I Just Want More (not that one)

[Ron_Justice]

We know the backdrop. The window was.... Practical of not disastrous. The general consensus from the outside -and plenty on the inside - is that we’re staring at a transitional year, a consolidation effort, or worse, a grim scrap for survival while the owners look on with complete apathy.

I get the arguments, but I'm just not getting the dread.

In fact, it’s the exact opposite. I feel that something's brewing, there’s something in the air that I felt with good seasons in the past. It’s a confusing feeling - I can’t wait for the next match. Part of me says I should be dreading what's coming, but I can't shake the sensation of excited anticipation. Something good is going to happen.

I’m not looking at squad depth charts or board politics right now; I’m watching this group. I’m impatient for the next 90 minutes. I’m anticipating the Behind-The-Blades clips, replaying the highlights, and watching for partnerships and chemistry to start take hold on the pitch. I have an irrational hope about this group, that contradicts the on paper narrative. Weirdly, I'm finding the prospect of the season exiting.

I don't think I'm blindly happy-clapping, there's something in the waters that for me, is driving a quiet, stubborn buzz every time kickoff approaches.

Bollocks to the backroom drama. Bring on kick off.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

 

[brownblade]

 

[brownblade]

We know the backdrop. The window was.... Practical of not disastrous. The general consensus from the outside -and plenty on the inside - is that we’re staring at a transitional year, a consolidation effort, or worse, a grim scrap for survival while the owners look on with complete apathy.

I get the arguments, but I'm just not getting the dread.

In fact, it’s the exact opposite. I feel that something's brewing, there’s something in the air that I felt with good seasons in the past. It’s a confusing feeling - I can’t wait for the next match. Part of me says I should be dreading what's coming, but I can't shake the sensation of excited anticipation. Something good is going to happen.

I’m not looking at squad depth charts or board politics right now; I’m watching this group. I’m impatient for the next 90 minutes. I’m anticipating the Behind-The-Blades clips, replaying the highlights, and watching for partnerships and chemistry to start take hold on the pitch. I have an irrational hope about this group, that contradicts the on paper narrative. Weirdly, I'm finding the prospect of the season exiting.

I don't think I'm blindly happy-clapping, there's something in the waters that for me, is driving a quiet, stubborn buzz every time kickoff approaches.

Bollocks to the backroom drama. Bring on kick off.

Good for you man.

In theory, we could click and gloriously qualify for Top 8 (FFS).

But I'll go with my eyes and logic, suggesting bottom 8 is calling. We've got barely any pace, athleticism, power, plan, tactics, focus, fight... Yeah... Not got your feel good confidence.

 

[Rodley]

Mid table but if we’re not too far away a decent January could see us push for top 8.

 

[brownblade]

Mid table but if we’re not too far away a decent January could see us push for top 8.

Decent January

 

[Ron_Justice]

Good for you man.

In theory, we could click and gloriously qualify for Top 8 (FFS).

But I'll go with my eyes and logic, suggesting bottom 8 is calling. We've got barely any pace, athleticism, power, plan, tactics, focus, fight... Yeah... Not got your feel good confidence.

I get you, like I said, irrational hope.

I thought it at the time, it was (still is) early days, the season is only 4 games old, but I wondered with the Blues match and the Swansea game whether those results would be seen as decent / good on reflection. Again, it's only 4 games but a draw against the top of the table isn't to be sniffed at and Brum have picked up results against a fancied Southampton side and the same league leaders. We've undoutably lost out during the window, but I think this group has more about them than the on paper reading suggests.

 

[Rodley]

Decent January

I think given we’re adjusting to post-parachute payments, the summer signings aren’t too bad it was just the timing of the loss of COH. A decent loan or two in Jan would make a big difference.

 

[Northyorksblade]

We know the backdrop. The window was.... Practical of not disastrous. The general consensus from the outside -and plenty on the inside - is that we’re staring at a transitional year, a consolidation effort, or worse, a grim scrap for survival while the owners look on with complete apathy.

