Square one - Progress starts here

[Highbury_Blade]

I did enjoy it, but like you said, it was all played out in the wilderness of league 1

 

[God]

Agreed Swiss. The last few years have been a disaster - in part due to the fact that we had a squad made up of players from the team "vision" of six different managers. We were then lumbered by silly contract terms making it impossible for the club/squad to adapt to the changing situations around it.

At the end end of the 2011 season I was obviously gutted but also relieved by the opportunity of a clean slate with a new (albeit then unpopular) manager. Unfortunately by the end of the transfer window the job still wasn't done.

Like you said for better or worse this is a new chapter. I'm not expecting much at all this season never mind promotion but it's what the club needs to do, to ensure future growth on the pitch.

About bleedin time.

Very nice sentiments indeed, but you're missing the vital point. While ever you are selling the seeds, you'll get no growth on the pitch.

 

[Kev Gee]

Im optimistic. (hell knows why) We have a chance to play more youngsters & see them shine. Hopefully not so bright that we sell them in January.

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Monty and Quinny gone, its now an entirely new look United.

We've not exactly started the season brightly in terms of results, but we remain unbeaten.

We now have a young side and its mainly Wilsons own signings. The decks have been cleared and the old guard have all gone (for better or worse).

Its time to look forward and hopefully we can get out of this god foresaken division.

Onwards and upwards

Mostly in agreement with SwissBlade's original post. The majority of fans wanted Monty off the wage bill and out of the club, which has now happened with the club terminating his contract. Monty and his family now have new and exiting times to look forward to and I wish them all well in everything they choose to do. Thanks also to Monty for his service and loyalty to the club which is rare in today's game.

Lets face it, we were all waiting for someone to come in with a decent offer for Quinn and yesterday, it proved to be Hull, not Blackpool or Leeds that snapped him up. We`ve lost a bloody good player for an "undisclosed fee" and another huge chunk off the wage bill.

My only gripe about this situation is that by the time Hull came sniffing, the club would have known they were intending to move Monty out, therefore, surerly we could have afforded to keep Quinny until at least the end of the season? He's been our best player so far this season and I just hope we don`t look back on yesterday and rue the day we sold him.

The signing of Kitson has been predicted for a while on this, and other forums so didnt come as a surprise when I heard last night. A short term contract doesnt represent a big outlay or gamble for the club, and with his pedigree, i'm quite looking forward to seeing him in a Blades shirt, I think he'll be good value at this level.

As with all players who sign for United, let's give the bloke a decent chance to show us what he's made of before commenting on how good or bad he is. We've got a good balance of young and more experienced players and despite the loss of Quinny, I still expect us to be challenging for automatic promotion at the end of the season.

Can't wait for this afternoon, hope it's worth the drive from London.

 

[blade too long]

Too right you've been a Blade too long, I think your brain gave out. Bet you're one of those that sing for 90 minutes and always gets behind the lads. Well what else can you do, they're brilliant, the manager's a true Blade and we have the greatest chairman in the world ever. Who could be miserable with all the rosy stuff going on at the Lane right now.

Blade too long? Sure you aren't a pig on a wind up?

my thoughts have been the same since watching us in the sixtiers and seventies , theres always been blades fans who will moan if we were second top of the prem , moaning we werent top

If we beat man united 6-1 , theres blades fans whod focus on the one we let in saying it was signs of decline
Its always been the same , pessimism , is defined in the Oxford dictionary as being a a cheerless outlook ,focusing on the downs , sitting in a shoreham street kop seat looking for faults

 

[Selly]

Last season was hardly wilderness was it? 90pts,and probably playing the best football we've played in donkeys. Granted it was played in the wilderness, but did you not enjoy it? I did. (apart from the implosion at the death). The wilderness years have only just started IMHO we'll be in this division, if not lower, for the next three years.

Had we scraped over the line rather than Wednesday last season it would rightly have been remembered as a legendary season...

...as it was it was all for naught, fact is, we might as well have finished 8th for all the good 90 pts + goalsgoalsgoals did us...

 

[super_pig]

3rd best team in the division is not 8th best team in the division though is it?

 

[Selly]

3rd best team in the division is not 8th best team in the division though is it?

End result was the same...

 

[alcoblade]

Time to invest in our youth and build for our long term future success.

Contraversial, but we should not focus too much on youth. It's a myth (IMHO) that we'll ever fill our side with significant numbers of home grown talent, becuase the pool of players wanting to come to clubs like Sheffield United isn't big enough. What's more, it's a myth that it could end positively. Like every other player that excels, they'd be picked up by the Premiership, walk there given the chance, and the club would be lambasted for capitulating.

