United 1 Bristol City 2 - report

[Gavlar]

You will find that, with referees. The thing is, they don't ref the game for one side, or the other, they're neutral (mostly). They don't see things how you see them, or how I see them.

You'll forget all this once you've got a league win and three points to feel good about.

Fair point made at the end mate! Im from Bristol and most of my mates support City, needless to say i've take some stick off them since sat. On the balance of play looks like you deserved the win, it was a cracking assist for your winner, fairplay. All the best for the rest of the season.

 

[Guesty]

You'll forget all this once you've got a league win and three points to feel good about.

Some time in November then?

 

[Come from away]

Well there's a lot of overreaction on here isn't there?!

I've purposely left it until today to post after watching the game back & reflecting on it.

The team was a strange line-up but I can see why Clough chose to go with Alcock & McGahey at CB to deal with Baldock & Wilbraham, maybe Collins would have been the better option with Alcock going to RB but then it's obvious he wanted to get Davies in the side for his set pieces. On reflection Flynn didn't look fit or sharp enough and if Clough was desperate to get Davies in the side it would have made sense to for Flynn to make way & place Davies on the wing.

Clough has said he picked the best eleven who've played/trained well over pre-season, he see's the players day in, day out & made his decision based on what he's seen over the past two months. For me Scougs, Flynn & Murphy were far too quiet & not influential enough but going on the backend of last season's form they'd have been the first three names on the team sheet.

Looking back on the game first half we saw more of the ball, had the better chances - two off the line, Harris' effort, scored through a cracking header from Higdon after a peach of a delivery from Davies (what Clough put him in the side to do). They scored a well worked goal but Harris was at fault for letting Little flash past him with ease.

Second half we didn't really get out the traps, Higdon was knackered after 60 minutes and should have been replaced by Porter/Baxter, Scougall for me looks like pre-season's taken it out of him, Flynn & Murphy both far too quiet. We fell asleep for their goal & got punished. Saying that we still had chances to draw level (how did Murphy's shot stay out?!) and over the ninety minutes I feel a draw would have been a fair result.

High points -

Alcock - reads a game well, pacey, strong in the tackle, we've found a good un here.
Reed - his vision for a young lad is exceptional
Higdon (1st half) - showed glimpses of what he can do, took his goal well. Should have come off earlier

Low points -

Basham - now don't get me wrong I don't want him to become the new whipping boy & I really want him to do well & prove me wrong. I've watched him closely over pre-season and he just seems like a big unit & well not a lot else. He doesn't impose himself on games enough, he's not technical brilliant & seems to just wander around without actually doing much on the ball or off the ball, he played a part in being at fault for both goals in losing the ball when we were in a good position for their first & losing Elliot for the second. Obviously I'm not gonna write him off after one competitive game for us however I expect to see a lot more from him over the next couple of games.

Scougall - showed glimpses first half of what he can do & sprayed it round neatly however forgot he was on the pitch second half and overall he was far too quiet. Appears as if a full pre-season under Clough has taken it out of him, hopefully the energetic Scougs will return against Mansfield/Coventry this week.

Murphy - didn't get at Little enough for me and was marked out the game for the majority of it. He did have our best chance second half and was unlucky to see his shot somehow stop out. Not too concerned about Murph as he seems to get better the more games he plays but he was quiet by his own standards on Saturday.

Flynn - didn't look fit or sharp enough & was surprised of his inclusion after Clough stated he picked players based on their pre-season form where Flynn has missed games due to niggles & hasn't really stood out when he has played. Looked like the Flynn of old Saturday and needs to return to his form at the back end of last season if he wants to be a regular this term. Won't be surprised to see JCR start this week.

Overall not too alarmed, Bristol City will be there or thereabouts come May. We created enough chances & on the balance of play we deserved a draw. First half we shaded, second half we didn't get going but still had chances to draw level after they went in front, in saying that we can't afford to sit back & wait until we concede to start playing.

We've got a lot of new faces who need time to gel, I just hope Clough can work his best eleven out sooner rather than later.

