2012-13 Blades League Position - Your Current Thoughts

[Highbury_Blade]

So where, based on the current squad - and by that i mean without any of the current out of contract players - do you think we will finish next season?

Poll closes in a month, i'll start up another then, and we'll see how the optimism improves throughout the summer

It's a public poll by the way.

 

[raul]

Decent defence will keep our heads above water, but, as we've already seen, nothing going forward. Wttwy.

 

[beightonblade]

Tuff season .................and McWobbleGob won't help.

 

[Small Mendonca]

8th I reckon - as Raul says we're ok defensively but offer nothing going forward. I don't really have confidence Wilson will find a good striker but lets hope he proves us wrong.

 

[metalblade]

As things stand we have very little in attack and could be left with only Creswell with any 1st team experience and his legs went at the end of the relegation season. A midfield that could be down to Quinn, Monty, Doyle and Flynn which would give very little attacking threat either or anyone who could put their foot on the ball and make things happen, expect hopeful punts forward and the usual reverting to type of just helping the ball on from Quinn, Monty seeking out wide men in row J of the south stand or row H on John st.
The only half decent area in the team is the back four but that along with the rest of the team is devoid of any kind of pace and left back is still a problem. Even at their best they usually concede a goal each game, wins and draws from last season could easily turn to losses. Behind that we will have a keeper who has been at around half a dozen clubs already, being rejected by teams in the Scottish lower leagues doesn't say much good about anyone between the sticks, the alternative is to throw in a young kid and hope he learns to "swim" fast.
Not very good reading I'm sorry to say but the signs are that is what we could start the season with, if so expect at best a halfway finish at worst ....................................................... well it does not bear thinking about.

 

[Princess Annes Dog]

How on earth can you start a predictons thread when we haven't got an inkling who'll be here and who won't? I know you've said to base it on the current squad but doesn't the fact that we're likely to see changes render any vote invalid?

Must be close season if we're starting pointless polls, you'd be better employed cheering England on

 

[Highbury_Blade]

How on earth can you start a predictons thread when we haven't got an inkling who'll be here and who won't? I know you've said to base it on the current squad but doesn't the fact that we're likely to see changes render any vote invalid?

Must be close season if we're starting pointless polls, you'd be better employed cheering England on

The point (as you would understand if you'd read my entire post ) is to gauge the current mood. I'll do another one in July, and then another one in August, and see if the mood changes over the course of the summer.

 

[stannyblade]

With a couple or more decent signings I think we will challenge but as it stands I think we will be outside playoffs

 

[georgebernardshaw]

With a couple or more decent signings I think we will challenge but as it stands I think we will be outside playoffs

That's a relief - if I thought we were going through the Play-Offs again, I'd be checking the Dignitas website.

 

[Kenilworth]

Outside play offs judging by what's going on (or not going on) - I see us struggling to compete anywhere near the auto spots in the coming season.

I fully expect KMac and Willo to go elsewhere - but leave it until 3rd week in July to make their moves. Clubs will not secure their services before then otherwise they will have to pay wages for time they cannot play. Appreciate that both are out of contract at end of June but it will take this sort of time to negotiate contracts.

Porter may sign but he will be keeping options open after being left out of PoF starting 11 and is probably still feeling miffed about it after the performances he put in during the semis. He will believe that he has no guarantee of first team football under DW and after his injury ridden spell before signing for Utd and staying relatively fit and injury free last season it's probably a promise of first team selection that he needs at this stage of his career.

When KMac goes somewhere else I fully expect this will be the catalyst for Maguire and Lowton to jump ship. Their agents will point out that losing these players severely limits the chances of Utd getting promotion (sad but true). With the constraints on wages this season I find it difficult to believe that DW will get anyone with the same quality at KMac to play at this level - again, their agents will use this to leverage a move for the two academy products.

SQuinny will go before the season starts - he is the only saleable asset left from the established players and will be used to fund a few freebies and Bossers (more quantity over quality as we have to plug gaps with waht we can afford)

Monty will stay - as no one will offer him the sort of money he is on now and he knows this is his last year at this pay grade. DW will be forced to play him as we cannot have that amount of wages sat on the side lines doing nothing.

Beavon Can't Wait - he will be off elsewhere because he needs to secure his future before Utd are in a position to make any decisons.

