Time to show your worth Mr Birch

[Trigger Blade]

Objective bystander?! Most on the forum will have seen that your sole contribution to the forum is to try to mock myself and Lenners. Your judgement is about in line with what you conttribute. Still I can't help having a bit of affection for you (like you with Len). Happy new year

Thank you for confirming exactly my point, I did choose objective bystander as a phrase very carefully. I do post other things, but it is true to say that a disporportionate number of my contributions are concerned with the lunatic fringe, keeping you in check.

I notice that even your popularity poll suggestion had you bracketed with len and Mic, that's probably very wise, hang on to lenners' coat tails for as long as you can.

 

[Ollessendro]

I notice that even your popularity poll suggestion had you bracketed with len and Mic, that's probably very wise, hang on to lenners' coat tails for as long as you can.

I'd love to Trig, but I am too busy cleaning his boots ....

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I'd argue that the sample is representative. 'Different forums attract different types of people' is not an adequate reason for this sample not being so.

I don't see why it's representative. Most people who come on here are of reasonable intelligence, the same can't be said for Bladesmad, and there are plenty of United fans that just don't go on forums at all.

462 people voting out of a fanbase of 1000's isn't a lot at all.

And besides which, the O'Driscoll vote stands at 32%. Hardly 'most' blades.

 

[lenners]

I've read this thread a couple of times now,Lenners and the topic has changed from Olle's original point.

I am struggling to see where any fan has refused to 'accept the bleedin' obvious'....just gave a differing perception to what you are saying as the discussion appears to be based on hearsay and assumption which is why it is going in circles

Isn't it time to let this rest now,look forwards,see what Birch does and back Adams(i.e fans and the Board).

Some fans still refuse to accept we went to SOD first and he was the first choice but I've no problem letting it rest.
It's now about keeping a keen eye on what our friends on the board are going to do over the next three weeks.
They'll already be thinking they've got a free pass until the 14th with the cup game intervening and it'll be very interesting to see what transpires.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Some fans still refuse to accept we went to SOD first and he was the first choice...

Thats because theres no evidence that we did.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Some fans still refuse to accept we went to SOD first and he was the first choice but I've no problem letting it rest.
It's now about keeping a keen eye on what our friends on the board are going to do over the next three weeks.
They'll already be thinking they've got a free pass until the 14th with the cup game intervening and it'll be very interesting to see what transpires.

So what if he was the first choice? How much do you think the board should have shelled out for him?

 

[Ollessendro]

I don't see why it's representative. Most people who come on here are of reasonable intelligence, the same can't be said for Bladesmad, and there are plenty of United fans that just don't go on forums at all.

462 people voting out of a fanbase of 1000's isn't a lot at all.

And besides which, the O'Driscoll vote stands at 32%. Hardly 'most' blades.

No, but neither is a surveyn of 1000 smokers. There are 15 million smokers in the UK, but would you say that asking 1000 smokers who go on a particular website why they started smoking is not a representative sample?

I can't see a better way of getting a representative sample other than standing at the turnstiles, or randomly mailing fans. Can you suggest a better method Highbury?

I don't buy this intelligence thing. Do you have to be intelligent to make a management choice? Are you seriously saying that more intelligent peope would choose a different manager to less intelligent people? The thicko Bricklayers on Blades mad would support Adams, but inteligentisia on here wanted SOD. Come on Highbury.

I am not meaning to be patronising. I have had this debate before and noone has given me a good answer as to why members of this (or any) fans forum would have different views to the other supporters of SUFC. Why is it than non internet users would have a different opinion on United than you and myself. If you can suggest good reasons I am eager to hear them.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

They may not have different views, but they might. That's the point, we don't know because it isn't a big enough sample size. If there had been more respondents then it might be a better sample. An interesting view on it is that the more people started voting on it, the less the support for O'Driscoll as first choice became. At one point he was over 50%. If the sample size was much larger that may have come down even more.

