Supportive Crowd at Oakwell

[Linz]

I was a little surprised to come back last night and find the general mood of the forum was so down... especially considering the crowd last night which was so upbeat and generally satisfied coming out of the ground.

We fought hard and got more than we deserved out of last night... and other injuries aside, having your keeper break his finger and two members of your defence crocked... one who ended up having to play 90 minutes shows just the kind of spirit we've missed recently. It really did galvanise the travelling support.

So my question is this... are those who stay away generally more negative?

And if so, do they stay away because they are negative?

Or are they negative because they don't go to games and have to rely on camera angles and the opinion of others?

Anyway... well played to all the United fans who were there last night. It was bloody freezing and we were surrounded by inbreeds but we did our bit

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Away crowds always tend to be more upbeat, I suspect the atmosphere would have been totally different if that match had been at the Lane last night.

To answer your question, I don't think there's any difference in TV fans, pub watchers or those who go to the game in terms of negativity although it's easier to get caught up in the 'live' atmosphere and maybe easier to be removed and more critical when you watch it at home.

 

[Mousey]

Looking at it though Jim anybody who went last night had praised the team for battling and doing well. Those people are in a generally upbeat mood today.

On the flip side those who stayed away seem to think we were awful and are calling for Blackwell's head.

I went last night and I was pleased to come away with a draw against a side who were up for it and played good football at times. We dug in and gave our all and got a point of out it.

It seems people who stay away from games do not benefit from the wider range of Blades fan's views. They probably have their own opinion going into the match and will watch it on TV only to enhance their own opinion.

 

[bladesadviser]

I watched on TV last night as I am 200 miles away and I was quite upbeat. I thought they battled well. I was amazed to come on here last night to find people so angry. I assumed they HAD been at the game and saw things I hadn't seen on Sky.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Looking at it though Jim anybody who went last night had praised the team for battling and doing well. Those people are in a generally upbeat mood today.

On the flip side those who stayed away seem to think we were awful and are calling for Blackwell's head.

I went last night and I was pleased to come away with a draw against a side who were up for it and played good football at times. We dug in and gave our all and got a point of out it.

It seems people who stay away from games do not benefit from the wider range of Blades fan's views. They probably have their own opinion going into the match and will watch it on TV only to enhance their own opinion.

So all those who have been booing recently 'have benefiited from the wider range of Blades fan's views' ?

We were awful last night but there were excuses. We did battle well though and it was a good point on the end. Looking around here today, those that moan are still moaning, those that are generally upbeat are generally upbeat ! As is usually the way on forums, those that moan generally have the loudest voices.

 

[IOM Blade]

I thought we were truly abysmal last night. We didn't string three passes together all night. Our center mid was nonexistent and were running around like headless chickens, giving no support to the attack, or protection to the defence. The Dingles had an effort on goal EVERY time they put an attack together. We seemed incapable of clearing our lines. Our target man, who is only on the pitch to head the ball, somehow managed to duck under two great goal scoring opportunities in the first half and we didn’t manage a shot on target from open play all night long.

Passion and commitment my arse - we got lucky that on the two occasions we managed to get into their box in the second half one of their players tripped one of ours up.

 

[IOM Blade]

I thought we were truly abysmal last night. We didn't string three passes together all night. Our center mid was nonexistent and were running around like headless chickens, giving no support to the attack, or protection to the defence. The Dingles had an effort on goal EVERY time they put an attack together. We seemed incapable of clearing our lines. Our target man, who is only on the pitch to head the ball, somehow managed to duck under two great goal scoring opportunities in the first half and we didn’t manage a shot on target from open play all night long.

Passion and commitment my arse - we got lucky that on the two occasions we managed to get into their box in the second half one of their players tripped one of ours up.

Apologies, to relate my post to the thread, i watched the game on TV at home in the sunny Isle of Man and am feeling very negative. Although it was in HD, so it was just like being there!

 

[Vistoma]

Was at Oakwell and thought the crowd were generally supportive, we sat quite near the front just in-line with the 18 yd line (row i) so maybe we didn't hear the moaners. I thought we were poor but fought well, and that has to be a good thing doesn't it?

Definite lack of cohesion in the back 4 caused by them just not having played together.

One thing that may surprise a few, a mate who supports Newcastle watched on TV and thought Ched was our best player!!!! Just goes to show how people see things differently.

 

[super_pig]

>those that moan generally have the loudest voices.
doesn't mean they don't speak the truth though.. even though you don't want to hear it. on this form we will be RELEGATED so fucking wake up.. the lot of you.

