Slaviša has walked?

[Silent Blade]

Obviously then we will have tweets about "body language" and "hidden meanings" from people who spent the last 2 months claiming they can't understand him.

They are like moths who go to a light bulb!

 

[Espania blade]

It’s not binary though is it?

Passing and keeping possession is absolutely spot on as long as:
1. It leads to an outcome that affects the game in a positive way. i.e. it creates something.
2. You are not so poorly structured and exposed that you concede stupid goals. Often late in games to lose points.

There’s a marked difference between passing it around at the back without breaking lines and then having to hoof it up the pitch because you are in danger of getting caught in possession when pressed and having an end result from passing around a team and getting it into areas where players can break through and create something. If all you do is work it out wide and then come back on yourself, rinse and repeat, it is frustrating and dull as dishwater.

You appear to be conflating people’s desire to be entertained and be excited by goal mouth action (what I would call an end result) and the up and at em point of view. Great for you to prefer one style over another but many people like effective football that gets their team results. Winning a game of football makes supporters happy. Football is an escape as well as a tribal thing. Watching your team getting turned over and losing is shite. If you can win football games playing in an attractive style then it’s even better. If you are losing games and throwing away points yet your key take away is, “oooh, look at the pretty passing we can do in our own half and the triangles we make down the wings” but there is no goal mouth action then it’s dull and boring. The guys on the Tufty Club coin is as all foreplay and no penetration. If all you want is a bit of fingering and your happy with that, then knock yourself out.

Likely your response will be it’s a work in progress. It’s a transition, it’s changing old habits to new ones. It’ll take time. I get that.
However, there is very little evidence of progress or learning from mistakes (players and management responsible, here). Yes, that’s my opinion based on what I see. Unless SJ can change the playing staff considerably in January I don’t see anything improving.

But still, whilst we are in this purgatory passage of transition, you have your passing style to fall back on as well as the scorn you liberally dish out on people that may not hold the same elevated view.

You call people, “supposed Blades” and then go on to ridicule them further as though you have the only opinion that matters. You denigrate a highly professional coach by saying it’ll be like a comfy pair of slippers. As if Heckingbottom is a launch and lump it manager. As if he doesn’t want to play football. Is he not the successful U23 coach that is getting the youngsters playing attractive and winning football? Because he is from South Yorkshire he is just as Neanderthal as the baying set of plebs you so clearly despise?

This club is all the better when it is united and everyone is pulling in the same direction - no surprise, there. Is your wish to expunge a large part of our supporters and cleanse the match day experience to only allow like minded people into the ground? Wouldn’t you prefer a rocking and vociferous Bramall Lane, full to the rafters, making it a hostile atmosphere for visiting teams?

Currently, the whole club is dis-jointed, completely dis-united. In disarray, without cohesion or direction or leadership.
If Slav gets it right he may well bring it all together again. You clearly believe he will and I am full on sceptical (because of the challenges he faces, financially, as well as the lack of evidence I have seen that he can structure an effective “team”) but to call all Blades supporters that are not on your bandwagon or wavelength stuck in their ways and small minded (it’s that binary) is far more reflective on you than the rest.

Wow! Full marks for writing all that, must have taken hours

 

[Bladesman]

 

[ancientblade]

while not expecting slav to walk or be sacked another 2 or 3 defeats and he could be in trouble even if most on here say we cant afford to pay him off going down to league 1 could prove costlier

 

[bromtom]

while not expecting slav to walk or be sacked another 2 or 3 defeats and he could be in trouble even if most on here say we cant afford to pay him off going down to league 1 could prove costlier

And whoever comes in could get us relegated anyway because the problem is the players, too many of the players are clearly done, if not in their careers, then certainly at Sheffield United. Manager and formation are nothing compared to that issue.

Find some of the comments a bit weird about Slav because we finished rock bottom of the Prem last season, played some of the most turgid, half arsed football I've had the misfortune of seeing, and had all the backbone of a particularly gelatinous jellyfish. The opposition is lower quality this season yes, but we've improved a great deal too.

