No gods - just phases in football

[Bladeulike]

Like everyone, I’ve tried to keep a perspective on recent events and completely agre that a) it isn’t over yet and b) whatever happens it’s been a great couple of years, Absolute full credit to the team and management for bringing back the good times to the Lane

My rational mind says that there’s is not such thing as ‘typical United’ i.e. the club that seems to have no bloody luck whatsoever (the Givens penalty, the last minute goal in the play-off final against Palace, the horrifying Stein goal and results reversal in the last 10 mins that sent us down against Chelsea, the whole Tevez debacle etc etc). Sometimes it’s hard not to think we are somehow cursed. But we aren’t and they were different times with different players. So none of this ‘footballing gods’ nonsense for me.

I was present at all the gut churning events mentioned above and there is one thing that does link them all together. They all marked the end of a distinctive phase in our club”s history. Along with 4,000 other Blades, at Chelsea, I knew that Stein goal would mark the end of a half decent premier league outfit and begin the wilderness years. Along with 30 - 40 thousand Blades fans I knew that the Tevez affair would cripple us for a long,long time and that we wouldn’t just bounce back.

So I think what many of us are feeling is that our current phase of fabulous, mercurial improvement is potentially coming to an end. I honestly don’t think we are yet established as a major force in the Champioship. We have ridden a wave of great management and momentum and a unique combination of players that won’t necessaily be back better and stronger next year if we don’t go up. We all kind of know that this phase is coming to an end. Phases for football teams can end in the weirdest of circumstances - not necessarily a slow, inevitable decline but sometimes a scuffed goal or a freak FA decision.....or an equaliser 28:seconds before the final whistle blows.

This current phase for the Blades is coming to an end. The next five years will probably be defined by tHe next four games. I truly hope we grasp this fact and rip into the opposition starting Friday knowing how truly important it is

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

Disagree. We will be fighting for promotion again next year if we don’t go up this year.

 

[DaleHillBlade]

Like everyone[/B], I’ve tried to keep a perspective on recent events

You lost me right at the start..

But despite our elevated position, I believe our club has already become a settled Championship side, notwithstanding that we may well get promoted.

 

[SUFC Guy]

Disagree. We will be fighting for promotion again next year if we don’t go up this year.

I also agree that if we fail this year then next year we will also be stronger. Technically we are good enough as out results have proved to date. Mentally seems to be a different matter.

I fully expect CWAK to upgrade on 3 or 4 players that are better and mentally strong enough to carry us through (like Norwich are)

We are still building this side and it may take another couple of years to do so. I can never see us not competing for promotion while this management is in place

Onwards and upwards

UTMB!

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Like everyone, I’ve tried to keep a perspective on recent events and completely agre that a) it isn’t over yet and b) whatever happens it’s been a great couple of years, Absolute full credit to the team and management for bringing back the good times to the Lane

My rational mind says that there’s is not such thing as ‘typical United’ i.e. the club that seems to have no bloody luck whatsoever (the Givens penalty, the last minute goal in the play-off final against Palace, the horrifying Stein goal and results reversal in the last 10 mins that sent us down against Chelsea, the whole Tevez debacle etc etc). Sometimes it’s hard not to think we are somehow cursed. But we aren’t and they were different times with different players. So none of this ‘footballing gods’ nonsense for me.

I was present at all the gut churning events mentioned above and there is one thing that does link them all together. They all marked the end of a distinctive phase in our club”s history. Along with 4,000 other Blades, at Chelsea, I knew that Stein goal would mark the end of a half decent premier league outfit and begin the wilderness years. Along with 30 - 40 thousand Blades fans I knew that the Tevez affair would cripple us for a long,long time and that we wouldn’t just bounce back.

So I think what many of us are feeling is that our current phase of fabulous, mercurial improvement is potentially coming to an end. I honestly don’t think we are yet established as a major force in the Champioship. We have ridden a wave of great management and momentum and a unique combination of players that won’t necessaily be back better and stronger next year if we don’t go up. We all kind of know that this phase is coming to an end. Phases for football teams can end in the weirdest of circumstances - not necessarily a slow, inevitable decline but sometimes a scuffed goal or a freak FA decision.....or an equaliser 28:seconds before the final whistle blows.

This current phase for the Blades is coming to an end. The next five years will probably be defined by tHe next four games. I truly hope we grasp this fact and rip into the opposition starting Friday knowing how truly important it is

If we are entering a new phase/era, I think what happens in May will be vital - in the High Court rather than on a football pitch. The ownership question is more important long-term than promotion.

 

[Bladeulike]

I can’t see Sharp, McGoldrick, Henderson or, sadly, JOC being with us next season. Our Board is in open warfare in the High Court. We hardly have a pot to piss in in comparison with the likes of Fulham, Boro, Villa, Derby, Cardiff et al who will all be challenging. The time really is now.

I truly wish I shared your optimism. My view remains promotion this year was pivotal to our future security, our ability to build and ability and, significantly, to retain the talents of Wilder and Knill. Even though I don’t think we would pull up any trees in the Prem, for the first time in a decade it would give us the capacity to compete on an even playing field.

