RS Jonny says...

[Sean Thornton]

It all depends on who owns us and how quickly that is sorted out.

 

[Blade56]

Not sure how that relates to my comment ST but I LMFAO. GENUINE SPIT OUT THE TEA JOBBY

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

We need to be realistic. Its a big jump from League One to the Championship and fortunately we have a good group of players. That gives us a chance to compete.

Consolidation has to be the first aim. If we surprise everyone and end up near the top then great and that's by no means impossible. I'm not expecting it though and I'm not setting the bar at that level.

If Wilder and the rest of the group have us in a safe mid table position at the end of next season I will be absolutely thrilled. We can push on from there.

The one thing I'm really hoping not to see is people complaining if we're not in the top six by November. The Championship is a far tougher division than it was six years ago.

 

[1889]

Big jump or not, I think the kind of team spirit, determination, fitness and never say die attitude that we have seen throughout this season, will see us have a similar impact in the Championship.

They are all undervalued qualities, very rarely seen in modern footballers and managers alike, but their affect on a teams performance is hugely underestimated.

Play offs, at least

 

[sitwell]

Runaway winners no question.

 

[Bladesman]

Oh I don't know, I watched Rotherham Vs Leeds at the new york and it was a terrible game, could have easily been a league 1 or 2 match, no one really knows how we will do in the championship but people shouldn't becoming out and saying that we will finish here or there, we have a good team, playing well and have momentum. No reason why we couldn't storm the league.

Most of the games I have seen L**ds play in have been utter shit.

L**ds United game plans:

Plan A - Punt it to Chris Wood
Plan B - See Plan A

 

[Mouth of the South]

This season still has 4 games to go and people are already forecasting what will happen next season

Truth is nobody knows, especially before the summer recruitment is concluded, so relax, enjoy the remainder of this season and look forward to some interesting and exciting signings and some great games ahead - some of which Utd will will and some they won't!

 

[Pinchy]

Why anyone should have regard to the views of a snotty-nosed little kid who happens to be a hack reporter on local radio is a complete mystery to me. Frankly, I'd take more notice of Max.

 

[RammyBlade]

Most of the shit about United struggling next year come from the pig fans who are shit scared that we might just be a good side who carry our excellent team ethic into next year with some astute acquisitions and overatke them in the race to the premiership. They MIGHT do it this year but if not it gets harder and harder especially for a club that have gambled massively to get there or stay there (Bolton, Coventry etc) and they can easily find themselves back in league one or worse as in Coventry

 

[SwissBlade]

'Blades should finish in the bottom eight next season and not be relegation candidates straight away'.

Certainly seems a reasonable comment.

Personally i think we'll be lower mid-table. Lots of strong sides in the division and its a much bigger step up.

Without being disrespectful to League one, for a side with a large budget it enables us to buy a stronger squad, which means that there is quite a gap between the top 6-8 and the rest of the division. It means that a lot of sides will try to stifle the top 6-8 sides, most of the time, rather than be competitive.

In the Championship, its a much more competitive league and we will really find it a lot tougher.

With the side that we currently have, i think bottom 8, but not relegation candidates is a realistic expectation. Knill has said that we are pretty well set up and don't need to get rid of too many players. It doesn't mean that we'll be challenging the leaders.

If we strengthen with 4-6 quality players to compliment the current squad and given time to gel, we can look to be in the middle 8.

To make that next step to the top 8 you have to strengthen well, be consistent, defensively strong and have a lot of goals up front. We all know this season that we've conceded more goals than the rest of the top 5 and that will need addressing. On a similar note, we create a hell of a lot of chances, but we also miss a lot. We have to be taking those chances.

In the Championship, three things will work in our favour. Fitness, Discipline and Organisation. We are currently the fittest side in League one, but that will probably be something which is comparable with the top 8 of the Championship. Organisation wise, I think this is Wilders biggest strength. It was Cloughs big strength in the cups, but i think Wilder surpasses Clough because of the exceptional discipline his side show, both on and off the pitch.