Onwards & upwards, keep the faith

UTB

Forever Blade I'm with you on this one. Having watched the game from a distance, Canada, my impression is much as yours. Thought I saw some good stuff in the first half from the Blades but both teams faded in the second half - not a lack of fitness, just that they pushed hard in the first half and match fitness is about pacing yourself and knowing when and when not to put in that extra sprint. Certainly enough chances to have got a draw but more by effort than quality. Interesting that folk pick on the back four when Clough noted the goals were down to errors by Basham and Scougs (nobody else seemed to pick this up) but the 'flick' that opened the goal was either brilliant or blind luck - but that's the game. The teams in this league make you earn your points and too many of our gang were not up to their previous standard - most of those who played last year, so I do not blame the new boys. Also I would like to see a few games before jumping to any conclusions. Thanks, Deadbat, keep it going.

 

[bristolboy]

Fair point made at the end mate! Im from Bristol and most of my mates support City, needless to say i've take some stick off them since sat. On the balance of play looks like you deserved the win, it was a cracking assist for your winner, fairplay. All the best for the rest of the season.

Cheers. Long overdue stick, I would say! Been a long time since we got anything at Bramall Lane; the last time might have been my first visit, for that play-off in 1988 (and that was only a draw). Not sure if that's right, but not far off?

Yes, Wilbrahim's back heel was outrageous. I don't think Cotterill brought him in for that sort of thing.

The outcome of the game came down, in some part, to bits of good fortune (the ref's view of that elbow, not buying the dive in the box, that shot that looked to be going in for you second half and seemed to be deflected by one of yours, and so on) as well as other things like pre-season, recruitment, tactics, fitness etc. Also, we appear to have a good group of lads, not phased by playing at a big ground. But in the end, we scored two away from home, without Baldock or JET scoring, and then did what was needed to see the game out, the latter being something we repeatedly failed to do last season.

The outcome of the whole season is another thing altogether. I would like to return your best wishes but far from convinced we'll be above you Blades! Pop in and see us at AG sometime!

 

[bristolboy]

Some time in November then?

You joke about these things, but we didn't win a league game last season until October 26th, and it started a week earlier last year, I think.

Eat my straw filled hat if you're in that predicament ....

 

[LSF]

indeed.. Flynn has been crap for a long time now
we seem to be developing a 'massive' attitude. be careful lads

Oh SP, once you get it into your head somebody's shit, the blinkers come on. Mind you great view from Austria of bdtbl eh

 

[Gavlar]

Cheers. Long overdue stick, I would say! Been a long time since we got anything at Bramall Lane; the last time might have been my first visit, for that play-off in 1988 (and that was only a draw). Not sure if that's right, but not far off?

Yes, Wilbrahim's back heel was outrageous. I don't think Cotterill brought him in for that sort of thing.

The outcome of the game came down, in some part, to bits of good fortune (the ref's view of that elbow, not buying the dive in the box, that shot that looked to be going in for you second half and seemed to be deflected by one of yours, and so on) as well as other things like pre-season, recruitment, tactics, fitness etc. Also, we appear to have a good group of lads, not phased by playing at a big ground. But in the end, we scored two away from home, without Baldock or JET scoring, and then did what was needed to see the game out, the latter being something we repeatedly failed to do last season.

The outcome of the whole season is another thing altogether. I would like to return your best wishes but far from convinced we'll be above you Blades! Pop in and see us at AG sometime!

Well on the balance of play you deserved it which is annoying ). On another day maybe not etc etc, but we didnt do enough second half to get a result for me.

Our problem this season will be scoring goals, we normally dont concede too many, time will tell on that one, but im pleased Higdon scored.

I shall pop down the gate for the return fixture on valentines day (tis in the diary already), went there last season and we won which was nice. hopefully we can both do really well this season.

 

[forever_blade]

Forever Blade I'm with you on this one. Having watched the game from a distance, Canada, my impression is much as yours. Thought I saw some good stuff in the first half from the Blades but both teams faded in the second half - not a lack of fitness, just that they pushed hard in the first half and match fitness is about pacing yourself and knowing when and when not to put in that extra sprint. Certainly enough chances to have got a draw but more by effort than quality. Interesting that folk pick on the back four when Clough noted the goals were down to errors by Basham and Scougs (nobody else seemed to pick this up) but the 'flick' that opened the goal was either brilliant or blind luck - but that's the game. The teams in this league make you earn your points and too many of our gang were not up to their previous standard - most of those who played last year, so I do not blame the new boys. Also I would like to see a few games before jumping to any conclusions. Thanks, Deadbat, keep it going.