I get the arguments, but I'm just not getting the dread.

In fact, it’s the exact opposite. I feel that something's brewing, there’s something in the air that I felt with good seasons in the past. It’s a confusing feeling - I can’t wait for the next match. Part of me says I should be dreading what's coming, but I can't shake the sensation of excited anticipation. Something good is going to happen.

I’m not looking at squad depth charts or board politics right now; I’m watching this group. I’m impatient for the next 90 minutes. I’m anticipating the Behind-The-Blades clips, replaying the highlights, and watching for partnerships and chemistry to start take hold on the pitch. I have an irrational hope about this group, that contradicts the on paper narrative. Weirdly, I'm finding the prospect of the season exiting.

I don't think I'm blindly happy-clapping, there's something in the waters that for me, is driving a quiet, stubborn buzz every time kickoff approaches.

Bollocks to the backroom drama. Bring on kick off.

And then you woke up.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

I thought before o hare went we could contend for top 8.

Now I think we need luck with injuries to do so. Some of the doom about relegation is bizarre to me

 

[Ron_Justice]

And then you woke up.

I'm genuine. Can't wait for tomorrow.

 

[Ron_Justice]

I thought before o hare went we could contend for top 8.

Now I think we need luck with injuries to do so. Some of the doom about relegation is bizarre to me

The luck with injuries isn't new. I remember during the first Didzy season thinking how lucky we'd been with injuries as prior to that we'd often been scuppered (Coutts) and Didzy himself came with a 'fragile' warning sticker. It can happen.

 

[Rodley]

I thought before o hare went we could contend for top 8.

Now I think we need luck with injuries to do so. Some of the doom about relegation is bizarre to me

I must admit given we’re likely bobbing around at the midtable mark, there was a OTT amount of whittling about how the best teams will no doubt beat us and we’ll only beat the worst teams.

 

[SwissBlade]

We know the backdrop. The window was.... Practical of not disastrous. The general consensus from the outside -and plenty on the inside - is that we’re staring at a transitional year, a consolidation effort, or worse, a grim scrap for survival while the owners look on with complete apathy.

I get the arguments, but I'm just not getting the dread.

In fact, it’s the exact opposite. I feel that something's brewing, there’s something in the air that I felt with good seasons in the past. It’s a confusing feeling - I can’t wait for the next match. Part of me says I should be dreading what's coming, but I can't shake the sensation of excited anticipation. Something good is going to happen.

I’m not looking at squad depth charts or board politics right now; I’m watching this group. I’m impatient for the next 90 minutes. I’m anticipating the Behind-The-Blades clips, replaying the highlights, and watching for partnerships and chemistry to start take hold on the pitch. I have an irrational hope about this group, that contradicts the on paper narrative. Weirdly, I'm finding the prospect of the season exiting.

I don't think I'm blindly happy-clapping, there's something in the waters that for me, is driving a quiet, stubborn buzz every time kickoff approaches.

Bollocks to the backroom drama. Bring on kick off.

I’m with you.

The window was as I expected, Hamer went, probably expected to lose Peck over O’Hare but losing Brooks was a little surprising, although that was early enough for us to manage it… we’ve brought some players in but, Donovan aside it’s not an exciting side, especially losing Seriki long term. On paper at least.

All that said, as much as I’d love Man City type signings or an Billy, Mousset, Berge, Ndiaye, Gibbs-white or McAtee to get us excited we seem to have a squad of balance now with players to cover each position in a traditional set up.

I have some positivity as midfield and strikers look alright, we seem to have connections in the team, no square pegs, really, even if the quality is lower.

I’m applying a mentality from 2019 when we went up the first time under wilder. No big names, just a side that wants to win and has competition for places.

