“We’re an Honest Bunch”

[Rufus Smalls]

Does this statement define us as a club, or hinder us ?

We’ve heard it from various managers over time, from Basset to Wilder. It’s something we expect as supporters that the 11 on the pitch will spill blood for the club and the fans.

But is it enough to take the club forward from being a lower Prem to Championship club (and lower at times) in thought and development. The thing we ultimately lack is skill on the pitch in order to win matches consistently and that takes vast sums of money.

I guess we are missing the billionaire owner (can Sheffield as a city actually attract such investment) that even clubs like Brighton have attracted and there is now a massive gap between the top half and bottom half of the Premier League. Even VAR has been developed over time to assist the ‘bigger clubs’ or so it appears.

I will always love the Blades as they are in my DNA, it’s just that after 50+ years of following the Blades, I’m getting on a bit of a downer that the club I love will never be able to compete at the highest level and that having an “honest bunch” is the best that I can expect.

UTB !

 

[Nick Jansky]

I get all that you are saying.

But for me, as with all things in life, the journey counts for far more than the destination. My support is permanent and non negotiable regardless of where in the pyramid we happen to be. Of course I would love it if we were regularly competing for a European place, but actually not at the expense of the club’s values & identity. Success is desirable but is secondary to quite a lot of other things. For me, anyway.

I do realise that other posters, and possibly predominately younger ones, will say that I am part of the “problem” and lack ambition, and I understand and respect that view. But I actually don’t want to be Man City, and ambitions change as you get older.

The bottom line is that if I ask myself whether supporting this club since 1968 has enriched my life the answer is a resounding yes. And that includes the season in Division 4 and all the rest of the shit we have endured at different times. The failures sit alongside the relative successes as part of the tapestry that defines my relationship and history with this club. Would I have liked it to be different? Actually that’s a pointless question because it was what it was, and I’m glad that I’ve been along for the ride. All of it. I’m hoping for a few more years of it yet.

I love this club, warts & all.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[borg elite]

It's what managers of all clubs say about their players. Just waffle.

 

[Maidenhead]

I get all that you are saying.

But for me, as with all things in life, the journey counts for far more than the destination. My support is permanent and non negotiable regardless of where in the pyramid we happen to be. Of course I would love it if we were regularly competing for a European place, but actually not at the expense of the club’s values & identity. Success is desirable but is secondary to quite a lot of other things. For me, anyway.

I do realise that other posters, and possibly predominately younger ones, will say that I am part of the “problem” and lack ambition, and I understand and respect that view. But I actually don’t want to be Man City, and ambitions change as you get older.

The bottom line is that if I ask myself whether supporting this club since 1968 has enriched my life the answer is a resounding yes. And that includes the season in Division 4 and all the rest of the shit we have endured at different times. The failures sit alongside the relative successes as part of the tapestry that defines my relationship and history with this club. Would I have liked it to be different? Actually that’s a pointless question because it was what it was, and I’m glad that I’ve been along for the ride. All of it. I’m hoping for a few more years of it yet.

I love this club, warts & all.

I recognise all of that.

All the disappointments over the years really enhance the celebration of the success.

Until you have tasted the former you can't really appreciate the latter.

Over the years this football club has given me lifelong friendships, an amazing joint interest and bond with my son, and so much more than just results on the pitch.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

I get all that you are saying.

But for me, as with all things in life, the journey counts for far more than the destination. My support is permanent and non negotiable regardless of where in the pyramid we happen to be. Of course I would love it if we were regularly competing for a European place, but actually not at the expense of the club’s values & identity. Success is desirable but is secondary to quite a lot of other things. For me, anyway.

I do realise that other posters, and possibly predominately younger ones, will say that I am part of the “problem” and lack ambition, and I understand and respect that view. But I actually don’t want to be Man City, and ambitions change as you get older.

