.

Quoted from friskneymariner

Time for pearls of wisdom from J.F.

Oh that should be fun. Next thing you know fans are being dragged in for a "talk" and suddenly more players mysteriously get sent out on loan and then released in the summer. This club feels like it's being run by a mafia family sometimes.

Far from great from the clubs point of view OR the player if his partner is prone to discussing matters in public.

We are of course only getting one side of the story but it doesn't reflect well on GTFC

An absolute Joke!! Those pair are destroying the Foundations that have been built through the turbulent times in non-league!!

When will they both just leave? Who goes first I don't mind, Slade or Fenty!!

To be fair she's just defending him, which most of us would do for our partners if someone was consistently saying things about them that weren't true.

I don't think Clements is Paul Groves but he's decent and as pointed out, has a knack of getting the odd goal. It's all very well saying "it's a conference team", but it's September, he couldn't go anywhere else! I think this is a poor decision. That said, with JF in charge, who's to say that a new gaffer won't be recalling Clements in 6 weeks time?!

Hey Sladeball.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/u7jwuMP.gif[/img]

I as a season ticket holder are certain questioning how long I will keep attending  with this clown in charge.
Not one for making meaningless gestures but as long as we attend we are colluding with the situation.I am on the point of not attending as long as Slade is in charge,sadly the only thing J.F appears to understand is falling gates.

Before everyone gets them into a frenzy of speculation, could I speculate that maybe Clements is not fit enough and needs game time.
We will probably find out in January but until then please give it a rest. :)

Quoted from IlkleyMariner

Before everyone gets them into a frenzy of speculation, could I speculate that maybe Clements is not fit enough and needs game time.
We will probably find out in January but until then please give it a rest. :)

It'd be a month's loan though, surely, if that was the case?

It's beginning to look like a purge of everything Bignot did. I'm sure many of us know what it's like when you lose a parent and, for that reason alone, the club should be looking after him rather than looking to get rid. I don't normally condone what Clem's partner has done (use social media) but in this case, good for her.

In regard to the club, this is all beginning to look a bit shabby but then that's nothing new is it?

We have look shabby since the Coyne and Jeavons episodes.

Come on, this type of thing goes on in football, and many other industry's all the time.

The manager doesn't fancy him as a player and has told him that! Straight honest management.

Then says something different to the media. Like I said happens all the time at virtually every club. Makes life easier for all

I'm no Slade or Fenty apologist as regular readers will know, but some are getting their knickers in the twist about not a lot

Lot of people jumping to conclusions after reading what is obviously going to be a biased view from Clements' partner.

8 goals in 42 games for us last season, and not a single appearance this one. It wouldn't be so bad if we'd actually been any good for most of the season! Inexcusable not to get the most out of your best players.

So what if Slade has told Clements he is not in his plans. Some on here might say he should be but no lies have been told. Might be an unpopular decision but it's all about opinions.

Quoted from oldun

So what if Slade has told Clements he is not in his plans. Some on here might say he should be but no lies have been told. Might be an unpopular decision but it's all about opinions.

I thought Slade had told the press he wasn't fit?

Quoted from GrimRob

8 goals in 42 games for us last season, and not a single appearance this one. It wouldn't be so bad if we'd actually been any good for most of the season! Inexcusable not to get the most out of your best players.

We have only played 9 league games Rob,

He missed most of pre season and is or was overweight,

So not surprised he has not had a game yet,

Quoted from grimsby pete

We have only played 9 league games Rob,

He missed most of pre season and is or was overweight,

So not surprised he has not had a game yet,

According to those Facebook posts he only missed two weeks. How much pre-season did Woodford, Hooper etc. miss and they slotted straight in?

The most important thing about Clements was he chipped in with some valuable goals  thus far our midfield as failed to do this.

I can't be bothered to personally but if you looked back through some "just back" threads from last season I don't think you'd find that many complimentary posts about Clements. Not that he was slated on here but many weren't convinced.

I thought he did ok and improved us but I seem to remember most saying he didn't really do a lot and wasn't better than what we already had. Now he's not in the team and being let go you'd think he was the League Two Steven Gerrard judging by the reaction on here.

If he'd wanted to be here I would have had him in and around the team but we can still do better than him if we're wanting to build a promotion team.

I'm happy having players at the Club who want to play for GTFC.

Quoted from Tommy

I'm happy having players at the Club who want to play for GTFC.

The comments in the screenshot of a facebook discussion seem to indicate he did want to stay. A bit convoluted, but there you go.

There are always two sides to every story but it seems a bit daft to (allegedly) be telling fibs about a player's fitness if you just don't fancy him as a player.

Very bizarre situation.

More lies and deceit,nothing new there with slade and fenty

He may have decided to loan Clements out in a bid to get him fit and interested again.

