The demise of our best ever team

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

SouthEssexBlade said:
Bit harsh. Terrible in the cup competitions granted, but in the 1974-5 season they were a couple of decent results away from being League Champions. In fact the home game against eventual champions Derby was one that stands out, we lost 2-1 but it could and probably should have been a home win which would have left us on 51 points at end of the season, level with Derby. Fine margins and all that!
Click to expand...

So we used to bottle it even back then?
 



Sothall_Blade said:
He didn't need to sell Deane behind Bassett's back and without his knowledge.
Bassett has said that he could have got the club a much better deal if Brealey had involved him.
After all he done for United that was the least he deserved.
He hadn't exactly done a bad job in raising funds for the club by wheeling and dealing up to that point.
Click to expand...

In fairness, Deane was Leeds record buy at the time, our record sale, and went for a little more than half what Gascoigne had gone from Spurs to Lazio for a year earlier, then the record fee paid for a British player.
 
Sothall_Blade said:
My reason for not picking Powell or Stancliffe was that neither was able to play regularly for United in the top flight and prove themselves.
Therefore it seems very odd to select them ahead of the many other players who successfully did over a sustained period.
Maybe Powell would have been an excellent First Division player for us if he’d stayed fit and in-form?
Maybe Brian Smith and Alan Roberts would but I wouldn’t pick them ahead of players who actually did it.
Click to expand...


I thought it was about opinions on players seen. If there were rules you should have said.

Powell was a Welsh international and in my view a much better player then Gayle Flynn or any of the others mentioned ( I assumed Faulkner was a joke btw). Which is why I included him. Sorry if it spoiled your day.
 
WalthamstowBlade said:
In fairness, Deane was Leeds record buy at the time, our record sale, and went for a little more than half what Gascoigne had gone from Spurs to Lazio for a year earlier, then the record fee paid for a British player.
Click to expand...

If it was a straight choice between Brealey or Bassett in negotiating the best deal for an outgoing player. I wouldn't pick Brealey.
 
Sean Thornton said:
I thought it was about opinions on players seen. If there were rules you should have said.

Powell was a Welsh international and in my view a much better player then Gayle Flynn or any of the others mentioned ( I assumed Faulkner was a joke btw). Which is why I included him. Sorry if it spoiled your day.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you're going on about now.
You asked me why I hadn't picked Powell or Stancliffe and I explained the reasons, why I didn't pick them.
There are no rules, you can pick who you want. It's a bit of fun and a talking point.
Why the hell would somebody picking a different team of combined 70's/90's players spoil my day?
 
Sothall_Blade said:
I'm not sure what you're going on about now.
You asked me why I hadn't picked Powell or Stancliffe and I explained the reasons, why I didn't pick them.
There are no rules, you can pick who you want. It's a bit of fun and a talking point.
Why the hell would somebody picking a different team of combined 70's/90's players spoil my day?
Click to expand...

I never asked you why you didn't pick Powell. Why for one minute would you suggest I did? (That's a peculiar trait on here, that only Len ever did on BM and him a refugee from here)I picked him, based on seeing him not from a wiki report, you suggested I shouldn't have because he hadn't "done it" in the top flight, which was what you say your selections are based on though you didn't say that initially.
Your choice between Gayle and Flynn ( who you never saw) ignores Beesley whose PL appearances rivals the both of them. Not even a sub. That's how subjective it is, because despite a player of the year award not many Blades would pick him in a team from those two eras, but Nilsen with twenty odd PL apps gets in and i'd suggest that is because he was viewed as a better player than Beesley irrespective of how many times the both of them played in the top flight.
 
Sean Thornton said:
I never asked you why you didn't pick Powell. Why for one minute would you suggest I did? (That's a peculiar trait on here, that only Len ever did on BM and him a refugee from here)I picked him, based on seeing him not from a wiki report, you suggested I shouldn't have because he hadn't "done it" in the top flight, which was what you say your selections are based on though you didn't say that initially.
Your choice between Gayle and Flynn ( who you never saw) ignores Beesley whose PL appearances rivals the both of them. Not even a sub. That's how subjective it is, because despite a player of the year award not many Blades would pick him in a team from those two eras, but Nilsen with twenty odd PL apps gets in and i'd suggest that is because he was viewed as a better player than Beesley irrespective of how many times the both of them played in the top flight.
Click to expand...

You said "I don't see why Powell should be left out". So I explained my reasoning behind leaving him out.

It's a forum.
 
Sothall_Blade said:
You said "I don't see why Powell should be left out". So I explained my reasoning behind leaving him out.

It's a forum.
Click to expand...


That's not asking you why you didn't pick Powell, which is what you said I did. Why?

At that point you hadn't made the criteria you picked your squad under, clear.

Yes I know, that's a different point. I covered that earlier.