32% of the intelligentsia on here wanted SOD. 68% of people wanted someone else.

 

[Trigger Blade]

Some fans still refuse to accept we went to SOD first and he was the first choice but I've no problem letting it rest.
It's now about keeping a keen eye on what our friends on the board are going to do over the next three weeks.
They'll already be thinking they've got a free pass until the 14th with the cup game intervening and it'll be very interesting to see what transpires.

I think the discussion is about more than whether we went for SOD, I'd certainly accept the probability that we did. It's more to do with all the aftermath, whether we offered him the job and he refused, where nobody on here has any idea. Good on you for letting it rest, some on here would bang on about it for ages.

I'm surprised you're wondering what's going to happen in the JTW lenners. You'd have to be a sandwich short to think there might be any money available for transfers, it's not exactly rocket science, even the hard of learning understand that. I mention this, so it won't come as a huge shock to you, when little happens and we're stuck with pretty much with what we've got for the rest of the season. I'd go as far as to say it's bleedin' obvious.

 

[JJ Sefton]

I don't see why it's representative.

It isnt. For example, surveys show that 60% of internet users have a tertiary degree and that 45% are upper/middle management or professionals. Could you say that about the support of Sheffield United?

 

[Highbury_Blade]

It isnt. For example, surveys show that 60% of internet users have a tertiary degree and that 45% are upper/middle management or professionals. Could you say that about the support of Sheffield United?

How many people did they survey?

 

[JJ Sefton]

How many people did they survey?

Dunno, I found that in a textbook, 'Surveys in Social Research' by De Vaus, he basically says that internet groups like this are crap most of the time at producing decent results. He also asked 100 people to name something they associate with the TV show Kojack, you said lollipops, our survey said...

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Blofeld.....

 

[Bladesway]

What point did I miss?

My point is that we have flattered to deceive with our appointment once more. Big words and small delivery. We are paying people like Birch to pull the wool over everyones eyes with spin and more spin when actually he isn't needed (apart from being McCabes shit shield).

While I have you, I don't expect the ridiculous names you mention and neither do the others on here who are realists. Our managerial track record of recruitment is poor and sacking Blackwell when we did stinks of bad planning and no thought/foresight. The bloke had just taken a point from Cardiff with 10 men FFS. If you sack Blackwell you do it end of the previous season. Why do you let him recruit and then fire him 3 games in? You lash money out on contracts and wages then sack the guy who brought them in? Its utterly senseless.

My guess is that McCabe is bored with all things SUFC now its a bit more difficult and he can't do the "europe in 5 years" mantra. Hence he is gradually reducing cost of wages and his appearances on the radio are becoming fewer and further between. SUFC is in desperate need of new players if we are serious about staying up because the lot we have now are bottom three fodder if ever I saw it.

Why did Adams take the job? Because he would be mad not to. Its the dream job the club he loves. I wish him well because he is a decent bloke and has the stomach for the fight but he isn't in my opinion a progressive choice. SOD would have been good but take that apart, there are a host of other names out there who would have been a better option.

Its going to be a new era of hoofball and while it might get us out of this mess, this season (if he gets the players in and Henderson gets fit) it will not get us anywere and Adams will be gone in 18 months/2 years tops.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

What names would have been the better option?

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

It isnt. For example, surveys show that 60% of internet users have a tertiary degree and that 45% are upper/middle management or professionals. Could you say that about the support of Sheffield United?

Shades of a famous BU debate on blue v white collar workers

 

[JJ Sefton]

My point is that we have flattered to deceive with our appointment once more. Big words and small delivery.

But this is the point. When you say 'Big words' Ill ask you again, what would you rather Birch have said when Adams was sat next to him at the press conference? "Meh, the guys cheap. Sorry Micky lad"?

And as for "small delivery", how do you know after just two games in?