As you say Come From Away, too easy for some to place the blame on the back four for the goals.

First goal Basham got caught in possession, the second goal either Basham/Scougall/Reed lost Elliott who finished well after an outrageous/lucky flick from Wilbrahim.

Overall individually I thought Alcock & McGahey did alright, especially Alcock but as a collective unit we seemed to be missing a leader & voice back there (Collins/Butler) to marshal the back four as a whole & organize the lads infront of them Basham, Scougs, Reed etc.

Hardly surprising the back line looked slightly misshaped as that's the first time they've played together! I can see why Clough went for Alcock against Baldock's pace & McGahey against Wilbrahim plus he wanted to get Davies in the side at RB. In hindsight it would have made sense to stick Collins or Butler alongside McGahey to guide him through the game but then would we have lacked pace down the middle?

Time will tell as to whether Nige can decide on his best eleven and as I said previously I just hope he can work it out sooner rather than later so we can start to get a settled side together & plenty of points on the board as it is important we hit the ground running.

A settled back four as Clough will know is the basis to build from, once we can sort out what the best combination is back there & start keeping clean sheets I've no doubt we've got enough goals in us with the arrival of Higdon plus Baxter, Scougall, Murphy, Flynn, JCR, Porter to fire us up there.

Judge 'em after ten games & we'll see where were at that point not after ninety minutes.

As ever cheers for the report Deadbat, much appreciated!

Early days yet, keep the faith

 

[Woodwardfan]

Don't want to see Doyle anywhere near the first 11

Such a comment is so surprising after a game when our midfield was outfought and outplayed and particularly when the opposition's second goal found a midfield player running totally free onto a backheel from the centre forward. We misssed Doyle on Saturday - our midfield had no depth or organisation and more importantly no leadership.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I wrote last week that Clough was as good a manager as I had seen in 58 years with the exception on balance of Bassett. Every decision he made last season made sense to me and he rarely surprised me.

His team selection on Saturday actually bewildered me. I fully expected Collins and Butler as centre backs. I expected Allcock at right back. The back 4 were all over the place under only sporadic pressure. Allcock did do well but my overall impression of him was anxious and desperate. McGahy rarely broke up attacks and looked cumbersome. Harris was good going forward but sadly exposed by a strong wing back who was usually in full flight when Harris had to counter him.

Tactically we were exposed and the simple reason to me was that our midfield lacked strength and depth. If Doyle is not playing then someone has to anchor the midfield. I expected Basham to play that role but the lad seems to have a free running forward midfield role and thinks he is better than he actually is. Reed played tidily but not influentially and a promotion season is not the right time to give him starts to earn his spurs. We'd be better sending him out on loan or giving him playing time in appropriate games as sub. Scougall is skillfull but I said last week he goes missing for long periods and he did just that last Saturday. The combination of Basham, Scougall and Reed in the central midfield areas was naive frankly. The second goal saw Scougall asleep and where the central defence was goodness knows. All those Doyle haters should think just where Doyle would have been patrolling at that moment; unsung duties and only missed when such players are not there.

Clough had a bad start to the season. His choice of captain was a surprise, appointing a player who would not have been surprised to be on the bench. After a highly successful second half to last season the manager has dropped his captain and vice-captain, played Allcock and Davies out of position at the same time, played a 17 year old rookie in a midfield which had no anchor, and never really countered the Bristol dominance of midfield by reshaping our formation. Flynn was on too long, so was the captain, so was Reed. Basham seemed indisciplined. It was not a good day for the manager. The two conceded goals were far too easy. Nobody was marking both goalscorers when they created space for their chances.

The players on the bench have to fight for their place in the team. I would have picked Collins, Baxter and Doyle in the first team last Saturday. I hope they still believe and respond in the right way. I also hope Higdon is true captaincy material, time will tell.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Well there's a lot of overreaction on here isn't there?!

I've purposely left it until today to post after watching the game back & reflecting on it.

The team was a strange line-up but I can see why Clough chose to go with Alcock & McGahey at CB to deal with Baldock & Wilbraham, maybe Collins would have been the better option with Alcock going to RB but then it's obvious he wanted to get Davies in the side for his set pieces. On reflection Flynn didn't look fit or sharp enough and if Clough was desperate to get Davies in the side it would have made sense to for Flynn to make way & place Davies on the wing.

