A confession

[SteveBlade]

I've loved watching the Blades for the best part of 25 years.

The very best of it has been in the three seasons prior to this one, an incredible manager who's assembled a squad who play the best football I've ever seen us play.

I had season tickets throughout League One and before, and I've made every game possible since.

This season I've been to three matches, watching probably half in total.

I've had the opportunity to go to or watch more, but I just don't want to. I went to the cinema a few weeks back intentionally just before 3pm, when I could have got to the match, or found a stream.

A mate managed to sort tickets out for tonight, of course I went. When Mousset put the ball in the net, as everyone was celebrating I just stood there and said to my mate 'it looked close that, might get done for offside.'

I've celebrated only a handful of goals this season, when I was absolutely sure there was no chance that they'd get ruled out (I was wrong for one or two of them.)

I love how we play, but I don't really like watching us live this season. I'm enjoying it at the moment mainly by checking our results after the match. Tonight just confirmed what I've felt for a while.

 

[Snake]

If you were a Blades player Tufty would have you training with the kids until the JTW

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I've loved watching the Blades for the best part of 25 years.

The very best of it has been in the three seasons prior to this one, an incredible manager who's assembled a squad who play the best football I've ever seen us play.

I had season tickets throughout League One and before, and I've made every game possible since.

This season I've been to three matches, watching probably half in total.

I've had the opportunity to go to or watch more, but I just don't want to. I went to the cinema a few weeks back intentionally just before 3pm, when I could have got to the match, or found a stream.

A mate managed to sort tickets out for tonight, of course I went. When Mousset put the ball in the net, as everyone was celebrating I just stood there and said to my mate 'it looked close that, might get done for offside.'

I've celebrated only a handful of goals this season, when I was absolutely sure there was no chance that they'd get ruled out (I was wrong for one or two of them.)

I love how we play, but I don't really like watching us live this season. I'm enjoying it at the moment mainly by checking our results after the match. Tonight just confirmed what I've felt for a while.

Is this you?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I've had the opportunity to go to or watch more, but I just don't want to. I went to the cinema a few weeks back intentionally just before 3pm, when I could have got to the match, or found a stream.

You don't deserve to be a Blade. VAR or not you don't hide away at the cinema watching some shit to avoid the Blades.

I would not have posted that even if it is true. Yellow.

 

[Sean Thornton]

 

[knowsnowt]

I'm with Steve.
Worked till 4 today, got home and went night fishing for minnows. Had the game on my phone but lobbed it in the river when they scored.*
Good thing about minnow fishing is if you get a bite the least you will catch is a minnow.

*Cant phone our lass. Anyone fancy coming down to salmon pastures and giving me a lift back to wybourn?

 

[Stewy]

Depends if he was watching re runs of when Saturday comes ... All forgiven

 

[oldblade]

You don't deserve to be a Blade. VAR or not you don't hide away at the cinema watching some shit to avoid the Blades.

I would not have posted that even if it is true. Yellow.

Yellow. That brings back memories.

That used to be a frequent chant at our away matches. Particularly remember it in the 1981 away leg of our League cup tie against Arsenal during our fourth division days.

We used to play in a dreadful yellow away strip with what can only be described as mud coloured stripes. For virtually the whole match the chant of "yellow" rang out from a full clock end at Highbury. As well as "we'll take more care of you, Porterfield, Porterfield" to the British Airways advert tune of the time.

Lost the match 2-0 after extra time. Aggregate 2-1. A good night all the same. Never really looked like scoring ourselves, but made it difficult for Arsenal.

The United players left the pitch to a loud rendition of "We're proud of you, We're proud". (Auld Lang Syne tune). And I was proud of them, just as I am proud of the current side.

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but your comment somehow triggered that memory.

 

[SteveBlade]

You don't deserve to be a Blade. VAR or not you don't hide away at the cinema watching some shit to avoid the Blades.

I would not have posted that even if it is true. Yellow.