The bottom line is that if I ask myself whether supporting this club since 1968 has enriched my life the answer is a resounding yes. And that includes the season in Division 4 and all the rest of the shit we have endured at different times. The failures sit alongside the relative successes as part of the tapestry that defines my relationship and history with this club. Would I have liked it to be different? Actually that’s a pointless question because it was what it was, and I’m glad that I’ve been along for the ride. All of it. I’m hoping for a few more years of it yet.

I love this club, warts & all.

Exactly this. And jumping up and down demanding success isn’t ambitious and doesn’t change a thing.

 

[FlamingLip]

...I’m getting on a bit of a downer that the club I love will never be able to compete at the highest level and that having an “honest bunch” is the best that I can expect.

UTB !

My first game was in 89 and United have never been able to (nor should ever have expected to) consistently compete at the top level. Lack of investment isn't down to fan or club perception, just economics. We can be envious but can't compare our situation with the fortunes of Brighton (or Brentford, Bournemouth). Very different.

We're a traditional local club, a community. Frustrating and a mainly a bit tinpot, but every now and again we get the odd moment that means more to us than fans of Man City, Liverpool etc could imagine.

As a post above says, enjoy whatever journey we're on however you can. Our destination will realistically never be any higher than where we're currently at.

 

[Bladezz]

We stepped into the big boy league and we are no where near able to compete with them technically. These teams pass it out from the back sometimes under immense pressure and they don’t look fazed. Silva a few times yesterday looked calmest man in stadium.

So all we can do is try and graft and run around and see if we can show glimpses of what we can indeed do.

No different to any work life.

 

[ForgeBlade]

I've thought for a few years that the "honest, hard-working" mentality is something that holds us back. We seem sometimes to be stuck in the 80's/early 90's as a fan base, and to see being a big, physical, "hard" team as some sort of integral part of the club's identity. Maybe it dates back to us traditionally being the more "working class" club in the city historically.

Sadly I think the only way it changes is with big, REALLY big investment, which seems unlikely. I thought we were on the verge of moving forward in this regard in January of 2020, when we suddenly signed a European "wonderkid" for £22m. Regardless of how that turned out, it seemed like the first stages of trying to move the club in a different direction, and to play a different type of football, more skillful and pacey, and less reliant on "enforcers" and the like. Sadly, it all went tits up because of Covid, and we're back at square one now.

 

[Bladezz]

I've thought for a few years that the "honest, hard-working" mentality is something that holds us back. We seem sometimes to be stuck in the 80's/early 90's as a fan base, and to see being a big, physical, "hard" team as some sort of integral part of the club's identity. Maybe it dates back to us traditionally being the more "working class" club in the city historically.

Sadly I think the only way it changes is with big, REALLY big investment, which seems unlikely. I thought we were on the verge of moving forward in this regard in January of 2020, when we suddenly signed a European "wonderkid" for £22m. Regardless of how that turned out, it seemed like the first stages of trying to move the club in a different direction, and to play a different type of football, more skillful and pacey, and less reliant on "enforcers" and the like. Sadly, it all went tits up because of Covid, and we're back at square one now.

That should have been the start. Followed by signing Hendo on a perm. Signing Watkins etc

That was the move to make us be able to compete and sign the sort of players that are skilful and not just work horses.

 

[ForgeBlade]

That should have been the start. Followed by signing Hendo on a perm. Signing Watkins etc

That was the move to make us be able to compete and sign the sort of players that are skilful and not just work horses.

As I recall, wages were the issue when we were after Watkins?

It does seem like we have a "limited" wage structure at times. May be bullshit but I'm sure I remember reading that we matched Villa's offer for Watkins, but they offered double the wages that we did, making it a no-brainer for the player.

It's all tied up in the need to "speculate to accumulate" I think. We are very cautious at times, money-wise, when sometimes you just have to take the risk and spend bifg to try and achieve something. I know you can't put the future of the club at risk, but the odd gamble could reap big rewards.