The division hasn’t levelled itself out yet so it’s hard to predict games, Bolton were better than expected, we were defensively terrible

It’s by no means getting me excited yet, but I’m also not having a meltdown. I just want to see us score goals and win games, the luxurious days of being dominant in this league are behind us for now. It’s another transition season for certain, always would be after last year

And that’s the thing. So far we’re playing infinitely better than last year. That’s a small positive

Let’s sit back until jan and enjoy it as much as we can. They’ll be wins draws and losses.

 

[BladeByChoice]

I completely get the OP on this one

I'm convinced we won't we won't go down this season, I'm also convinced we won't go up, and its give me a 'no pressure lets see how it pans out' enthusiasm for the season.

I'm itching to get to the Lane tomorrow, Norwich are one of the better teams in the league that haven't clicked yet, interesting to see what happens if they do, I'm convinced we can get something at Blackburn, and if Wolves beat us, so what, then we can see how we bounce back against a lower league team in the cup who are one of our biggest banana skins.

There are some strong teams this season and we will, at some point, get a battering, lets see if Wilder can keep heads up going into the next game after we lose by 3. Theirs also some dross where we can go 2 up in 15 minutes, if this happens be good to see if we put them to the sword or go 5 at the back for a bore fest win.

All in all. I've accepted that we play championship football next season, so as long as the football is good, I'm good.

Win Lose or Draw UTB

 

[Pintor75]

Norwich aren't on top form yet, but will be a good test, Bolton could have had 5 the other night if they'd had a decent striker, Cooper kept us in the game imo. I think we need to get through the next 4 league games and see where we are then as an indication of what lies ahead

 

[Ron_Justice]

A little more hope - Our historic league position, at this point (after 4 games) since 2016:



We're higher now than in 8 of the previous 10 seasons and only 1 place lower than the 92 point season.

 

[Ron_Justice]

Norwich aren't on top form yet, but will be a good test, Bolton could have had 5 the other night if they'd had a decent striker, Cooper kept us in the game imo. I think we need to get through the next 4 league games and see where we are then as an indication of what lies ahead

As could we. It works both ways.

 

[SwissBlade]

I completely get the OP on this one

I'm convinced we won't we won't go down this season, I'm also convinced we won't go up, and its give me a 'no pressure lets see how it pans out' enthusiasm for the season.

I'm itching to get to the Lane tomorrow, Norwich are one of the better teams in the league that haven't clicked yet, interesting to see what happens if they do, I'm convinced we can get something at Blackburn, and if Wolves beat us, so what, then we can see how we bounce back against a lower league team in the cup who are one of our biggest banana skins.

There are some strong teams this season and we will, at some point, get a battering, lets see if Wilder can keep heads up going into the next game after we lose by 3. Theirs also some dross where we can go 2 up in 15 minutes, if this happens be good to see if we put them to the sword or go 5 at the back for a bore fest win.

All in all. I've accepted that we play championship football next season, so as long as the football is good, I'm good.

Win Lose or Draw UTB

Completely.

I expect us to be competitive and no nonsense. Something that is always consistent with Wilders sides.

Will we lose games we should win, yes. Will we win some that we should lose, also yes.

The question will be whether we can find some interesting and exciting way to play as well as being steady away.

First time I’ve not had a season ticket for over 20 years, away too much now to justify it and the owners have given me nothing to want to support them. After last season it was hard going’s But doesn’t make me less excited at the prospect of this season

It’s typical Blades way but that’s also ok

 

[Ron_Justice]

I completely get the OP on this one

I'm convinced we won't we won't go down this season, I'm also convinced we won't go up, and its give me a 'no pressure lets see how it pans out' enthusiasm for the season.

I'm itching to get to the Lane tomorrow, Norwich are one of the better teams in the league that haven't clicked yet, interesting to see what happens if they do, I'm convinced we can get something at Blackburn, and if Wolves beat us, so what, then we can see how we bounce back against a lower league team in the cup who are one of our biggest banana skins.