 

[Mousey]

>those that moan generally have the loudest voices.
doesn't mean they don't speak the truth though.. even though you don't want to hear it. on this form we will be RELEGATED so fucking wake up.. the lot of you.

So people who don't moan and boo are asleep?! Was there really any need to swear there too?

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

>those that moan generally have the loudest voices.
doesn't mean they don't speak the truth though.. even though you don't want to hear it. on this form we will be RELEGATED so fucking wake up.. the lot of you.

Bottom of the '8 game form table' yet only Cardiff, Blackpool, QPR and Barnsley have scored more goals than us over that period. Not hard to see where the problems lie.

 

[Casper]

I was a little surprised to come back last night and find the general mood of the forum was so down... especially considering the crowd last night which was so upbeat and generally satisfied coming out of the ground.

We fought hard and got more than we deserved out of last night... and other injuries aside, having your keeper break his finger and two members of your defence crocked... one who ended up having to play 90 minutes shows just the kind of spirit we've missed recently. It really did galvanise the travelling support.

So my question is this... are those who stay away generally more negative?

And if so, do they stay away because they are negative?

Or are they negative because they don't go to games and have to rely on camera angles and the opinion of others?

Anyway... well played to all the United fans who were there last night. It was bloody freezing and we were surrounded by inbreeds but we did our bit

lol Linz in 'bigger blade' alert shocker!

You are in your early 20's right, and having been going home and away for just a few season now. Just wait another 20 or 30 years down the line, then tell me all about it - please post to Casper 3rd cloud on the right, up above (HOPEFULLY)!!

Some of us older Blades that couldnt be ar5ed to go last night because the football on display of late has been crap and we have better things to do with our time\money saw probably more than you did by virtue of close up tv camera angles. And yes, over the years i must have been to Barnsley at least a dozen times.

The fact is Linz, we were terrible. It was embarrassing. We cant string 2 passes together and Barnsley hammered us. The camera doesnt lie ;-)

 

[Linz]

lol Linz in 'bigger blade' alert shocker!

Erm... no. I asked a question based on my experiences last night. It cast no judgement on those who don't go to matches or the reasons why, just that, generally speaking, those who were at the game seemed relatively satisfied, those who weren't at the game think the sky is continuing to fall.

If people want to go to matches, they'll go to matches. If people don't, they won't. But it amuses me how the latter get so stuffy about it. You made your choice, someone pointing out that you weren't there shouldn't upset you

Some of us older Blades that couldnt be ar5ed to go last night because the football on display of late has been crap and we have better things to do with our time\money saw probably more than you did by virtue of close up tv camera angles. And yes, over the years i must have been to Barnsley at least a dozen times.

I didn't say this was the case, but you also have to admit that the cameras don't see much of what happens off the ball so it's swings and roundabouts.

How about the games when we're on the TV... is Keith Edwards really a solid foundation to base an opinion on?

The fact is Linz, we were terrible. It was embarrassing. We cant string 2 passes together and Barnsley hammered us. The camera doesnt lie ;-)

So in essence, you agree with me? You stayed away and you think we're crap?

 

[Coily]

One thing that may surprise a few, a mate who supports Newcastle watched on TV and thought Ched was our best player!!!! Just goes to show how people see things differently.

Not sure he was our best player but like last night he shows in flashes that he has got talent, but at present that's then followed by little end product when IMHO is down to him being short on confidence. It also doesn't help that his 'partnership' with Hendo still has the look of two blokes who met each other just before kick off. On the occasions Hendo won a header Evans was nowhere to be found.

Given Hendo is out of the next game I'd like to see him and Ward up front with either Blakey or Cotterill on the right, perhaps that will work better.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Not sure he was our best player but like last night he shows in flashes that he has got talent, but at present that's then followed by little end product when IMHO is down to him being short on confidence. It also doesn't help that his 'partnership' with Hendo still has the look of two blokes who met each other just before kick off. On the occasions Hendo won a header Evans was nowhere to be found.

Given Hendo is out of the next game I'd like to see him and Ward up front with either Blakey or Cotterill on the right, perhaps that will work better.

Chedders biggest problem last night seemed to be staying on his feet. Agree about the partnership, seems to be going nowhere, just hope, as you say, KB pairs Evans and Wardy next week and puts Cotts and Treacy on the wings as I've said elsewhere.

 

[rachyblade]

I thought we were very lucky last night dont think it has anything to do with grinding out a result.

 

[Jimbo]

I think a lot of the people who come on and moan and be negative will do so regardless of the performance or the result. Too many people seem to have a really childish agenda against Blackwell and McCabe and will continue bleating on about "hoofball" or lack of ambition or whatever stick they cling onto to beat the club with and steadfastedly refuse to ever see any positives from a game whether we win, lose or draw.