And if it's an issue with "squad harmony" because players would sulk if someone came in on £30k a week more than them, then....fuck them. They're all millionaires and will retire in their mid-late 30's to live a life of ridiculous luxury and privelige. What does it matter if "new signing X" is getting paid more than "established first-teamer Y?" In this scenario player Y should appreciate that the introduction of player X might well help the club move to the next "level" (which for us would be established PL side) and in the long term would result in an increase in player Y's wages when he gets his next contract.

 

[Bell4]

I get all that you are saying.

But for me, as with all things in life, the journey counts for far more than the destination. My support is permanent and non negotiable regardless of where in the pyramid we happen to be. Of course I would love it if we were regularly competing for a European place, but actually not at the expense of the club’s values & identity. Success is desirable but is secondary to quite a lot of other things. For me, anyway.

I do realise that other posters, and possibly predominately younger ones, will say that I am part of the “problem” and lack ambition, and I understand and respect that view. But I actually don’t want to be Man City, and ambitions change as you get older.

The bottom line is that if I ask myself whether supporting this club since 1968 has enriched my life the answer is a resounding yes. And that includes the season in Division 4 and all the rest of the shit we have endured at different times. The failures sit alongside the relative successes as part of the tapestry that defines my relationship and history with this club. Would I have liked it to be different? Actually that’s a pointless question because it was what it was, and I’m glad that I’ve been along for the ride. All of it. I’m hoping for a few more years of it yet.

I love this club, warts & all.

Well said

 

[cahill]

Does this statement define us as a club, or hinder us ?

We’ve heard it from various managers over time, from Basset to Wilder. It’s something we expect as supporters that the 11 on the pitch will spill blood for the club and the fans.

But is it enough to take the club forward from being a lower Prem to Championship club (and lower at times) in thought and development. The thing we ultimately lack is skill on the pitch in order to win matches consistently and that takes vast sums of money.

I guess we are missing the billionaire owner (can Sheffield as a city actually attract such investment) that even clubs like Brighton have attracted and there is now a massive gap between the top half and bottom half of the Premier League. Even VAR has been developed over time to assist the ‘bigger clubs’ or so it appears.

I will always love the Blades as they are in my DNA, it’s just that after 50+ years of following the Blades, I’m getting on a bit of a downer that the club I love will never be able to compete at the highest level and that having an “honest bunch” is the best that I can expect.

UTB !

Does this statement define us as a club, or hinder us ?

We’ve heard it from various managers over time, from Basset to Wilder. It’s something we expect as supporters that the 11 on the pitch will spill blood for the club and the fans.

But is it enough to take the club forward from being a lower Prem to Championship club (and lower at times) in thought and development. The thing we ultimately lack is skill on the pitch in order to win matches consistently and that takes vast sums of money.

I guess we are missing the billionaire owner (can Sheffield as a city actually attract such investment) that even clubs like Brighton have attracted and there is now a massive gap between the top half and bottom half of the Premier League. Even VAR has been developed over time to assist the ‘bigger clubs’ or so it appears.

I will always love the Blades as they are in my DNA, it’s just that after 50+ years of following the Blades, I’m getting on a bit of a downer that the club I love will never be able to compete at the highest level and that having an “honest bunch” is the best that I can expect.

UTB !

The Greater Brighton City Region, whatever that is, has a population of 932,000. I would imagine the area is much wealthier than Sheffield and South Yorkshire, and being not that far from London it is a much more attractive proposition to a foreign billionnaire looking to buy a football club.
It is what it is. As Blades fans were living in the wrong era.

 

[CambridgeshireBlade]

Would I like a Leicester season or to be consistently in and around the top 6? Absolutely. Do I want endless billions to spend, no local connection and a stadium full of tourists like Liver**** or man City. Not a chance.


West Spam for example. The tories gave them a free stadium and now they are nowhere near their old catchment and you need the hubble space telescope to see the pitch (although I think that's karma for 07)

 

[Bell4]

I just feel that we deserve a little more respect from some of the so called pundits , who lazily and deliberately take joy by slagging and insulting us .