I know, I know, but it's shit.

Wish I'd never gone tonight to watch such a ruined game. Waste of a day.

 

[BettingBlade]

Whilst I’m not in the same boat I agree with a lot of what you’re saying. At the start of the season I couldn’t wait to get tickets for away games as soon as I could. If I missed out I’d be straight on the waiting list for tickets.

If I miss out now I don’t bother, I can always find a stream, at least I will have more of an idea what’s going on. Gone are the days when I’d re-arrange pretty much anything around football. It’s actually really sad that of all seasons this is the one that’s making me lose interest and it’s nothing to do with what any of our boys are doing, it’s the nonsense that VAR is causing.

Having said that, I’m actually really looking forward to going to the Fylde game where I might just be able to celebrate a goal properly. Three times we had the ball in the net at Brighton and not once did I celebrate properly.

 

[Berlin Blade]

I completely agree with you. Sick to death of arguing with my liverpool supporting armchair mate who ‘just wants the right decisions’.

There is a bigger thing at stake here. The actual game itself.

I hope I don’t sound too dramatic but I’ll make a confession too: I kind of half hope we go down.

 

[Birdwell Blade]

Said more or less the same thing as you in another thread, 100% feel the same.

 

[Birdwell Blade]

In fact the worst thing is I’ve always taken my kids to the odd games in previous seasons as well (both got kids season tickets). They’ve not been to one game this year and I’ve not had the desire to make them come with me.

 

[I should coco]

Yellow. That brings back memories.

That used to be a frequent chant at our away matches. Particularly remember it in the 1981 away leg of our League cup tie against Arsenal during our fourth division days.

We used to play in a dreadful yellow away strip with what can only be described as mud coloured stripes. For virtually the whole match the chant of "yellow" rang out from a full clock end at Highbury. As well as "we'll take more care of you, Porterfield, Porterfield" to the British Airways advert tune of the time.

Lost the match 2-0 after extra time. Aggregate 2-1. A good night all the same. Never really looked like scoring ourselves, but made it difficult for Arsenal.

The United players left the pitch to a loud rendition of "We're proud of you, We're proud". (Auld Lang Syne tune). And I was proud of them, just as I am proud of the current side.

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but your comment somehow triggered that memory.

I remember some of that, but my defining memory of the night was a bit different. Getting the shit kicked out of us on the tube platform by 15-20 of them, when there were 2,000 Blades above us waiting for the Footy Special train.

 

[Large Mendonca]

Heard from a few people saying the same - you're not alone Steve, in fact it's a growing army of angry people who want their game back.

Think we should organise a rally and head to Stockley Park - bring pitchforks and fire.

 

[blade67]

Well, It takes all sorts but I'm loving it. VAR is wank but the football and the atmosphere around games is great and you really have to be looking for things to be miserable about to not be enjoying this.

My take on last night is that mouse was off but he'd have got away with last year,and the incident for their first goal was just shit refereeing and not really anything to do with VAR.

Hope you find something rewarding to do with your time

 

[INTAKE BLADE]

VAR could have disallowed the refs assist and got him out the shit

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

I've loved watching the Blades for the best part of 25 years.

The very best of it has been in the three seasons prior to this one, an incredible manager who's assembled a squad who play the best football I've ever seen us play.

I had season tickets throughout League One and before, and I've made every game possible since.

This season I've been to three matches, watching probably half in total.

I've had the opportunity to go to or watch more, but I just don't want to. I went to the cinema a few weeks back intentionally just before 3pm, when I could have got to the match, or found a stream.

A mate managed to sort tickets out for tonight, of course I went. When Mousset put the ball in the net, as everyone was celebrating I just stood there and said to my mate 'it looked close that, might get done for offside.'

I've celebrated only a handful of goals this season, when I was absolutely sure there was no chance that they'd get ruled out (I was wrong for one or two of them.)

