We're Sixth in the Premier League

[Houso]

SIXTH!

Yet going on some of the threads from last night and this morning slating various players (first team regulars at that), our recruitment, our general attitude, decisions by the management etc etc, you would genuinely think we were in Villa's position and fighting relegation.

Fair enough, last night was dull (it was always going to be), we were very very rusty (we were always going to be) and we can't improve without a bit of self-reflection, but still...

Pass me the fucking tambourine.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I will join you on the castanets!

It's a great position to be in. Beyond our pre-season expectations. And we all know that with a little more luck and a lot less controversy we should be even higher. But, no point in letting that spoil anything.

We'll need to up our game a bit over how we played last night, to stay where we are, but I'm sure we'll do that. Especially if we can get JOC and Flecky back. We missed them badly last night. One of the main reasons is because both of them work down that left-hand side, creating the over-laps. That was missing altogether last night.

We'll get better. I always think we play worse versus the lower teams in the table anyhow. So, really looking forward to the next instalment - and hoping that Spurs beat Man U on Friday. It would put Spurs above us on goal difference, but I fancy our chances of beating Spurs at Bramall lane more than I fancy our chances of beating Man U at Old Trafford. So that would be the best result imo.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

We're down to sixth? Fucking disgraceful. Wilder out.

 

[CentralQuay]

I've been trying to make this point.....
But i've also been trying to make the point that standing still in this league is disastrous.
This season is already in the past, really, nothing that can happen between now and the end will have any significant impact on what happens over the summer. Believe me, European Qualification for one season has little to no impact.



But at this level everything will be, and needs to be, scrutinized as much as possible.

Recruitment is so so crucial to any kind of longevity at this level, and it's fair to say that recruitment this season hasn't really been that great. Has the starting eleven really improved?

I don't see the harm in questioning aspects such as that......Criticizing players/management etc after 90 minutes of 'competitive' football though is just bizarre.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I've been trying to make this point.....
But i've also been trying to make the point that standing still in this league is disastrous.
This season is already in the past, really, nothing that can happen between now and the end will have any significant impact on what happens over the summer. Believe me, European Qualification for one season has little to no impact.



But at this level everything will be, and needs to be, scrutinized as much as possible.

Recruitment is so so crucial to any kind of longevity at this level, and it's fair to say that recruitment this season hasn't really been that great. Has the starting eleven really improved?

I don't see the harm in questioning aspects such as that......Criticizing players/management etc after 90 minutes of 'competitive' football though is just bizarre.

I agree with the second half of your post. But European qualification would be a huge psychological boost to the club. And surely we are not standing still, even if last night was dull; we have now equalled the best start of any promoted club in PL history (if 29 games is a start), which suggests the progress is phenomenal. A dull 0-0 away draw in bizarre circumstances, without 2 key players, and with a clear goal disallowed, is not enough to disguise the progress. As you then imply, to progress further next season will be a serious challenge.

 

[stringer]

Believe me, European Qualification for one season has little to no impact.

Sorry, what?

 

[Birley Blade]

SIXTH!

Yet going on some of the threads from last night and this morning slating various players (first team regulars at that), our recruitment, our general attitude, decisions by the management etc etc, you would genuinely think we were in Villa's position and fighting relegation.

Fair enough, last night was dull (it was always going to be), we were very very rusty (we were always going to be) and we can't improve without a bit of self-reflection, but still...

Pass me the fucking tambourine.

Why’s it always “we’re 6th in the premier league what more do you want”. Just because we’re sixth doesn’t mean you can’t fucking point out a bad performance. I don’t expect us to be shit hot but whether the goal should’ve counted or not last night to be honest we were very poor. Quite frankly Europe is unrealistic we just need to focus on good performances and see what it brings us.

 

[ucandomagic]

If City’s ban holds sixth is enough for Europa League, and I think that would also be down to seventh as City won the League Cup.

It could then be eighth if a top 7 club wins the FA Cup - although they might then give the place to another country. Or we could win the bloody FA Cup ourselves.

Still loads of ways to get into Europa League - CL was always a long shot, but still not impossible.

Nil Desperandum.

 

[Revolution]

SIXTH!

Yet going on some of the threads from last night and this morning slating various players (first team regulars at that), our recruitment, our general attitude, decisions by the management etc etc, you would genuinely think we were in Villa's position and fighting relegation.

Fair enough, last night was dull (it was always going to be), we were very very rusty (we were always going to be) and we can't improve without a bit of self-reflection, but still...

Pass me the fucking tambourine.

SIXTH!

Yet going on some of the threads from last night and this morning slating various players (first team regulars at that), our recruitment, our general attitude, decisions by the management etc etc, you would genuinely think we were in Villa's position and fighting relegation.