If we'd had total continuity surely we'd be more likely to do a Sunderland than the Huddersfield we're currently doing. The suggestion we'd be in the hunt for promotion playing Diet Wilderball under Heckingbottom I really don't agree with.

We need to replace bare minimum 5 of the starting XI.

 

[ancientblade]

And whoever comes in could get us relegated anyway because the problem is the players, too many of the players are clearly done, if not in their careers, then certainly at Sheffield United. Manager and formation are nothing compared to that issue.

Find some of the comments a bit weird about Slav because we finished rock bottom of the Prem last season, played some of the most turgid, half arsed football I've had the misfortune of seeing, and had all the backbone of a particularly gelatinous jellyfish. The opposition is lower quality this season yes, but we've improved a great deal too.

If we'd had total continuity surely we'd be more likely to do a Sunderland than the Huddersfield we're currently doing. The suggestion we'd be in the hunt for promotion playing Diet Wilderball under Heckingbottom I really don't agree with.

We need to replace bare minimum 5 of the starting XI.

of course they could get us relegated but football in the modern era is all about money for what its worth i think slav needs 2 more transfer windows to get the players in to suit his system

 

[Badger Blade]

And whoever comes in could get us relegated anyway because the problem is the players, too many of the players are clearly done, if not in their careers, then certainly at Sheffield United. Manager and formation are nothing compared to that issue.

Find some of the comments a bit weird about Slav because we finished rock bottom of the Prem last season, played some of the most turgid, half arsed football I've had the misfortune of seeing, and had all the backbone of a particularly gelatinous jellyfish. The opposition is lower quality this season yes, but we've improved a great deal too.

If we'd had total continuity surely we'd be more likely to do a Sunderland than the Huddersfield we're currently doing. The suggestion we'd be in the hunt for promotion playing Diet Wilderball under Heckingbottom I really don't agree with.

We need to replace bare minimum 5 of the starting XI.

Thank god there's some sense being spoken. Wilder polished a turd and it all looked good for a while, then the shine came off and whoever the incoming manager was would have a job on to try and reinvigorate a really lifeless bunch after last seasons horror show. We were a bottom ended Championship team playing in the Premier League and looked every bit of it.

We're now a bottom ended Championship team in the Championship, hence why we've got a few more points on the board than we had this time last year. It's simply a rebuilding job for a while until we can get players off the books who have long since reached their ceiling and are in horse racing terms "on the downgrade".

 

[Davalon]

It’s not binary though is it?

Passing and keeping possession is absolutely spot on as long as:
1. It leads to an outcome that affects the game in a positive way. i.e. it creates something.
2. You are not so poorly structured and exposed that you concede stupid goals. Often late in games to lose points.

There’s a marked difference between passing it around at the back without breaking lines and then having to hoof it up the pitch because you are in danger of getting caught in possession when pressed and having an end result from passing around a team and getting it into areas where players can break through and create something. If all you do is work it out wide and then come back on yourself, rinse and repeat, it is frustrating and dull as dishwater.

You appear to be conflating people’s desire to be entertained and be excited by goal mouth action (what I would call an end result) and the up and at em point of view. Great for you to prefer one style over another but many people like effective football that gets their team results. Winning a game of football makes supporters happy. Football is an escape as well as a tribal thing. Watching your team getting turned over and losing is shite. If you can win football games playing in an attractive style then it’s even better. If you are losing games and throwing away points yet your key take away is, “oooh, look at the pretty passing we can do in our own half and the triangles we make down the wings” but there is no goal mouth action then it’s dull and boring. The guys on the Tufty Club coin is as all foreplay and no penetration. If all you want is a bit of fingering and your happy with that, then knock yourself out.

Likely your response will be it’s a work in progress. It’s a transition, it’s changing old habits to new ones. It’ll take time. I get that.
However, there is very little evidence of progress or learning from mistakes (players and management responsible, here). Yes, that’s my opinion based on what I see. Unless SJ can change the playing staff considerably in January I don’t see anything improving.

