See you in about 5 years blades

[Linz]

Sorry to butt in here chaps, but your argument seems to work around the basis that Wilson was sacked when he might have, as the rumours suggest, wanted out a few weeks before he did...

 

[Latters]

Sorry to butt in here chaps, but your argument seems to work around the basis that Wilson was sacked when he might have, as the rumours suggest, wanted out a few weeks before he did...

I didn't go, so can't be certain, but I thought McCabe confirmed at his Q&A evening that Wilson's departure was the club's decision. If this was the case it makes the decision look ridiculous with no proper manager lined up to replace him.

If Wilson left, you'd think the club would have taken every opportunity to stress this so they don't look so amateurish and unprepared.

 

[alcoblade]

OK I'll give you my world view for what it may be worth. Lets assume Warnock had been the replacement jsut for a minute. He comes through the gates to much fanfare from the masses. Do you think the results would have been different? Because I don't. Lets then assume Warnock was the manager next season, would it make one bit of difference as to what happened to us? I don't. And if he came in and failed (as his biggest critic) I wouldn't blame him). This club has gone way beyond what a manager can control.

When your chairman is hamstringing every opportunity you have then it doesn't matter if SAF himself said he was coming to the lane, you wouldn't see anything different because every time somoene shone, McCabe would have his drawers round his ankles to anyone who comes with any sort of offer.

That is why I think sacking Wilson was a mistake. The bloke isn't Manager of the Year lets be honest, he is purely an average bloke doing the best he can with a shit stick of a chairman pulling the rug from under him.

In my mind, Blackwell would have had us back in the Premiership had McCabe not sold everything we had mid season. And Blackwells a shit manager.

Something else you may choose to have a different opinion on but here goes. Football and footballers have changed recently. A kick up the arse makes little difference to most of them. Most know that if there are several bad results its the manager they want sacked and the players get another shot at it. Going in there and doing a Warnock (hairdryer etc) doesn't do it in 99% of cases any longer. Players know they get paid and mostly get paid handsomely. Even in League one we will have players on £8-£10K per week. Even if they are pulling a couple of grand its more than they are worth.

Warnock was of a time when ripping the arse out of players had a reaction. When players like Brown and the type responded is almost 10 years ago. Its changed. They stick their ipods on and may as well tell you to fuck off. Don't you see it in most (not all I'll grant you) of them when you go to the match?

Finally, I have witnessed us a few times this season and trust me everything you see and say about the team is as I feel, where we differ is I think Wilson had at least as good a chance of getting us promoted as anyone coming in with 5 games to go. And so it has proved. I don't think Wilson has had a run of 5 games all season as bad as the ones Morgan has just had (1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats from 3 home games and 2 away).

So we have changed for changes sake. You can have your hard facts but when I see for the umpteenth time "Forte missed wide right with a shot" on the BBC sport site I know how bad things are.

But we might as well just put me in charge then, if none of it makes a difference? We're in agreement that McCabe is fucking things up. It's where we go from there that matters.

We've been hearing that Warnock's brand if football is dead for years, literally. Everyone went quiet when he took us up. Then it was dead again. Then he took QPR up. Everyone went quiet, then it was dead again. Just to clarify - that's seven promotions.

It's frankly rubbish, sorry. All styles of football could be effective, still can and always will be. But you have to be practical about it. You cannot polish a turd. Our players will not play silky football and be effective. We should play to whatever strengths we have - not insist on a certain style as though we have the cash to orchestrate it.
Wilson's run can be as good or s bad as we've ever seen. Its unwatchable football. Viewing results gives you the disappointment - it simply cannot convey the complete boredom it has delivered this year.

UTB

 

[WhiteHawk]

You cannot polish a turd

Actually, you can;

 

[Latters]

But we might as well just put me in charge then, if none of it makes a difference? We're in agreement that McCabe is fucking things up. It's where we go from there that matters.

We've been hearing that Warnock's brand if football is dead for years, literally. Everyone went quiet when he took us up. Then it was dead again. Then he took QPR up. Everyone went quiet, then it was dead again. Just to clarify - that's seven promotions.