We should continue doing what we have done with youth, continue looking for players who've nearly done it but not quite for a reason (Blackman, McDonald).

What we should do differently is not focus off the pitch, leading to decisions such as appointing a brand name such as arch failure Bryan Robson, not invest in far off activities that can't be grasped by the supporters, and not invest heavily in players at the end of their careers.



UTB

 

[UnitedBlade]

United should really do a case study on "How Not to Do It" starting on 22 May 2007 up to 7 May 2011". I include the Blackwell season when we nearly got promoted because there is masterclass in "How Not to Prepare & Execute a Play Off Final".

Hopefully we are in the midst of the follow up "And Now Here's How To Do It"

UTB

 

[beechblade]

Contraversial, but we should not focus too much on youth. It's a myth (IMHO) that we'll ever fill our side with significant numbers of home grown talent, becuase the pool of players wanting to come to clubs like Sheffield United isn't big enough. What's more, it's a myth that it could end positively. Like every other player that excels, they'd be picked up by the Premiership, walk there given the chance, and the club would be lambasted for capitulating.

We should continue doing what we have done with youth, continue looking for players who've nearly done it but not quite for a reason (Blackman, McDonald).
I
What we should do differently is not focus off the pitch, leading to decisions such as appointing a brand name such as arch failure Bryan Robson, not invest in far off activities that can't be grasped by the supporters, and not invest heavily in players at the end of their careers.



UTB

The problem is the perception that's it is a myth that sides can't fill their teams with home grown talent, they could if most managers and coaches on all levels took on a new look at the game. There are still so many stigmas and problems with the types of coaching and the type of players brought through that a very lot of talented players are overlooked for those stigmas. It's odd that in this day an age that smaller but technically more gifted players are released over larger more typically suited players to the English style. This doesn't just happen ok this level it happens at the very bottom and works it's way up from the grassroots to a lot of if not nearly all the pro clubs and amateur clubs.

 

[beechblade]

Then there are other problems to do with enjoyment in sport which can drive a lot of talented individuals out of the game before they even develop properly. The subject of youth development is a broad subject and still sadly something that isn't looked upon and given the proper due care and attention it's needed.

 

[alcoblade]

The problem is the perception that's it is a myth that sides can't fill their teams with home grown talent, they could if most managers and coaches on all levels took on a new look at the game. There are still so many stigmas and problems with the types of coaching and the type of players brought through that a very lot of talented players are overlooked for those stigmas. It's odd that in this day an age that smaller but technically more gifted players are released over larger more typically suited players to the English style. This doesn't just happen ok this level it happens at the very bottom and works it's way up from the grassroots to a lot of if not nearly all the pro clubs and amateur clubs.

But it doesn't actually happen, so there's no empirical evidence that it could, is there? Couldn't I argue that a team of giants would be equally victorious?

Even if it did, all players want to move for more money. There's a repeated dreamy notion (I'm not saying yours is BTW) that we could have a team full of Sheffield youth, prepared to die for the cause. The reality is that even if we managed it, every single one would do one at the first sign of a payrise.

For me, we've been doing a lot of the right things. Just too many of the wrong ones too.

UTB

 

[beechblade]

But it doesn't actually happen, so there's no empirical evidence that it could, is there? Couldn't I argue that a team of giants would be equally victorious?

Even if it did, all players want to move for more money. There's a repeated dreamy notion (I'm not saying yours is BTW) that we could have a team full of Sheffield youth, prepared to die for the cause. The reality is that even if we managed it, every single one would do one at the first sign of a payrise.

For me, we've been doing a lot of the right things. Just too many of the wrong ones too.

UTB

No there are many arguments for the pros and cons to both arguments, the reason there is no evidence though is there are not many teams willing to put enough faith in youth. In a money fueled game like football is today you're going to always face problems with players wanting to move on but there could be other ways to help that process i.e the PFA stepping into the boots of agents. But those are larger changes that the FA won't look at.

As of a team full of players from this area I'd love it, but difficult to do for many degree of factors. A good well run youth operation can work well and support a club though it needs faith in the system and an open minded approach that can be difficult to fathom for many. Crewe do a decent job, as do Manchester United, Man U in particular the best approach to youth coaching and it's an area that had seen it's academy produce and feed talented players into the top flight and other division below it. It's a broad subject to discuss and I'll try approach it more when I'm not on a piddlly phone pad but there it's one quote that always rings in my head 'You'll never win anything with youth.'Alan Hansen.