 

[bladesman3]

i thought we were truly terrible...could not pass water...disorganised, slower to the ball, slower in thought...nowt to do with injuries...we were lucky to get adraw..macken missed 2-3 gilt edged chances!
I think when you are at a match you get caught up in the atmosphere, being with friends and fellow blades and generally you feel more upbeat for being there..its not long after that it hits you how bad or good you were...
but tell me..i watched our performances vs preston on the box and they were uplifting..i watched us at palace last game and the Wembley game live...never felt any adrenaline, fun or excitement.....it has nowt to do with being there, it has everything to do with how the team plays..ok, we had some spirit but we were dire...

 

[Gingerblade]

Hi Linz, i think you make a very good point with this thread

I watched the match on sky via the internet as i was at work (shhhh dont tell the boss)

I thought we battled well, and got a feeling that a little of that old Warnock spirit was in the camp. Ok, we didnt play well, but we could have gone under at 1-0 and 2-1 down. We didnt, and however lucky we were to get the pens Hendo still had to stand up and knock them in.

Barnsley will never have a better chance of beating us that last night, yet despite all the negatives, all the injuires, and general lack of cohesion within the team at the moment we still ground something out.

Suppose what im trying to say is im a little more encouraged after the last 3 games than i was after Blackpool, even though i watched it on tv!

 

[oldblade]

Away crowds always tend to be more upbeat, I suspect the atmosphere would have been totally different if that match had been at the Lane last night.

To answer your question, I don't think there's any difference in TV fans, pub watchers or those who go to the game in terms of negativity although it's easier to get caught up in the 'live' atmosphere and maybe easier to be removed and more critical when you watch it at home.

The atmosphere at the last 3 home games has been pretty supportive.

There was a section of the crowd at Blackpool that didn't seem very upbeat.

 

[Bakewell Blade]

I thought our fans were brilliant last night, at least that is the ones who went. A poor turnout but made up for it with noise especially from the back where I was sat. There was a period in the game just after they scored that you could feel the mood changing after a few stray passes but all in all considering the results of late it was nice to see the fans backing the players even if they do feel the wrong man is in charge,

 

[Kentblade]

i thought we were truly terrible...could not pass water...disorganised, slower to the ball, slower in thought...nowt to do with injuries...we were lucky to get adraw..macken missed 2-3 gilt edged chances!
I think when you are at a match you get caught up in the atmosphere, being with friends and fellow blades and generally you feel more upbeat for being there..its not long after that it hits you how bad or good you were...
but tell me..i watched our performances vs preston on the box and they were uplifting..i watched us at palace last game and the Wembley game live...never felt any adrenaline, fun or excitement.....it has nowt to do with being there, it has everything to do with how the team plays..ok, we had some spirit but we were dire...

Every time we talk about the blades it is always about grinding out a result or determination etc.
Would it not be better if for once we could talk about how well we played it on the ground, passed it through the middle and created chances.
I am not going to get into this ongoing debate about players out of position, injuries and loan players as its all part of the game.
I cannot recall us ever playing such uninspiring football for many a long year and I go back a very long time now.
We are going no where except backwards and the buck stops with the manager alone.
Let us see what happens when we get the injured players back fit and we can field a fully fit squad of mainly Blackwell signings,and then we will truly see if the manager is up to the job.
UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Given Hendo is out of the next game I'd like to see him and Ward up front with either Blakey or Cotterill on the right, perhaps that will work better.

Agreed - Posh at home is a real chance to attack a side rather than setting out to not lose, as per the previous "100" games. If we don't go for it in this one I'm 100% in the Blackwell out society.

UTB

 

[Casper]

Linz. I know what your original post was really about - "I was one of the few there last night......" My point was, you are one of the new lot of blades fans who've come along during the relative good times (not a problem of course, its just an age thing - you lucky lot lol). Wait another 30 years when you had disappointment after disappointment after disappointment rammed down your through. You actually take off the blind loyalty specs and start to see things as they really are.

Are you really suggesting that being able to see 'off camera' incidents by being there, really makes up for such things as close ups, slow mo and instant replays of dubious decisions possibly 80 or 90 yards from where you are standing on the terraces??

Granted, yes, radio commentary can be very misleading but i know what i witnessed last night on tv and it was blades garbage. Brazil (oh sorry i mean Barnsley) embarrassed us for flowing football, finesse and technical ability.

 

[prescotblade]

Thought we showed spirit and although lucky it was good to have some for a change

 

[Casper]

Thought we showed spirit and although lucky it was good to have some for a change

Yes we did show spirit - that has never been in question. However, we show no skill, creativity or general footballing ability. We are a team of donkeys with little or no idea of how to actually play the game. All we do is lump the ball forward at every opportunity and fight to win the flick on \ second ball.

