CONFIRMED Phil Jones joins the Blades coaching staff

[Nick Jansky]

Does this particular person have the ironic initials AA ?
Serious question BTW

Yes, just taken up his new position in the last couple of weeks. Exciting times.

 

[Nick Jansky]

3 or 4 teams can realistically win the Premier League most years. At Championship level maybe upto 16 teams have a chance every year to gain promotion. Whilst the top level standard is incredibly higher, I wouldn't say it’s more competitive.

Certainly harder to win than the championship.

 

[Valley Blade]

Certainly harder to win than the championship.

For those 3 or 4 clubs who can win it though, that is there only competition. You can make a case in Championship that 8 plus teams have a reasonable chance of being Champions. Of course the Premier League is harder to win, as its standard is so much higher. Was just trying to highlight how difficult it is to succeed at our level. There are far more clubs evenly matched.

 

[GeorgeDonis1889]

I base it on what I, and others, have experienced.

But I don’t think he would be remotely bothered about a complete nobody like you attempting to be dismissive of him

You are a silly little sausage!

Nothing then. Just more anti Wilder drivel.

I'm not dismissing him I'm dismissing you.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Nothing then. Just more anti Wilder drivel.

I'm not dismissing him I'm dismissing you.

Oh, I’m sure I’ll survive!

 

[Tom Bott]

If I don't drink.
Don't eat kebabs.
Go to bed at 9pm every evening.
Spend 10/12 hours per day, 7 days a week exercising and training.

I could be champion of the world.

How many people have that mindset.

If we base our contracts on that level of committedness we won't be signing any new players.
The only Blades player of recent years I can think of that comes close to that attitude is Illiman Ndiaye.

Half of the England's football and cricket squads don't.

 

[Nick Jansky]

The only Blades player of recent years I can think of that comes close to that attitude is Illiman Ndiaye.

We’ve had quite a few, actually. Obvious ones were JOC and Baldock, and you can certainly put Ahmedhodzic and Seriki on that list too. The point is, fine margins count, and players who make the most of themselves physically obviously provide an edge, as well as generally having longer careers at a good level. Only players with an exceptional talent can get away with it (and, even then, you have the likes of Grealish) and we don’t have any players like that. It’s a deeply ingrained English mentality and culture, which is fine as long as you’re happy to not strive to be the best in a game that has evolved into one for elite athletes.

 

[billyblademan]

We’ve had quite a few, actually. Obvious ones were JOC and Baldock, and you can certainly put Ahmedhodzic and Seriki on that list too. The point is, fine margins count, and players who make the most of themselves physically obviously provide an edge, as well as generally having longer careers at a good level. Only players with an exceptional talent can get away with it (and, even then, you have the likes of Grealish) and we don’t have any players like that. It’s a deeply ingrained English mentality and culture, which is fine as long as you’re happy to not strive to be the best in a game that has evolved into one for elite athletes.

To counter that, I would find that when playing chess in the Sheffield leagues, my play would get better after I'd had a couple of pints. But hey, I didn't go to medical school for 5 years so what do I know.

Mr A.L.Coholic.

 

[Lens instep catch]

We’ve had quite a few, actually. Obvious ones were JOC and Baldock, and you can certainly put Ahmedhodzic and Seriki on that list too. The point is, fine margins count, and players who make the most of themselves physically obviously provide an edge, as well as generally having longer careers at a good level. Only players with an exceptional talent can get away with it (and, even then, you have the likes of Grealish) and we don’t have any players like that. It’s a deeply ingrained English mentality and culture, which is fine as long as you’re happy to not strive to be the best in a game that has evolved into one for elite athletes.

I can see the point you are making Nick but I would have thought it would be a personal decision maybe they are happy in their life outside football and also playing at a high standard.
Its a bit like being advised don't eat your favourite foods they are bad for you and you might live 5 -10 years longer they think why should I, I would rather enjoy my life than go through life being miserable

 

[Lens instep catch]

I can see the point you are making Nick but I would have thought it would be a personal decision maybe they are happy in their life outside football and also playing at a high standard.
Its a bit like being advised don't eat your favourite foods they are bad for you and you might live 5 -10 years longer they think why should I, I would rather enjoy my life than go through life being miserable

George Best didn't do too badly !!

 

[Nick Jansky]

George Best didn't do too badly !!

He was washed up at a very young age.

 

[Lens instep catch]

He was washed up at a very young age.