But still, whilst we are in this purgatory passage of transition, you have your passing style to fall back on as well as the scorn you liberally dish out on people that may not hold the same elevated view.

You call people, “supposed Blades” and then go on to ridicule them further as though you have the only opinion that matters. You denigrate a highly professional coach by saying it’ll be like a comfy pair of slippers. As if Heckingbottom is a launch and lump it manager. As if he doesn’t want to play football. Is he not the successful U23 coach that is getting the youngsters playing attractive and winning football? Because he is from South Yorkshire he is just as Neanderthal as the baying set of plebs you so clearly despise?

This club is all the better when it is united and everyone is pulling in the same direction - no surprise, there. Is your wish to expunge a large part of our supporters and cleanse the match day experience to only allow like minded people into the ground? Wouldn’t you prefer a rocking and vociferous Bramall Lane, full to the rafters, making it a hostile atmosphere for visiting teams?

Currently, the whole club is dis-jointed, completely dis-united. In disarray, without cohesion or direction or leadership.
If Slav gets it right he may well bring it all together again. You clearly believe he will and I am full on sceptical (because of the challenges he faces, financially, as well as the lack of evidence I have seen that he can structure an effective “team”) but to call all Blades supporters that are not on your bandwagon or wavelength stuck in their ways and small minded (it’s that binary) is far more reflective on you than the rest.

The fact remains we play more entertaining football and create more chances since September than we have for 18 months.

We can all see the defensive concerns and that some of that is from a lack of protection in midfield.

All in all though the passing from the back does have a purpose. It's not Weiresque.

It's about either drawing the opposition in or keeping possession until a better option presents itself.

It's not infallible and I expect it to improve both in terms of current players getting better but mostly through recruitment.

The panic and moaning I hear at games is simply down to people who get twitchy at seeing a goalkeeper and defenders knocking the ball around in their own final third. It's not about end product as we do create enough chances, imho it's about fans uncomfortable with the style.

Look at how many clamour for big lumps at the back yet we look less vulnerable from crosses this season than last.

Some of that is removing Robinson from centre half or left centre back.

 

[Varkanoid]

The fact remains we play more entertaining football and create more chances since September than we have for 18 months.

We can all see the defensive concerns and that some of that is from a lack of protection in midfield.

All in all though the passing from the back does have a purpose. It's not Weiresque.

It's about either drawing the opposition in or keeping possession until a better option presents itself.

It's not infallible and I expect it to improve both in terms of current players getting better but mostly through recruitment.

The panic and moaning I hear at games is simply down to people who get twitchy at seeing a goalkeeper and defenders knocking the ball around in their own final third. It's not about end product as we do create enough chances, imho it's about fans uncomfortable with the style.

Look at how many clamour for big lumps at the back yet we look less vulnerable from crosses this season than last.

Some of that is removing Robinson from centre half or left centre back.

Its not necessarily the passing from the back its the fact we have a corner and the balls ends up in our half with a CB. Then when it goes forward its all down the wings because there is a gaping hole in midfield down the middle. Watching Stockport last night some of their play through the middle of the park would put us to shame.

 

[wavy-blade]

Slav making his excuses already stating he wants signings in Jan , our owner in over his neck ,

= No players in Jan , Slav walks end of Jan , Next ! Get your money on this happening !

 

[Chris the Blade]

He won't be here long. Looks bored stiff. He's used to shopping in Fulham. Now he's stuck with Fargate. No wonder he always looks miserable

 

[jt64]

Its not necessarily the passing from the back its the fact we have a corner and the balls ends up in our half with a CB. Then when it goes forward its all down the wings because there is a gaping hole in midfield down the middle. Watching Stockport last night some of their play through the middle of the park would put us to shame.

And watching some of their defending makes us look like early 90's Milan, it's swings and roundabouts

 

[Davalon]

Its not necessarily the passing from the back its the fact we have a corner and the balls ends up in our half with a CB. Then when it goes forward its all down the wings because there is a gaping hole in midfield down the middle. Watching Stockport last night some of their play through the middle of the park would put us to shame.