Fair enough, last night was dull (it was always going to be), we were very very rusty (we were always going to be) and we can't improve without a bit of self-reflection, but still...

Pass me the fucking tambourine.

Any post commenting on our performance last night, irrespective of how that post rates the performance, is of far more value than a post Like this attacking other posters.

You’re better than this, aren’t you Houso?

 

[nopigfansintown]

European football for one season -particularly Champions League football - would have a phenomenal effect on all aspects of the club; particularly in terms of sponsorship, prize money and opening us up to new markets for transfers. It would also raise the profile of the club more generally.
I don't really get the criticism of the squad last night. The focus should lie completely on the unprecedented disallowed goal. The rest can be extenuated due to injuries, the break etc. We should've won one nil...
The criticisms on recruitment are missing the point. The real money we've spent has gone on young development players with perceived higher ceilings. This is our modus operandi now. If you don't like it the future is going to be a very frustrating one for you. Berge, Mousset, Mcburnie etc have been brought in because we see them as the best young players - in their positions - within our reach with the potential to become even better. They have not been brought in purely on what they can contribute in the 19/20 season.The rest are two bob gambles at this level. If we go down in the future we have a lot of youngish players worth a quid or two.

 

[Davalon]

One game at a time sweet Jesus

 

[Bobby b]

European has a lot of impact, firstly the Sheffield United brand becomes more prestigious which can lead to more lucrative sponsorships and investment, we would get more money from playing in more competitions, as far as recruitment goes, we will be more of a glamorous club to a foreign player also if we offer the same money for a player as say Burnley he will opt for us because we're playing in Europe

 

[true99blade]

I think it’s brilliant that we have a manager that aims for the very top. I think it’s a bit of a different case for fans to follow suit and almost expect a European challenge. Not saying people shouldn’t want it given the incredible position we’re in, but remember how fast we’ve developed over the last few years, it shouldn’t be this easy to be jumping on players backs after a 0-0 draw. Berge and McBurnie are getting a fair bit of it at the minute.

 

[BigBed]

SIXTH!

Yet going on some of the threads from last night and this morning slating various players (first team regulars at that), our recruitment, our general attitude, decisions by the management etc etc, you would genuinely think we were in Villa's position and fighting relegation.

Fair enough, last night was dull (it was always going to be), we were very very rusty (we were always going to be) and we can't improve without a bit of self-reflection, but still...

Pass me the fucking tambourine.

On to Sunday.

 

[s4-blade]

I’d the league wasn’t bent we’d be 5th, maybe even 3rd or 4th looking at the whole season.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

European football for one season -particularly Champions League football - would have a phenomenal effect on all aspects of the club, particularly in terms of sponsorship, prize money and opening us up to new markets for transfers. It would also raise the profile of the club more generally.

yes, yes and trice yes.

It's called progress - and if some of our fans would listen to Wilder - it is what will KEEP him at the club.

UTB

 

[Chabuddy G]

I've been trying to make this point.....
But i've also been trying to make the point that standing still in this league is disastrous.
This season is already in the past, really, nothing that can happen between now and the end will have any significant impact on what happens over the summer. Believe me, European Qualification for one season has little to no impact.

Of course it will have an impact, be it the mega riches of the CL or the less so Europa League.

If it's the CL it will have the following x about 1000.

If it's only the Europa: It will be talked about between our fans for generations, it'll attract more fans & sponsors from allover the world, enhance our name in the global game and give us some famous nights under the lights at Bramall Lane and of course across Europe.

You might not realise how special Europe was but that might have had something to do with you winning a little thing called the Premier League the season before... your profile and standing in the game couldn't have got much bigger so Europe didn't really make much difference but I ensure you financially it'll have been huge.

 

[Chabuddy G]

I think it’s brilliant that we have a manager that aims for the very top. I think it’s a bit of a different case for fans to follow suit and almost expect a European challenge. Not saying people shouldn’t want it given the incredible position we’re in, but remember how fast we’ve developed over the last few years, it shouldn’t be this easy to be jumping on players backs after a 0-0 draw. Berge and McBurnie are getting a fair bit of it at the minute.

If our manager has a winners mindset, we're entitled to have one too.
That being said jumping on players backs after last night is a joke and I've said my peace on that subject.

 

[Ted Maul]

Poor last night, but maybe this is a unique opportunity to get that 'difficult second season syndrome' out of the way in our successful first season. We are 6th and we will improve. Up the Blades and that.

 

[true99blade]

If our manager has a winners mindset, we're entitled to have one too.

Just like if our manager says stop broadcasting the starting 11 out to everyone we are entitled to ignore it.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

First game back after 3 months, handful of friendlies, restricted training, and in an empty stadium. Yet people want to criticise tactics and worry about why we looked poor in patches. Can’t get my head round it.