Clough has said he picked the best eleven who've played/trained well over pre-season, he see's the players day in, day out & made his decision based on what he's seen over the past two months. For me Scougs, Flynn & Murphy were far too quiet & not influential enough but going on the backend of last season's form they'd have been the first three names on the team sheet.

Looking back on the game first half we saw more of the ball, had the better chances - two off the line, Harris' effort, scored through a cracking header from Higdon after a peach of a delivery from Davies (what Clough put him in the side to do). They scored a well worked goal but Harris was at fault for letting Little flash past him with ease.




Second half we didn't really get out the traps, Higdon was knackered after 60 minutes and should have been replaced by Porter/Baxter, Scougall for me looks like pre-season's taken it out of him, Flynn & Murphy both far too quiet. We fell asleep for their goal & got punished. Saying that we still had chances to draw level (how did Murphy's shot stay out?!) and over the ninety minutes I feel a draw would have been a fair result.

High points -

Alcock - reads a game well, pacey, strong in the tackle, we've found a good un here.
Reed - his vision for a young lad is exceptional
Higdon (1st half) - showed glimpses of what he can do, took his goal well. Should have come off earlier

Low points -

Basham - now don't get me wrong I don't want him to become the new whipping boy & I really want him to do well & prove me wrong. I've watched him closely over pre-season and he just seems like a big unit & well not a lot else. He doesn't impose himself on games enough, he's not technical brilliant & seems to just wander around without actually doing much on the ball or off the ball, he played a part in being at fault for both goals in losing the ball when we were in a good position for their first & losing Elliot for the second. Obviously I'm not gonna write him off after one competitive game for us however I expect to see a lot more from him over the next couple of games.

Scougall - showed glimpses first half of what he can do & sprayed it round neatly however forgot he was on the pitch second half and overall he was far too quiet. Appears as if a full pre-season under Clough has taken it out of him, hopefully the energetic Scougs will return against Mansfield/Coventry this week.

Murphy - didn't get at Little enough for me and was marked out the game for the majority of it. He did have our best chance second half and was unlucky to see his shot somehow stop out. Not too concerned about Murph as he seems to get better the more games he plays but he was quiet by his own standards on Saturday.

Flynn - didn't look fit or sharp enough & was surprised of his inclusion after Clough stated he picked players based on their pre-season form where Flynn has missed games due to niggles & hasn't really stood out when he has played. Looked like the Flynn of old Saturday and needs to return to his form at the back end of last season if he wants to be a regular this term. Won't be surprised to see JCR start this week.

Overall not too alarmed, Bristol City will be there or thereabouts come May. We created enough chances & on the balance of play we deserved a draw. First half we shaded, second half we didn't get going but still had chances to draw level after they went in front, in saying that we can't afford to sit back & wait until we concede to start playing.

We've got a lot of new faces who need time to gel, I just hope Clough can work his best eleven out sooner rather than later.

Onwards & upwards, keep the faith

UTB

I wrote last week that Clough was as good a manager as I had seen in 58 years with the exception on balance of Bassett. Every decision he made last season made sense to me and he rarely surprised me.

His team selection on Saturday actually bewildered me. I fully expected Collins and Butler as centre backs. I expected Allcock at right back. The back 4 were all over the place under only sporadic pressure. Allcock did do well but my overall impression of him was anxious and desperate. McGahy rarely broke up attacks and looked cumbersome. Harris was good going forward but sadly exposed by a strong wing back who was usually in full flight when Harris had to counter him.

Tactically we were exposed and the simple reason to me was that our midfield lacked strength and depth. If Doyle is not playing then someone has to anchor the midfield. I expected Basham to play that role but the lad seems to have a free running forward midfield role and thinks he is better than he actually is. Reed played tidily but not influentially and a promotion season is not the right time to give him starts to earn his spurs. We'd be better sending him out on loan or giving him playing time in appropriate games as sub. Scougall is skillfull but I said last week he goes missing for long periods and he did just that last Saturday. The combination of Basham, Scougall and Reed in the central midfield areas was naive frankly. The second goal saw Scougall asleep and where the central defence was goodness knows. All those Doyle haters should think just where Doyle would have been patrolling at that moment; unsung duties and only missed when such players are not there.