I agree that we've over-focused on attacking down the flanks for a good while but I think we're better at mixing it up now with the likes of MGW and Ndiaye.

 

[Davalon]

He won't be here long. Looks bored stiff. He's used to shopping in Fulham. Now he's stuck with Fargate. No wonder he always looks miserable

I was born at Nether Edge and live in S5.

Fargate makes me fucking miserable.

 

[Chingo]

Some of the stuff on Facebook re this non story is amazing , I despair at some of our “fans”

 

[ancientblade]

The fact remains we play more entertaining football and create more chances since September than we have for 18 months.

We can all see the defensive concerns and that some of that is from a lack of protection in midfield.

All in all though the passing from the back does have a purpose. It's not Weiresque.

It's about either drawing the opposition in or keeping possession until a better option presents itself.

It's not infallible and I expect it to improve both in terms of current players getting better but mostly through recruitment.

The panic and moaning I hear at games is simply down to people who get twitchy at seeing a goalkeeper and defenders knocking the ball around in their own final third. It's not about end product as we do create enough chances, imho it's about fans uncomfortable with the style.

Look at how many clamour for big lumps at the back yet we look less vulnerable from crosses this season than last.

Some of that is removing Robinson from centre half or left centre back.

well i for one hate this tip tapping it about in our last third its too slow and allows the opposition to set up and dont get me wrong im not advocating hoof hated our style under bassett just a higher tempo pass and move style of play we often just take the safe option of sideways backwards football hopefully if slav stays he will bring the players in to play his fast attacking style he played at fulham

 

[bladesmanluke]

Slav making his excuses already stating he wants signings in Jan , our owner in over his neck ,

= No players in Jan , Slav walks end of Jan , Next ! Get your money on this happening !

He won't walk away from 40 grand a week. He might just about give up and start to stink the place out until the Prince sacks him, but no way he walks. No manager ever walks in this day and age

 

[Kenilworth]

The fact remains we play more entertaining football and create more chances since September than we have for 18 months.

We can all see the defensive concerns and that some of that is from a lack of protection in midfield.

All in all though the passing from the back does have a purpose. It's not Weiresque.

It's about either drawing the opposition in or keeping possession until a better option presents itself.

It's not infallible and I expect it to improve both in terms of current players getting better but mostly through recruitment.

The panic and moaning I hear at games is simply down to people who get twitchy at seeing a goalkeeper and defenders knocking the ball around in their own final third. It's not about end product as we do create enough chances, imho it's about fans uncomfortable with the style.

Look at how many clamour for big lumps at the back yet we look less vulnerable from crosses this season than last.

Some of that is removing Robinson from centre half or left centre back.

I can buy into all of that - stark contrast from the post I replied to
The moaning you hear is undoubtedly born out of utter frustration, after 4 years of compete togetherness and winning with style, before the collapse that led to relegation and the hangover that still persists. That after 6 years of pretty dreadful capitulation bar the odd great cup run.

Still concerned that decisions during games often make us weaker and we are persisting with a formation that we don't have the players to play. Still maintain that managers need to work with what they have to get better results until they can change the squad - IF they can change the squad.

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

Schadenfreude United

Surely that should be Eintracht Schadenfreude

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

Yep that's how it seems at times.

I honestly think some will get more satisfaction from Slav going or failing so they can say they were right all along, than actually us improving and finishing top 10.

The reasons why Slav should go get more ridiculous by the week.

And after some of the comments following the Blackpool game, I'm convinced a few of our fans wouldn't know good football if it was tattooed on 12 inch cock and repeatedly slapped across their face.

I can categorically state I “don’t know good football”
Now:- show us that tattoo

 

[wavy-blade]

He won't walk away from 40 grand a week. He might just about give up and start to stink the place out until the Prince sacks him, but no way he walks. No manager ever walks in this day and age

Please let him walk , i cant stand this shit longer then January

 

[Eyeball]

Some of the stuff on Facebook re this non story is amazing , I despair at some of our “fans”

Past pathetic for me

 

[Chingo]

He won't walk away from 40 grand a week. He might just about give up and start to stink the place out until the Prince sacks him, but no way he walks. No manager ever walks in this day and age

Where does it say he’s on 40k a week ?