With such a big squad as ours IS this sort of thing is likely to happen with others who may be second, third or even forth in the pecking order.

How Slade keeps all those players hungry is must be difficult.  Tombola has not done a lot wrong he must be a bit disappointed as well.

Quoted from Mrs Doyle

He may have decided to loan Clements out in a bid to get him fit and interested again.

With such a big squad as ours IS this sort of thing is likely to happen with others who may be second, third or even forth in the pecking order.

How Slade keeps all those players hungry is must be difficult.  Tombola has not done a lot wrong he must be a bit disappointed as well.

Or he may have been told to reduce the wage bill? But then why would you tell the player you don't fancy him and then tell the press (and hence the fans) that he isn't fit? The one thing that the club seems very good at is being economical with the truth.

Quoted from friskneymariner

I as a season ticket holder are certain questioning how long I will keep attending  with this clown in charge.
Not one for making meaningless gestures but as long as we attend we are colluding with the situation.I am on the point of not attending as long as Slade is in charge,sadly the only thing J.F appears to understand is falling gates.

I'm not so sure about that even. I know there's the bung from the League to compensate, but he hasn't taken any notice of the Trophy boycott.

Are Barrow spending a good bit of money? If they were willing to take his reportedly high wages on, it might explain one or two things.

It might be that Slade thinks he's not worth what he's earning and is therefore trying to get him off the books.

Quoted from totalidiot

More lies and deceit,nothing new there with slade and fenty

I'd watch what I said if I were you--you might get sent on  loan to Hartlepools with a clause that you never came back

Seems like only a few weeks ago the club was getting criticised for having too many CMs, now it's getting critiscised for getting rid of one.

Everyone is wanting to see Clifton get a chance....well that's one more player out of his way.

At the end of the day the manager doesn't fancy him and he'll live and die by his decisions. This happens all the time in football. I thought he was a good player in many aspects, but lacking in others. Would've liked him in the squad but it's not the end of the world and to be fair, was probably always on the cards this season. We move on.

As many pointed out when he signed, he wasn't fancied anymore at a Mansfield team with dreams of promotion, so why is he all of a sudden our star player?

Quoted from Tommy

I can't be bothered to personally but if you looked back through some "just back" threads from last season I don't think you'd find that many complimentary posts about Clements. Not that he was slated on here but many weren't convinced.

I thought he did ok and improved us but I seem to remember most saying he didn't really do a lot and wasn't better than what we already had. Now he's not in the team and being let go you'd think he was the League Two Steven Gerrard judging by the reaction on here.

If he'd wanted to be here I would have had him in and around the team but we can still do better than him if we're wanting to build a promotion team.

I'm happy having players at the Club who want to play for GTFC.

I always thought he had the ability but not the heart. He was a 1 good performance in 5 sort of player. He particularly struggled in a central 2. I actually think Berrett is a better player and this season has been really consistent. I imagine he's on a fair whack and lives a distance away.

Quoted from sam gy

Seems like only a few weeks ago the club was getting criticised for having too many CMs, now it's getting critiscised for getting rid of one.

Everyone is wanting to see Clifton get a chance....well that's one more player out of his way.

At the end of the day the manager doesn't fancy him and he'll live and die by his decisions. This happens all the time in football. I thought he was a good player in many aspects, but lacking in others. Would've liked him in the squad but it's not the end of the world and to be fair, was probably always on the cards this season. We move on.

As many pointed out when he signed, he wasn't fancied anymore at a Mansfield team with dreams of promotion, so why is he all of a sudden our star player?

A very fair assessment.

Quoted from Ahh Sole

I thought Slade had told the press he wasn't fit?

He`s not -----for league two anyway probably be back after some match time at Barrow, relax!

My view is that Clements was our best central midfielder last season, though that's not perhaps saying a huge amount. He'd have been first name on the sheet for me this year. Obviously, Slade differs.

I’d like to have seen Clements play alongside Rose in midfield. The pairing sounds like a good combination of attack and defence for the engine.

Never mind eh...we’ll never know.

Don't know if i'm bothered or not to be honest. He is decent but no world beater, and Slade, like all managers, rise or fall on their decisions. If we start to win games more regularly, he will soon be forgotten. If not, then the decision will carry on being used as a stick to beat the manager with. I think Rose has shown the potential to be at least as good, if not better than Clements and Berrett is looking like a mainstay with Summerfield waiting in the wings. Time will tell if it's the right move for both parties.

Bit of a shrug from me. He's average, or limited if you prefer, a bit like every other central midfielder we've got. Fans don't see players in training or know personal situations so they'll have to trust the manager. I guess, if you like Clements and don't like Slade you're going to be cheesed off, but can't say I think we've lost an asset.