It's frankly rubbish, sorry. All styles of football could be effective, still can and always will be. But you have to be practical about it. You cannot polish a turd. Our players will not play silky football and be effective. We should play to whatever strengths we have - not insist on a certain style as though we have the cash to orchestrate it.
Wilson's run can be as good or s bad as we've ever seen. Its unwatchable football. Viewing results gives you the disappointment - it simply cannot convey the complete boredom it has delivered this year.

UTB

Wilson was playing to our strengths. Solid defence, shit attacking players. Hence, keep it tight and hope to fluke one.

 

[alcoblade]

Wilson was playing to our strengths. Solid defence, shit attacking players. Hence, keep it tight and hope to fluke one.

In which case I'd rather jack it in.



UTB

 

[Latters]

In which case I'd rather jack it in.



UTB

I'm not pretending it was pretty, but I'd have put up with it if we scraped up. Remuneration how we were playing last season? Perhaps with a Championship budget he could have signed the players to get us doing that again. Alas, we shall never know.

How is Morgs tickling your fancy thus far? See you in five years, too?

 

[alcoblade]

I'm not pretending it was pretty, but I'd have put up with it if we scraped up. Remuneration how we were playing last season? Perhaps with a Championship budget he could have signed the players to get us doing that again. Alas, we shall never know.

How is Morgs tickling your fancy thus far? See you in five years, too?

Morgan's looking bit clueless. It would be difficult with this bunch - so I doubt we'll get to find out if he's got anything to offer. I do blame McCabe for selling talent, but also Wilson for assembling such a slow, unathletic and ultimately skilless bunch. And as poor as they are, I refuse to believe that we weren't capable of attacking the dross that populates division 3 when we're playing at home. This in itself, I believe, has cost us promotion and was reason enough to sack Wilson.

UTB

 

[JohnDenver]

In which case I'd rather jack it in.



UTB

How did you survive Blackwell? He had huge resources at first, but actually elected for joyless grinding football as a matter of preference.

Whoever takes the reins next will live and die by the signings he makes this summer. The style we intend to play should become clear by the types he brings in and lets go.

 

[alcoblade]

How did you survive Blackwell? He had huge resources at first, but actually elected for joyless grinding football as a matter of preference.

Whoever takes the reins next will live and die by the signings he makes this summer. The style we intend to play should become clear by the types he brings in and lets go.

Blackwell's football was equally as dull, and I really struggled with it. But almost challenging for promotion and boring everyone's pants off at the same time takes a special kind of non football.

UTB

 

[Latters]

Morgan's looking bit clueless. It would be difficult with this bunch - so I doubt we'll get to find out if he's got anything to offer. I do blame McCabe for selling talent, but also Wilson for assembling such a slow, unathletic and ultimately skilless bunch. And as poor as they are, I refuse to believe that we weren't capable of attacking the dross that populates division 3 when we're playing at home. This in itself, I believe, has cost us promotion and was reason enough to sack Wilson.

UTB

That's the point though. Wilson signed Blackman and Miller. Both quite pacy and exciting players. One got injured, one got snatched away by Greedy Bastard. He was given limited resources to replace these. He tried to get pace in in the shape of Poleon and Forte. Neither worked. He also signed Murphy who came with a good reputation and hasnt really delivered so far.

I don't think he wanted us to be slow and one dimensional. His hands were somewhat tied by the restrictions imposed on him.

 

[JohnDenver]

Blackwell's football was equally as dull, and I really struggled with it. But almost challenging for promotion and boring everyone's pants off at the same time takes a special kind of non football.

UTB

It does indeed. I forgave Blackwell at first because a manager should make the best of the players he inherits. But after a year or so it became obvious he had one approach.

Anyway, what all this teaches us is that if we have a director of football then at least we can achieve a degree of continuity across changing team managers. For example, I expect that if we hire a Blackwell-esque manager, the first thing he'll do is ditch McDonald. Whereas other managers will try to build a team around him.

So let's see what sort of football I've just spaffed £400 to watch for another bloody year...

 

[Highbury_Blade]

That's the point though. Wilson signed Blackman and Miller. Both quite pacy and exciting players. One got injured, one got snatched away by Greedy Bastard. He was given limited resources to replace these. He tried to get pace in in the shape of Poleon and Forte. Neither worked. He also signed Murphy who came with a good reputation and hasnt really delivered so far.

