Frank Clark

[DeesideRed]

There's a discussion on X regards unbeaten runs, obviously started with Liverpool spectacular drop in form following palace defeat, talking Arsenal invincibles then of course Clark's stoic forest side. 

I'm wondering whether some of you have a couple more years on me can help me recall what went wrong in 96/97?

I'm old enough to remember the promotion season, Collymore battle with Armstrong for div 1 top scorer, then the glory of the 3rd place, the season after a mid table finish and decent European campaign.

Euro 96 we had stone and Pearce in squad. 

Then basically the same team that finished 9th finished 20th. Saunders signed to try to rectify Silenzi, the team stayed pretty much the same in those 3 years though.  

Does anyone else have a clearer recollection than teenage me as to what went wrong? 

Yes, it's definitely the international break...

[Salvatore Matrecano]

The rot started in 95 when Bohinen left. He was the key figure for me and the one who made Collymore and Roy tick in much the same way MGW provided for Wood and Elanga last season. Then Collymore left and we had the perma injured Kevin Campbell (he only came good in his final year here in the then 1st div.) Silenzi and Jason Lee were nowhere near the standard. Relegation year we got a well past his best Dean Saunders (met him once, arrogant knob). Signed Nikola Jerkan on big money because he had looked good at the World Cup but he was pretty useless here. Others just stopped performing, Bryan Roy in particular used to stroll around looking like he would rather be anywhere else.

Things just fell apart and unfortunately at about the same time was when big money from Sky started hitting and other clubs invested heavily whilst we mostly stood still.

[Username]

I remember Liverpool away and Frank was interviewed after the game, he basically admitted that he didn’t know what to do and implied that post Stan leaving he didn’t really have a plan B, was just reliant upon the players being fit and performing to a high level consistently.

[DeesideRed]

I remember Liverpool away and Frank was interviewed after the game, he basically admitted that he didn’t know what to do and implied that post Stan leaving he didn’t really have a plan B, was just reliant upon the players being fit and performing to a high level consistently.

Cheers guys I was trying to rack my brain as a vague memory of Pearce being manager of the month then Bassett coming in. Obviously remember PVH and Campbell tearing the division a new one. I actually watched a game at the odeon at £2.40 a ticket. Think that's proper early sky before it was in every pub. 

I just couldn't put my finger on that period post the giddiness of Euro 96 to what occurred with a team that retained its core of cooper, chettle, stone woan gemmill and Phillips. Accepting the forwards were pants and of course in Lee, subject of ridicule by baddiel & skinner

[Salvatore Matrecano]

The Pearce and Bassett combo was never going to work although think they won 4 out of 6 of their first games, collapsed like a house of cards after that.
But Pearce’s first game as player manager vs Arsenal is a life long memory. Alfie Haaland double and a last minute winner after Ian Wright was sent off. Absolute bedlam.

[Username]

Did Nigel play as well?

[Username]

I remember Liverpool away and Frank was interviewed after the game, he basically admitted that he didn’t know what to do and implied that post Stan leaving he didn’t really have a plan B, was just reliant upon the players being fit and performing to a high level consistently.

Cheers guys I was trying to rack my brain as a vague memory of Pearce being manager of the month then Bassett coming in. Obviously remember PVH and Campbell tearing the division a new one. I actually watched a game at the odeon at £2.40 a ticket. Think that's proper early sky before it was in every pub. 

I just couldn't put my finger on that period post the giddiness of Euro 96 to what occurred with a team that retained its core of cooper, chettle, stone woan gemmill and Phillips. Accepting the forwards were pants and of course in Lee, subject of ridicule by baddiel & skinner

Phillips had lost something by the 96/97 season (despite being one of my favourite players of that time). 

We also had Crossley and Lyttle too, two players who never really got the recognition they deserved at times.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

My lasting memory of Frank is me flying in from the USA for our game at Meadow Lane against Notts County.

We lost to that Charlie Palmer goal!

I think it was Frank who was in charge?

[Sausage Roll]

My lasting memory of Frank is me flying in from the USA for our game at Meadow Lane against Notts County.

We lost to that Charlie Palmer goal!

I think it was Frank who was in charge?

Yeah that was in his promotion season. Brilliant season that was with four East Midlands clubs all finishing in the top eight I think.

[DeesideRed]

1. CRYSTAL PALACE 46 16 4 3 39 18 11 5 7 34 28 90
2. NOTTINGHAM FOREST 46 12 9 2 38 22 11 5 7 36 27 83
3. Millwall 46 14 8 1 36 17 5 9 9 22 32 74
4. LEICESTER CITY 46 11 9 3 45 30 8 7 8 27 29 73
5. Tranmere Rovers 46 15 3 5 48 23 6 6 11 21 30 72
6. Derby County 46 15 3 5 44 25 5 8 10 29 43 71
7. Notts County 46 16 3 4 43 26 4 5 14 22 43 68
8. Wolverhampton Wanderers 46 10 10 3 34 19 7 7 9 26 28 68