As thing stand DW will be forced to use the kids (already primed by reports and statements made by the club) so this will innevitably lead to inconsistency of performances and dropped points as they adjust and mature. Note that DW didn't use the kids that much last year, except where he had no choice with Long - and look what happened there.

This close season will be a real test of DW managerial skills and contacts. I am sure that he will be very professional and do an excellent job given the constraints he will be working under but I have no illusions that we will be anything but a play off chasing side after the squad alters significantly from what we have now.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

All cheery then Kenilworth ?

 

[Grecian2000]

Outside play offs judging by what's going on (or not going on) - I see us struggling to compete anywhere near the auto spots in the coming season.

I fully expect KMac and Willo to go elsewhere - but leave it until 3rd week in July to make their moves. Clubs will not secure their services before then otherwise they will have to pay wages for time they cannot play. Appreciate that both are out of contract at end of June but it will take this sort of time to negotiate contracts.

Porter may sign but he will be keeping options open after being left out of PoF starting 11 and is probably still feeling miffed about it after the performances he put in during the semis. He will believe that he has no guarantee of first team football under DW and after his injury ridden spell before signing for Utd and staying relatively fit and injury free last season it's probably a promise of first team selection that he needs at this stage of his career.

When KMac goes somewhere else I fully expect this will be the catalyst for Maguire and Lowton to jump ship. Their agents will point out that losing these players severely limits the chances of Utd getting promotion (sad but true). With the constraints on wages this season I find it difficult to believe that DW will get anyone with the same quality at KMac to play at this level - again, their agents will use this to leverage a move for the two academy products.

SQuinny will go before the season starts - he is the only saleable asset left from the established players and will be used to fund a few freebies and Bossers (more quantity over quality as we have to plug gaps with waht we can afford)

Monty will stay - as no one will offer him the sort of money he is on now and he knows this is his last year at this pay grade. DW will be forced to play him as we cannot have that amount of wages sat on the side lines doing nothing.

Beavon Can't Wait - he will be off elsewhere because he needs to secure his future before Utd are in a position to make any decisons.

As thing stand DW will be forced to use the kids (already primed by reports and statements made by the club) so this will innevitably lead to inconsistency of performances and dropped points as they adjust and mature. Note that DW didn't use the kids that much last year, except where he had no choice with Long - and look what happened there.

This close season will be a real test of DW managerial skills and contacts. I am sure that he will be very professional and do an excellent job given the constraints he will be working under but I have no illusions that we will be anything but a play off chasing side after the squad alters significantly from what we have now.

Fuck me, I felt quite bright when I came in this morning. That's put a right dampner on my day.

 

[Kenilworth]

Fuck me, I felt quite bright when I came in this morning. That's put a right dampner on my day.

On the bright side, it's raining

issonyourchips:

 

[Kenilworth]

All cheery then Kenilworth ?

We're all Blades aren't we

 

[dingledog]

Somewhat delusional on my part, but before a ball is kicked in anger I always go for champions.. It is a very long time since ,my predictions came true. And no doubt this season will be no different, but if we don't have hope what do we have......... Rain at the moment.

 

[Finance Blade]

Danny Boy will struggle to replace Evans. Apart from his goals, his individual skills stretched the opposition defence creating more space for the midfielders to expose, allowing others to score goals as well. After we lost Evans the opposition defences were no longer been stretched so we found it difficult to create and score goals.

 

[CG Blade]

I am going into the new season expecting nothing, really am pessimistic at the moment. Hopefully the gloom will lift come the new season......... pass me my shotgun.

 

[Zanzibar]

Danny Boy will struggle to replace Evans. Apart from his goals, his individual skills stretched the opposition defence creating more space for the midfielders to expose, allowing others to score goals as well. After we lost Evans the opposition defences were no longer been stretched so we found it difficult to create and score goals.

Evans was simply inspirational last season [most of it] and frightened defences to death. He will be greatly missed, but life goes on.
United seem to be frozen by lack of funds at the moment and any side who doesn't or can't trade are going backwards.
We are it seems being held to ransom by several players who have no loyalty and we cannot issue deadlines either.
It's much worse than I thought.
The sooner we can find a new owner the better.

 

[Ollessendro]

Voted for champions.

The division is thoroughly and utterly wank. Of the teams that I saw last year, only Stevenage and MK Dons impressed me. Stevenage do not have the resources (and will lose players) and MK Dons will do well. The 3 that came down do not look in a good position at all. The league is there for the taking.