I could understand a month on loan but three is a long stint! That's straight into the transfer window and an escape route for him. The conveyor belt of players at this club is relentless. I kind of feel that we'll never have a decent spell until we get a settled squad again, with a nucleus of settled players. Looking at Lincoln's line-up that's what they seem to have.

Quoted from chaos33

Bit of a shrug from me. He's average, or limited if you prefer, a bit like every other central midfielder we've got. Fans don't see players in training or know personal situations so they'll have to trust the manager. I guess, if you like Clements and don't like Slade you're going to be cheesed off, but can't say I think we've lost an asset.

I don't particularly like Clements and I don't particularly dislike Slade but I particularly dislike someone being hung out to dry so soon after losing his Mum.

Quoted from Ahh Sole

I don't particularly like Clements and I don't particularly dislike Slade but I particularly dislike someone being hung out to dry so soon after losing his Mum.

i would say he hasnt been hung out to dry .....whether you believe Slades official fitness line or random female who says she lives with Clements line.......he clearly isnt geting a game here so he has been handed an opportunity to go now and prove his worth ahead of transfer window.
If he had been hung out to dry then Slade could have just kept him in the reserves.

There are so many experts on here,

I wonder why they are not managers of a football league club.

Quoted from grimsby pete

There are so many experts on here,

I wonder why they are not managers of a football league club.

Might be worth a phone call Pete  8)

Quoted from ginnywings

Don't know if i'm bothered or not to be honest. He is decent but no world beater, and Slade, like all managers, rise or fall on their decisions. If we start to win games more regularly, he will soon be forgotten. If not, then the decision will carry on being used as a stick to beat the manager with. I think Rose has shown the potential to be at least as good, if not better than Clements and Berrett is looking like a mainstay with Summerfield waiting in the wings. Time will tell if it's the right move for both parties.

Probably agree with your assessment of Clements, however with regard to Rose I haven't seen anything to suggest he is any better.

Quoted from arryarryarry

Probably agree with your assessment of Clements, however with regard to Rose I haven't seen anything to suggest he is any better.

I thought he had a very good game against Crewe and was my MOM. Think there is some potential there.

Quoted from Cloudy

I watched Clements last season and simply don't get the love in. He was ok for league two, nothing more, nothing less. Not particularly rated in a struggling Mansfield side. Seems Mickey Moore is a huge fan as he has followed him around but nobody else seems bothered about him,

Also told he is on a huge wage ( compared with he vast majority of our players) so with tumbling gates that may have played a part?

Spot on cloudy.seemed to me to be a one trick pony. Never understood why people rated him. The fact that fat Kent evans n slade (1000-2000 league games managed between them) have both got rid of him probably tells us all we need to know. Seems to me that slade has been straight with him and has agreed to a sugared pill to feed to the media n fans.happens all the time, so just being used by the anti slade ists as another stick to beat him with

Quoted from GrimRob

I could understand a month on loan but three is a long stint! That's straight into the transfer window and an escape route for him. The conveyor belt of players at this club is relentless. I kind of feel that we'll never have a decent spell until we get a settled squad again, with a nucleus of settled players. Looking at Lincoln's line-up that's what they seem to have.

I've lost interest, I think the turnover of players is a big part that. I have no affinity with these lads, barely recognise them before they've gone and someone else is in the team. I do think we are a poor side, a worryingly poor side who could well go close to the bottom two. Strange decisions, awful tactics. ugly football adds up to a very unenjoyable matchday experience.

Are we a better side than the team that only finished fourth in the National League? I don't think so and that concerns me.

Quoted from 75

I've lost interest, I think the turnover of players is a big part that. I have no affinity with these lads, barely recognise them before they've gone and someone else is in the team. I do think we are a poor side, a worryingly poor side who could well go close to the bottom two. Strange decisions, awful tactics. ugly football adds up to a very unenjoyable matchday experience.

Have to agree with you bp.havent been to a single game so far, and I usually do a dozen or so every season, despite living 200 miles away. Really don't think I can be arsedd with p.vale and I usually enjoy that trip. I know hurst didn't think the conference side was good enough but I honestly think I'd rather be watching Pearson, Disley, Arnold etc than this bunch who seem like a total bunch of anonymous journeymen

To be honest I am fed up of the turnover of players in the last 10+ years,

When we have had a decent squad 2 or 3 new players would be needed,

So the last  few seasons when 12 or 13 players coming in tells you something.

Agree about the turnover of players (& managers for that matter). I too feel very disconnected from the club.

Doesn't make it any better but it is virtually the same at every League 2 club. Perhaps it just goes with the territory?

Quoted from Cloudy

Agree about the turnover of players (& managers for that matter). I too feel very disconnected from the club.