 

[Jimbo]

Yes we did show spirit - that has never been in question. However, we show no skill, creativity or general footballing ability. We are a team of donkeys with little or no idea of how to actually play the game. All we do is lump the ball forward at every opportunity and fight to win the flick on \ second ball.

I've had a season ticket for 19 years... in that time that's all Sheffield United has ever been about. In the last 20 or so years when have we ever played creative, skillful football?

When I started going to The Lane Bob Booker, Paul Stancliffe et al were hailed as heroes, now people who show those same qualities (Monty for instance) are slagged off. The football hasn't changed, the attitudes of the fans have.

 

[cahill]

Like you Casper I can remember the old days when we were known as a football team, Badger, Reece, Woody etc. I think football changed with that academic who worked out that games were won on percentages of ball in the opposition box, Charles somebody or other. Wimbledon played it to perfection and went from Conference to top flight winnig the FA cup on the way. Who did we end up with as manager late 1980s ? Old Harry. Graham Taylor achieved success with it at Watford, reached the cup final and I remember they were second or third for one season in the old First Division. Taylor eventually became England manager. We've had this style ever since 'cos it does tend to win games. Thing is football has moved on and it looks tired, laborious and unattractive. Spackman had us playing some decent stuff till he abandoned ship or was pushed out.

I suspect that Robson would have eventually turned us round but spoiled fans demanded instant results and it is a results business. I was there at Oakwell and the best thing about following the Blades is the camaraderie among fans.

Linz hope this meets with your approval ?

 

[Linz]

Casper.

Slap on hand. Don't upset Linz

Erm... how exactly is me responding to a point getting upset?

Linz. I know what your original post was really about - "I was one of the few there last night......"

Yeah... so I went to a match.

It does amuse me how some fans see this as wrong and instantly jump on people who admit to this heinous crime!

It's a wonder some clubs make tickets available, seeing as so many fans think people who go to games have something to be ashamed of

My point was, you are one of the new lot of blades fans who've come along during the relative good times (not a problem of course, its just an age thing - you lucky lot lol). Wait another 30 years when you had disappointment after disappointment after disappointment rammed down your through. You actually take off the blind loyalty specs and start to see things as they really are.

My first game was in 1995. I've had a season ticket since 2000. I am not under the illusion that in the grand scheme of things, Sheffield United is a successful football club who play wonderful free flowing football.

However, there has to be some reason to continue watching them. I've always said that if you can't stand to watch them or think they're crap, you're a masochist if you continue to go to matches and get upset about results.

Watching United, for some, seems to be a reason to gripe. I don't understand it. It's almost like staying in an abusive relationship.

Are you really suggesting that being able to see 'off camera' incidents by being there, really makes up for such things as close ups, slow mo and instant replays of dubious decisions possibly 80 or 90 yards from where you are standing on the terraces??

I'm saying that you don't see the full pitch and the positioning of many players off the ball.

Linz hope this meets with your approval ?

Is there really any need for the continued sarcasm?

 

[Foxy]

Linz. I know what your original post was really about - "I was one of the few there last night......" My point was, you are one of the new lot of blades fans who've come along during the relative good times (not a problem of course, its just an age thing - you lucky lot lol). Wait another 30 years when you had disappointment after disappointment after disappointment rammed down your through. You actually take off the blind loyalty specs and start to see things as they really are.

How exactly did you deduce that?

Are we getting back to the old "if you mention being at a match you are claiming to be a bigger blade" syndrome which stopped me posting on BU?

If Linz really wanted to create a thread on that, wouldn't she pick one of the less "glamourous" fixtures we'll be at this season? Plymouth away or something? Rather than a trip a few minutes down the road to Barnsley?

Are you really suggesting that being able to see 'off camera' incidents by being there, really makes up for such things as close ups, slow mo and instant replays of dubious decisions possibly 80 or 90 yards from where you are standing on the terraces??

They both have their own merits/benefits. You miss an awful lot watching on TV in my opinion, you also miss the ability to watch back incidents on the ball in minute detail whilst being at the match.

Granted, yes, radio commentary can be very misleading but i know what i witnessed last night on tv and it was blades garbage. Brazil (oh sorry i mean Barnsley) embarrassed us for flowing football, finesse and technical ability.

Well then Sky must have good a good production team, because I thought they were at best a half decent team with a couple of passing moves put together after they scored. Only because we didn't win with a patched up team, we are "hoofball" merchants and they play lovely football.