It’s just what United do

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Infantino has just announced it'll be increasing to 68 teams from next season. All matches to be played in Saudi.

The bloke's an absolute burka!

 

[Jan Age]

If things keep going the way they are, (8 places up for grabs) this season, mid table next season may be good enough for play- offs.

So who’s finishing mid table ? We certainly aren’t

 

[brownblade]

I don’t in all fairness think I have felt like this at the start of the season

Everyone of course is entitled to their own opinion, and the club fan base seems split especially on the Facebook sites with many feeling like me, but plenty criticising anybody that has the audacity to be seen as negative.

United just seem to do everything slowly, whether is getting players in or playing the actual game, it’s slow. I must not make this post too long, otherwise people will give up reading it. But while Middlesbrough for example, except and sell their best player quickly and then start replacing, ironically of course, including an ex United player. We limp on towards the start of the season with pretty much the same squad +2 additions that are hardly going to improve the quite frankly turgid football we played last season. In fact, the football we have played in the last two seasons has been without doubt the worst I have ever seen. Some people of course or saying it’s all about winning, to an extent of course that is correct but we have to be entertained as well don’t we? I certainly won’t drive 140 miles anymore to watch the shite that is being served up at the moment.

Other sides in the championship, whether they were relegated promoted or even the ones that did bugger all last season are spending money or certainly bringing players in . But of course, what’s the rush? Surely is better to wait until the very last minute, that’s just the United Way !

So much about our club is just underwhelming. Preseason games, okay we went and played Levante. And of course, the turnout in Germany yesterday was spectacular. (with Little reward.) but look at who Birmingham, Wrexham and others play while we ponce around playing local rivals, scraping the occasional victory and then boasting that we are unbeaten in preseason. Just underwhelming.

No doubt over the next week or so one or two will come in but who will go out? You can’t blame anybody, especially not Hamer that’s what happens in football.

But is such a disappointment after the first promotion and the football and flair that was on offer. Now we seem to have no Plan B and plan A is pretty rubbish to start with.

Where is the second player that Wilder publicly said was coming through the door two weeks ago? Where is Phillips? Where are all the other players? so obviously needed Why are the owners so damn quiet. Can anybody actually coach in this club, do our players get any better? Why has Zatterstrom not improved he’s played for Sweden for fuck sake and we only have one centre back!

We are in danger or just being another ex Premier League club that gets squashed below so many others like QPR, like Stoke City like Swansea and many others. Anybody that thinks we have any chance of getting promoted this season really is, in my opinion in fantasy land. Many Unitedites, when we got relegated said the championship was much better anyway, good, because that’s where we are likely to be for an age unless the club has a serious makeover. Thank god at least we will be above Wednesday.

I will try again to get into Rugby League, follow the 49ers and try other random sports, but unfortunately after 60+ years I’m stuck with them, it’s part of me there nothing I can do about it and deep down that’s good enough for me. But please can we at least play a better brand of football to compensate for the likely disappointments ahead.

I was generally nodding along until you got to the bit about Rugby.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

I tend to stop reading anything as soon as I see 'It's the United Way' as it usually mean negativity over objectivity.
But I did continue and I can't wrap my head around you saying the last 2 seasons being the worst football you have ever seen us play, yet you say 60+ years.?
I am 63 this year and I could pick out around 10- 15 seasons in my time that have been much worse.
It is all about opinions of course.
I agree it is too slow and predictable in the main. I accepted that last season when Wilder came back as it needed another overhaul (which we are only just starting and will take another 2 windows after this at least) but I did expect to see some more signs of change to the playing style.
More patience is probably needed by us all, but it will be wearing thin if there are no sings of improvement after 5 or 6 games.

I have to say I agree with the OP.

The football is turgid, slow and boring.

He seems to be doing nothing to change it.

Wilderball 2 and particularly 3 has been a hard watch.

The only time it gets me out of my seat is to catch the early train or change the channel over.

