Blades - England Similarities

[Sheffsteel]

I’ve been watching the Blades for over 40 years and it’s been so similiar to watching England over the years.

Over the years you often see reports about how England (a major football nation) have massively underperformed. However you can go back to many tournaments about England’s “bad luck” and near misses. It’s as though the football Gods look down and think how can we punish England this tournement? We’ve lost so many penalty shoot outs, had goals wrongly disallowed (Lampard), hit the woodwork. Watching England was always a nervous experience because you knew failure and bad luck would hit us. The bigger the crowd, bigger the expectation then we’d always fail. When there was no expectation or a friendly match against a Germany/ Brazil then you could bet we’d win. United are so similar to England, massively underperformed usually with weird bad luck stories.

HOWEVER in the last 3 seasons it feels so different watching United compared to previous seasons.
I’m not as nervous anymore because under Wilder we have become incredibly consistent regards performance. We seem to have a real team/ family spirit and there’s such a tangible massive air of positivity over Bramall Lane with Uniteds future looking very bright.

It may be councedence but over those same 3 years something is changing with the England team too. These days England always seem to play well and now there’s also a massive air of confidence and positivity hanging over Wembley too with England’s future looking fantastic.

Feels like the football Gods have finally got bored of punishing Sheff Utd and England.
Hopefully we could be heading towards great times for any Blade and England fan.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I've said exactly the same thing for years, playing square pegs in round holes, bad management, under-achieving, the odd crucial bit of bad luck, losing semi-finals etc etc. No coincidence therefore that England's feel good factor and improved results has corresponded with Tufty and our 'rise'.

I've kind of lost the excitement I had for England over the last 10 years or so, so much so that there's been games that I've just not even bothered watching but Southgate is doing the right things, shipping out the deadwood, bringing youngsters through and has brought a bit of pride back. I think our World Cup exploits flattered us a bit but the signs are good, onwards to a Blades promotion and Euro victory

 

[Sheffsteel]

I've said exactly the same thing for years, playing square pegs in round holes, bad management, under-achieving, the odd crucial bit of bad luck, losing semi-finals etc etc. No coincidence therefore that England's feel good factor and improved results has corresponded with Tufty and our 'rise'.

I've kind of lost the excitement I had for England over the last 10 years or so, so much so that there's been games that I've just not even bothered watching but Southgate is doing the right things, shipping out the deadwood, bringing youngsters through and has brought a bit of pride back. I think our World Cup exploits flattered us a bit but the signs are good, onwards to a Blades promotion and Euro victory

Agree, over the years always thought England were just a collection of very good individuals.
The mentality was wrong and we rarely played as a team. Wilder is proving how good coaching, playing players in their best roles, team work, character, having humility and the right mentality can really transform a team.

So it seems kind of weird that just as SU seem to have found the key to success, then England seem to be on the same path.
Both United and England have massively underperformed, let’s hope that’s about to change.

 

[drinksmat]

Billy has hit the headlines for sporting a new tattoo?

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Pinchy here anytime ............... now?

 

[Chali 2na]

I think there are some similarities, for sure.

The main one is the creation of team spirit. Both Wilder and Southgate, despite going about it in different ways, have pulled their respective sides out of a major slump and turned them into proper teams, who seem to fight for eachother and actually enjoy playing together.

Long may it continue on both fronts.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Pinchy here anytime ............... now?

His senses are only tuned to the sound of caps being doffed.

Wales are better than England.

He'll be along soon now.

 

[Chali 2na]

Pinchy here anytime ............... now?

If not Pinchy, I'm sure there will be someone equally tedious to come along to tell us how awful England are. It's become fashionable over the last decade or so.

Spoke to a friend this morning, and asked him if he watched the game last night: he said "I don't watch England, they're shite" - sums it up really, the strongest opinions seem to come from the people who don't watch them.

I can understand not caring for international football. I can understand being critical of them after poor performances. I don't understand the passionate dislike for England though, it seems perverse.

Anyway, fuck the haters; it's coming home

 

[DifferentClass]

Don't let the football gods see this!

 

[bornablade]

I'll only accept the similarities when I see Maguire or Stones overlapping the two wing backs.

Then we can say England are progressing.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I’ve been watching the Blades for over 40 years and it’s been so similiar to watching England over the years.

Over the years you often see reports about how England (a major football nation) have massively underperformed. However you can go back to many tournaments about England’s “bad luck” and near misses. It’s as though the football Gods look down and think how can we punish England this tournement? We’ve lost so many penalty shoot outs, had goals wrongly disallowed (Lampard), hit the woodwork. Watching England was always a nervous experience because you knew failure and bad luck would hit us. The bigger the crowd, bigger the expectation then we’d always fail. When there was no expectation or a friendly match against a Germany/ Brazil then you could bet we’d win. United are so similar to England, massively underperformed usually with weird bad luck stories.

HOWEVER in the last 3 seasons it feels so different watching United compared to previous seasons.
I’m not as nervous anymore because under Wilder we have become incredibly consistent regards performance. We seem to have a real team/ family spirit and there’s such a tangible massive air of positivity over Bramall Lane with Uniteds future looking very bright.

It may be councedence but over those same 3 years something is changing with the England team too. These days England always seem to play well and now there’s also a massive air of confidence and positivity hanging over Wembley too with England’s future looking fantastic.

Feels like the football Gods have finally got bored of punishing Sheff Utd and England.
Hopefully we could be heading towards great times for any Blade and England fan.

Agreed there are some similarities.

