Good Times

[snootyfenooty]

I actually reckon that Dick Wragg would have a lot to answer for.

He probably would have had to if Harris hadn't saved his sorry arse.

 

[RammyBlade]

Its good(ish) times but as a Blade its natural to be pessimistic isnt it and as our run last year demonstrates when Coutts broke his leg to put the spanner in our promotion push. No suitable replacements were signed in January and the season went from being highly promising to a damp squib

 

[LS16Blade]

Its good(ish) times but as a Blade its natural to be pessimistic isnt it and as our run last year demonstrates when Coutts broke his leg to put the spanner in our promotion push. No suitable replacements were signed in January and the season went from being highly promising to a damp squib

Agreed.

I felt at the time, and still believe, that the injury to Coutts at Burton was the 'sliding doors' moment for the club. As well as we have played at times this season, we were a consistently better side last season, and without that injury really had a fantastic chance of getting up.

After 17 games last season, we'd won 12 and arguably should have had wins in at least 3 of the ones that got away. We only failed to turn up at Cardiff in the second game. We were dominating pretty much every game. What's more, we had an 'x-factor' player in the ranks; one who is now revealed to be a player who is plainly in the £40m bracket.

This season, in contrast, has been more fitful. Some periods of outstanding football undoubtedly but plenty more occasions when, for whatever reason, we have either had a massive and inexplicable drop off in standards mid-game or have simply just not turned up. And we simply don't have that one special player with stardust that can win us a tight game, as we saw against the Pigs.

Harry's game may well have a point about key players aging. And the farce that has developed in the Boardroom defies belief; it won't be a great surprise if the clowns cost us the manager who has done so much to drag the club up. So, personally, as good as it is, I can't help feeling that we missed 'the moment' and that we're on a slight downward curve now.

 

[Foody]

Good point, there has only really been Brooks that he’s brought on. He’s moved DCL on as well, without featuring.

I think there’s three things:

a) the youngsters haven’t been ready: several out on loans now and getting game time so hopefully we’ll start to see them back in red and white one day.

b) the time hasn’t been right: promotion season and then establishing ourselves in the Championship, it’s a hard time to bring younger players on.

c) We’ve moved forward quickly: from shit league one side to top 6 championship side it’s been a huge leap for the club in two years which means that recruitment has been critical, some players which we brought in as established pros haven’t worked out but its also pushed the younger lads down the pecking order

It’s all opinion of course and hopefully we can start to bring more younger lads through next season.

The above points b & c can be linked to the point of coaxingstar71 That we have come on quickly and we’re in a great place now. This will also help attract young talent, if they continue to see players making that break through

Agreed. I also think we might start seeing another challenge in terms of young academy players: external competition. For years now we've had the city to ourselves academy wise. Even Wednesday supporters (Maguire) knew he had to come to the bright side of the city to develop his career. However we're now 4-5 years after Wednesday started reinvesting in their academy and we're still feeling the hang over of years in the third tier. Then there's the change in academy structure, which favours the huge teams. Of course this doesn't mean we won't continue to develop talent, just that we've probably peaked in terms of academy products. We need to continue monitoring an hoovering up from Prem academies though; ala David Brooks.

 

[blade53]

With players like Keith Eddey, Chris Guthrey, Currey and Woodey it is a real mystery why we never got into Europe.

The truth is that season under Furphy was a massive over achievement. Apart from Woody , TC and a few other survivors of the John Harris team , he brought in Eddy , Franks , Garbutt , Field , Bradford etc , who were all bang average players at best. He got something out of them for a season , then the next season we got found out big time! The signing of Chris Guthrie was the last straw . That team , apart from the obvious few players wouldn't live with today's side in my view.

 

[Silent Blade]

The truth is that season under Furphy was a massive over achievement. Apart from Woody , TC and a few other survivors of the John Harris team , he brought in Eddy , Franks , Garbutt , Field , Bradford etc , who were all bang average players at best. He got something out of them for a season , then the next season we got found out big time! The signing of Chris Guthrie was the last straw . That team , apart from the obvious few players wouldn't live with today's side in my view.

John Harris signed Eddy and Franks. Franks didn't enjoy playing under Furphy at Watford and was horrified when Furphy followed him a few months after signing for the Blades.

 

[blade too long]

I think some fans , thats some could try the same risk and reward mentality the teams having success with

risk believing a bit more and get the reward of enjoying it more


as far back as I can remember we have had a a glass is half empty and its evaporating too attitude
I think theres tempering expectation by saying still a long way to go
but we seem to have some who think we can still get relegated is still a strong possibility such is the pessimism

take a risk ,,, enjoy the ride
we might fail ,but just waiting to say told you so is such a waste

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

With players like Keith Eddey, Chris Guthrey, Currey and Woodey it is a real mystery why we never got into Europe.

Woody Bloody Guthrey!! Are you serious?!!!

 

[DronnieBlade]

UTB

 

[I should coco]

Woody Bloody Guthrey!! Are you serious?!!!

Of course not.

It was another one of my hilarious incognito jokes. The earlier poster spelt Furphy wrong, with an 'e', hence my side splitting riposte .

Guthrie wasn't fit to tie the shoelaces of the bloke who sold shoelaces to the bloke who put them in Woody's boots.