At the moment it is difficult to make a judgement on position, but with a few signings we could win the league easily. Evans will be sorely missed, so will K Mac if he goes and also Willo. Losing Quinn's assists could also be a big loss. However the defence as it is is rock solid and we have a strong core to the team (Collins, Doyle and Cressy). That is enough to build on. Wilson needs to find another central midfielder with creativity and a striker. His record is mixed (e.g. K Mac excellent, Porter less so). Wilson's 2nd season at clubs has often been poor too, but I am mainly going on last season (i.e. he proved us wrong).

I just cannnot see any teams taking the league by storm and think this presents a huge opportunity. I hope that McCabe realises this and backs Wilson (as much as he can) and that Wilson uses the money wisely.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Voted for champions.

with a few signings we could win the league easily.

The poll question is where we'd finish if didn't sign anybody, not even the bosmen.

 

[Ollessendro]

The poll question is where we'd finish if didn't sign anybody, not even the bosmen.

champions. I said with na few signings we'd win 'easily'. With the current squad we'll finish top 2. It is ludicrous to think that Wilson will not sign players though.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Impossible to say given all the uncertainty about the team.

1. Stick with the current players = midtable

2. McCabe does the usual i.e. selling what quality we have & repacing with average / poor players = bottom half

3. Keep at least 6 out of McD, Willo, Lowton, Collins, Maguire, Quinn, Doyle & add 2 or 3 decent players - including a striker & some pace = Champions

 

[Bergen Blade]

champions. I said with na few signings we'd win 'easily'. With the current squad we'll finish top 2. It is ludicrous to think that Wilson will not sign players though.

Fair enough, but it seems very optimistic to predict that we'll improve without Evans, Williamson, McDonald, as well as Simonsen, Hill, Clarke, Phillips, Hoskins, Beattie, Porter and a few more squad players and loans who contributed last season.

 

[Ollessendro]

Fair enough, but it seems very optimistic to predict that we'll improve without Evans, Williamson, McDonald, as well as Simonsen, Hill, Clarke, Phillips, Hoskins, Beattie, Porter and a few more squad players and loans who contributed last season.

My point is that the league is much worse this year. So I am not saying we will actually improve. I am saying our league position will improve. We could even get less points than last year and still finish top. Last year you had 4 strong teams, but 3 of them got promoted. The teams coming down are poor. The first 3 names we will miss a lot. The list afterwards contributed very little.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

That's a good point olle about the quality of the league, but without getting a striker in we'll struggle to break down even crap defences. Cressy's not getting any younger after all.

We should remain defensively pretty solid, but we'll probably end up getting a lot more draws....

 

[Revolution]

The teams coming down are poor.

This remains to be seen.

 

[Grecian2000]

Absolutely it does.

Are any of them as bad as we were when we came down?

 

[davidpinder]

That's a good point olle about the quality of the league, but without getting a striker in we'll struggle to break down even crap defences. Cressy's not getting any younger after all.

We should remain defensively pretty solid, but we'll probably end up getting a lot more draws....

Good post to start now because as signings come in i think optimism will get higher, i went with champions for a similar reason to olle and as it sits now (assuming Kmac signs) we only need to replace evans, simmo and willo (if he doesn't sign) now if in a month we have nothing in and contracts offered aren't taken i will change my opinion but as it sit now a new striker and its ours (bookies normally have an idea)

 

[Bergen Blade]

Good post to start now because as signings come in i think optimism will get higher, i went with champions for a similar reason to olle and as it sits now (assuming Kmac signs) we only need to replace evans, simmo and willo (if he doesn't sign) now if in a month we have nothing in and contracts offered aren't taken i will change my opinion but as it sit now a new striker and its ours (bookies normally have an idea)

I think this shows that people are answering different questions in this poll. Some are assuming additions will be made to the squad when giving their prediction.

Danny Wilson's current prefered XI would probably be:

Howard​

Lowton Maguire Collins LJF​

Flynn Monty Doyle Quinn​

Cresswell Philliskirk​

​

With the following squad players:​

​

GK: Long, Willis​

DEF: Kennedy, Barry, Williams​

MID: Whitehouse, McAllister, Harriott, McFadzean, Tønne​

ATT: Ironside​

​

​

Is that a league winning squad?​

 

[JohnDenver]

​

​

Is that a league winning squad?​

Rhetorical I presume, dear Bergen?