 

[Pinchy]

Contraversial, but we should not focus too much on youth. It's a myth (IMHO) that we'll ever fill our side with significant numbers of home grown talent, becuase the pool of players wanting to come to clubs like Sheffield United isn't big enough. What's more, it's a myth that it could end positively. Like every other player that excels, they'd be picked up by the Premiership, walk there given the chance, and the club would be lambasted for capitulating.

We should continue doing what we have done with youth, continue looking for players who've nearly done it but not quite for a reason (Blackman, McDonald).

What we should do differently is not focus off the pitch, leading to decisions such as appointing a brand name such as arch failure Bryan Robson, not invest in far off activities that can't be grasped by the supporters, and not invest heavily in players at the end of their careers.



UTB

Precisely. We want a team comprised of the best footballers we can possibly recruit. If that includes plenty of home grown lads - brilliant, but it's not a sine qua non. I have every faith in DW but, as I said from day one, it will take time and patience. I think he has recruited very well for this season. Kitson may well surprise a few doubters and the dynamic duo, Blackman and Cofie, bring something a bit different to what we are accustomed to. Together with recent long overdue departures, DW is on the way to building HIS team (though he'll develop it further if and when we go up). I'm getting quite excited!

 

[alcoblade]

but there it's one quote that always rings in my head 'You'll never win anything with youth.'Alan Hansen.

Which ironically actually only stands out and is remembered because, in general, you never win anything with youth.



UTB

 

[blade too long]

we are getting some good competition in the front places now theres 2 experienced war horses in creswell and kitson
the youth of cofie and blackman and div one proven porter

Flynn chipping in with goals , lets hope it carries over from last season where all the team contribute with goals
the future is , well what we make of it, positivity breeds cxonfidence
nay sayers and pessimists should take up S and M and put a billiard ball in their gobs for 9 months

 

[scrap]

Barcelona, 1st Team is awash with Academy Players

 

[JohnDenver]

Barcelona, 1st Team is awash with Academy Players

Which is why they appear to have a share footballing consciousness.

By way of stretching a point, I remember Curtis Woodhouse and Lee Morris showing brilliant understanding in their interplay....

...until Morris was flogged to Derby.

 

[SwissBlade]

Which is why they appear to have a share footballing consciousness.

By way of stretching a point, I remember Curtis Woodhouse and Lee Morris showing brilliant understanding in their interplay....

...until Morris was flogged to Derby.

Done well since hasn't he

 

[alcoblade]

Barcelona, 1st Team is awash with Academy Players

Aye, with every young player in the country wanting to play for them, and no bigger team to move to if they make it. The similarities are endless.....

UTB

 

[beechblade]

Aye, with every young player in the country wanting to play for them, and no bigger team to move to if they make it. The similarities are endless.....

UTB

If players are getting regular chances though you become a more desirable place to be at, if kids realise there is a shout at making a break through somewhere they'll prefer to be there. As of in this area we have the best academy, I'd say to all avoid the talent centres of the likes of Man City they just chew players up in hopes they may find one gem.

 

[alcoblade]

To clarify, I'm all for whatever delivers for us. I love to see youngsters come through. But give me a Nick Blackman (dropped the leagues to play fo us) over a Jordan Slew (opted to leave to not play football and count money) any time.

A thought though - is it realistic that 99% of clubs throughout football, throughout time, have got it wrong? If not, why aren't they stuffed with locally developed youth? Even just 10% of clubs?

UTB

 

[vorpal blade]

Sorry for dipping in a bit here, I haven't followed every contribution but I don't quite understand your last paragraph Alco. It looks like an interesting question. But I would welcome some clarification please.

Because I reckon that throughout the world and throughout football's 150 ish year existence, nearly every team has been made up of locals. We are living in a country that has recently and probably temporarily become able to buy (and fixated by) foreign imports, as opposed to players from the British Isles as is usually the case in our history.

Loads of reasons for this 'blip' among which is the sheer frequency of turnover of staff as a result of kickbacks for the players, their agents, both managers and presumably a %age for the directors into the bargain every time a footballer is sold.

This hasn't been always the case and it isn't in every country on Earth is it?...........or have I misunderstood you Alco?

 

[alcoblade]

Sorry for dipping in a bit here, I haven't followed every contribution but I don't quite understand your last paragraph Alco. It looks like an interesting question. But I would welcome some clarification please.

Because I reckon that throughout the world and throughout football's 150 ish year existence, nearly every team has been made up of locals. We are living in a country that has recently and probably temporarily become able to buy (and fixated by) foreign imports, as opposed to players from the British Isles as is usually the case in our history.