Exactly, we are all entitled, so I chose Powell irrespective of his lack of top flight appearances, based on what I'd seen of him.
 
Sean Thornton said:
Cliff Powell was a better defender than Gayle :)
Click to expand...
1437280685632
 
Sean Thornton said:
Ordinary? Yeah okay.

The two major sales from that side were Currie and Salmons. Both had eight years at the club.
Click to expand...




Yeah, ordinary.
They finished in the best position in the last 90 odd years, but still missed out on Europe
The unexpected teams that have won the League since "OUR GLORY DAYS" are Aston Villa, Derby County, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers and Leicester. Some of them more than once.

The unexpected teams that have finished 2nd in the League since "OUR GLORY DAYS" include, Norwich, Ipswich, Southampton, West Ham, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Watford and QPR. Some of them more than once.

The unexpected teams that have finished 3rd in the League since include, Derby, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Norwich, Leeds, West Brom, Crystal Palace, West Ham and of course SWFC. Some of them more than once.

The unexpected League Cup Winners since those dazzling days include Stoke City, Wolves, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Norwich, Oxford, Luton, Leicester, Blackburn, Middlesboro, Birmingham, Swansea and SWFC. Most of the above more than once.

The unexpected FA Cup Winners since our heady heights include Sunderland, Leeds, West Ham, Southampton, Ipswich, Coventry, Wimbledon, Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic. Some of them more than once.

So yes, the achievements of our "Superteam" were not that good and they were indeed very ordinary
 



Boxer Blade said:
Theres a bloke goes in my pub and his favourite player was Trevor hockey as well, in fact he was in last night wearing his favourite shirt, a Trevor hockey t shirt, he reckons people are always pulling him upabout it and talking about what a great player he was.
Click to expand...

Well, he was my favourite of all time. And I tell you why..

He wasn't the most skilful : that was TC. A player who could literally carry the ball into the corner flag and be harassed by 2 or 3 defenders then walk it out past them, bamboozling them with his feet, and leave them for dead, Or, put a 70 yard pass on a sixpence for Woody or Dearden to gobble up. No, I've never seen that talent before or since in a United shirt.

He wasn't the most consistent or best striker of a ball. That was Alan Woodward. That bloke could make a ball do anything - he could blast it and bend it like no other player I've seen. And he did it week in - week our. In my opinion Woodward is the all round greatest player I've ever seen for United - because he did it every week.

But Hockey was something else. First of all - he was an eccentric. I like eccentrics- they dare to do what most of us wouldn't dare to do. They break the mould of what is the expected norm. They set the bar at a different level. They offend and delight in equal measure. They make us question what is "normal".

He had a green suede covered car and played a pink piano!

Hockey had one task to do and he did it impeccably. Win the ball and give it to Currie. He was like a little pit bull running around the pitch, snapping at everybody's ankles.

When taunted by Man Utd fans in that top of the first Division clash back in the 70/71 season (our 16 game unbeaten run) he stood laughing at the Stretford end and conducted them as they sang "Hockey is a werewolf".

He was the fiercest competitor I ever saw in a United shirt and I doubt we'll see another like him. He gave everything to our club and he epitomised everything that is Sheffield United to me. Spirit, integrity, humour, endless effort and determination - even in the most adverse situations.

I wrote something about him on a national website some years ago and a Brum fan chipped in with a tale about him too. He said some local kids were playing in the park and Hockey joined them for a kick-about. He was never too big or important to relate to his fans and I really respect that.

Sadly the poor lad died early. A heart attack I think. But what memories he's left behind for any of us who were privileged enough to see him.

I didn't mean this thread to be depressing btw - but it's a fact that for many of my generation some of the greatest ever players from our best ever team are slipping off the mortal coil. It's easy to post a RIP when they've gone but I just want to appreciate them before they do.

And I know that very soon we'll be lamenting the loss of more from that early 1970's team of legends.

It comes with the territory of reaching a certain age I'm afraid.

(And how any of this makes me a "pig fan at heart" I've really no idea!)
 
Sean Thornton said:
Do you mean Paul McGrath who was signed when Spackman was manager in the late 1990's?
I was doing a combined early 70's / early 90's team.

If not Gayle, your other options would be Beesley, Tuttle, M.Morris and I guess Flynn/Faulkner who I never saw play but they don't get rave reviews.


Aah right, my bad. Dave Powell then. Miles better than BG or any of the above. Stancliffe?
Frank Barlow was an early seventies CB more so than Faulkner who I played with in trial matches for the Northern Intermediate side.

I still blame Gayle for PL relegation by getting Tracey sent off resulting in an injured Alan Kelly coming on as well as being down to ten men, at Oldham.
Click to expand...
Very harsh on Gayle, who provided much needed captaincy in season 2 (eventually, as we couldn't find the money for ages to bring him in). The second half of that season was epic and the game that summed it up was a 1-1 against Arsenal, who were champions but had a terrible start and by the time we played them were on a huge unbeaten run as were the blades.

