Source: Team_Talk
Clough demands honesty from players
The Rams were met with jeers and boos from the Pride Park faithful after being hammered 4-1 at home to Scunthorpe last weekend, which made it five games without a win for Clough's side.[LNB]The Derby boss then held a tough-talking team meeting on Monday to tell his players he will not be accepting excuses anymore.[LNB]The Rams duly saw off Millwall on penalties in the FA Cup on Tuesday and Clough was pleased with the character of his side.[LNB]Now he wants more of the same from his players, insisting he only wants to see honesty from his squad.[LNB]Clough told The Guardian: "I told them I'm not interested in their excuses any more.[LNB]"I've had 12 months of listening to excuses from players blaming this and that, trying to explain why they haven't done their jobs properly.[LNB]"But last weekend finished all that for me. It's black and white now - you either do your job or you don't do your job, end of story.[LNB]"I got them all together and I told them that all I would do from now onwards was pick our most honest side. It's time I saw some honest players."[LNB]Clough added: "I didn't ask for feedback because I have been listening to them for long enough.[LNB]"They've given me feedback for 12 months: 'Oh, so and so was meant to cover me, I was caught in two minds, blah blah blah.'[LNB]"Well, no more. I've tried in the past to cajole the players because I knew confidence was low.[LNB]"I've put my arms round the players and said 'bad luck' - but there are only so many 'bad lucks' and so many pats on the back you can hand out."[LNB]Clough also revealed the support of the fans is keeping his head up as he seeks to turn things around at Pride Park.[LNB]He added: "I've lived in Derby over 40 years and you feel like you are letting down everyone. If I lived an hour away maybe I'd have an escape - but I don't.[LNB]"It's much harder being a manager than a player because of the responsibility you feel to everyone. You can't switch off. You wake up in the night sometimes.[LNB]"But then the first person I saw in Sainsbury's last Sunday morning, a guy doing his recycling, the first fella I had seen since losing 4-1 to Scunthorpe, he said to me: 'Keep your head up, keep going.'[LNB]"The next person said exactly the same. You might get some idiot who shouts something but the Derby people generally want their manager to do well."[LNB][LNB] Coca Cola Ch'ship Promotion 09/10 Win Outright: Derby 80/1