 

[Keen Blade]

We have them already

Mainly on this forum

Oh ! You ARE awful , but I like you

 

[Jimmy Fleck]

The baffling thing is for a stage last season (coinciding with the Jairo and bamford signings) we actually looked good- played entertaining stuff and scoring plenty of goals. So it’s not like the squad isn’t capable of performing the way fans want.

 

[sufc323]

It’s the waste that frustrates me. We went through all the effort to get to the premier league (twice) and the only legacy is a new car park and some LED signs.

I can deal with united being crap, we’ve been crap for most of my time following them. It’s the wasting of an opportunity to put us on a different path I find so frustrating.

I think you'll find that those 2 Premier League stints have allowed us to buy a big field in Dore. We only need a couple more years of PL monneh to get a spade in the ground

 

[djbaldken]

That's realism.
I don't understand what's wrong with acknowledging where we're at.
All these accusations of "moaning / glass half-full" are like water off a duck's back to me.
We've had 3 big chances in my lifetime of support to make progress in the top tier - Harris , Bassett & Wilder.
We've thrown them all away through sheer incompetence at the club.
If that doesn't break your heart , I don't know why not.
I still have my ST and sing on the kop at 68 years young.
But the ownership bollox in recent years has left me cold.
The recruitment of duds is comical.
The entertainment value on the pitch is quite depressing.
The manager has gone from lauded hero to stubborn & clueless.
The finances are shot to shit , after a period of unprecedented income.
I really can't see how we stop the slide , especially when we've chucked all our £ away.
But I'll still keep singing , hoping the lads in red & white can win the game.
Looking for a hero or two to make me smile and be proud of my club.
But it does get harder to do.
No doubt about that.

This says it all to me.
I ve been there during the same time scale.
We NEVER seem to make the most of it when we get in the top tier. Instead of pushing on we always go for the cheaper options which, with exceptions, rarely work out.
Our finances are now in the Aldi/liddl section as opposed to Tesco and Morrisons. Waitrose and sainsburys have always been beyond our aspirations.
As has been pointed out, after Wilder saying TWO signings are imminent that the fans will love , before the Chesterfield game, here we are weeks later with NO evidence of ANY signings. Yes theres lots of rumors about Souttar, but so far nothing concrete. Centre half is a must position. You would hope we are not putting ALL our eggs in his basket. But knowing us thats exactly what we are doing. And when he ends up somewhere else there will be a mad scramble to bring in a last minute also ran from some non descript side.
After 50 plus years being a Blade Im not going to stop supporting. But with each season it becomes more and more of a resigned feeling that we are never destined for greatness.
Which makes it worth while I suppose.
Im not expecting much this season. Play off will be a bonus. Surely we can make it to eighth???
But more than likely it will be ninth.

 

[Keen Blade]

This says it all to me.
I ve been there during the same time scale.
We NEVER seem to make the most of it when we get in the top tier. Instead of pushing on we always go for the cheaper options which, with exceptions, rarely work out.
Our finances are now in the Aldi/liddl section as opposed to Tesco and Morrisons. Waitrose and sainsburys have always been beyond our aspirations.
As has been pointed out, after Wilder saying TWO signings are imminent that the fans will love , before the Chesterfield game, here we are weeks later with NO evidence of ANY signings. Yes theres lots of rumors about Souttar, but so far nothing concrete. Centre half is a must position. You would hope we are not putting ALL our eggs in his basket. But knowing us thats exactly what we are doing. And when he ends up somewhere else there will be a mad scramble to bring in a last minute also ran from some non descript side.
After 50 plus years being a Blade Im not going to stop supporting. But with each season it becomes more and more of a resigned feeling that we are never destined for greatness.
Which makes it worth while I suppose.
Im not expecting much this season. Play off will be a bonus. Surely we can make it to eighth???
But more than likely it will be ninth.

I know the Playoffs create some interest towards the end of the season , but in view of our 10 previous failures and not one success , what would be the attraction ?

 

[djbaldken]

I know the Playoffs create some interest towards the end of the season , but in view of our 10 previous failures and not one success , what would be the attraction ?