I don't think he wanted us to be slow and one dimensional. His hands were somewhat tied by the restrictions imposed on him.

We were still pretty dull even when he had those players at his disposal though.

 

[JohnDenver]

We were still pretty dull even when he had those players at his disposal though.

But what did folk expect after losing Ched, Lowton, Quinn, Willo etc etc? It was always going to be uglier this time around.

That said there were glimpses we could push on early in the season. These were completely obscured when we sold Blackman and scuffled around for a few loans to replace him and Miller.

Robson briefly threatened to get us playing again, but it really was the failure to replace Miller and Blackman which led to the disastrous series of 0-0 draws.

 

[alcoblade]

But what did folk expect after losing Ched, Lowton, Quinn, Willo etc etc? It was always going to be uglier this time around.

That said there were glimpses we could push on early in the season. These were completely obscured when we sold Blackman and scuffled around for a few loans to replace him and Miller.

Robson briefly threatened to get us playing again, but it really was the failure to replace Miller and Blackman which led to the disastrous series of 0-0 draws.

Don't get me started on the sale of Blackman. The only thing more baffling than the sale was the number of fans prepared to apologise for it. His vastly inferior replacement even got his own thread for it!

I can accept we were never going to be the same this season. I can't except treating Hartlepool like they were Man Ure.

UTB

 

[William Large]

I imagine that most blades will be able to give good reason why they support united. I also imagine that most of them won't be because they are brilliant and challenge regularly for silverware. Most of us have family connections, live local or chose us because we actually are / were shite. When I think back to when I started going as a kid, I just remember the thrill of going to watch a live football match. The smell, the noise, the buzz in the air and I hope that my kids will feel it too. As you get older of course things like cost, opposition, league position, playing style ( or complete lack of ), weather etc affect decisions to go to games but I would never say 'right, I'm not going again until we are good' - at least not with any seriousness. We are shit, I accept it and will go when I can afford it. Can't make wembley due to holiday, but I know if I wasn't away, like the daft twat I am, I would go. In short - expect fuck all and occasionally you end up with a smile at the end of it!

 

[Northyorksblade]

I imagine that most blades will be able to give good reason why they support united. I also imagine that most of them won't be because they are brilliant and challenge regularly for silverware. Most of us have family connections, live local or chose us because we actually are / were shite. When I think back to when I started going as a kid, I just remember the thrill of going to watch a live football match. The smell, the noise, the buzz in the air and I hope that my kids will feel it too. As you get older of course things like cost, opposition, league position, playing style ( or complete lack of ), weather etc affect decisions to go to games but I would never say 'right, I'm not going again until we are good' - at least not with any seriousness. We are shit, I accept it and will go when I can afford it. Can't make wembley due to holiday, but I know if I wasn't away, like the daft twat I am, I would go. In short - expect fuck all and occasionally you end up with a smile at the end of it!

I'd just like the ratio of highs and lows to be a bit more equal.

 

[kingston RAWW]

Long story short.
Picked blades as bottom of league due to family supporting liverpool, man utd etc etc
Went through school being the only southern blade in existance.
Went to the lane for 18th and 21st and others since.
Put up with away trips to portsmouth and (fookin loved it) crawley most recently.
However
Lost my love for it all.
God bless u blades.
May i see you in a bettet light when my son wants a team to support.
Dont let him down.

I am always intrigued by people who choose a team for reasons not family or geographically related. The only Blades in Bognor? I must be the only Blade in Kingston, Surrey. Oh, apart from my son, Ash. My faithful (go anywhere the Blades go) travelling buddy. He thinks we will win in the final. I always said we would go out this season in the play off semis. Hope he is right.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

This may go a bit against the grain, given this article's content, but I'm baling in - just as I've done for the last 52 years. Life without the Blades would undoubtedly be less stressful, but I'll keep going until I fall off me perch, in the hope that a modern-day John Harris turns up with another version of his wonderful team.

Don't give me that negative crap about such a team being sold out from underneath us, because that has always been the SUFC way and it'll always happen, you just have to play the cards you're dealt.

Be certain of one thing - no MUFC/MCFC/Liverpool/Arsenal supporter can look you in the eye and tell you you're not as good a fan as them.