This club has , over the last few years alone (2019 - now)- been promoted twice to the top league (arguably) in world football. We have reached 3 x fa cup quarter finals and an fa cup semi final , as a championship club . We finished 9th in the prem and introduced a brand of football that was lauded by top coaches . All on a comparable shoestring of a budget - led and managed by good people .

That’s the only real recognition I want for my club - a bit more respect

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I get all that you are saying.

But for me, as with all things in life, the journey counts for far more than the destination. My support is permanent and non negotiable regardless of where in the pyramid we happen to be. Of course I would love it if we were regularly competing for a European place, but actually not at the expense of the club’s values & identity. Success is desirable but is secondary to quite a lot of other things. For me, anyway.

I do realise that other posters, and possibly predominately younger ones, will say that I am part of the “problem” and lack ambition, and I understand and respect that view. But I actually don’t want to be Man City, and ambitions change as you get older.

The bottom line is that if I ask myself whether supporting this club since 1968 has enriched my life the answer is a resounding yes. And that includes the season in Division 4 and all the rest of the shit we have endured at different times. The failures sit alongside the relative successes as part of the tapestry that defines my relationship and history with this club. Would I have liked it to be different? Actually that’s a pointless question because it was what it was, and I’m glad that I’ve been along for the ride. All of it. I’m hoping for a few more years of it yet.

I love this club, warts & all.

Great post. I will add 2 (possibly unpopular) thoughts:
1. What happened with Lockyer yesterday reminded me of Klopp’s outstanding Covid era statement: ‘Football is the most important of the unimportant things in life’
2. If you can cope with a lifetime of following a football club which frequently disappoints, the rest of life is easy Enjoy the good days and the camaraderie.

 

[ancientblade]

We stepped into the big boy league and we are no where near able to compete with them technically. These teams pass it out from the back sometimes under immense pressure and they don’t look fazed. Silva a few times yesterday looked calmest man in stadium.

So all we can do is try and graft and run around and see if we can show glimpses of what we can indeed do.

No different to any work life.

agree 100% we just havent got the quality to compete at this level forest spent 100m and only just survived how can we manage it on a net spend of 30m ? gallagher and palmer completely ran the game yesterday but their combined transfer fees were about 75m and chelsea then brought on a player they paid 105m for off the bench this ffp is a total joke what chance have good clubs like united burnley and luton got against those stats

 

[PokerBlade]

It's a manager trying to defend his players in the press, get fans on his side, and motivate his team. I don't think there's anything more to comments like this than that.

As for how Wilder wants to play, I'll just say that Wilder's United at its best produced the best football I've seen in my thirty years of watching them. Whether he can ever put a side together that can do it at the top level, especially if we don't find a few extra pounds behind the settee, is an open question but we've seen the type of football he wants to play when he can and it wasn't lacking in skill or quality.

 

[Carlton Blade]

I'm in it for the Boxing Day 2018 game, Leeds x 2 in the cup, a million daft happenings at home and away games.

Success to me is memories and the feeling that I can only get when 25k+ at Bramall Lane are creating an atmosphere intimidating enough to make a weak opposition team fold. Major trophies? Meh. It'd be nice but I doubt it'd feel better than watching the team be awarded the L1 trophy.

 

[derbysufc]

Sorry but it's the little old sheffield syndrome.
Biggest village in the world always rules by socialists intent of making it smaller and less important.
Sheffield is bigger than Manchester itself not greater manchester .
Manchester can attract and get greater development as they are a forward looking modern city .
Manchester, Leeds even now Newcastle look for modern labels to come to their city.
Sheffield bases itself on primark etc etc .
We have two teams huge fan bases, 2 huge stadiums both passionate fans yet no investment .
This council are a fukin disgrace , majid majid whatever an absolute tosser .
City of asylum seekers .
One thing nobody understands is ard you a blade or an owl ?? We are obsessed with football, we deserve a club playing European football regular but we have no investment either club or the city itself and its down to sheffields pathetic socialist history .