Yes I know what you're saying.
If we do make the play off it will only go the way of the last ten attempts. It's inevitable. But it will give a little more interest before the coup de grace occurs.
And leading up to it I'll say what I always say ' I'm not wasting my time watching this time'.
But I always do. And we always lose.
It's great being by a blade!

 

[Ridgeway Blade]

I don’t in all fairness think I have felt like this at the start of the season

Everyone of course is entitled to their own opinion, and the club fan base seems split especially on the Facebook sites with many feeling like me, but plenty criticising anybody that has the audacity to be seen as negative.

United just seem to do everything slowly, whether is getting players in or playing the actual game, it’s slow. I must not make this post too long, otherwise people will give up reading it. But while Middlesbrough for example, except and sell their best player quickly and then start replacing, ironically of course, including an ex United player. We limp on towards the start of the season with pretty much the same squad +2 additions that are hardly going to improve the quite frankly turgid football we played last season. In fact, the football we have played in the last two seasons has been without doubt the worst I have ever seen. Some people of course or saying it’s all about winning, to an extent of course that is correct but we have to be entertained as well don’t we? I certainly won’t drive 140 miles anymore to watch the shite that is being served up at the moment.

Other sides in the championship, whether they were relegated promoted or even the ones that did bugger all last season are spending money or certainly bringing players in . But of course, what’s the rush? Surely is better to wait until the very last minute, that’s just the United Way !

So much about our club is just underwhelming. Preseason games, okay we went and played Levante. And of course, the turnout in Germany yesterday was spectacular. (with Little reward.) but look at who Birmingham, Wrexham and others play while we ponce around playing local rivals, scraping the occasional victory and then boasting that we are unbeaten in preseason. Just underwhelming.

No doubt over the next week or so one or two will come in but who will go out? You can’t blame anybody, especially not Hamer that’s what happens in football.

But is such a disappointment after the first promotion and the football and flair that was on offer. Now we seem to have no Plan B and plan A is pretty rubbish to start with.

Where is the second player that Wilder publicly said was coming through the door two weeks ago? Where is Phillips? Where are all the other players? so obviously needed Why are the owners so damn quiet. Can anybody actually coach in this club, do our players get any better? Why has Zatterstrom not improved he’s played for Sweden for fuck sake and we only have one centre back!

We are in danger or just being another ex Premier League club that gets squashed below so many others like QPR, like Stoke City like Swansea and many others. Anybody that thinks we have any chance of getting promoted this season really is, in my opinion in fantasy land. Many Unitedites, when we got relegated said the championship was much better anyway, good, because that’s where we are likely to be for an age unless the club has a serious makeover. Thank god at least we will be above Wednesday.

I will try again to get into Rugby League, follow the 49ers and try other random sports, but unfortunately after 60+ years I’m stuck with them, it’s part of me there nothing I can do about it and deep down that’s good enough for me. But please can we at least play a better brand of football to compensate for the likely disappointments ahead.

I too feel pretty downbeat about our prospects but I have seen far worse than the last two years in my 67 years of watching the Blades. Yes, 67 years!!! 1959/60 was my first season as a 10 year old with my Grandad. Blades finished third in the old Div 2. We finished in exactly the same position the season before last. Over the years we have had great players but never managed to hang on to the best for long enough or taken advantage of building a long term strategy to get consistent top tier status. We have had a succession of useless owners and our American lot are up there with quite a few others. WE have some shocking players and managers. Let's face it the Wilder first spell was with a team that was in Div1 - full of unknowns and took us on a great few years but the we couldn't even build on that or even the Hecky promotion when it was a total disastrous summer transfer window and then repeated with last season's fiasco. Two of the things I think we have really lacked is pace and stamina. We have consistently run out of steam after about 60 - 70 minutes. Our injury record over th last few seasons has been really bad. Every injury seems like a 7 or 8 week lay off is the norm. I honestly have no great expectations for this year but I will be there.

 

[Houston_Blade]

To stand any chance of promotion you need a couple of 20-25 goal scorers.

Last season’s top scorers tend to suggest otherwise.