I love how we play, but I don't really like watching us live this season. I'm enjoying it at the moment mainly by checking our results after the match. Tonight just confirmed what I've felt for a while.

I’m sorry you feel that way.

 

[alcoblade]

I've loved watching the Blades for the best part of 25 years.

The very best of it has been in the three seasons prior to this one, an incredible manager who's assembled a squad who play the best football I've ever seen us play.

I had season tickets throughout League One and before, and I've made every game possible since.

This season I've been to three matches, watching probably half in total.

I've had the opportunity to go to or watch more, but I just don't want to. I went to the cinema a few weeks back intentionally just before 3pm, when I could have got to the match, or found a stream.

A mate managed to sort tickets out for tonight, of course I went. When Mousset put the ball in the net, as everyone was celebrating I just stood there and said to my mate 'it looked close that, might get done for offside.'

I've celebrated only a handful of goals this season, when I was absolutely sure there was no chance that they'd get ruled out (I was wrong for one or two of them.)

I love how we play, but I don't really like watching us live this season. I'm enjoying it at the moment mainly by checking our results after the match. Tonight just confirmed what I've felt for a while.

Despite VAR, I’m loving this season. But if you’ve barely been, then presumably it’s things other than VAR putting you off?

 

[Bladesman]

Heard from a few people saying the same - you're not alone Steve, in fact it's a growing army of angry people who want their game back.

Think we should organise a rally and head to Stockley Park - bring pitchforks and fire.

I did say in shout box during the Liverpool v Wolves match this will happen.

 

[Feo]

Yellow. That brings back memories.

That used to be a frequent chant at our away matches. Particularly remember it in the 1981 away leg of our League cup tie against Arsenal during our fourth division days.

We used to play in a dreadful yellow away strip with what can only be described as mud coloured stripes. For virtually the whole match the chant of "yellow" rang out from a full clock end at Highbury. As well as "we'll take more care of you, Porterfield, Porterfield" to the British Airways advert tune of the time.

Lost the match 2-0 after extra time. Aggregate 2-1. A good night all the same. Never really looked like scoring ourselves, but made it difficult for Arsenal.

The United players left the pitch to a loud rendition of "We're proud of you, We're proud". (Auld Lang Syne tune). And I was proud of them, just as I am proud of the current side.

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but your comment somehow triggered that memory.

Yep I was at that match. What year was it ????
The window on the train back got put through coming out of London. Came all the way back fucking freezing but at least the football special ploughed on. That wouldn’t happen now.

 

[Large Mendonca]

I did say in shout box during the Liverpool v Wolves match this will happen.

Think it's only a matter of time that we see some protests there (not sure about pitchforks though)

 

[Bladesman]

Think it's only a matter of time that we see some protests there (not sure about pitchforks though)

It is a business complex but I can see football fans going there and smashing windows in.

 

[Sparky]

Yellow. That brings back memories.

That used to be a frequent chant at our away matches. Particularly remember it in the 1981 away leg of our League cup tie against Arsenal during our fourth division days.

We used to play in a dreadful yellow away strip with what can only be described as mud coloured stripes. For virtually the whole match the chant of "yellow" rang out from a full clock end at Highbury. As well as "we'll take more care of you, Porterfield, Porterfield" to the British Airways advert tune of the time.

Lost the match 2-0 after extra time. Aggregate 2-1. A good night all the same. Never really looked like scoring ourselves, but made it difficult for Arsenal.

The United players left the pitch to a loud rendition of "We're proud of you, We're proud". (Auld Lang Syne tune). And I was proud of them, just as I am proud of the current side.

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but your comment somehow triggered that memory.

Brought back some great memories. Bobby Hatton scoring in the home leg, the mighty Trenton Wiggan coming in at Highbury and the yellow and brown stripes of course. I can always smell bananas when I think of that kit!

 

[Sparky]

Yep I was at that match. What year was it ????
The window on the train back got put through coming out of London. Came all the way back fucking freezing but at least the football special ploughed on. That wouldn’t happen now.