At present, its the last paragraph which i think puts us lower mid-table, rather than bottom 8 at present. But saying that we will be bottom 8 is certainly not disrespectful to us

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

What Leicester achieved last season and what Burnley, Bournemouthand Southampton have done over a longer period should be thoroughly analysed and studied.

There is no reason we cannot achieve what those clubs have done. Solid recruitment, selling players at the right time and for the right price, and having a manager/structure in place which instills the right culture and ethos - we'll be just fine.

In Wilder we trust!

 

[SwissBlade]

What Leicester achieved last season and what Burnley, Bournemouthand Southampton have done over a longer period should be thoroughly analysed and studied.

There is no reason we cannot achieve what those clubs have done. Solid recruitment, selling players at the right time and for the right price, and having a manager/structure in place which instills the right culture and ethos - we'll be just fine.

In Wilder we trust!

I'd look at Barnsley as a good example, perhaps to a lesser extent Burton (providing that they stay up). Lots of pig fans have told me how tough the Championship is and how different it is now from when we came down, I can't disagree with them. My Boro supporting mate has said similar. Its undoubtedly a big step up from League one.

However, look at Barnsley, but for a firesale in January they'd perhaps be challenging the top 8.

I think the way we'll go at it is a decent group of signings in the summer, then boost them in January. I don't envisage an overhaul, that was done last summer.

 

[LenTednTony]

For what it's worth, I think we should support the Blades in a manner as though they are top two irrespective of league position. We know it's going to be difficult but we are in the best situation possible. Determined management team, determined players. Even if a performance isn't as good as we would like, at least we know that Tufty and Knilly will have them trying 100%.

COYRAWW'S!

 

[McGrath]

I'd look at Barnsley as a good example, perhaps to a lesser extent Burton (providing that they stay up). Lots of pig fans have told me how tough the Championship is and how different it is now from when we came down, I can't disagree with them. My Boro supporting mate has said similar. Its undoubtedly a big step up from League one.

However, look at Barnsley, but for a firesale in January they'd perhaps be challenging the top 8.

I think the way we'll go at it is a decent group of signings in the summer, then boost them in January. I don't envisage an overhaul, that was done last summer.

I think you're spot on. Also, I don't think outside of the top 2 it's that great. The teams in the play off places aren't very good.

Also, in my opinion, League One is better now than when we joined it and tougher to get out of. Nearly every team seems to be well organised and well coached. Gone are the old hoof it managers that were around 5 years ago, there's no easy games that's for sure. So if the Championship is tougher, then so is League 1

 

[WhiteHawk]

We've got to be realistic, mid table would be a great achievement. We concede far too many goals and although we're scoring for fun in this division, that isn't going to be the case in the Championship. I don't think we'll be in a relegation scrap but I don't think we can be looking at finishing at the top end of the table either.

It isn't as big a gap as is being made out though. Pig fans reckon the step up in quality is huge yet they say they've been shit this season but they're still in 6th.

 

[blackydog]

We've got to be realistic, mid table would be a great achievement. We concede far too many goals and although we're scoring for fun in this division, that isn't going to be the case in the Championship. I don't think we'll be in a relegation scrap but I don't think we can be looking at finishing at the top end of the table either.

It isn't as big a gap as is being made out though. Pig fans reckon the step up in quality is huge yet they say they've been shit this season but they're still in 6th.

They will also tell you about the injuries they have suffered and i think they have a point. Why so many are getting injured so regularly is another matter, apart from the idiot Hutchinson. Anyway point is they have played shit are still 6th, so as we are not shit, mid table for us sounds more than reasonable.

 

[Robby Blade]

HMS Pisstheleague docked last Saturday. She's having a bit of a refit over the summer and will be ready to sail again in August.

With Captain Wilder and First Officer Knill on the bridge they will steer a steady course to the promised land and expect to arrive in Calais within five years.

 

[Trigger Blade]

I'm a listener to radio Sheffield but I'm getting sick of them going on about how the gap between League 1 and the Championship is so huge and how we may be in for a shock/struggle.

If radio Sheffield continue to stress to us how tough the championship is and how we may struggle next year then they will be in for a very big shock.