Clough had a bad start to the season. His choice of captain was a surprise, appointing a player who would not have been surprised to be on the bench. After a highly successful second half to last season the manager has dropped his captain and vice-captain, played Allcock and Davies out of position at the same time, played a 17 year old rookie in a midfield which had no anchor, and never really countered the Bristol dominance of midfield by reshaping our formation. Flynn was on too long, so was the captain, so was Reed. Basham seemed indisciplined. It was not a good day for the manager. The two conceded goals were far too easy. Nobody was marking both goalscorers when they created space for their chances.

The players on the bench have to fight for their place in the team. I would have picked Collins, Baxter and Doyle in the first team last Saturday. I hope they still believe and respond in the right way. I also hope Higdon is true captaincy material, time will tell.

Good post, not sure about sending young Reedy out on loan though. Most of the youngsters we have loaned out the past few seasons never seem to be seen again. I'm happy with Reed in the first team at the moment as I think he has earned it, but needs to be alongside the right players. There seems to be a lot of confusion amongst fans, (maybe even Nige), as to what is our best starting eleven at the moment.

 

[grafikhaus]

You will find that, with referees. The thing is, they don't ref the game for one side, or the other, they're neutral (mostly). They don't see things how you see them, or how I see them.

I don't actually blame the ref. for not seeing the GBH on Harris, but what the fuck was the 'referee's assistant' (15-20 yards away) doing?

 

[forever_blade]

I wrote last week that Clough was as good a manager as I had seen in 58 years with the exception on balance of Bassett. Every decision he made last season made sense to me and he rarely surprised me.

His team selection on Saturday actually bewildered me. I fully expected Collins and Butler as centre backs. I expected Allcock at right back. The back 4 were all over the place under only sporadic pressure. Allcock did do well but my overall impression of him was anxious and desperate. McGahy rarely broke up attacks and looked cumbersome. Harris was good going forward but sadly exposed by a strong wing back who was usually in full flight when Harris had to counter him.

Tactically we were exposed and the simple reason to me was that our midfield lacked strength and depth. If Doyle is not playing then someone has to anchor the midfield. I expected Basham to play that role but the lad seems to have a free running forward midfield role and thinks he is better than he actually is. Reed played tidily but not influentially and a promotion season is not the right time to give him starts to earn his spurs. We'd be better sending him out on loan or giving him playing time in appropriate games as sub. Scougall is skillfull but I said last week he goes missing for long periods and he did just that last Saturday. The combination of Basham, Scougall and Reed in the central midfield areas was naive frankly. The second goal saw Scougall asleep and where the central defence was goodness knows. All those Doyle haters should think just where Doyle would have been patrolling at that moment; unsung duties and only missed when such players are not there.

Clough had a bad start to the season. His choice of captain was a surprise, appointing a player who would not have been surprised to be on the bench. After a highly successful second half to last season the manager has dropped his captain and vice-captain, played Allcock and Davies out of position at the same time, played a 17 year old rookie in a midfield which had no anchor, and never really countered the Bristol dominance of midfield by reshaping our formation. Flynn was on too long, so was the captain, so was Reed. Basham seemed indisciplined. It was not a good day for the manager. The two conceded goals were far too easy. Nobody was marking both goalscorers when they created space for their chances.

The players on the bench have to fight for their place in the team. I would have picked Collins, Baxter and Doyle in the first team last Saturday. I hope they still believe and respond in the right way. I also hope Higdon is true captaincy material, time will tell.

Good post Woodward. Although I am a glass half full Blade (well you've got to be haven't you? ) I can see where you & a lot of others are coming from in regards to the starting eleven.

It was a brave decision from Clough and on reflection I can see where a lot are coming from in that it was naïve to take out his skipper & vice skipper from last season, play Alcock at CB to accommodate Davies at RB & play a midfield three of Reed, Scougall & Basham where between the three of them none of them played as the natural anchor.

I don't want to give Basham a bashing (pardon the pun, shocking? Yeah I apologize ) but for me I'm not sure what he brings to the table? Hopefully as I've said previously he can prove me wrong in the next few weeks but as others have said I thought he was set to be a bigger version of Doyle who would sit infront of the back four, break up play & set us going plus with his physical height & size he would add a presence sitting in there as the anchor to let the likes of Scougall & Baxter etc. express themselves infront of him.