Doesn't make it any better but it is virtually the same at every League 2 club. Perhaps it just goes with the territory?

Is it? I'm not sure other clubs have the same turnover as we do. We've started handing out two year deals now, unfortunately to poor quality footballers in my opinion, injury prone players and ageing journeyman. Mistakes we made in the past, mistakes we paid for so dearly. That said, a quick look at the table shows we are somehow much closer to the top seven than the bottom two. That amazes me as we are shite, I suppose aside from Tuesday, we've either won or lost so the points tally isn't as bad as it could be.

In think it's worth mentioning to those who are ludicrously claiming it's the worst ever and that they want Slade out, that there is a sense of perspective to be considered. A look at the league table after 10 games will see clubs of similar size or history making a worse job of it than we are. Clubs recently in league 1 even, whilst we wallowed in the conference - something a lot of folk on here seem to have forgotten in their declaration that the club is 'rotten to the core'. Go tell it to Chesterfield, or Port Vale fans, who enjoyed L1 football last year and are now on their a*se at the foot of the league table, and turning over loads of average players. Or Colchester perhaps, or Crewe - also in L1 a short time ago. Similar sized clubs all, and all below us. And Carlisle. Oh dear. And Yeovil. Not going great for them is it. I know it's a pretty shabby looking team and style of play at present, but Luton have only got 5 more points than us and they've been back in league 2 for 4 years, spent some wedge and get 8k crowds.

If he is fit and playing well he will be back in January

If he is playing OK, and Slade can sign better in Jan he will stay at Barrow.

If he is still not fit in Jan his contract will be terminated.

Could also depend if Osbourne is back in training.

If he goes we have got cover even if we do not sign anyone in Jan.

IF ONLY........

Quoted from chaos33

In think it's worth mentioning to those who are ludicrously claiming it's the worst ever and that they want Slade out, that there is a sense of perspective to be considered. A look at the league table after 10 games will see clubs of similar size or history making a worse job of it than we are. Clubs recently in league 1 even, whilst we wallowed in the conference - something a lot of folk on here seem to have forgotten in their declaration that the club is 'rotten to the core'. Go tell it to Chesterfield, or Port Vale fans, who enjoyed L1 football last year and are now on their bottom and turning over loads of average players. Or Colchester perhaps, or Crewe - also in L1 a short time ago. Similar sized clubs all. And Carlisle. Not going great is it. Luton have only got 5 more points than us and they've been back in league 2 for 4 years, spent some wedge and get 8k crowds.

My thoughts exactly well said.

Russell slade  the "mans" manager , if this is true you should be ashamed and embarrassed of yourself and further goes on to confirm to myself what I already knew and that's whoever thinks Chris Clements can't get in the team ahead of James Berrett or luke Summerfield then your football ship sailed about 5 years ago me old mucker.

God this fvcking club .

Safe to say we will in the market for a centre mid come January :-)

On a serious note I didn't think Clements was anything special. Certainly think Rose will end up being a big player for us when fully fit and firing and cant wait till Osbourne(J) back. I still think an all action, creative sort with goals in him is what we need although Clements had a knack of being in the right place doesn't fit that bill for me.

Quoted from Grantham_Mariner

If he is fit and playing well he will be back in January

If he is playing OK, and Slade can sign better in Jan he will stay at Barrow.

If he is still not fit in Jan his contract will be terminated.

Could also depend if Osbourne is back in training.

If he goes we have got cover even if we do not sign anyone in Jan.

You'll be a Mariner, my son

Quoted from jonnyboy82

Russell slade  the "mans" manager , if this is true you should be ashamed and embarrassed of yourself and further goes on to confirm to myself what I already knew and that's whoever thinks Chris Clements can't get in the team ahead of James Berrett or luke Summerfield then your football ship sailed about 5 years ago me old mucker.

God this fvcking club .

Well Jonny - ring John and make sure you've got your CV ready for when RS gets the sack because your knowledge of players and their abilities will undoubtedly get us winning the Champions League in 4/5 years max. Chris Clements was no better last season than James Berrett has been this season - we were inconsistent then, we are inconsistent now.

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

You'll be a Mariner, my son

Moans apart, I think we all qualify under the 'if you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same' rule.

We're still flipping here aren't we. It feels like the WWI soldiers song sometimes 'we're here because we're here because we're here....' ad infinitum.

Quoted from Ahh Sole

Well Jonny - ring John and make sure you've got your CV ready for when RS gets the sack because your knowledge of players and their abilities will undoubtedly get us winning the Champions League in 4/5 years max. Chris Clements was no better last season than James Berrett has been this season - we were inconsistent then, we are inconsistent now.

Chris Clements is a better player than James berrett.

And I don't want anything to do with Mr fenty ..many thanks anyway.