I don't listen every day, and I can't tell the difference between Staton and Giddings, though Buchan is quite distinctive, but I haven't heard any of them say they think we'll be relegated. They've all said that with our current squad, we'd be outside the bottom three.

What I have heard is loads of oinkers going on about how it's a very different league from the last time we were there and we're certs for relegation. I have the feeling that's what they'd like to happen, not necessarily what they think will happen.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

A cheeky 6th will be good.

 

[sheffielder]

'Blades should finish in the bottom eight next season and not be relegation candidates straight away'.

It's always good to have an "expert" opinion eh?

I've been watching a few years and I think that this is probably the most professional set of United players I've ever seen us put out there. I think this is probably the best manager we've had for decades and his recruitment, motivation and tactics are second to none.

So, I think Jonny Leeds is wrong about this tbh.

If anybody can get this team to be pushing at the top end of the Championship this guy will - and I honestly believe we can.

It will depend of course on how well we strengthen the squad but bottom eight is a mile off imo. Can't wait to hear him change his mind before Christmas!

Who is johnny?

 

[BushBlade]

What Leicester achieved last season and what Burnley, Bournemouthand Southampton have done over a longer period should be thoroughly analysed and studied.

There is no reason we cannot achieve what those clubs have done. Solid recruitment, selling players at the right time and for the right price, and having a manager/structure in place which instills the right culture and ethos - we'll be just fine.

In Wilder we trust!

You can analyse Leicester from now til the next century and no one will ever fully explain how they won the league.

Saints and Bournemouth spent money. Burnley got lucky when they sneaked into the playoffs and won the final against a team that didn't show up. Since then they've invested the money wisely and made two returns to the PL. Rather like West Brom did before they established themselves.

All that can be learnt from those is what we already know - scouting, recruitment and good management are imperative to take a club forward. The details may change but the basic principles of success remain the same as always; find good players you can afford and suit your style of play.

 

[sheffielder]

The difference between this division and the championship is that our easiest game next season will be Bolton, not the hardest.

Rocket science is my speciality

 

[snootyfenooty]

I've decided I wish we hadn't got promoted and were consigned to Divisions 3 and 4 forever.
We cannot possibly hope to come close to emulating clubs like Stoke,Middlesbro,Palace,Bournemouth,Swansea,Watford,Southampton,Hull,Burnley,WBA,Leicester,yes Leicester,or that formidable Premiership powerhouse Sunderland.

Agree wholeheartedly. We're comparable with this motley crew, why can't our fans see this?

The only thing that surprises me is that this comment comes from the one-game-at-a-time-lets-not-get-carried-away seanbeenstattoo.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

I think you're spot on. Also, I don't think outside of the top 2 it's that great. The teams in the play off places aren't very good.

Also, in my opinion, League One is better now than when we joined it and tougher to get out of. Nearly every team seems to be well organised and well coached. Gone are the old hoof it managers that were around 5 years ago, there's no easy games that's for sure. So if the Championship is tougher, then so is League 1

Make an exception for Parkinson, a proper hoof it team Bolton.

 

[Pinchy]

The views of local radio hacks are not authoritative. They are not football experts. Quite the contrary, in truth. Their opinions carry no more weight than those of anyone else. In fact, in my case, a great deal less. .

 

[grafikhaus]

We could spend the Spring worrying that Autumn will come along and the nights will start drawing in, or we could just enjoy the sunshine, blossom and birdsong.

Why waste your life worrying? Whatever's going to happen will happen whether we fret about it or not. Let's make the most of what we've got for now, because it's chuffing great.

Amen to that. After 6 seasons in the third tier, being back in the championship is great - it's our natural home. Those who worry about where we'll finish next season would be shitting it if we ever got to the PL.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I'm all up for a back to back, so to speak.

Gotta be realistic though. Unless wilder unearths some real gems from nowhere, we likely won't be pushing for anymore than mid table.

I'm not saying it couldn't be done, but for me we probably have to play our part as fans, and back the team, with realistic expectations.