Loads of reasons for this 'blip' among which is the sheer frequency of turnover of staff as a result of kickbacks for the players, their agents, both managers and presumably a %age for the directors into the bargain every time a footballer is sold.

This hasn't been always the case and it isn't in every country on Earth is it?...........or have I misunderstood you Alco?

Perhaps I've been too generalistic, perhaps I should put it another way. When the restrictions are removed (improved transportation, reduced regulation etc) then it seems the vast majoity of clubs look to develop a bit, buy a bit and unearth a bit that was missed by someone elses development system. I'm saying it seems unrealistic to focus too heavily on your own local youth, and the empirical evidence suggests that this is the case (when restrictions aren't in place). Beechblade is (I think) suggesting that football clubs, en masse, have got it wrong (in this way). I can't really see it.

UTB

 

[vorpal blade]

Thanks for that Alco, I agree that the norm is a sort of mixed approach now in professional English football. I would love to see a much more localised team. That's probably the old skool Yorkshire C.C. supporter in me and I find the purist/'suprematist' Athletic Bilbao selection policy well......separatist hence 'racist' and like all in-breeding, an evolutionary dead end.

BUT if there were more stability in the staff (i.e. juniors coming through to playing for the first team, en masse), I think it would be pay dividends. Its just that for the reasons of greed listed above, that it is in everyones interests, bar us (we the supporters actually pay for all that baksheesh) that players are traded like cattle.

Its VERY seldom though that an intelligent independently minded manager with the owners backing can establish a thorough going set-up. I'm thinking Ferguson and probably Cruyff who really instituted all the progress at Barcelona, because isn't their success actually derived ultimately from the model of Ajax?

 

[Pedro Verde]

The one thing that is apparent with the high percentage of foreigners now playing in our game is that there are very few British players playing abroad in the other top leagues in Europe, is this because the money is too good for them over here are are they just not good enough
Also if you look at the acadamies of all the top English clubs there are a lot of foreingers in those as well, so the British talent should be filtering down into lower Prem, Championship and other excellent academies like ours

 

[beechblade]

To clarify, I'm all for whatever delivers for us. I love to see youngsters come through. But give me a Nick Blackman (dropped the leagues to play fo us) over a Jordan Slew (opted to leave to not play football and count money) any time.

A thought though - is it realistic that 99% of clubs throughout football, throughout time, have got it wrong? If not, why aren't they stuffed with locally developed youth? Even just 10% of clubs?

UTB

In a word yes. They have there are plenty of things wrong, though i don't think the blame lies with the clubs entirely the FA have a he'll of a lot to answer for and still do.

 

[TopBoy]

Off tangent slightly but I've got tickets to see Ajax v Feyenoord in January and while planning my weekend in Amsterdam away from the bars I came across this on their website regarding their "A1" Youth Academy. I wonder how close our own academy is run to the below.

At AFC Ajax, the training of top football players takes centre stage. That is why the youth academy is also known as the breeding ground of Dutch football. The further you get, the harder it becomes to maintain your place and to reach the ultimate objective - to play in the Amsterdam Arena. Only one or two players make it to the first team each year.

Ajax is partly dependant on players from its own youth academy. The youth teams are trained in exactly the same way as the first team and these boys are therefore already accustomed to Ajax’s style of play.

Central within the club is the style of play (4-3-3), training, behaviour and house rules. Ajax strives to keep the way of playing football recognisable; attractive, offensive-minded, creative, fast, fair and preferably far away from the own goal on the opponents’ half.

Ajax has developed the so-called TIPS model, which stands for Technique, Insight, Personality and Speed. For each part there are ten criteria. P and S are generally innate properties, but I and S can always be developed further. The players own a special Ajax passport, in which all achievements are noted.


UTB!

 

[dublin 10 blade]

as of today this is danny's team,all the big earners are gone,apart from arry we have no 1 of note to sell come jan so side should stay settled,not like last 3 transfer windows with the will he won't he saga's we have the best midfielder in this league by a country mile last year we had 1 of the strongest defence's and were blooding youngsters up top only 1 ours i know but average age must be under 24 i am more confident going forward due to the these factors than in a long time as i said early IF we go up than all these kids playing together will be a better unit in a higher league and more used to playing the game as it should lets not forget 10 years ago Sawnsea were bottom of the 4th div and look were they are now not saying were going to copy em but i'm enjoying watching united now something most on here can't say they've been happy saying for a while.UTB.