At the time we were the 2 best teams in the country and it was a terrific game. By far the best United team I've seen, but then I missed the 1970's and the 1890's
 
You
Sothall_Blade said:
If you're talking about the five year period from 1970 to 1975 that invites comparisons with the Bassett team from 1989 to 1993.

1970-1975 Record:-
Div 2 2nd (Promoted)
Div 1 10th
Div 1 14th
Div 1 13th
Div 1 6th
FA Cup - None
Lge Cup - 1 QF

1989-1993 Record
Div 3 2nd (Promoted)
Div 2 2nd (Promoted)
Div 1 13th
Div 1 9th
Div 1 14th
Fa Cup - 1 SF, 1 QF, 2 5R
Lge Cup - None

Over a sustained five year period, Bassett's team is the most successful (i.e. best) we have had in the last 50 years.
Click to expand...

And you've missed out one of his D1 seasons , we came up in 90 and were relegated in 94.
Bassett was quite simply a genius , the first manager in my lifetime to have a Blades team with some winning attitude in it. And success on a shoestring.
If Bassett had been managing us when I went down to St Andrew's that night in May 1975 (and left my A-Level revision untouched) we would have been in Europe.
 
JJBlade said:
Yeah, ordinary.
They finished in the best position in the last 90 odd years, but still missed out on Europe
The unexpected teams that have won the League since "OUR GLORY DAYS" are Aston Villa, Derby County, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers and Leicester. Some of them more than once.

The unexpected teams that have finished 2nd in the League since "OUR GLORY DAYS" include, Norwich, Ipswich, Southampton, West Ham, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Watford and QPR. Some of them more than once.

The unexpected teams that have finished 3rd in the League since include, Derby, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Norwich, Leeds, West Brom, Crystal Palace, West Ham and of course SWFC. Some of them more than once.

The unexpected League Cup Winners since those dazzling days include Stoke City, Wolves, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Norwich, Oxford, Luton, Leicester, Blackburn, Middlesboro, Birmingham, Swansea and SWFC. Most of the above more than once.

The unexpected FA Cup Winners since our heady heights include Sunderland, Leeds, West Ham, Southampton, Ipswich, Coventry, Wimbledon, Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic. Some of them more than once.

So yes, the achievements of our "Superteam" were not that good and they were indeed very ordinary
Click to expand...


These players that we let go too soon from the glory team. Who were they?
 
blade67 said:
Very harsh on Gayle, who provided much needed captaincy in season 2 (eventually, as we couldn't find the money for ages to bring him in). The second half of that season was epic and the game that summed it up was a 1-1 against Arsenal, who were champions but had a terrible start and by the time we played them were on a huge unbeaten run as were the blades.

At the time we were the 2 best teams in the country and it was a terrific game. By far the best United team I've seen, but then I missed the 1970's and the 1890's
Click to expand...

Arsenals unbeaten run included many draws and they never bothered Leeds or Man Utd points wise. Uniteds huge unbeaten run was six games. How that relates to the best two teams in the country I have no idea. Although it was a good game at BL, Arsenal were never title contenders though they did beat the Pigs 7-1.
 
Keen Blade said:
You


And you've missed out one of his D1 seasons , we came up in 90 and were relegated in 94.
Bassett was quite simply a genius , the first manager in my lifetime to have a Blades team with some winning attitude in it. And success on a shoestring.
If Bassett had been managing us when I went down to St Andrew's that night in May 1975 (and left my A-Level revision untouched) we would have been in Europe.
Click to expand...


Bassett worked miracles in the first few years. As you say though, move everything up a year , take out the 3rd division promotion season and replace it with the PL relegation season - a much fairer view- and league wise, the seventies looks better.
The seventies side are rightly lauded for their football, the Bassett side for their heart and commitment. We've seen neither since Warnocks last two D1 seasons and I'd guess now the Bassett mentality - not tactics Pinchy - is what we'd like to see as things stand.
 
Cerberus Blade said:
Well, he was my favourite of all time. And I tell you why..

He wasn't the most skilful : that was TC. A player who could literally carry the ball into the corner flag and be harassed by 2 or 3 defenders then walk it out past them, bamboozling them with his feet, and leave them for dead, Or, put a 70 yard pass on a sixpence for Woody or Dearden to gobble up. No, I've never seen that talent before or since in a United shirt.

He wasn't the most consistent or best striker of a ball. That was Alan Woodward. That bloke could make a ball do anything - he could blast it and bend it like no other player I've seen. And he did it week in - week our. In my opinion Woodward is the all round greatest player I've ever seen for United - because he did it every week.