 

[Carlton Blade]

It’s not binary though is it?

Passing and keeping possession is absolutely spot on as long as:
1. It leads to an outcome that affects the game in a positive way. i.e. it creates something.
2. You are not so poorly structured and exposed that you concede stupid goals. Often late in games to lose points.

There’s a marked difference between passing it around at the back without breaking lines and then having to hoof it up the pitch because you are in danger of getting caught in possession when pressed and having an end result from passing around a team and getting it into areas where players can break through and create something. If all you do is work it out wide and then come back on yourself, rinse and repeat, it is frustrating and dull as dishwater.

You appear to be conflating people’s desire to be entertained and be excited by goal mouth action (what I would call an end result) and the up and at em point of view. Great for you to prefer one style over another but many people like effective football that gets their team results. Winning a game of football makes supporters happy. Football is an escape as well as a tribal thing. Watching your team getting turned over and losing is shite. If you can win football games playing in an attractive style then it’s even better. If you are losing games and throwing away points yet your key take away is, “oooh, look at the pretty passing we can do in our own half and the triangles we make down the wings” but there is no goal mouth action then it’s dull and boring. The guys on the Tufty Club coin is as all foreplay and no penetration. If all you want is a bit of fingering and your happy with that, then knock yourself out.

Likely your response will be it’s a work in progress. It’s a transition, it’s changing old habits to new ones. It’ll take time. I get that.
However, there is very little evidence of progress or learning from mistakes (players and management responsible, here). Yes, that’s my opinion based on what I see. Unless SJ can change the playing staff considerably in January I don’t see anything improving.

But still, whilst we are in this purgatory passage of transition, you have your passing style to fall back on as well as the scorn you liberally dish out on people that may not hold the same elevated view.

You call people, “supposed Blades” and then go on to ridicule them further as though you have the only opinion that matters. You denigrate a highly professional coach by saying it’ll be like a comfy pair of slippers. As if Heckingbottom is a launch and lump it manager. As if he doesn’t want to play football. Is he not the successful U23 coach that is getting the youngsters playing attractive and winning football? Because he is from South Yorkshire he is just as Neanderthal as the baying set of plebs you so clearly despise?

This club is all the better when it is united and everyone is pulling in the same direction - no surprise, there. Is your wish to expunge a large part of our supporters and cleanse the match day experience to only allow like minded people into the ground? Wouldn’t you prefer a rocking and vociferous Bramall Lane, full to the rafters, making it a hostile atmosphere for visiting teams?

Currently, the whole club is dis-jointed, completely dis-united. In disarray, without cohesion or direction or leadership.
If Slav gets it right he may well bring it all together again. You clearly believe he will and I am full on sceptical (because of the challenges he faces, financially, as well as the lack of evidence I have seen that he can structure an effective “team”) but to call all Blades supporters that are not on your bandwagon or wavelength stuck in their ways and small minded (it’s that binary) is far more reflective on you than the rest.

Attacking football of any style >>>>> All other football

Chicks dig goals

 

[Davalon]

I can buy into all of that - stark contrast from the post I replied to
The moaning you hear is undoubtedly born out of utter frustration, after 4 years of compete togetherness and winning with style, before the collapse that led to relegation and the hangover that still persists. That after 6 years of pretty dreadful capitulation bar the odd great cup run.

Still concerned that decisions during games often make us weaker and we are persisting with a formation that we don't have the players to play. Still maintain that managers need to work with what they have to get better results until they can change the squad - IF they can change the squad.

Yeah I usually agree that a manager has to get the best out of what he's got rather than square pegs in round holes.

You only have to look at Robson who thought Morgs could be a ball playing centre half and I even think he commented that Monty could play a Gerrard type role for us.

I loved both those players and the fact they both spent most of their careers playing at the level they did, showed they deserved more credit than they often got despite not being the most technical.