Quoted from Grantham_Mariner

If he is still not fit in Jan his contract will be terminated.

]

Paying off players with 18 months left on their contract would be going some, even by JF's standards

Quoted from chaos33

In think it's worth mentioning to those who are ludicrously claiming it's the worst ever and that they want Slade out, that there is a sense of perspective to be considered. A look at the league table after 10 games will see clubs of similar size or history making a worse job of it than we are. Clubs recently in league 1 even, whilst we wallowed in the conference - something a lot of folk on here seem to have forgotten in their declaration that the club is 'rotten to the core'. Go tell it to Chesterfield, or Port Vale fans, who enjoyed L1 football last year and are now on their a*se at the foot of the league table, and turning over loads of average players. Or Colchester perhaps, or Crewe - also in L1 a short time ago. Similar sized clubs all, and all below us. And Carlisle. Oh dear. And Yeovil. Not going great for them is it. I know it's a pretty shabby looking team and style of play at present, but Luton have only got 5 more points than us and they've been back in league 2 for 4 years, spent some wedge and get 8k crowds.

Totally agree.

I don't know what people were expecting when we got our league status back. Did people expect us to suddenly play like Barcelona? It wasn't so long ago that there were several posts along the lines of the top half of the Conference being capable of cutting it in League 2 but i think that has proved to be wrong myself as this division is a much better standard. The football isn't exactly scintillating but i've not seen much from the opposition yet either to suggest we are way behind the others and that we are sh1te and doomed for relegation. I'd have to see much more of this term out before i make that call.

Quoted from jonnyboy82

Chris Clements is a better player than James berrett.

And I don't want anything to do with Mr fenty ..many thanks anyway.

Even if he is (which is matter of opinion of course), they're both League Two footballers. Hardly world beaters. Hardly much difference between them as they both appear to be mid-table L2 players rather than either being top end quality. So the reaction on here is a bit OTT imo, especially when all the facts from both sides aren't necessarily known.

And just purely to play devils advocate to the Clements>Berrett view, one has played loads of games in League One and one is now playing in the conference.

He’s a decent player but hardly Waters, Cunnington, Groves or Dis. This time last year many Town fans had never heard of him so maybe this wave of anti Fenty & Slade emotion has led us to get a bit out of perspective, just saying!

I'm still surprised that Berrett has played so many games in the third tier. He's been a good deal better this season than last, but I struggle to see how he could have been particularly effective in the division above.

More pertinent for the Clements/Berrett comparison is that Clements has scored twice as many goals in around half as many appearances for us as Berrett. I suppose it's the same strike rate as Rose who is the only one of our central midfielders to score this season (albeit one was a penalty) but, of course, Summerfield has only got the one goal for us.

As Disley showed us, it's very useful if you have a central midfielder who can chip in with a useful number of goals. With Clements gone, we don't have one.

Unless Clifton gets into the team and steps up, I think we're going to have a particularly pedestrian central mid area until January at the very least.

I've been less impressed with Rose than many apparently have. Can't help but think he looks too clumsy on the ball much of the time and his stamina seems to be lacking at the moment.

Oh well, I just hope we can put a good performance in tomorrow to get the result we require.

The fact Berrett played for not just one but two clubs relegated out of league 1 suggests he wasn't really up to playing at that level.

I can't even think of another player who mananged to be part of three different teams, all of which got relegated in consecutive seasons, what's up with that, I mean it can't just be bad luck.

Quoted from chaos33

In think it's worth mentioning to those who are ludicrously claiming it's the worst ever and that they want Slade out, that there is a sense of perspective to be considered. A look at the league table after 10 games will see clubs of similar size or history making a worse job of it than we are. Clubs recently in league 1 even, whilst we wallowed in the conference - something a lot of folk on here seem to have forgotten in their declaration that the club is 'rotten to the core'. Go tell it to Chesterfield, or Port Vale fans, who enjoyed L1 football last year and are now on their a*se at the foot of the league table, and turning over loads of average players. Or Colchester perhaps, or Crewe - also in L1 a short time ago. Similar sized clubs all, and all below us. And Carlisle. Oh dear. And Yeovil. Not going great for them is it. I know it's a pretty shabby looking team and style of play at present, but Luton have only got 5 more points than us and they've been back in league 2 for 4 years, spent some wedge and get 8k crowds.

This all day long. The state of this forum/social media has been absolutely laughable this season. Best supporters in the land my bottom.