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Shades of a famous BU debate on blue v white collar workers

Don't belive that BU discussed blue and white at the same time. Shame on it; no wonder it folded.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Don't belive that BU discussed blue and white and the same time. Shame on it; no wonder it folded.

Good point

Perhaps someone else can remember but I think it was our old friend 'True Blade', or it could have been someone else, insisting that 'most' blades were blue collar based on a survey of his mates down the pub.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Good point

Perhaps someone else can remember but I think it was our old friend 'True Blade', or it could have been someone else, insisting that 'most' blades were blue collar based on a survey of his mates down the pub.

Slightly O/T but I remember hearing someone say in May "How did the Conservatives get that many votes? I spoke to all my friends and none of us voted for them"

 

[Balham]

Good point

Perhaps someone else can remember but I think it was our old friend 'True Blade', or it could have been someone else, insisting that 'most' blades were blue collar based on a survey of his mates down the pub.

It wasn't True Blade, he wasn't capable of an argument that complex. Wasn't it Handsworth?

 

[lenners]

I think the discussion is about more than whether we went for SOD, I'd certainly accept the probability that we did. It's more to do with all the aftermath, whether we offered him the job and he refused, where nobody on here has any idea. Good on you for letting it rest, some on here would bang on about it for ages.

I'm surprised you're wondering what's going to happen in the JTW lenners. You'd have to be a sandwich short to think there might be any money available for transfers, it's not exactly rocket science, even the hard of learning understand that. I mention this, so it won't come as a huge shock to you, when little happens and we're stuck with pretty much with what we've got for the rest of the season. I'd go as far as to say it's bleedin' obvious.

Micky doesn't appear to be aware of this...

 

[JJ Sefton]

Micky doesn't appear to be aware of this...

Doesnt he?

 

[Revolution]

But this is the point. When you say 'Big words' Ill ask you again, what would you rather Birch have said when Adams was sat next to him at the press conference? "Meh, the guys cheap. Sorry Micky lad"?

The key words weren't at the press conference. They were the earlier ones about how we want a particular type of manager, which were followed by the appointment of a manager who does not fit that template (although I have no dog in the Adams/O'Driscoll fight, I might add).

What I would rather United do is not make statements of intent which they don't then follow through on, although this has been a hallmark of our post-relegation administration. As ever, the lesson is ignore what United say and watch what they actually do.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Some fans still refuse to accept we went to SOD first and he was the first choice but I've no problem letting it rest.
It's now about keeping a keen eye on what our friends on the board are going to do over the next three weeks.
They'll already be thinking they've got a free pass until the 14th with the cup game intervening and it'll be very interesting to see what transpires.

I would agree that SoD was the number one target for Birch, however I don't believe he was ever offered the job and therefore never had the opportunity to turn it down.

Not happy about it but that is how I understand it.

 

[JJ Sefton]

The key words weren't at the press conference. They were the earlier ones about how we want a particular type of manager...

As I recall the wish list of characteristics was so broad that plenty of managers fitted it.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I would agree that SoD was the number one target for Birch, however I don't believe he was ever offered the job and therefore never had the opportunity to turn it down.

Not happy about it but that is how I understand it.

So do you know what the stumbling blocks were?

 

[Revolution]

As I recall the wish list of characteristics was so broad that plenty of managers fitted it.

Not Adams, from memory.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

It wasn't True Blade, he wasn't capable of an argument that complex. Wasn't it Handsworth?

Yes, you're right, memory's fading fast

 

[bartman]

As I recall the wish list of characteristics was so broad that plenty of managers fitted it.

Not Adams, from memory.

that's the point that some are missing...Adams did fit the criteria...the only debating point is style of play.....basically a choice between tippy tappy football,loads of passes but not much passion or fast tempo,ball out wide and then into the box....both different styles to Blackwell and Speed. It could be argued that SOD didn't fit the critieria as he has very limited experience at champioship level and above.

As somebody mentioned earlier in the thread,does it really matter ?

As someone posted earlier