It’s not over yet, please let’s throw everything at these next 4, or 7 games!

 

[CarlMcBlade]

If Leeds go up instead of us. I fully expect them go for Wilder when Bielsa inevitably leaves. Something about Bielsa tells me he’s not here for the long haul. So it’s shit or bust for me. If we don’t beat Forest we need to start resting players ready for the play offs.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Phases my arse.

When was the phase when Leeds or Wednesday or any other club of a similar size to us got stuck in League One for six years?

When was the phase when another club lost four consecutive play off finals without even scoring a goal?

 

[Bladeulike]

Phases my arse.

When was the phase when Leeds or Wednesday or any other club of a similar size to us got stuck in League One for six years?

When was the phase when another club lost four consecutive play off finals without even scoring a goal?

I think you are making my point. As you say, we have been through a terrible phase of being in the doldrums of League 1. My contention is that a great deal of luck, or lack of It, can trigger these phases. We were incredibly unlucky to lose that game at Chelsea, to have Simonsen send a penalty into orbit, to have been royally shafted by the Tevez affair etc. The phase it triggers can be disproportionate to the event that caused it. Had Stein not scored with 10 seconds to go, I think we could still be in the Prem league now. If West Ham had been deducted the points they should have been, then again we could still be in the Prem. if we had kept our nerve after Huddersfield missed their first two pens we were good enough to stay in the Prem. Personally I don’t think we can emulate this season again next year. Just saying that, as a previous poster pointed out, it’s now shit or bust to enter a golden phase the likes of which we have never experienced

 

[diode_blade]

As long as you don't mix up the old 3 phase for the new 3 phase you should be ok, otherwise sparks might fly.....

 

[Bladeulike]

As long as you don't mix up the old 3 phase for the new 3 phase you should be ok, otherwise sparks might fly.....

Let’s just hope we can ‘socket’ to our next 4 opponents

 

[Cheets]

Like everyone, I’ve tried to keep a perspective on recent events and completely agre that a) it isn’t over yet and b) whatever happens it’s been a great couple of years, Absolute full credit to the team and management for bringing back the good times to the Lane

My rational mind says that there’s is not such thing as ‘typical United’ i.e. the club that seems to have no bloody luck whatsoever (the Givens penalty, the last minute goal in the play-off final against Palace, the horrifying Stein goal and results reversal in the last 10 mins that sent us down against Chelsea, the whole Tevez debacle etc etc). Sometimes it’s hard not to think we are somehow cursed. But we aren’t and they were different times with different players. So none of this ‘footballing gods’ nonsense for me.

I was present at all the gut churning events mentioned above and there is one thing that does link them all together. They all marked the end of a distinctive phase in our club”s history. Along with 4,000 other Blades, at Chelsea, I knew that Stein goal would mark the end of a half decent premier league outfit and begin the wilderness years. Along with 30 - 40 thousand Blades fans I knew that the Tevez affair would cripple us for a long,long time and that we wouldn’t just bounce back.

So I think what many of us are feeling is that our current phase of fabulous, mercurial improvement is potentially coming to an end. I honestly don’t think we are yet established as a major force in the Champioship. We have ridden a wave of great management and momentum and a unique combination of players that won’t necessaily be back better and stronger next year if we don’t go up. We all kind of know that this phase is coming to an end. Phases for football teams can end in the weirdest of circumstances - not necessarily a slow, inevitable decline but sometimes a scuffed goal or a freak FA decision.....or an equaliser 28:seconds before the final whistle blows.

This current phase for the Blades is coming to an end. The next five years will probably be defined by tHe next four games. I truly hope we grasp this fact and rip into the opposition starting Friday knowing how truly important it is

I thought we'd go straight back up after Tevez/Wigan. How wrong I was.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

Like everyone, I’ve tried to keep a perspective on recent events and completely agre that a) it isn’t over yet and b) whatever happens it’s been a great couple of years, Absolute full credit to the team and management for bringing back the good times to the Lane

My rational mind says that there’s is not such thing as ‘typical United’ i.e. the club that seems to have no bloody luck whatsoever (the Givens penalty, the last minute goal in the play-off final against Palace, the horrifying Stein goal and results reversal in the last 10 mins that sent us down against Chelsea, the whole Tevez debacle etc etc). Sometimes it’s hard not to think we are somehow cursed. But we aren’t and they were different times with different players. So none of this ‘footballing gods’ nonsense for me.

I was present at all the gut churning events mentioned above and there is one thing that does link them all together. They all marked the end of a distinctive phase in our club”s history. Along with 4,000 other Blades, at Chelsea, I knew that Stein goal would mark the end of a half decent premier league outfit and begin the wilderness years. Along with 30 - 40 thousand Blades fans I knew that the Tevez affair would cripple us for a long,long time and that we wouldn’t just bounce back.

