Is this the best Blades side ever?

[DaveBassettsgoneonholiday]

In response to the OP.
Quite possibly,yes. To be disappointed to come away with only a point... are we not?... away from home against last year's champions league runners up, and having not been outplayed this season with a team largely made up of (previously) third division players or lower, against some of the best this planet has to offer...
47 years in.... this is what I've been waiting for

 

[Houston_Blade]

In my lifetime of watching it is by far. Not sure about the really old teams but some of the old timers might argue they were better. We’re competitive in an era where you have to be excellent to compete.

 

[K1 flabby stick]

Feb 1969, 9 years old.
BLUT. I climbed the concrete stairs in excited anticipation, the wide expanse of green grass spilled out before me, it was big I was small. I was hooked.
SUFC 5 - 0 Bury.
Ups and downs ever since.
The romantic rose tinted Currie and Woodward days. Some truly champagne football. A great side
Furphy. Close but no cigar.
Mostly dim and dark days until Bassett.
Route 1 ish. Deane, Agana, Gannon etc. Great days. May 5th 1990, I really pissed a lot of them off that night. Turkey shoot.
Meagre pickings till Warnock.
Some good days and nights but too little confidence and belief.

Wilder.......Totally. Different. Gravy.
Consistent, confident, intelligent, not going to be bossed by anyone. Class.
These are great days, and yes it is the best Blades side ever, best manager (and staff) ever.

Enjoy.

 

[JackSUFC]

Been going since early 2000s so for me 100%. This is the highest position I’ve seen us in the league and one that four/five years ago I thought was just a mental fantasy.

 

[Lampiao]

The Currie / Woodward side had some great performances - but was sadly inconsistent - would win 5-0 one week and lose 5-0 the next. Great showmanship though from Currie, Hockey, Woody, Reece, Salmons, and a pleasure to watch when on top of their game. This current team is just that a TEAM, in capital letters - knocks the socks off anything I've seen for week-in, week-out consistency of performance. Long may it continue, It's hard to directly compare, but I am really enjoying this golden period. [btw my first game was boxing Day 1957, beat Blackburn 4-2]

 

[Superblades]

This is just bonkers. There's probably one player in the entire squad from that era that would get into this team.

if that’s the time we started following the club then that’s our opinion. What do you want us to say? A team we didn’t see?

 

[Deleted member 1486]

if that’s the time we started following the club then that’s our opinion. What do you want us to say? A team we didn’t see?

Well, there are two ways of reading what you (plural) wrote: you could have meant "the best since I started attending in 1996" (and judging by your reply this is what you meant) or, it could be interpreted as "the best side since the 1996/1997 one" - implying that the 1996/1997 one was better than the current one, which is clearly a nonsense.

 

[Sheffsteel]

It’s always difficult to compare.

I’d say Brian Deane is miles better than any current striker we have.
Alex Sabella is easily more skillful than any current player.
Tony Currie is miles better than any current player.
I’ve seen us play much better several times over the last 40 years BUT.......

I‘ve NEVER seen a team so well drilled and so CONSISTENT.
We play well every single match, our consistency is pretty incredible and we play a nice passing game making football look simple.

Also I’ve never seen any United team approach away matches with such calmness and confidence. We don’t seem to fear or over respect any team.
I reckon we could play away at Barcelona in the Nou Camp and Wilder would be setting up a game plan to win. Never known anything like it.

 

[essexblade73]

Don’t know why but it reminds me of the time we were playing Man Utd away in 1990 after winning promotion. We were losing 2-0 when a dickhead shouted ‘Bassett out’. Reply was ‘Fuck off cunt, who do you want, McEwan?’. I think what I’m trying to say that this is the best side I’ve ever seen at the Lane. Cherish every moment, remember where we were with Adkins. We’ve just gone toe to toe with the Champions League finalists and should have won. Fifth in the Premier League, FIFTH. I know I’m rambling but I don’t give a fuck. I fucking love the Blades.

Was at that man u away game. Remember speaking to a lad on train home, nutter of a fella, him and his dad kicked off with manc fans at the ground and his dad got arrested. Was on the bus home and there he was chasing two lads down waingate after a fight. Nutcase. Anyway as for this team, whilst i loved bassetts boys, this lot are fckin ballers. Some of the football we play is like barca on acid. We can mix it up as well. So yep probs the best we have had.