Instead he seems to be playing a further forward role but doing what I'm not entirely sure? He doesn't seem to possess the ability to run at defenders ala Scougall & he's not technical brilliant ala Baxter, he just seems a 'big unit'. As I say I don't want him to become the new scapegoat, I'm not writing him off after one competitive game & of course as with every man who puts the red & white stripes on, I want the lad to do well. I just hope he can start to show us what he brings to the table over the next couple of games.

Clough tried something & it didn't work, he experimented with the side & it appears he's trying to make his own mark on the side placing in his own signing's & maybe it was too much in with the new & out of the old too soon but then again we weren't far off getting a point & created enough chances to even win it.

My only gripe with Clough is as Derby fans previously said he makes his changes too late. Higdon was knackered after 60 minutes & it needed freshening up.

I just hope he can work out his best eleven sooner rather than later.

The good news is it's game one, there's another forty-five to go. Let's get back to winning ways against Mansfield & Coventry.

You learn more from a defeat than you do a victory & it will have been a wake up call to all that we're not just gonna walk this league BUT we have got enough in this squad plus further additions Clough has stated he's set to bring in to have a successful campaign.

Long way to go, stay positive Blades

 

[coaxingstar71]

5 YEAR BUMP ALERT!!

This was the first game of the new 2014/15 season. I'd been persuaded to get a season ticket for the first time in many years. Thought it would be fun to do a 'where are they now' with the help of wikipedia of course....

Mark Howard - moved to Bolton and now with Blackpool again where he signed a new 2 year deal last season. Turns 33 next month.

Ben Davies - moved onto Portsmouth, then had spells with Grimsby and Boston before joining Cleethorpes Town this season in the Northern Premier League aged 38.

Bob Harris - went on loan to Fleetwood, playing only once, and then had very brief spells at Telford and FC United of Manchester. Now 31 and currently without a club.

Craig Alcock - initially went on loan to Donny and then permanent, playing 63 times for them, before having a brief spell with Cheltenham and now with Yeovil. Aged 31.

Harrison McGahey - still only 23. Played 99 times for Rochdale but now can only make the bench for bottom of the league Scunthorpe.

Stefan Scougall - stayed with the Blades and made a contribution in the 100 points promotion winning side, however was allowed to leave at the end of his contract that season and initially moved back to Scotland with St. Johnstone. Now 26 and has moved to Carlisle.

Louis Reed - little Louis stayed with the Blades during the 100 point season but did not feature in the first team. Went on loan to Chessy in 2017/18 when they were relegated from the league and then was sold to Peterborough where he has made just 28 appearances and still only 22.

Jamie Murphy - mercurial winger/forward who was sold to Brighton for approx £1.3m at the start of the 2015/16 season. Did well there and contributed in their promotion to the Prem, however didn't get much of a look in after that and signed for Rangers after initially joining on loan. Was doing well for them but unfortunately suffered a bad anterior cruciate ligament injury and missed the entire 2018/19 season. Now 29.

Ryan Flynn - left the Blades at the end of his contract in the summer of 2016, the end of the Adkins reign. Joined Oldham on a 2 year deal and now aged 30 and plying his trade with St. Mirren in his native Scotland.

Michael Higdon - after a brief loan spell with Oldham, left the Blades on 1st Feb 2016 by mutual consent. Last seen playing for Bangor in 2016/17 and more recently in Greggs.

Chris Basham - anyone know what happened to this lad after one of the most anonymous debuts for the club?

 

[BladeTillIDie]

Cheers for this sickening memory of an awful team.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Cheers for this sickening memory of an awful team.

It's good because it makes you appreciate where we are now, not just in terms of being in the Prem but the complete change in calibre of players... except Bash of course

 

[Cheesebored]

Chris Basham - anyone know what happened to this lad after one of the most anonymous debuts for the club?

Yeah he made an error for the first goal on Saturday and now some want to hang him out to dry!

 

[Geordie Blade]

Basham’s giveaway in midfield saw Freeman get clear and he fed the ball to the right hand side.

I think this means that we’re destined to sign James Maddison in 2024.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Cheers for this sickening memory of an awful team.

My thoughts exactly. I felt slightly ill reading some of those names..

 

[Berlin Blade]

How come we didn’t go up with that squad?