 

[Vikkster]

I just feel that we deserve a little more respect from some of the so called pundits , who lazily and deliberately take joy by slagging and insulting us .

This club has , over the last few years alone (2019 - now)- been promoted twice to the top league (arguably) in world football. We have reached 3 x fa cup quarter finals and an fa cup semi final , as a championship club . We finished 9th in the prem and introduced a brand of football that was lauded by top coaches . All on a comparable shoestring of a budget - led and managed by good people .

That’s the only real recognition I want for my club - a bit more respect

This , well said

 

[Le Cynique]

Sorry but it's the little old sheffield syndrome.
Biggest village in the world always rules by socialists intent of making it smaller and less important.
Sheffield is bigger than Manchester itself not greater manchester .
Manchester can attract and get greater development as they are a forward looking modern city .
Manchester, Leeds even now Newcastle look for modern labels to come to their city.
Sheffield bases itself on primark etc etc .
We have two teams huge fan bases, 2 huge stadiums both passionate fans yet no investment .
This council are a fukin disgrace , majid majid whatever an absolute tosser .
City of asylum seekers .
One thing nobody understands is ard you a blade or an owl ?? We are obsessed with football, we deserve a club playing European football regular but we have no investment either club or the city itself and its down to sheffields pathetic socialist history .

I’m impressed that you e managed to shoehorn a reference to your favourite right-wing topic of asylum seekers in a completely unrelated thread

 

[ForgeBlade]

Sorry but it's the little old sheffield syndrome.
Biggest village in the world always rules by socialists intent of making it smaller and less important.
Sheffield is bigger than Manchester itself not greater manchester .
Manchester can attract and get greater development as they are a forward looking modern city .
Manchester, Leeds even now Newcastle look for modern labels to come to their city.
Sheffield bases itself on primark etc etc .
We have two teams huge fan bases, 2 huge stadiums both passionate fans yet no investment .
This council are a fukin disgrace , majid majid whatever an absolute tosser .
City of asylum seekers .
One thing nobody understands is ard you a blade or an owl ?? We are obsessed with football, we deserve a club playing European football regular but we have no investment either club or the city itself and its down to sheffields pathetic socialist history .

Don't think the relative fortunes of either sheffield club has anything whatsoever to do with asylum seekers to be honest.

There is some merit in the argument about the council not being more progressive, and trying to raise sheffield to the same level as Leeds and Manchester, but again, it's got fuck all to do with "socialism."

 

[alcoblade]

Sorry but it's the little old sheffield syndrome.
Biggest village in the world always rules by socialists intent of making it smaller and less important.
Sheffield is bigger than Manchester itself not greater manchester .
Manchester can attract and get greater development as they are a forward looking modern city .
Manchester, Leeds even now Newcastle look for modern labels to come to their city.
Sheffield bases itself on primark etc etc .
We have two teams huge fan bases, 2 huge stadiums both passionate fans yet no investment .
This council are a fukin disgrace , majid majid whatever an absolute tosser .
City of asylum seekers .
One thing nobody understands is ard you a blade or an owl ?? We are obsessed with football, we deserve a club playing European football regular but we have no investment either club or the city itself and its down to sheffields pathetic socialist history .

So what’s your plan, and specifically how will you complaining about little Sheffield syndrome transfer into anything other than a slur on your fellow fans?

 

[Bladezz]

As I recall, wages were the issue when we were after Watkins?

It does seem like we have a "limited" wage structure at times. May be bullshit but I'm sure I remember reading that we matched Villa's offer for Watkins, but they offered double the wages that we did, making it a no-brainer for the player.

It's all tied up in the need to "speculate to accumulate" I think. We are very cautious at times, money-wise, when sometimes you just have to take the risk and spend bifg to try and achieve something. I know you can't put the future of the club at risk, but the odd gamble could reap big rewards.