 

[Davalon]

Best footballing team since 1981 for me.

Early 90s were superb for me seeing us in the top flight for the first time and beating the big boys but theres certainly something special about this team.

 

[Sandygate Blade]

The Currie / Woodward side had some great performances - but was sadly inconsistent - would win 5-0 one week and lose 5-0 the next. Great showmanship though from Currie, Hockey, Woody, Reece, Salmons, and a pleasure to watch when on top of their game. This current team is just that a TEAM, in capital letters - knocks the socks off anything I've seen for week-in, week-out consistency of performance. Long may it continue, It's hard to directly compare, but I am really enjoying this golden period. [btw my first game was boxing Day 1957, beat Blackburn 4-2]

i agree with this. My first game was in 1966 against Spurs. Started going regularly in 1970. The side at that time was brilliant but inconsistent and probably under achieved. After John Harris moved upstairs Ken Furphy tried to add some consistency but lacked the finances to make this happen.

This team does seem different. We probably lack some of the flair of the 1970s team but do have the consistency. Wilder has given us this. I thought I'd seen as good as it was ever going to get but CWAK have changed that. With the Premiership money available and Chris Wilders skill i can see a bright future. As there been a better time to be a Blade? Probably not since our golden days between 1899 and 1902!

 

[Superblades]

Well, there are two ways of reading what you (plural) wrote: you could have meant "the best since I started attending in 1996" (and judging by your reply this is what you meant) or, it could be interpreted as "the best side since the 1996/1997 one" - implying that the 1996/1997 one was better than the current one, which is clearly a nonsense.

Sorry for the confusion Flawed. UTB

 

[ATL Recs]

what You have to remember is that years ago all the good sides we had and played against, were from the same pool of players, these players we have, are playing against arguably the best players in the world.

Absolutely correct this post

My first game was in 64 8 years old team I remember as the best is obviously the John Harris 70 / 71 and on team

No doubt in my mind that the football I have witnessed the last three years is off the scale
Is this the best team as off today Saturday 9 November YES
Is it the best United team ever ?
With this Manager I for the first time in 55 years supporting my beloved Blades feel we are not in any way finished yet
It’s going to get even better ffs UTB

 

[Grappler]

Started going around 1970, saw Currie, Woody, Speight, etc.

Lived through everything since.

This is my all time fave Blades team. Wilder is my all time fave manager.

These lads epitomise Sheffield United. From CW and AK arriving, the journey from League One, through the Championship, and now battering some of the most famous names in world football.

This is the best league in the world with some of the best players in the world and the Blades are knocking on the door of the top five.

It's not just us playing well, it's the fact that some of these top teams can't live with us.

For me, these lads are legends.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

Sorry for the confusion Flawed. UTB

UTB pal. It's certainly the best time I can remember as a blade!

 

[trevorhockey]

Yes since highbury 1972

 

[blade too long]

Considering the way football is now with several sides awash with great wealth for us to be 5th tonight is better than anything I've witnessed including the Harris era. Back then it was 11 v 11 so was a far more level playing field. Some teams now have benches worth 500m quid. Yet our bunch of wanabees are playing in a fearless manner and rightly getting some kudos. We play as a team and our passing is a delight. Seen us have a few great individuals but this is without doubt the best team I 've seen week in week out. We could end the year of 2019 with only 1 away defeat. Unprecedented.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

Started going around 1970, saw Currie, Woody, Speight, etc.

Lived through everything since.

This is my all time fave Blades team. Wilder is my all time fave manager.

These lads epitomise Sheffield United. From CW and AK arriving, the journey from League One, through the Championship, and now battering some of the most famous names in world football.

This is the best league in the world with some of the best players in the world and the Blades are knocking on the door of the top five.

It's not just us playing well, it's the fact that some of these top teams can't live with us.

For me, these lads are legends.

Such a likeable group too. I'm not mentioning names, but we've had to put up with some dickheads playing for us over the years. The recruitment over the past 3 years has been incredible.

 

[Grappler]

Such a likeable group too. I'm not mentioning names, but we've had to put up with some dickheads playing for us over the years. The recruitment over the past 3 years has been incredible.

Agreed pal, probably the most likeable bunch of lads we have ever had

 

[trevorhockey]

Sat in lane top club its very quietlol

 

[GrayBlade]

I don’t know but when somebody edited a video of us doing this stuff in League One, how many of us thought we’d be reproducIng it all over again in arguably the best league in the world 3 seasons later?