Maybe so but he crammed more into his life than most people would in two life times all his own decision

 

[bertieblade]

Mate of mine passed away with alcohol poisoning in his mid forties. We all said that he had lived two lives in his one and although it was sad to see him go he had lived a very full life, but he did not rely on fitness to earn his money.
Professional sportsmen have to be at the peak of their fitness to enable them to achieve, as most other opponents are. Having a beer after a game is not a problem, drinking to the excess that some do puts them at a disadvantage. Whilst camaraderie is important it can be achieved by other ways than getting drunk as it effects fitness and subsequently your ability to perform.

 

[Nick Jansky]

I can see the point you are making Nick but I would have thought it would be a personal decision maybe they are happy in their life outside football and also playing at a high standard.
Its a bit like being advised don't eat your favourite foods they are bad for you and you might live 5 -10 years longer they think why should I, I would rather enjoy my life than go through life being miserable

It’s absolutely a personal decision. But we don’t really want players who have that mindset.

 

[Lens instep catch]

It’s absolutely a personal decision. But we don’t really want players who have that mindset.

OK so you would prefer a team of Kevin Keegans with no room for a any Paul Gasgoines

 

[DifferentClass]

Another thread, another Wilder debate.

In addition to a politics forum, can I also suggest to Foxy Linz a Wilder in/out forum?

 

[Lens instep catch]

Another thread, another Wilder debate.

In addition to a politics forum, can I also suggest to Foxy Linz a Wilder in/out forum?

Not sure if this is in response to the debate/discussion that Nick and I are having I agree that it is off thread which I apologise for but it is no way anything to do regarding Chris Wilder
I respect Nick's views which he is perfectly entitled to but I believe that it could never be achieved no matter who was in charge of recruitment because we are dealing with human beings who in my opinion are all unique.In any walk of life be it football, golf , cricket , bricklaying, joinery, etc some people are naturally gifted in what they do and find it easy to achieve success and others have to work hard to achieve success admittedly some don't bother hence the Keegan and Gasgoine comparison

 

[GeorgeDonis1889]

it is no way anything to do regarding Chris Wilder

It's always about Wilder. The only reason he's made this guff up about a drinking problem is because he doesn't like Wilder

 

[Champagneblade]

play different ways against different teams and let the opposition be afraid of us.

Aren’t these two the opposite of each other?

Either you have confidence in how you set up and back your tactics to consistently better teams I.e. when we had overlapping centre backs and nobody had an answer OR you analyse the opposition to the nth degree and tailor your tactics to exploit their weaknesses.

Or did you mean something else?

 

[54yrblade]

We have an unhealthy drink culture in the UK

If pro' sports players can't handle the fact that they are paid to be professional and play to the best of their ability, that's just evidence of dependance.

Let's call it for what it is - dependance and putting that over the 28k people who pay to watch you be half arsed on a Saturday.

See also, the England cricket team and their p*ss poor management of it.

 

[Tongeincheek]

OK so you would prefer a team of Kevin Keegans with no room for a any Paul Gasgoines

Paul Gascoigne won:
1x Young Player of the Year
1x FA Cup
4x meaningless shite Scottish trophies

Kevin Keegan won:
3x English League Titles
1x FA Cup
2x UEFA Cups
1x European Cup
1x Bundesliga
2x Baloon Doors
1x Footballer of the Year
1x Players Player of the Year

So I'd take the team of non-pissheads who win loads and don't batter their missus.

 

[Uganda Blade]

Paul Gascoigne won:
1x Young Player of the Year
1x FA Cup
4x meaningless shite Scottish trophies

Kevin Keegan won:
3x English League Titles
1x FA Cup
2x UEFA Cups
1x European Cup
1x Bundesliga
2x Baloon Doors
1x Footballer of the Year
1x Players Player of the Year

So I'd take the team of non-pissheads who win loads and don't batter their missus.

Baloon Doors? Weren't they one of our sponsors recently?

 

[I should coco]

We have an unhealthy drink culture in the UK

If pro' sports players can't handle the fact that they are paid to be professional and play to the best of their ability, that's just evidence of dependance.

Let's call it for what it is - dependance and putting that over the 28k people who pay to watch you be half arsed on a Saturday.

See also, the England cricket team and their p*ss poor management of it.

It's a hell of a leap, from liking a drink and getting shit faced when you are promoted to the Prem, to 'dependence'.

Stick, club, any, beat....

 

[dexter101]

We have an unhealthy drink culture in the UK

If pro' sports players can't handle the fact that they are paid to be professional and play to the best of their ability, that's just evidence of dependance.

Let's call it for what it is - dependance and putting that over the 28k people who pay to watch you be half arsed on a Saturday.

See also, the England cricket team and their p*ss poor management of it.

I suppose part of this comes down to what motivates players as well.