Where there isn't is with the managers - CW would not have considered starting Henderson and Dyer in the same team - in fact considering who's available, I doubt CW would have started either of them. As soon as Dyer went off we were much more positive. Wouldn't be surprised if Southgate picked up last years 3 at the back from Wilder. Interesting now that we play a 4 at the back - our Harry is going to have to be much more alert come the better teams.

Makes me wonder if the FA will over the years judge CW as not capable for England as the did with Brian Clough. CW is absolutely nailed on person to lead England ie: getting the best/maximum out of what is available.

UTB

 

[Chali 2na]

we play a 4 at the back - our Harry is going to have to be much more alert come the better teams.

I think long term it will be Joe Gomez and John Stones at the back, unfortunately for Maguire.

CW is absolutely nailed on person to lead England ie: getting the best/maximum out of what is available.

As much as I love Wilder, I disagree with this.

If Southgate left tomorrow, I'd assume Eddie Howe would be the front-runner, and it's hard to argue that he hasn't done a fantastic job at AFCB.

I can't see Southgate leaving anytime soon though, fortunately.

 

[BushBlade]

England have done well but haven’t yet achieved their long term target of winning a trophy. Similarly we haven’t achieved our long term target of getting back into the PL.

As someone who’s also been watching football for about 40 years I’ve learned not to count my chickens before they’ve hatched.

 

[bornablade]

I think long term it will be Joe Gomez and John Stones at the back, unfortunately for Maguire.



As much as I love Wilder, I disagree with this.

If Southgate left tomorrow, I'd assume Eddie Howe would be the front-runner, and it's hard to argue that he hasn't done a fantastic job at AFCB.

I can't see Southgate leaving anytime soon though, fortunately.

Agree Eddie Howe has done a good job at Bournemouth but he doesn't have the strength of character to move on from there.

Chris Wilder could manage England and still continue with us at the same time.

 

[Chali 2na]

Agree Eddie Howe has done a good job at Bournemouth but he doesn't have the strength of character to move on from there.

Are you joking? How on earth do you know how strong Eddie Howe's character is?

Chris Wilder could manage England and still continue with us at the same time.

Oh, you are joking, fair enough.

 

[Topplayersleave]

I don't think England have underperformed
They are a top eight nation who have won one World Cup and been in the Semi Final of major tournaments four times.
Traditionally they are behind, Brazil, Argentina,, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
In terms of trophies won they are behind Uruguay although traditionally I think England are slightly better than Uruguay

Then every so often Holland, Belgium or Croatia produce a very good team that could be classed as better than England, but it's not consistently better

 

[Sheffsteel]

Traditionally they are behind, Brazil, Argentina,, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

But that’s the point why are England almost always performing worse than these teams when we have more teams, more players, more investment, more money, more fans, more successful leagues etc etc,

France traditionally aren’t even a football nation, Spain used to be serial under performers but even they’ve won things recently.

Based on the above factors ensuring that England has all the ingredients to be consistently in the top 3 nations in world football then it’s pretty incredible that’s we’ve only reached a World Cup final ONCE.

 

[SwissBlade]

Sheffsteel Finally we have a manager at United that knows exactly what works for this club and everyone buys into it.

It seems England have done the same

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I think long term it will be Joe Gomez and John Stones at the back, unfortunately for Maguire.



As much as I love Wilder, I disagree with this.

If Southgate left tomorrow, I'd assume Eddie Howe would be the front-runner, and it's hard to argue that he hasn't done a fantastic job at AFCB.

I can't see Southgate leaving anytime soon though, fortunately.

Sorry, should have been a bit clearer - didn't mean after Southgate - perhaps when CW has turned 60. He's too ambitious at the moment, but certainly at some time in the future. as for Howe - yes, he is lots of peoples choice but the fella is only just turned 40 - he's got Spurs written all over him before England manage to get hold of him. His star will burn brightly for a few decades - he too like CW has something just a little it different and it doesn't come along very often. I want to get into the Prem to compete against the big boys and this season could be so vital to holding on to CW and his management team. It's quite pivotal to me - just hope it comes off. These next 8 games could possibly define our future for the next 5+ years.

UTB

 

[Chali 2na]

Sorry, should have been a bit clearer - didn't man after Southgate - perhaps when CW has turned 60. He's too ambitious at the moment, but certainly at some time in the future. as for Howe - yes, he is lots of peoples choice but the fella is only just turned 40 - he's got Spurs written all over him before England manage to get hold of him. His star will burn brightly for a few decades - he too like CW has something just a little it different and it doesn't come along very often. I want to get into the Prem to compete against the big boys and this season could be so vital to holding on to CW and his management team. It's quite pivotal to me - just hope it comes off. These next 8 games could possibly define our future for the next 5+ years.

UTB

Didn't realise you were talking about some way into the future: my mistake!

 

[Nick Jansky]

But that’s the point why are England almost always performing worse than these teams when we have more teams, more players, more investment, more money, more fans, more successful leagues etc etc,

We have more money and more professional teams, but in most cases certainly not necessarily more of the other things you cite. But none of those contribute towards a successful national side anyway. A successful and monied league can and does actually undermine a national side. The likes of Germany, France & Spain are more successful because they have had national strategies for player (and coach) development for decades whereas the FA have only relatively recently, by comparison, started down that route - which is now beginning to pay off. Once we stopped thinking that the English bulldog laddish Stuart Pearce type approach could ever be successful things began to look up.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

Fifa rankings: England up to fourth, Northern Ireland climb, Scotland slip
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47811345

 

[bongleblade]

Clicked thinking this would be a tactics thread...

we also play very similar systems if you're going back to the WC... centre backs bombing forward, overload on the wings, 5-3-2/3-5-2 formation