 

[SittingontheBall]

Believe me, European Qualification for one season has little to no impact.

That might be the case for a club like Leicester who have owners with bottomless pockets but I don’t think it applies to us.
I do worry if we have the playing resources to tackle Europe yet but that’s another story altogether.

 

[Chabuddy G]

Just like if our manager says stop broadcasting the starting 11 out to everyone we are entitled to ignore it.

 

[Houso]

Any post commenting on our performance last night, irrespective of how that post rates the performance, is of far more value than a post Like this attacking other posters.

You’re better than this, aren’t you Houso?

I'm not sure I am Rev. I'm curious mind, where have I attacked other posters? I feel like (and I don't think my post is worthy of the word 'attacked' regardless) if I've attacked anything, it's the posts made by others; which is the same as simply disagree with such views.

 

[Linz]

There ought to be more Malcolm Tucker on the forum. You get s like for that.

 

[blade67]

European football for one season -particularly Champions League football - would have a phenomenal effect on all aspects of the club; particularly in terms of sponsorship, prize money and opening us up to new markets for transfers. It would also raise the profile of the club more generally.
I don't really get the criticism of the squad last night. The focus should lie completely on the unprecedented disallowed goal. The rest can be extenuated due to injuries, the break etc. We should've won one nil...
The criticisms on recruitment are missing the point. The real money we've spent has gone on young development players with perceived higher ceilings. This is our modus operandi now. If you don't like it the future is going to be a very frustrating one for you. Berge, Mousset, Mcburnie etc have been brought in because we see them as the best young players - in their positions - within our reach with the potential to become even better. They have not been brought in purely on what they can contribute in the 19/20 season.The rest are two bob gambles at this level. If we go down in the future we have a lot of youngish players worth a quid or two.

excellent post. Even Callum Robinson should not be written off yet. He didn't look great in the first half of the season but that's his first taste of it. The other younger players purchased all look capable, can they push on now to improve is another unknown. As I put in the Jack Robinson thread, in April last year if JOC went down injured, Marvin Johnson cam on, now it's a call between J Robinson and Osbourn, and that is a significant upgrade

 

[Barney]

SIXTH!

Yet going on some of the threads from last night and this morning slating various players (first team regulars at that), our recruitment, our general attitude, decisions by the management etc etc, you would genuinely think we were in Villa's position and fighting relegation.

Fair enough, last night was dull (it was always going to be), we were very very rusty (we were always going to be) and we can't improve without a bit of self-reflection, but still...

Pass me the fucking tambourine.

Not seen many of the posts you describe tbh.

 

[FatPaul]

To be perfectly honest, and I'm sure a lot of you will feel the same way; I came into this season with just hoping we stay up.

Looking at the table now and thinking we could qualify for Europe is beyond what I expected. They've done me proud regardless of what happens from here on out.

 

[Barney]

I'm not sure I am Rev. I'm curious mind, where have I attacked other posters?

In the OP, where you speak of these Blades fans who are supposedly 'slating' players and the manager. The OP reads as if there are many who are livid at the team and managers, when in reality they have just pointed out a bad and sluggish performance.

That doesn't mean they don't think we have done well to be in 6th place to start with. The two shouldn't really be conflated unless people are criticising our league position, which they're not unless I've missed it.

 

[Houso]

In the OP, where you speak of these Blades fans who are supposedly 'slating' players and the manager. The OP reads as if there are many who are livid at the team and managers, when in reality they have just pointed out a bad and sluggish performance.

That doesn't mean they don't think we have done well to be in 6th place to start with. The two shouldn't really be conflated unless people are criticising our league position, which they're not unless I've missed it.

They certainly can be conflated though. Take at least two threads dedicated to McBurnie not being good enough. He's been a regular starter for us and as such has contributed to our current 6th place. Or is it a case that we're in this position in spite of Wilder picking him? Which is another point, is Wilder an idiot for consistently choosing a player who is not good enough?

This is of course nothing new. As a fanbase we do this all the time don't we (as do all fanbases no doubt)? Of the current team, there have historically been threads and threads dedicated to players including to the likes of Billy, Fleck, Egan, Stevens, Bash and Lunny not being good enough. Not "he had a poor performance", not "he's out of form".... no "he's not good enough and shouldn't ever be near the first team."

In the same way that people will disagree with those views above in the actual threads, I'm not shutting down the conversation. I just find it quite perplexing that people can be so glum and critical of our team at this moment in time. And yes, that includes the performance the other night without placing it in the unique context that it was played in.

Edit: and again, if the OP counts as me attacking other supporters, then fuck me.