Ronaldo is someone who has always made it very clear about his lifestyle and how he is committed to being the best he can be for as long as he can be. Its very admirable, but he is also a freak in terms of natural ability as well. If every player we had lived Ronaldo's lifestyle, they wouldn't be as good as him. Is earning a serious amount of money but also not achieving a huge amount (in comparison) giving them any form of drive to live like that.

 

[54yrblade]

I suppose part of this comes down to what motivates players as well.

Ronaldo is someone who has always made it very clear about his lifestyle and how he is committed to being the best he can be for as long as he can be. Its very admirable, but he is also a freak in terms of natural ability as well. If every player we had lived Ronaldo's lifestyle, they wouldn't be as good as him. Is earning a serious amount of money but also not achieving a huge amount (in comparison) giving them any form of drive to live like that.

Fair point, and taken, thank you, but if we are to have the best chance of performing at our highest level (to get into the top 8 this year) and to be fit enough to do it (my biggests gripe with our last two seasons) then an expectation to lay off the booze isn't too much to ask, surely?

 

[Lens instep catch]

Paul Gascoigne won:
1x Young Player of the Year
1x FA Cup
4x meaningless shite Scottish trophies

Kevin Keegan won:
3x English League Titles
1x FA Cup
2x UEFA Cups
1x European Cup
1x Bundesliga
2x Baloon Doors
1x Footballer of the Year
1x Players Player of the Year

So I'd take the team of non-pissheads who win loads and don't batter their missus.

Yes you are right but I think you missed my point I don't believe that you can get a team of Kevin Keegans all at the same time so you would have to have a mixture of both with the self motivated type and the naturally gifted players. Maybe Gascoigne was a bad example but as a comparison Gascoigne had more natural ability than Keegan but Keegan worked harder, looked after himself better which enabled him to move to top clubs where he played with better players and reaped the rewards which he thouroughly deserved he did drink alcohol occasionally. but only in moderation.
There still has to be room in the game for naturally gifted players although many of them come with baggage

 

[dexter101]

Fair point, and taken, thank you, but if we are to have the best chance of performing at our highest level (to get into the top 8 this year) and to be fit enough to do it (my biggests gripe with our last two seasons) then an expectation to lay off the booze isn't too much to ask, surely?

Definitely agree with you that we aren't fit enough and that needs to change. I just think telling them to not drink is too simplistic (although should be part of that conversation).

Just a couple of thoughts on it:

1) they all stop drinking but instead of nights drinking beer they start on the Moose diet of Kebabs (probably not going to help fitness)
2) They all stop drinking and take up golf and padel, Physio starts seeing more back and shoulder injuries.
2) They all stop drinking and abide by all the rules in place, but are really miserable. the easy option for some of them is to tell their agent to look for a move where they aren't told not to drink. (I would imagine Hamer is not of the type to devote every living moment honing his body to be the best it can be, when someone else will let him not do that and be happy with his moments of quality)

Like all things theres a balance to be found and i really hope Wilder makes some serious progress on this.

 

[54yrblade]

Definitely agree with you that we aren't fit enough and that needs to change. I just think telling them to not drink is too simplistic (although should be part of that conversation).

Just a couple of thoughts on it:

1) they all stop drinking but instead of nights drinking beer they start on the Moose diet of Kebabs (probably not going to help fitness)
2) They all stop drinking and take up golf and padel, Physio starts seeing more back and shoulder injuries.
2) They all stop drinking and abide by all the rules in place, but are really miserable. the easy option for some of them is to tell their agent to look for a move where they aren't told not to drink. (I would imagine Hamer is not of the type to devote every living moment honing his body to be the best it can be, when someone else will let him not do that and be happy with his moments of quality)

Like all things theres a balance to be found and i really hope Wilder makes some serious progress on this.

It's something we need to see a huge improvement in. Less of the Sunday league language and mentality and more modern, professional behaviours IF, IF we are serious about the future.

 

[Nick Jansky]

It's always about Wilder. The only reason he's made this guff up about a drinking problem is because he doesn't like Wilder

I haven’t mentioned Wilder. I’m talking about a culture in the English game that still exists in pockets and which we are certainly not immune from. You brought Wilder into it and, as is your style, added exactly nothing to the debate. That’s because you are paranoid and obsessed.

 

[GeorgeDonis1889]

I haven’t mentioned Wilder. I’m talking about a culture in the English game that still exists in pockets and which we are certainly not immune from. You brought Wilder into it and, as is your style, added exactly nothing to the debate. That’s because you are paranoid and obsessed.

I didnt mention you? We can all play this game.

Your contribution was that your Olympic champion mate says alcohol is not good for athletes. Any other searing insights like that please do pass on to us nobodies.