If you can't stand it, go elsewhere.

George

 

[Darren]

In Nick Hornby's book "High Fidelity", there's a bit where the narrator wonders if he likes depressing music because he is a miserable person or if he is a miserable person because he likes depressing music.

I often ponder that about my support for SUFC....

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Warnock was of a time when ripping the arse out of players had a reaction. When players like Brown and the type responded is almost 10 years ago. Its changed. They stick their ipods on and may as well tell you to fuck off. Don't you see it in most (not all I'll grant you) of them when you go to the match?

Seriously? You do know Warnock got us promoted in 2006 and QPR in 2011?
Has football changed massively in the last two seasons?
Or is your theory about Warnock's management style a load of simplistic crap?

 

[Balham]

I am always intrigued by people who choose a team for reasons not family or geographically related. The only Blades in Bognor? I must be the only Blade in Kingston, Surrey. Oh, apart from my son, Ash. My faithful (go anywhere the Blades go) travelling buddy. He thinks we will win in the final. I always said we would go out this season in the play off semis. Hope he is right.

While you may be the only Blade in Kingston there's a few of us in the surrounding areas (Ollessendro is Wandsworth/Tooting way, Greenwich Blade is in Ashford I think and I'm in Richmond). I think we're all ex-pats though so none of this choosing a team at random then giving up when it gets a bit tough.

I've enjoyed reading Ashtonsmashton 's views recently. They're a breath of fresh air - a glimpse into a surreal existence where Kevin Blackwell is a good manager and we'll win the playoffs

 

[Ted Danson]

Something else you may choose to have a different opinion on but here goes. Football and footballers have changed recently. A kick up the arse makes little difference to most of them. Most know that if there are several bad results its the manager they want sacked and the players get another shot at it. Going in there and doing a Warnock (hairdryer etc) doesn't do it in 99% of cases any longer. Players know they get paid and mostly get paid handsomely. Even in League one we will have players on £8-£10K per week. Even if they are pulling a couple of grand its more than they are worth.

Warnock was of a time when ripping the arse out of players had a reaction. When players like Brown and the type responded is almost 10 years ago. Its changed. They stick their ipods on and may as well tell you to fuck off. Don't you see it in most (not all I'll grant you) of them when you go to the match?

I think thats abit of a misconception about Warnock, he knew how to treat his players individually and which approach to take with them to get the best out of them. I remember watching a documentary where Warnock stormed in to the dressing room swearing his head off at the majority of the players but then taking Tonge aside and treating him with real kid gloves giving him lots of encouragement.

 

[kingston RAWW]

While you may be the only Blade in Kingston there's a few of us in the surrounding areas (Ollessendro is Wandsworth/Tooting way, Greenwich Blade is in Ashford I think and I'm in Richmond). I think we're all ex-pats though so none of this choosing a team at random then giving up when it gets a bit tough.

I've enjoyed reading Ashtonsmashton 's views recently. They're a breath of fresh air - a glimpse into a surreal existence where Kevin Blackwell is a good manager and we'll win the playoffs

Youthful optimism. I started watching the Blades when we finished about 6th in the top flight. I did warn him. But he's a Blades and he's a Blade.

 

[Bladesway]

Seriously? You do know Warnock got us promoted in 2006 and QPR in 2011?
Has football changed massively in the last two seasons?
Or is your theory about Warnock's management style a load of simplistic crap?

Simplistic crap? I'm hurt. Can you please give some depth to your accusation?

 

[Bladesway]

Don't give me that negative crap about such a team being sold out from underneath us, because that has always been the SUFC way and it'll always happen, you just have to play the cards you're dealt.

George

Agree but this time round there was no excuse for it happening.

 

[Robby Blade]

Been following the Blades for almost 60 years now. Not much has changed in that time, couple of good years, decade of dross is about the correct ratio. We have always been shit and I can't see it changing much in my lifetime.

To all the drama queens on here, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Agree but this time round there was no excuse for it happening.

There's never a been a real valid excuse for it from the sale of Mick Jones on. Excepting perhaps TC, who really was far too good to be playing in the old, old, old second division. And even then we should've been good enough to stay up and push on from a 6th placed finish.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Simplistic crap? I'm hurt. Can you please give some depth to your accusation?