 

[Blademan89]

I know the Playoffs create some interest towards the end of the season , but in view of our 10 previous failures and not one success , what would be the attraction ?

Beacuse you never know.

Like lottery init, you know you not going to win but you put a £1 in on off chance that you get lucky, you then get that feel good feeling, your confident this time you will win it then you go to bed disappointed having wasted ya money again to not win.

Rinse & repeat.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[The Crab]

I know the Playoffs create some interest towards the end of the season , but in view of our 10 previous failures and not one success , what would be the attraction ?

That duck has to get broken some time.

Please…

 

[Champagneblade]

It’s just as hard reading those for who Wilder can do no wrong.

I’ve repeatedly tried to balance any criticism with objectivity.

What CW has done for us for me puts him right at the top of the managers I’ve seen in my time watching the Blades.

But something isn’t quite firing though, and if I’m honest I’m not sure what can be done.

What i do strongly feel is that the problems, such as they are, aren’t all his fault.

We seem to have a board who don’t know the direction of travel. Who thought they’d get a quick profit flip then sell on. When that went tits up they have no idea what is next.

I wasn’t thrilled at the thought of Wilder 3.0, but financially it was the the only realistic card that COH could play from a financial point of view.

So we are where we are. The parachute payments have run out and a new financial reality is upon us.

Wilder will stay, it’s the least worst option as we stand. 10 games in if it’s not working then it’s a different conversation. But the financial issues will still be there. Which raises the question who would come into a situation like that, and what could they do with a paltry budget?

I think the problem is that there is going to be a period of adjustment from Parachute team to non-parachute team.

The owners probably can’t afford to give this to a novice.

For differing reasons he’s kind of therefore in a similar position to Eddie Howe, but as a Blade he’s prepared to take it on.

Wilder will go for experience to give us a strong XI, you can see it already shaping towards this:

Cooper
Seriki Tanganga Souttar McCallum
Arblaster Phillips
Donovan/Chong O’Hare Brereton-Diaz
Bamford

I think that will be a typical line up.

Cannon may start for certain games and it be more of a 4-4-2.

You’re then relying on the likes of Souttar and Phillips signing and being fit, and Bamford, all of which have had injury absences the last 3 years. It’s similar to Hull’s approach, you could argue.

You then lean on mainly experienced pros as your back ups that you hope remain fit and available, rather than up and coming young guns; Davies, Shackleton, Doherty, Norrington-Davies, Riedewald, Rothwell.

Then the 19 I mentioned get padded out by a couple of younger players we see a future in such as Baptiste and Oné.

Then the might be some horse trading with the likes of Campbell either staying or being replaced with a more physical option, possibly another alternative winger too and a further centre half.

So the window might end something like this:
In - Doherty (free), Souttar (fee), new CB (fee/loan), Phillips (loan), Riedewald (free), Donovan (loan), BBD (fee/loan), new CF (fee), Back up for BBD if not Marsh/Oné (loan)
Out - Grbic (fee/loan), Curtis (loan), McGuinness (fee/loan), Zatterstrom (fee/loan), Burrows (fee), Peck (fee), Brooks (9m) Ukaki (fee/loan), Hamer (fee), Campbell (fee)

There would be hopefully a sizeable balancing on that.

Our first XI would be as good as most on their day but we will be very liable to injuries. Get through to January and see how we are placed.

 

[The Crab]

I think the problem is that there is going to be a period of adjustment from Parachute team to non-parachute team.

The owners probably can’t afford to give this to a novice.

For differing reasons he’s kind of therefore in a similar position to Eddie Howe, but as a Blade he’s prepared to take it on.

Wilder will go for experience to give us a strong XI, you can see it already shaping towards this:

Cooper
Seriki Tanganga Souttar McCallum
Arblaster Phillips
Donovan/Chong O’Hare Brereton-Diaz
Bamford

I think that will be a typical line up.

Cannon may start for certain games and it be more of a 4-4-2.