But Hockey was something else. First of all - he was an eccentric. I like eccentrics- they dare to do what most of us wouldn't dare to do. They break the mould of what is the expected norm. They set the bar at a different level. They offend and delight in equal measure. They make us question what is "normal".

He had a green suede covered car and played a pink piano!

Hockey had one task to do and he did it impeccably. Win the ball and give it to Currie. He was like a little pit bull running around the pitch, snapping at everybody's ankles.

When taunted by Man Utd fans in that top of the first Division clash back in the 70/71 season (our 16 game unbeaten run) he stood laughing at the Stretford end and conducted them as they sang "Hockey is a werewolf".

He was the fiercest competitor I ever saw in a United shirt and I doubt we'll see another like him. He gave everything to our club and he epitomised everything that is Sheffield United to me. Spirit, integrity, humour, endless effort and determination - even in the most adverse situations.

I wrote something about him on a national website some years ago and a Brum fan chipped in with a tale about him too. He said some local kids were playing in the park and Hockey joined them for a kick-about. He was never too big or important to relate to his fans and I really respect that.

Sadly the poor lad died early. A heart attack I think. But what memories he's left behind for any of us who were privileged enough to see him.

I didn't mean this thread to be depressing btw - but it's a fact that for many of my generation some of the greatest ever players from our best ever team are slipping off the mortal coil. It's easy to post a RIP when they've gone but I just want to appreciate them before they do.

And I know that very soon we'll be lamenting the loss of more from that early 1970's team of legends.

It comes with the territory of reaching a certain age I'm afraid.

(And how any of this makes me a "pig fan at heart" I've really no idea!)
Click to expand...
I am sure, nay certain it was blue sued pal, a triumph vitesse, often outside the pennyfarthing, I also remember him coming to the lane with Brum, he was a winger, and a right little git,the sort of player we picked on because of his appearance, but we soon took him to our hearts when he played for us, certainly a player you wanted on your side and not playing against you.
 
blade67 said:
Very harsh on Gayle, who provided much needed captaincy in season 2 (eventually, as we couldn't find the money for ages to bring him in). The second half of that season was epic and the game that summed it up was a 1-1 against Arsenal, who were champions but had a terrible start and by the time we played them were on a huge unbeaten run as were the blades.

At the time we were the 2 best teams in the country and it was a terrific game. By far the best United team I've seen, but then I missed the 1970's and the 1890's
Click to expand...
If Gayle hadn't been prone to errors he would have played for one of the top teams. He was good in the air, strong in the tackle and a great organiser of the defence. But he did make mistakes and could have bad games. Which is why he ended up with us.

I think we sold Agana to fund the purchase and although I was gutted we sold him I think hindsight shows it was necessary and bringing in Gayle was key in us staying up.
 
Sean Thornton said:
Bassett worked miracles in the first few years. As you say though, move everything up a year , take out the 3rd division promotion season and replace it with the PL relegation season - a much fairer view- and league wise, the seventies looks better.
The seventies side are rightly lauded for their football, the Bassett side for their heart and commitment. We've seen neither since Warnocks last two D1 seasons and I'd guess now the Bassett mentality - not tactics Pinchy - is what we'd like to see as things stand.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't really be "fairer" to include only one team's relegation season. Why not include both?

1970-1976 Record:-
Div 2 2nd (Promoted)
Div 1 10th
Div 1 14th
Div 1 13th
Div 1 6th
Div 1 22nd
FA Cup - None
Lge Cup - 1 QF

1989-1994 Record
Div 3 2nd (Promoted)
Div 2 2nd (Promoted)
Div 1 13th
Div 1 9th
Div 1 14th
Div 1 20th
Fa Cup - 1 SF, 1 QF, 2 5R
Lge Cup - None
 



Sean Thornton said:
Arsenals unbeaten run included many draws and they never bothered Leeds or Man Utd points wise. Uniteds huge unbeaten run was six games. How that relates to the best two teams in the country I have no idea. Although it was a good game at BL, Arsenal were never title contenders though they did beat the Pigs 7-1.
Click to expand...
I could be wrong but I recall us and Arsenal had the best form post-Christmas.

So not the two best teams but the two in form teams.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ShorehamRevolution
V Pigs Worthington cup 3rd round 2000
Replies
29
Views
1K
CrookesBlade
CrookesBlade
Bell4
If you could turn back time ?
2 3
Replies
72
Views
2K
reedy63
R
derfblade.3
Wilders first season....
Replies
0
Views
270
derfblade.3
derfblade.3
ThatJa
Is the tide turning?
2 3
Replies
65
Views
8K
Carlton Blade
Carlton Blade
Silent Blade
RIP Colin Addison
2
Replies
47
Views
3K
Silent Blade
Silent Blade

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Back
Top Bottom