1981

 

[raul]

I walked out of the ground when they scored, I'll see the season out because I love my team ,but I'm not investing any time, money or emotion into this charade thereafter.

Thanks a lot for killing something I've loved for 50 years you fucking cunts

Raul

 

[Bladesthorpe]

Sorry Steve but reading that I must say you've never been a Blade, I've been going 66 seasons now through thick and thin and still get a buzz every matchday. I've thought seriously about not renewing next season because of the abomination that is VAR but couldn't bear the thought of missing this great team in action at every opportunity. Suggest you change your name to Steve Star wars and stop kidding yourself that your a Blade.

 

[Snake]

Can't believe some of the stuff I'm reading on this thread. We are having the best season for the last 50 years or so and some people are still not happy. Oh yes, VAR is shit, I hate it. But there's a bigger picture. The Blades under Wilder are playing the best football I've ever seen in my life. They have given me some real pride and to see the clowns over at S6 throw money after money at it in the forlorn hope of possibly one day doing what we are doing now just puts the cream on the cake for me.

I guess some of you guys weren't there on 'that' Boxing Day? I guess you didn't have to suffer a decade plus of laughter and arrogance from the maaaaasiives.

Well Wilder and the Blades have completely changed all that. The gap is getting bigger. We are getting unprecedented media exposure and we are the pride of Sheffield. The city is Red and White!

Back to VAR. As I said, it is fucking horrible. I too don't know what to do after we have scored. It has taken the raw emotion out of the game. However, I have faith that it will improve. There is a constant theme now - particularly with very very marginal off-side goals - and it is happening to all teams. OK, yes those pesky football gods are having a good laugh at our expense, but we are much stronger these days and they know it. We are still striving forward and being successful in-spite of our disproportionate number of negative VAR calls.

I'm sure that a full review of VAR will take place and we will come to a better implementation. We want the correct decisions, but we also want to keep the raw emotion that football has. I think the very very marginal offside decisions will be the first thing they look at.

So, come on Blades, buckle up and enjoy the (sometimes very bumpy) ride. We have bigger pigs to fry

 

[BladeInIreland]

Even as an armchair fan it's different. I've been able to watch almost every game this year with us being in the premiership. My Mrs walks in and goes "oh I didn't realise you scored I didn't hear you". Don't celebrate anymore. The only bit I'm happy at is full time.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Despite VAR, I’m loving this season. But if you’ve barely been, then presumably it’s things other than VAR putting you off?

That's exactly what I thought when I read the OP. I mean, we all know VAR is a pain in the neck, but the way this team is conducting itself, despite VAR, is a credit and we are playing the best football I've seen from a Blades side since 1970. So, if you can't enjoy that, then I suspect it's not just about VAR.

I've known lots of kids in the late 20's/early 30's who start to drift away from football. It happened to many mates of mine, both Owls and Blades. Invariably they blamed it on something to do with the team or the club. It usually goes..."I'm not going down there to watch that whilst X is in charge", or "I'm not going down there to watch that whilst we keep playing X" or something like that. In fact, what's happened in most cases is that they've just gradually become less interested in football and more interested in doing other things. And that's fine. We all change as we become older and things we used to enjoy doing at one time become not so interesting, or of no interest at all later in life.

I used to love going to play snooker in my early twenties. I eventually just drifted away from it some years later. I can't put my finger on any one reason why I lost interest, I think it's just that other things occupied my time more and I didn't really miss playing snooker, so...that's it really. Now, I could have looked to blame the poor state of the tables, or the poor quality of the cues, with their flat-tips, or the difficulty in finding chalk. But that would have not really been it - even though all those things were true. The thing is, I had changed, and sometimes that's not easy to admit to yourself. It's far easier to find something else to pin it on, rather than just accept that it's you, and nothing else.

Anyhow - I hope SteveBlade gets his mojo back for watching the Blades.