And if it's an issue with "squad harmony" because players would sulk if someone came in on £30k a week more than them, then....fuck them. They're all millionaires and will retire in their mid-late 30's to live a life of ridiculous luxury and privelige. What does it matter if "new signing X" is getting paid more than "established first-teamer Y?" In this scenario player Y should appreciate that the introduction of player X might well help the club move to the next "level" (which for us would be established PL side) and in the long term would result in an increase in player Y's wages when he gets his next contract.

Hindsight for me in this instance is a wonderful thing.

But the signing of Watkins has shown to be worth it ten fold.

That’s how we go from hard workers in the PL to be a good PL footballing side.

We didn’t go up playing unreal football we had many games like Bristol City / Swansea / Burnley etc where they dominated possession. It’s not exactly what I like but it’s now needs to be the way.

 

[alcoblade]

Hindsight for me in this instance is a wonderful thing.

But the signing of Watkins has shown to be worth it ten fold.

That’s how we go from hard workers in the PL to be a good PL footballing side.

We didn’t go up playing unreal football we had many games like Bristol City / Swansea / Burnley etc where they dominated possession. It’s not exactly what I like but it’s now needs to be the way.

It still needs someone to turn up and hand over a lot of their own hard earned, in the hope that it pays off.

They could double ticket prices, and watch attendances plummet.

Everyone’s happy for someone else to turn up and hand over their money.

 

[TJB.]

Sorry but it's the little old sheffield syndrome.
Biggest village in the world always rules by socialists intent of making it smaller and less important.
Sheffield is bigger than Manchester itself not greater manchester .
Manchester can attract and get greater development as they are a forward looking modern city .
Manchester, Leeds even now Newcastle look for modern labels to come to their city.
Sheffield bases itself on primark etc etc .
We have two teams huge fan bases, 2 huge stadiums both passionate fans yet no investment .
This council are a fukin disgrace , majid majid whatever an absolute tosser .
City of asylum seekers .
One thing nobody understands is ard you a blade or an owl ?? We are obsessed with football, we deserve a club playing European football regular but we have no investment either club or the city itself and its down to sheffields pathetic socialist history .

 

[steve26272]

When I read ‘honest bunch’ to me that’s no prima donna’s, no divers, or cry babies

I think this is also reflected by players that we’ve developed - Walker, Harry, DCL - all are honest on the pitch, no Fernandes theatrics etc

As for money, yes it talks, Forest have spent £164m - but I watched them them v Spurs on Friday and their best players were Toffolo (2.4m), Yates (youth) and Boly (£2.25m)

 

[Bladeloyal]

The Greater Brighton City Region, whatever that is, has a population of 932,000. I would imagine the area is much wealthier than Sheffield and South Yorkshire, and being not that far from London it is a much more attractive proposition to a foreign billionnaire looking to buy a football club.
It is what it is. As Blades fans were living in the wrong era.

Brighton is owned by a Brighton billionaire

 

[Hillsboro Blade]

Sorry but it's the little old sheffield syndrome.
Biggest village in the world always rules by socialists intent of making it smaller and less important.
Sheffield is bigger than Manchester itself not greater manchester .
Manchester can attract and get greater development as they are a forward looking modern city .
Manchester, Leeds even now Newcastle look for modern labels to come to their city.
Sheffield bases itself on primark etc etc .
We have two teams huge fan bases, 2 huge stadiums both passionate fans yet no investment .
This council are a fukin disgrace , majid majid whatever an absolute tosser .
City of asylum seekers .
One thing nobody understands is ard you a blade or an owl ?? We are obsessed with football, we deserve a club playing European football regular but we have no investment either club or the city itself and its down to sheffields pathetic socialist history .

Great post DerbySufc. The Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire. Would vote for the cadaver of Ho Chi Minh if he wore a Red Rosette.