Quoted from chaos33

In think it's worth mentioning to those who are ludicrously claiming it's the worst ever and that they want Slade out, that there is a sense of perspective to be considered. A look at the league table after 10 games will see clubs of similar size or history making a worse job of it than we are. Clubs recently in league 1 even, whilst we wallowed in the conference - something a lot of folk on here seem to have forgotten in their declaration that the club is 'rotten to the core'. Go tell it to Chesterfield, or Port Vale fans, who enjoyed L1 football last year and are now on their a*se at the foot of the league table, and turning over loads of average players. Or Colchester perhaps, or Crewe - also in L1 a short time ago. Similar sized clubs all, and all below us. And Carlisle. Oh dear. And Yeovil. Not going great for them is it. I know it's a pretty shabby looking team and style of play at present, but Luton have only got 5 more points than us and they've been back in league 2 for 4 years, spent some wedge and get 8k crowds.

When I read your post Chaos I thought it was a reasonable enough assessment but then I had a think about it for a while and found myself thinking this..

The same "reasonable" argument could be put forward at the same time next season and the season after and the one after that. Pick an ever changing short list of similar sized clubs that are a few points worse off and state it could be worse and be thankful we're not them. Go a few seasons back we could be Lincoln, we could be Stockport, we could be Darlington.

It's been a bit of a pointless list of examples really which could be easily countered with a long list of similar sized clubs that are doing much better than us. That list carries as much credence and in fact is a more positive and aspirational one.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter who's doing better than us or who's doing worse, If the product on the pitch is terrible, if our fans are as bored and frustrated as it seems and if they are leaving in their droves because they can't see a brighter outlook in the near or distant future, there isn't a single crumb of comfort that can be taken from the fact that one or two clubs are having a worse time than us. It's what's happening here that counts and it really stinks of stagnation at best.

We've been shite and boring for so long I don't care if we're better off than Port Vale or not. I just want to get excited about our club again because it's now been too much of a chunk of my life when GTFC (the club) has lost its mojo, and if there isn't wholesale changes, there's a good chance for the rest of my lifetime it will never come back and it's a pretty sobering thought..

The thing is that we have endured bad patches before ,but at present this feels different and the rot feels institutionalized and permeates every aspect of the club.

A half arsed player no one had heard of a year ago who gets bombed out because the manager doesn't think he fits into his plans means the club is rotten and permeates every aspect of gtfc . Jesus get a fooking grip u nutters

Quoted from chaos33

In think it's worth mentioning to those who are ludicrously claiming it's the worst ever and that they want Slade out, that there is a sense of perspective to be considered. A look at the league table after 10 games will see clubs of similar size or history making a worse job of it than we are. Clubs recently in league 1 even, whilst we wallowed in the conference - something a lot of folk on here seem to have forgotten in their declaration that the club is 'rotten to the core'. Go tell it to Chesterfield, or Port Vale fans, who enjoyed L1 football last year and are now on their a*se at the foot of the league table, and turning over loads of average players. Or Colchester perhaps, or Crewe - also in L1 a short time ago. Similar sized clubs all, and all below us. And Carlisle. Oh dear. And Yeovil. Not going great for them is it. I know it's a pretty shabby looking team and style of play at present, but Luton have only got 5 more points than us and they've been back in league 2 for 4 years, spent some wedge and get 8k crowds.

Some good points chaos. I courted my wife with away trips involving hope n hey wood as centre halves.that was a far worse team than this. Some of those teams in the initial non league years were pretty abysmal as well

You really know how to impress a bird don't you ?! You must have a massive c.ock if she married you after that courtship

Quoted from louth_in_the_south

You really know how to impress a bird don't you ?! You must have a massive c.ock if she married you after that courtship

I don't want to boast but............
Must've had summat about me coz she's done Lincoln on Boxing Day with the morons,,chase town, Tamworth, rushden, Kettering, Salisbury alfreton, forest green n bath city. And she's a yorkie ;D ;D

All this fukking moaning you would think we are bottom of the league not mid table,

CHRIST !!!!!!

Really did think Clements would have a big role to play this season, he was quality last season.

Should be starting for us tbh

Quoted from Bigdog

When I read your post Chaos I thought it was a reasonable enough assessment but then I had a think about it for a while and found myself thinking this..

The same "reasonable" argument could be put forward at the same time next season and the season after and the one after that. Pick an ever changing short list of similar sized clubs that are a few points worse off and state it could be worse and be thankful we're not them. Go a few seasons back we could be Lincoln, we could be Stockport, we could be Darlington.

It's been a bit of a pointless list of examples really which could be easily countered with a long list of similar sized clubs that are doing much better than us. That list carries as much credence and in fact is a more positive and aspirational one.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter who's doing better than us or who's doing worse, If the product on the pitch is terrible, if our fans are as bored and frustrated as it seems and if they are leaving in their droves because they can't see a brighter outlook in the near or distant future, there isn't a single crumb of comfort that can be taken from the fact that one or two clubs are having a worse time than us. It's what's happening here that counts and it really stinks of stagnation at best.