 

[Stretch]

It's a yes from me, but I was saying that when we romped league 1, simply due to the style of play on offer. The team has evolved into something even better since, but retained a core group of players who have all improved and driven us forward.

Interesting to read the opinions who saw the Harris era too, as I didn't.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Started going around 1970, saw Currie, Woody, Speight, etc.

Lived through everything since.

This is my all time fave Blades team. Wilder is my all time fave manager.

These lads epitomise Sheffield United. From CW and AK arriving, the journey from League One, through the Championship, and now battering some of the most famous names in world football.

This is the best league in the world with some of the best players in the world and the Blades are knocking on the door of the top five.

It's not just us playing well, it's the fact that some of these top teams can't live with us.

For me, these lads are legends.

All the same timing and experience and sentiment as me. Back home from today’s game and I cannot quite believe how well we are playing... not missed one game this season and still cannot believe it !!

 

[sitwell]

Ive had a season ticket every season since 1970/71 and its a yes from me. 3 players ,a manager and assistant make my all time 11 with 2 on the bench , and at this rate a few are knocking on the door.

 

[vas borbokis]

My first game was 11 years old.....now 61.....best team I’ve seen.

Same. Agree!

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

You can only judge teams by the standard of the times. Let's face it - film showing Fatty Foulke & Co proves the standard of football was piss poor. Our current team is technically superior to any that have gone before, but if you put them on a muddy pitch with a leather ball soaked to 20% extra weight and up against TC, Woody & Co (without prep & conditioning to deal with the differences) they'd get stuffed. Bring the TC/Woody squad into this era, with the quality pitch, coaching, training, light ball etc and it would be very interesting. As for fans my age, we remember 60,000 v the Wendy in a 6th round cup-tie, and 49,000 see the Blades destroy fellow Div 2 promotion contenders Cardiff City 5-1, so we're never going to be able to match that. Would I swap "Greasy Chip Butty" for "Ilkey Moor BahT'at" though.... yes - of course!
(and I much prefer being able to see all the match from the comfort of my seat - back then for big games I took a home-made periscope with me).

 

[YES Blade]

For me, yes it’s never been better, one look at the table tells you that. But it’s still just the start, give Wilder a couple more transfer windows and I’ve no doubt we will be reaching even greater levels.

We all know United have a habit of kicking you in the bollocks when you least expect it, so I want to stay cautiously optimistic. But cup wins, European football, new stadium it’s all possible under Wilder.

 

[tomtheblade]

I don’t know but when somebody edited a video of us doing this stuff in League One, how many of us thought we’d be reproducIng it all over again in arguably the best league in the world 3 seasons later?

Although he didn't score it, that goal shows just how important McGoldrick is to our side.

The passing and build up play is nice but there's little penetration (oo err missus) until he takes the ball on and plays a one two before laying it off to Baldock who does the business.

Fantastic.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Call it bizarre, but in my time as a Blade, going back almost 50 years, I kept an eye on Wednesday and the teams they've cobbled together. At times they were the better of Sheffield's two professional sides, but I'll wager anyone that what Chris Wilder has managed to do is assemble a side that's head and shoulders above any first team that's represented either United or Wednesday during the last 5 decades. Of course we have our off days, but the overall standard that we've come to expect, even demand, is of such a high level that we are well equipped in being able to critique other teams and whether they can match our team of disciplined, well oiled, and technically superior footballers.....that's exactly how good we've become, and it's why we outperformed Spurs yesterday.

 

[Guesty]

Call it bizarre, but in my time as a Blade, going back almost 50 years, I kept an eye on Wednesday and the teams they've cobbled together. At times they were the better of Sheffield's two professional sides, but I'll wager anyone that what Chris Wilder has managed to do is assemble a side that's head and shoulders above any first team that's represented either United or Wednesday during the last 5 decades. Of course we have our off days, but the overall standard that we've come to expect, even demand, is of such a high level that we are well equipped in being able to critique other teams and whether they can match our team of disciplined, well oiled, and technically superior footballers.....that's exactly how good we've become, and it's why we outperformed Spurs yesterday.

I tell you what, if we're safe (or close to it) in January, I'd love us to have a proper crack at the FA Cup. Winning that in the next few years would definitely bury all arguments about who has had the best team in that time span.