I think with Slav that he's seen that many of these players were comfortable playing a passing style in this league previously and whilst he's clearly changed up the formation, probably felt that they could adapt and at least compete until he made some signings of his own.

Obviously that's guesswork on my part but based on how long he took to get Fulham and Watford at full tilt, I really hope we get the chance to see what January brings.

I appreciate people are concerned about the financial situation and that we maybe need more in his mould than his previous clubs did.

I just think we're not that far away despite the disappointing results. After watching us for 40 years I'm struggling to remember a season where we were in this position yet still playing a lot of good football and creating chances.

I loved the Bassett years and I'm not a football snob despite my rants recently.

I just feel that after so many years of largely limited football and style that will only ever take you so far, I'd like to see us give a proven manager at this level the chance to see if he can replicate it.

 

[Kenilworth]

Yeah I usually agree that a manager has to get the best out of what he's got rather than square pegs in round holes.

You only have to look at Robson who thought Morgs could be a ball playing centre half and I even think he commented that Monty could play a Gerrard type role for us.

I loved both those players and the fact they both spent most of their careers playing at the level they did, showed they deserved more credit than they often got despite not being the most technical.

I think with Slav that he's seen that many of these players were comfortable playing a passing style in this league previously and whilst he's clearly changed up the formation, probably felt that they could adapt and at least compete until he made some signings of his own.

Obviously that's guesswork on my part but based on how long he took to get Fulham and Watford at full tilt, I really hope we get the chance to see what January brings.

I appreciate people are concerned about the financial situation and that we maybe need more in his mould than his previous clubs did.

I just think we're not that far away despite the disappointing results. After watching us for 40 years I'm struggling to remember a season where we were in this position yet still playing a lot of good football and creating chances.

I loved the Bassett years and I'm not a football snob despite my rants recently.

I just feel that after so many years of largely limited football and style that will only ever take you so far, I'd like to see us give a proven manager at this level the chance to see if he can replicate it.

Been doing this for 50 year so I know what you mean.
if you’ve seen the recent statements from Slav about us being too welcoming and not nasty enough I feel he’s reacting to the soft touch we have been. With any type of style I still expect us to be hard to beat and a real test for any opposition. That steel is not there and that’s what is so frustrating. It’s not a case of steel equals limited football. The best footballing teams are also highly competitive and, when necessary, nasty with it.

That steel, that motivation, that togetherness, team spirit, solidarity, that never say die attitude comes from the top. It’s the managers job to set the team structure and ethos to be so gritty and determined. That is one key factor that has been lacking. From the statements I have heard from Slav, this week, it appears that the coin has dropped with him. I am not calling for him to be replaced but I am far from convinced he has the balls, despite the stern stoic, Serbian outward visage, to sort this. And, if he has, then why hasn’t he done it from day one? It’s a fundamental feature of what a manager of a football club should do.
Let’s see what happens, today. Maybe we’ll bully Coventry some more or maybe we will over compensate and we’ll see a red card or two.

 

[Bell4]

well i for one hate this tip tapping it about in our last third its too slow and allows the opposition to set up and dont get me wrong im not advocating hoof hated our style under bassett just a higher tempo pass and move style of play we often just take the safe option of sideways backwards football hopefully if slav stays he will bring the players in to play his fast attacking style he played at fulham

I didn’t hate our style under Bassett

He designed a team to play in that up and at em style that worked (for a long while) perfectly - on minimal resources abs I mean minimal

He created one of the best front lines we have ever seen in Deane and Agana for tuppence and a conker and complemented the team development by adding steel, Vinnie Jones, and experience that helped us stay in the top division for 5 years or so - again at minimal expense

Something CW should have done instead of blowing our treasure chest

Doubt if we will ever see Slav build another Fulham or Watford by bringing in his own players as we don’t have a pot to piss in and a chairman who has no money to invest as it’s already gone on unsalable assets

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

Nixon. Why anyone takes any notice of that clown is beyond me. It's guesswork at best.