According to your theory, Warnock’s management style consists mainly of shouting loudly at players who used to respond to this 10 years ago but don’t now.
I’m suggesting that’s perhaps a bit too simplistic a viewpoint, given that he’s achieved 7 promotions in his career. 2 of them in the last 7 seasons. 1 only 2 years ago.
I’m wondering how he managed to get two promotions during the period that you said his managerial style “stopped working”.

I’m entertaining the possibility that Warnock may have other managerial qualities that you’ve failed to notice.
I’m pointing out that not all Warnock teams played football in exactly the same way. The 2002-03 team and QPR both played good football, others were more prosaic.

Above all, I’m suggesting that you’re refusing to give Warnock any credit for anything that happened during the last 10 years.
And you’re now inventing half-arsed, crackpot theories about modern football and dinosaur managers to justify your bewildering hatred of Warnock.

 

[Bladesway]

According to your theory, Warnock’s management style consists mainly of shouting loudly at players who used to respond to this 10 years ago but don’t now.
I’m suggesting that’s perhaps a bit too simplistic a viewpoint, given that he’s achieved 7 promotions in his career. 2 of them in the last 7 seasons. 1 only 2 years ago.
I’m wondering how he managed to get two promotions during the period that you said his managerial style “stopped working”.

I’m entertaining the possibility that Warnock may have other managerial qualities that you’ve failed to notice.
I’m pointing out that not all Warnock teams played football in exactly the same way. The 2002-03 team and QPR both played good football, others were more prosaic.

Above all, I’m suggesting that you’re refusing to give Warnock any credit for anything that happened during the last 10 years.
And you’re now inventing half-arsed, crackpot theories about modern football and dinosaur managers to justify your bewildering hatred of Warnock.

Thank you, see with a bit of work you can string a sentence together. Warnock should get massive credit taking us to the Premier League and he was a very effective manager. He did exactly what we needed just when we needed it. He has also been a positive for many other clubs he has managed. 7 promotions and all that. No argument from me. But Dave Bassett was a good manager as well (he kept us there with far less cash in case you forget). His methods are out of date.

I don't see QPR as a traditional Warncok type promotion. Best budget and best player in the league and a chairman who wouldn't pull the rug from under you half way through the season. I class 06/07 as his finest moment. He signed Hulse who was heroic for us. He signed good players for us and was blessed with players like Tonge and Jagielka. BUT when the shit hit the fan and he had the money and opportunity to keep us in the Premiership he shat it up the wall on Fathi, Seck, Kilgallon (who was decent but not ready at that point).

But I digress. My half arsed and crackpot theory is actually based on many things but not actually primarily his tactics. Tactically the man is no fool, thats clear to see. But he is a man near the end of his career. I don't believe he is motivated in the same way he was when he came to us all those years ago, I don't think his managerial (not tactical) style is akin with football now. Yes, I think football has changed in the last 6 or 7 years. Players won't listen to you any more when you yell that they have let the team down because the manager generally lasts less time than a players contract does these days. Thats a massive power shift and its a fact like it or not. Players can tell a manager to fuck off and sit on the bench. They know the manager goes before they do. That isn't the case if you have a good chairman of course. The Chairman backs you as a manager and you aren't subject to his hissy fits when things aren't going well.

So is Warnock the right man? I don't think so. But if I'm honest I don't think he is alone here. How many managers can anyone think of that would firstly take the poison challice and secondly take the Chairman selling your best players?

Your right, I don't like Warnock but I love my club more and if for one minute I thought appointing him would be the right move then I would swallow my pride and say so. If we took Warnock back I wouldn't not support the club either.

What you don't know is that I used to love Warnock and thought he did wonders with our team. 03/04, cup semis, fantastic entertainment, Hulse, Shipperley, Ifill, Tonge, Jagielka, Brown, Stead, Kenny, Pesch etc etc etc. It was that May day 2007 and surrounding events just before and since that did it for me.

He is one of the best managers we have had in recent times. You cannot argue with history. But like we shouldn't have gone back for Beattie (with hindsight) we shouldn't be going back for Warnock. We need to take stock and assuming we don't get promoted we need to think so very carefully about this next appointment because its probably the most important one in our recent history.