We've been shite and boring for so long I don't care if we're better off than Port Vale or not. I just want to get excited about our club again because it's now been too much of a chunk of my life when GTFC (the club) has lost its mojo, and if there isn't wholesale changes, there's a good chance for the rest of my lifetime it will never come back and it's a pretty sobering thought..

Yes, but all you're doing is exchanging the real context for one that fits in with your current perspective. We are not talking about 'the same time next season, or the one after that, or the one after that'. Right now, two seasons on from the Wembley glory (remember that), we are ensconsed in mid table of L2 in the football league, and trying to get the best out of our average looking squad. Yes there is much room for improvement in many aspects, but the amount of overstatement I'm reading on here is just preposterous.

There'll always be similar sized clubs doing better, and similar sized clubs doing worse - that's agreed, but some Town fans seem to have this huge sense of entitlement. They are trapped in this vacuum where they forget that up and down this league, the fans are complaining about the same things as us.

I agree that we should be aspiring to better. Absolutely. We should be setting higher standards - of course. It takes time and money. There are doubtless clubs in L2 who have bigger budgets than us and who are currently below us, and teams who have spent less who are above. A bit of perspective, especially from those who have supported us for a long time wouldn't go amiss. I've read some absolute tosh on here recently, largely from people who seem to have very short memories. I agree that the performances, and the tactics etc are far from convincing and attractive, but we've played ten games. As for fans 'leaving in their droves' - well I'm not so sure about that. We are playing our local rivals in football league 2 today in front of a near full house. 3 or 4 years ago we might have been struggling at home to Bromley or Barrow in front of 3000. That's when I saw 'stagnation', and the 'product on the pitch was terrible'.

Clearly we need some better players and greater investment. It's ok to aspire to that, but some seem to think the way to play their part in that is to attack the major shareholder, decide they won't go again and invite others to do the same.

Quoted from Abdul19

Paying off players with 18 months left on their contract would be going some, even by JF's standards

Could be wrong Abdul but I thought Clements was on 18 months when he joined so would have 6 months left? Either way can't see him being paid off. Looks like he will go to Barrow in Jan assuming he does ok.

I haven't seen him as much as some on here but from what I did see he was decent without being brilliant. Likes putting his foot on the ball and looking for a pass but a bit lightweight and prone to try a cruyff turn at the wrong time and the wrong place.

What concerns me more is the fact that we don't really know yet what slade thinks about osbourne. He wasn't a mainstay at the back of last season and before he got injured someone had said they heard that slade didn't fancy him that much.

That for me would be a much bigger concern than Clements going to Barrow.

UTFM

I think people aren't so worried about the points we've gained this season, any honest fan will say it's about right for a club our size with our squad. It's more the way we are playing (or not playing should I say) as stupid as it sounds I bet people would rather us have a couple of less points but be playing some decent football and giving teams a real good go instead of this half arsed hoof football.

Posh Harry hit the nail on the head for me with his assessment of Clements. For me a player I would prefer to have in our squad, but hardly a world beater, just a different option to the players we hav at the moment with some different strengths but different flaws as well.
And also I share his concerns re: Jamie osbourne.

Quoted from Posh Harry

Could be wrong Abdul but I thought Clements was on 18 months when he joined so would have 6 months left? Either way can't see him being paid off. Looks like he will go to Barrow in Jan assuming he does ok.

Ah yes you're right, I was thinking of Osborne's deal.

Interesting point about Jamey Osborne and I'm tempted to agree, people are saying about how much we'll improve when Osborne is fit but in pre-season before Osborne got injured there was some talk of Slade not really fancying him, if that is the case then when fit Slade won't really play him would he?

I think the over reaction is down to having players in the center of the park who just aren't good enough, we haven't seen anything of Clements to rule him out replacing either Berret or Summerfield in what is the most pedestrian center paring since Grimsby Pete was in shorts (only kidding Pete).

Also coupled with the overreaction is the statement from Fenty that he sacked Bignot to bring in Sladeball to take us to the next level. The football on offer isn't next level stuff but more of the stuff that saw us drop out of the league with similar type players, similar style of play, and lack of game plan.

So you have two concrete reasons why people are over reacting, from what we see and what we were told.

You would soon complain if you went to a restaurant that claimed to sell the best food in town served by the best looking topless waitress, and then you go and the food is cold and uncooked and the topless waitress are grannies and all have saggy sue's down to their knees, you ain't gonna eat it and you ain't going to enjoy watching those granny waitresses swinging those saggy mammaries around, unless you are Hammo 16-99.

Where is this " Slade doesn't fancy Osborne rubbish coming from?

All it came from in a thread pre season was someone saying they didn't think Slade would favour him.

That's all. It was a posters opinion. Can't remember who.