How come watching them every week made me want to kill myself?

 

[Dkc]

How about a Blades History section for ancient threads like this that are revived?

 

[coaxingstar71]

Incidentally, the inspiration for bumping this one was that I'd noticed Scunthorpe are now rock bottom of the league only 3 years after competing with us for promotion to the Championship and was having a look at their line-up and noticed McGahey was on the bench.

Instead of our period in League 1 being the "Wilderness Years" it should perhaps be the "Wilder-less Years".

 

[diplomat]

5 YEAR BUMP ALERT!!

This was the first game of the new 2014/15 season. I'd been persuaded to get a season ticket for the first time in many years. Thought it would be fun to do a 'where are they now' with the help of wikipedia of course....

Mark Howard - moved to Bolton and now with Blackpool again where he signed a new 2 year deal last season. Turns 33 next month.

Ben Davies - moved onto Portsmouth, then had spells with Grimsby and Boston before joining Cleethorpes Town this season in the Northern Premier League aged 38.

Bob Harris - went on loan to Fleetwood, playing only once, and then had very brief spells at Telford and FC United of Manchester. Now 31 and currently without a club.

Craig Alcock - initially went on loan to Donny and then permanent, playing 63 times for them, before having a brief spell with Cheltenham and now with Yeovil. Aged 31.

Harrison McGahey - still only 23. Played 99 times for Rochdale but now can only make the bench for bottom of the league Scunthorpe.

Stefan Scougall - stayed with the Blades and made a contribution in the 100 points promotion winning side, however was allowed to leave at the end of his contract that season and initially moved back to Scotland with St. Johnstone. Now 26 and has moved to Carlisle.

Louis Reed - little Louis stayed with the Blades during the 100 point season but did not feature in the first team. Went on loan to Chessy in 2017/18 when they were relegated from the league and then was sold to Peterborough where he has made just 28 appearances and still only 22.

Jamie Murphy - mercurial winger/forward who was sold to Brighton for approx £1.3m at the start of the 2015/16 season. Did well there and contributed in their promotion to the Prem, however didn't get much of a look in after that and signed for Rangers after initially joining on loan. Was doing well for them but unfortunately suffered a bad anterior cruciate ligament injury and missed the entire 2018/19 season. Now 29.

Ryan Flynn - left the Blades at the end of his contract in the summer of 2016, the end of the Adkins reign. Joined Oldham on a 2 year deal and now aged 30 and plying his trade with St. Mirren in his native Scotland.

Michael Higdon - after a brief loan spell with Oldham, left the Blades on 1st Feb 2016 by mutual consent. Last seen playing for Bangor in 2016/17 and more recently in Greggs.

Chris Basham - anyone know what happened to this lad after one of the most anonymous debuts for the club?

Not many progressed there did they?

 

[coaxingstar71]

Not many progressed there did they?

For a good reason....

 

[Revolution]

Incidentally, the inspiration for bumping this one was that I'd noticed Scunthorpe are now rock bottom of the league only 3 years after competing with us for promotion to the Championship and was having a look at their line-up and noticed McGahey was on the bench.

Instead of our period in League 1 being the "Wilderness Years" it should perhaps be the "Wilder-less Years".

3 of the other teams in the top 6 that season have fallen on harder times:

Bolton - might go out of business and if they don't will be in league 2 next season
Bradford - lost play off final, now in league 2 after a disastrous season last year.
Scunthorpe - now bottom of league 2 after sleepwalking to relegation last year

Fleetwood are still trundling on in League One. Only Millwall are in a better position.

 

[Blade for Sale]

Let's take stock. It actually got worse after this. For another 2 years.

Since then, in just 3 years, the Titanic hasn't just been raised. It's been refloated, refitted, awarded a 4 star rating, renamed HMS CWAK and has just secured a berth in Monte Carlo where it looks right at home.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Let's take stock. It actually got worse after this. For another 2 years.

Since then, in just 3 years, the Titanic hasn't just been raised. It's been refloated, refitted, awarded a 4 star rating, renamed HMS CWAK and has just secured a berth in Monte Carlo where it looks right at home.

I couldn't find Deadbat 's report on that Gillingham debacle at the start of the following season. I'm assuming he either wasn't there or couldn't bring himself to spend the time writing it.