You’re then relying on the likes of Souttar and Phillips signing and being fit, and Bamford, all of which have had injury absences the last 3 years. It’s similar to Hull’s approach, you could argue.

You then lean on mainly experienced pros as your back ups that you hope remain fit and available, rather than up and coming young guns; Davies, Shackleton, Doherty, Norrington-Davies, Riedewald, Rothwell.

Then the 19 I mentioned get padded out by a couple of younger players we see a future in such as Baptiste and Oné.

Then the might be some horse trading with the likes of Campbell either staying or being replaced with a more physical option, possibly another alternative winger too and a further centre half.

So the window might end something like this:
In - Doherty (free), Souttar (fee), new CB (fee/loan), Phillips (loan), Riedewald (free), Donovan (loan), BBD (fee/loan), new CF (fee)
Out - Grbic (fee/loan), Curtis (loan), McGuinness (fee/loan), Zatterstrom (fee/loan), Burrows (fee), Peck (fee), Brooks (9m) Ukaki (fee/loan), Hamer (fee), Campbell (fee)

There would be hopefully a sizeable balancing on that.

Our first XI would be as good as lost on their day but we will be very liable to injuries. Get through to January and see how we are placed.

I can’t really argue with any of that.

My fear is while the likes of Souttar and Phillips aren’t the worst signings, it’s a potentially a lot of money sat in the treatment room.

But my worry also is that we are last legging it with signings again. Two weeks before the season starts isn’t ideal for bedding anyone in.

But it is what it is. At least Adidas are back and the away shirt looks the best we’ve had for a while

 

[Champagneblade]

I can’t really argue with any of that.

My fear is while the likes of Souttar and Phillips aren’t the worst signings, it’s a potentially a lot of money sat in the treatment room.

But my worry also is that we are last legging it with signings again. Two weeks before the season starts isn’t ideal for bedding anyone in.

But it is what it is. At least Adidas are back and the away shirt looks the best we’ve had for a while

We’ll look good as we scrape results!

I do think Wilder was impressed with what Hull achieved. He’ll make us difficult to beat. We’ll often defend from the front with O’Hare, Phillips will make us horrible to play against and Souttar and Tanganga will give little away.

I anticipate horrible but effective as the mantra, potentially just horrible some weeks!

Arguably he’s got 3 players in. He’s probably got Phillips agreed but doesn’t need to take him (and pay him) too early. He’s prepared to play the long game for Souttar and he probably knows he can edge Derby for BBD later in the window.

Another new centre back can wait and may be a late cash deal like Ventola or a late loan like Alleyne, knowing he’s blooded Baptiste all summer.

He doesn’t need to move for a forward until Campbell’s future is resolved.

So whilst the clock is ticking I can see why more will happen later on.

Of course it won’t hurt that monies coming in will potentially arrive sooner than a number of these deals.

Whoever pulls on the shirt I’ll be cheering them on.

 

[Revolution]

We’ll look good as we scrape results!

I do think Wilder was impressed with what Hull achieved. He’ll make us difficult to beat. We’ll often defend from the front with O’Hare, Phillips will make us horrible to play against and Souttar and Tanganga will give little away.

I anticipate horrible but effective as the mantra, potentially just horrible some weeks!

Hull's promotion was a bit of a fluke.

Not Huddersfield 2017 territory, but not far off.

 

[Champagneblade]

Hull's promotion was a bit of a fluke.

Not Huddersfield 2017 territory, but not far off.

Let’s hope ours will be!

Yes, not that I’m as into it as some but wasn’t Hull’s xG something like bottom 4?

 

[Revolution]

It also must be remembered that Hull are the opposite of us in the Championship. Rarely in contention, but when they are, they effortless achieve promotion either automatically or via the playoffs.

Whereas we are almost always in contention, occasionally promoted, but will never win the playoffs.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Im not expecting much this season. Play off will be a bonus. Surely we can make it to eighth???
But more than likely it will be ninth.

Super computer is at it already. And yes, you're right ninth.

 

[Bell4]

I think the problem is that there is going to be a period of adjustment from Parachute team to non-parachute team.