If we all start demanding promotion straight away, And moaning when we have a bad run, that doesn't really seem fair to me.

Agreed. If Wilder keeps us clear of a dogfight and leads us to a mid-table finish. Even lower midtable- say about 15th, he would have done a very good job. That’s not to say there’s no chance of him doing even better. He has performed so well this season, you wouldn’t bet against him exceeding all expectations next season but we have to remain realistic about what constitutes “a good season”.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I'm a listener to radio Sheffield but I'm getting sick of them going on about how the gap between League 1 and the Championship is so huge and how we may be in for a shock/struggle.

I watch a lot of Championship football and the gap is no where near as big as is being made out. Teams come from nowhere all the time and have good seasons/spells when previously not fancied. Wednesday weren't expected to do anything like as well as they did last year with the squad they had but did. Likewise Brighton last year. Huddersfield, Leeds, Reading and to a lesser extent Barnsley this year are others. There is nothing to sugggest we will be going up and will be in a relegation dog fight IMO.

We have a very good and well respected manager who is on the verge of winning back to back league titles. We have a very young squad full of players with points to prove and a good blend of players with Championship experience. Coutts, Lafferty, Sharp. Then the likes of Basham, Fleck, Freeman, all talented players with a point to prove at that level.

This is all before we strengthen in the summer and no one really knows yet what financial backing Wilder will receive.

I understand it isn't going to be easy, but absolutely nothing about this team suggests they think it will be. We are a huge club at Championship level, being away for 6 years doesn't change that and I expect us to perform very well next year. 6 years is a long time, but when you take in to account for 4 of those years we have been awfully mismanaged, this is the first year we have put up a proper fight and we have blown the league away.

If radio Sheffield continue to stress to us how tough the championship is and how we may struggle next year then they will be in for a very big shock.

I agree with some of that but “a very young squad”? Really? I haven’t compared the stats but suspect the average age of our matchday squad compared to the rest of the division will be relatively high.


Basham, Coutts, Wright, Lafferty, Duffy, Sharp, Clarke, Hanson, Done, O’Shea etc. are not young players. Freeman, Moore, Fleck, Carruthers and Lavery could be considered “young-ish” then O’Connell, EEL (both 23 I think) and Chapman are the relative babies of the team with 2 being on loan. I would say if anything, overall, our squad is quite old with Wright, Sharp, Duffy & Clarke the wrong side of 30 going into next season and Hanson turning 30 in November and Basham, Coutts, Done, Brayford etc. not far behind


If the likes of Whiteman, Brooks, Reed etc. get more involved with the first team squad it would bring the average age down but having got rid of the likes of DCL, Adams & Ramsdale, the average age will have gone up this season.

 

[Darthblade]

What i'm concerned about is fans who say they'll be happy with midtable without knowing what that means.

Finishing mid-table means we will lose a fair amount of games, likely about as many as we win. It means we will have performances where we either cannot score or concede too easily, or too many. It means we will have games where we are on top but lack the clinical touch to finish off opponents. We may go several games without a win, and possibly also lose 2 or 3 in a row.

Personally I think midtable would be a perfectly good achievement in our firsr season back in the championship.
The thing is its all very well saying that midtable is good enough, but the real test is when we've just lost 3-1 at home to a playoff side and are in 14th place having not won for 4 games, to not throw our hands up and despair, but to stay calm and stay the course.

Fans who say theyd be fine with midtable have to know what that means in the middle of the season as well, not just at the end.

Correct ...... and very balanced ....

Its unlikely that the Board will give Tufty sufficient finances to mount a realistic play-off challenge next season, regardless of the claims about "Liverpool style investment".

We need to be realistic about our strengths and weaknesses, address the squad over a period of 2/3 years and above all; avoid the Board selling our better players !!

Although I'm inclined to say that Tufty may go toe-to-toe with them if they try to sell players he doesn't want to part with and he should have our full support in that process.

UTB & FTP

 

[SUFC Guy]

2017-2018 Consolidation
2018-2019 Play off push
2019-2020 Autos to the prem

That of for everyone ?