So I think what many of us are feeling is that our current phase of fabulous, mercurial improvement is potentially coming to an end. I honestly don’t think we are yet established as a major force in the Champioship. We have ridden a wave of great management and momentum and a unique combination of players that won’t necessaily be back better and stronger next year if we don’t go up. We all kind of know that this phase is coming to an end. Phases for football teams can end in the weirdest of circumstances - not necessarily a slow, inevitable decline but sometimes a scuffed goal or a freak FA decision.....or an equaliser 28:seconds before the final whistle blows.

This current phase for the Blades is coming to an end. The next five years will probably be defined by tHe next four games. I truly hope we grasp this fact and rip into the opposition starting Friday knowing how truly important it is

Lots of good sense in this ^^

That said ....... Reason to be cheerful, and reason to suppose this current phase ain’t done yet, = Wilder/Knill’s record of improving us significantly, year on year, so far. If you’ll forgive me mentioning them, should the Football Gods address the ownership bollocks sympathetically and keep Wilder/Knill with us through the summer, on recent evidence there’s no reason to assume we won’t be stronger again in 19/20. Whichever division we’re in.

 

[super_pig]

Like everyone, I’ve tried to keep a perspective on recent events and completely agre that a) it isn’t over yet and b) whatever happens it’s been a great couple of years, Absolute full credit to the team and management for bringing back the good times to the Lane

My rational mind says that there’s is not such thing as ‘typical United’ i.e. the club that seems to have no bloody luck whatsoever (the Givens penalty, the last minute goal in the play-off final against Palace, the horrifying Stein goal and results reversal in the last 10 mins that sent us down against Chelsea, the whole Tevez debacle etc etc). Sometimes it’s hard not to think we are somehow cursed. But we aren’t and they were different times with different players. So none of this ‘footballing gods’ nonsense for me.

I was present at all the gut churning events mentioned above and there is one thing that does link them all together. They all marked the end of a distinctive phase in our club”s history. Along with 4,000 other Blades, at Chelsea, I knew that Stein goal would mark the end of a half decent premier league outfit and begin the wilderness years. Along with 30 - 40 thousand Blades fans I knew that the Tevez affair would cripple us for a long,long time and that we wouldn’t just bounce back.

So I think what many of us are feeling is that our current phase of fabulous, mercurial improvement is potentially coming to an end. I honestly don’t think we are yet established as a major force in the Champioship. We have ridden a wave of great management and momentum and a unique combination of players that won’t necessaily be back better and stronger next year if we don’t go up. We all kind of know that this phase is coming to an end. Phases for football teams can end in the weirdest of circumstances - not necessarily a slow, inevitable decline but sometimes a scuffed goal or a freak FA decision.....or an equaliser 28:seconds before the final whistle blows.

This current phase for the Blades is coming to an end. The next five years will probably be defined by tHe next four games. I truly hope we grasp this fact and rip into the opposition starting Friday knowing how truly important it is

no football gods? heresy

 

[Topplayersleave]

There are no football gods, they don't exist. Only winners bottle and losers lack of it does.

 

[Snowman]

There are no football gods, they don't exist. Only winners bottle and losers lack of it does.

You are mistaken. winners bottle and losers lack of it does not explain the various mishaps which have befallen this club. I am pretty sure the only bottle involved in the Ched affair was that which contained a vast amount of alcohol. The ghost tackle by Morgan on "Stevie G" was nothing to do with bottle as was not the FA letting Wet Spam get away with third party ownership etc.. Last season the FG conspired to introduce Sordell to Coutts.

I often think they have an intimate knowledge of quantum entanglement and wave function collapse such that they are aware my mere observation of anything Sheffield United will screw us up.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

There are no football gods, they don't exist. Only winners bottle and losers lack of it does.

The gods do exist. Next you will tell me Santa is fake.

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

Can all stewards please go to phase 5.

I miss that.

 

[derfblade.3]

So I think what many of us are feeling is that our current phase of fabulous, mercurial improvement is potentially coming to an end


Not from any Blade that i know. Yes our form has dipped (at the wrong time), but your suggestion is way off the mark.
Would you have posted this had we won and Leeds lost on Saturday?

 

[Bladeulike]

So I think what many of us are feeling is that our current phase of fabulous, mercurial improvement is potentially coming to an end


Not from any Blade that i know. Yes our form has dipped (at the wrong time), but your suggestion is way off the mark.
Would you have posted this had we won and Leeds lost on Saturday?

I think you may have missed my point. I am not saying that we are in terminal decline. I am saying that distinctive and significant phases of a football club’s life can turn on a sixpence. The fact is we didn’t win and Leeds did. With only 28 seconds of the Millwall match remaining that was our bloody rotten luck and their sodding good luck that we lost. My point is that we may not be able to repeat this remarkable season again next year and that we are therefore at a tipping point of a golden phase (or era if you prefer) or not. Realising the importance of this is something I would instill in the players and management and may be a different narrative to the usual ‘ play each game’ as it comes. It’s actually more important than that.

 

[super_pig]

we’ve been out of phase since 1925 then

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

we’ve been out of phase since 1925 then

....and in typical United style; things were beginning to look quite good for us between 1936 and the summer of 1939. Runners up in the FA Cup, Runners up in Div 2 and posted our highest ever home attendance, what could possibly go wrong?