Quoted from Tommy

Where is this " Slade doesn't fancy Osborne rubbish coming from?

All it came from in a thread pre season was someone saying they didn't think Slade would favour him.

That's all. It was a posters opinion. Can't remember who.

Exactly. Slade has singled him out for praise a few times!

Anyway, John Tondeur & Gary Croft just hit the nail in the head re-Clements.

Missed an early chance on 3 minutes.

Interesting that Paul Bignot on the bench for Barrow

Quoted from sam gy

Anyway, John Tondeur & Gary Croft just hit the nail in the head re-Clements.

By saying what?

He's well over weight and can't be arsed. Bad attitude. Whether he thinks Slade likes him or not he needs to get fit. Given the size of him would he have featured today? NO

Quoted from chaos33

In think it's worth mentioning to those who are ludicrously claiming it's the worst ever and that they want Slade out, that there is a sense of perspective to be considered. A look at the league table after 10 games will see clubs of similar size or history making a worse job of it than we are. Clubs recently in league 1 even, whilst we wallowed in the conference - something a lot of folk on here seem to have forgotten in their declaration that the club is 'rotten to the core'. Go tell it to Chesterfield, or Port Vale fans, who enjoyed L1 football last year and are now on their a*se at the foot of the league table, and turning over loads of average players. Or Colchester perhaps, or Crewe - also in L1 a short time ago. Similar sized clubs all, and all below us. And Carlisle. Oh dear. And Yeovil. Not going great for them is it. I know it's a pretty shabby looking team and style of play at present, but Luton have only got 5 more points than us and they've been back in league 2 for 4 years, spent some wedge and get 8k crowds.

And what about the Mighty Imps spreading fear and dread around the grounds, they could only manage a goal
less draw against the so called Minnie Mariners today with the most gifted managers that the Worlds ever seen ;D

Quoted from Garth

And what about the Mighty Imps spreading fear and dread around the grounds, they could only manage a goal
less draw against the so called Minnie Mariners today with the most gifted managers that the Worlds ever seen ;D

You mean the Wolds?

Barrows MOM on Saturday. Just saying!!

Quoted from chipsandgravy

Barrows MOM on Saturday. Just saying!!

I like Clements, but this means nothing..

Our MOM on Saturday was the midfielder ahead of him in the pecking order at the moment, and also in the league above, against better opponents...

Quoted from The Grim Reaper

He's well over weight and can't be arsed. Bad attitude. Whether he thinks Slade likes him or not he needs to get fit. Given the size of him would he have featured today? NO

Speaking to someone from within the club on Saturday that was just about what I was told.

Allegedly came back overweight and didn't make much of an effort to get rid of the excess baggage so was loaned out.

Quoted from chipsandgravy

Barrows MOM on Saturday. Just saying!!

They were playing Maidstone United. Just saying.

Clements was not highly-regarded before he came to us.  He was only average when he was here.  He is perceived as a loss now because of the standard of other midfielders that we have.  

Having said that, letting him go out on loan (for much-needed match fitness at least) is a tight call.  He did chip in with some goals from midfield, which we sorely need know.  Slade said that he can be recalled from 28 days to 3 months so we have that safety-net if current midfileders get injured.  

A bigger issue was letting Pearson go.  He was a good team-player, consistent, unselfish and had strong leadership skills, encouraging and supporting other players.  I think that for these reasons his overall contribution was underrated.  When he left we expected to recruit someone better.    Pearson was said to be too slow for Division 2 and have poor distribution.  It all depends on who his CB partner is.  

Well, he was and is quicker than our current CBs and their distribution (and Dixon's) is no better, or even worse than Pearson's!   We have gone backwards.

I don't think Pearson is any quicker than Clarke, who I think is actually more mobile that you'd think and I certainly don't think he's quicker than Osborne.

That said, I wouldn't say is noticeably inferior as a defender to either of them from what I've seen.

I'm not sure I'd say he ever encouraged other players - moaned at them a hell of a lot and almost came to blows with McKeown on occasion, but not encouraged! That said, he's the sort of player you want at your club and he's a loss.

Clements on Twitter saying he's heard the words 'bad attitude'

Quoted from Ahh Sole

Clements on Twitter saying he's heard the words 'bad attitude'

He was in the A Team?

Quoted from Marinerz93

I think the over reaction is down to having players in the center of the park who just aren't good enough, we haven't seen anything of Clements to rule him out replacing either Berret or Summerfield in what is the most pedestrian center paring since Grimsby Pete was in shorts (only kidding Pete).

.

They must be slow then because I had my shorts on yesterday. ;D

Quoted from grimsby pete

They must be slow then because I had my shorts on yesterday. ;D

Shorts with your knees and chicken legs ;D