The owners probably can’t afford to give this to a novice.

For differing reasons he’s kind of therefore in a similar position to Eddie Howe, but as a Blade he’s prepared to take it on.

Wilder will go for experience to give us a strong XI, you can see it already shaping towards this:

Cooper
Seriki Tanganga Souttar McCallum
Arblaster Phillips
Donovan/Chong O’Hare Brereton-Diaz
Bamford

I think that will be a typical line up.

Cannon may start for certain games and it be more of a 4-4-2.

You’re then relying on the likes of Souttar and Phillips signing and being fit, and Bamford, all of which have had injury absences the last 3 years. It’s similar to Hull’s approach, you could argue.

You then lean on mainly experienced pros as your back ups that you hope remain fit and available, rather than up and coming young guns; Davies, Shackleton, Doherty, Norrington-Davies, Riedewald, Rothwell.

Then the 19 I mentioned get padded out by a couple of younger players we see a future in such as Baptiste and Oné.

Then the might be some horse trading with the likes of Campbell either staying or being replaced with a more physical option, possibly another alternative winger too and a further centre half.

So the window might end something like this:
In - Doherty (free), Souttar (fee), new CB (fee/loan), Phillips (loan), Riedewald (free), Donovan (loan), BBD (fee/loan), new CF (fee), Back up for BBD if not Marsh/Oné (loan)
Out - Grbic (fee/loan), Curtis (loan), McGuinness (fee/loan), Zatterstrom (fee/loan), Burrows (fee), Peck (fee), Brooks (9m) Ukaki (fee/loan), Hamer (fee), Campbell (fee)

There would be hopefully a sizeable balancing on that.

Our first XI would be as good as most on their day but we will be very liable to injuries. Get through to January and see how we are placed.

Are you CW ? Serious question .

 

[djbaldken]

Super computer is at it already. And yes, you're right ninth.

Hope you and Mrs north Yorkshire are both well. If ever you're in my part of the world let me know and we'll have a beer or two.

 

[djbaldken]

That duck has to get broken some time.

Please…

Never realised you were a fan of Keith Harris and Cuddles the monkey

 

[Keen Blade]

That duck has to get broken some time.

Please…

We should table a new rule that if you fail in 15 consecutive playoff campaigns , you are promoted automatically in the 16th.
Then I need to take my multivitamins to ensure I live till 103

 

[cloudnine9]

Just been on about it at work this morning if there’s no one coming in and we lose against Birmingham which I recon they will beat us as we havent improved our starting 11 I can see it getting nasty pretty quick crowd will turn on board and wilder I hope it doesn’t happen but we’ve been promised improvement it’s less than two weeks to kick off and nothings happened it’s not good enough…

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Last season’s top scorers tend to suggest otherwise.
View attachment 241401

OK 3 x 15 goal scorers then

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

To stand any chance of promotion you need a couple of 20-25 goal scorers.

That's never happened in the history of the Championship.

 

[djbaldken]

Just been on about it at work this morning if there’s no one coming in and we lose against Birmingham which I recon they will beat us as we havent improved our starting 11 I can see it getting nasty pretty quick crowd will turn on board and wilder I hope it doesn’t happen but we’ve been promised improvement it’s less than two weeks to kick off and nothings happened it’s not good enough…

We ALWAYS get promised improvement. It rarely happens.
We frequently get told we will do our business early in the window. That NEVER happens!
Something will happen in the last 36/48 hours of the window. We will be told we've been try to get this done for a while. It will be underwhelming. Trust me.

We STILL have no idea if Souttar is on or not ( He will leave Leicester, but where to is anybody's guess)
We STILL don't know if the Philips loan is on or off. Tbh I'm either way about this one. It's a loan so it's not that much of a gamble.
We STILL don't know if Gus is staying or going. Again for me this is not such a big deal. If he stays great. If he goes and we get a reasonable amount for him that's a positive.
Gus going will more than likely mean Philips WILL arrive.
Personally I'm not expecting any announcements until late on in the window.
It's the Blades way.