There are some strong teams this season and we will, at some point, get a battering, lets see if Wilder can keep heads up going into the next game after we lose by 3. Theirs also some dross where we can go 2 up in 15 minutes, if this happens be good to see if we put them to the sword or go 5 at the back for a bore fest win.

All in all. I've accepted that we play championship football next season, so as long as the football is good, I'm good.

Win Lose or Draw UTB

Yeah, I don't think we'll go down. The new Playoff rules have played right into our hands. I think top 8 is doable, top half at a canter IMO. Auto's and even top 4, I think are very unattainable.

*All of this is ignoring the -12. Fuck that.

 

[jt64]

A little more hope - Our historic league position, at this point (after 4 games) since 2016:

View attachment 243531

We're higher now than in 8 of the previous 10 seasons and only 1 place lower than the 92 point season.

Strength of schedule wildly, wildly influences things like that. Last season we played four sides who were in the top half the season before, including two who would go on to make the playoffs. This season we've already played two of the promoted teams. I wouldn't have expected much more than zero points at this stage last season, or much less than six this

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I must admit given we’re likely bobbing around at the midtable mark, there was a OTT amount of whittling about how the best teams will no doubt beat us and we’ll only beat the worst teams.

It's not whittling, both of those statements will likely prove to be true.

We've had a solid start so far but on paper we've avoided all the teams who are expected to challenge for promotion. West Ham, Wolves, Southampton, Burnley, Middlesbrough and so on.

And the only team we've beaten is newly promoted Bolton.

 

[Ron_Justice]

Strength of schedule wildly, wildly influences things like that. Last season we played four sides who were in the top half the season before, including two who would go on to make the playoffs. This season we've already played two of the promoted teams. I wouldn't have expected much more than zero points at this stage last season, or much less than six this

Absolutely accept that, that's why I used a 10 year window, hopefully negating the strength of the easy v's hard fixture factor.

 

[SwissBlade]

It's not whittling, both of those statements will likely prove to be true.

We've had a solid start so far but on paper we've avoided all the teams who are expected to challenge for promotion. West Ham, Wolves, Southampton, Burnley, Middlesbrough and so on.

And the only team we've beaten is newly promoted Bolton.

True, the Bolton win was last minute.

Birmingham are expected to be a strong side, we drew with them. And we did draw with Swansea, the current league leaders

Can’t really read anything in all that lot, really

 

[Ron_Justice]

Norwich aren't on top form yet, but will be a good test, Bolton could have had 5 the other night if they'd had a decent striker, Cooper kept us in the game imo. I think we need to get through the next 4 league games and see where we are then as an indication of what lies ahead

I will say I normally hold out until 10 games before making a judgement. My enthusiasm isn't really about promotion of even relegation. It's about enjoyment. I'm excited, enthusiastic, feel a sense of connection to the new crop. That age old, backs to the wall, fuck the world United feeling is, surprising, present and relishing it.

 

[Dkc]

What prevents me from sharing in the optimism is the fact that we could easily have lost all four of our league games. Our midfield has looked disorganised and been second best in all four games. We have our keeper to thank for lots of last ditch saves. If it wasn't for Cooper the season start could have been another disaster and many more people would be calling for the manager's head.

Positives are that every game we don't lose increases our confidence. We looked very good against an understrength Blackburn in the cup. Wilder has a track record of working magic with squads of inexpensive and seemingly limited players. But to get a tune out of the current bunch could be his biggest challenge to date.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

True, the Bolton win was last minute.

Birmingham are expected to be a strong side, we drew with them. And we did draw with Swansea, the current league leaders

Can’t really read anything in all that lot, really

It's still far too early, the jury is definitely out on Swansea.

If we can beat Norwich tomorrow though it will constitute an excellent start to the season.

 

[SwissBlade]

It's still far too early, the jury is definitely out on Swansea.

If we can beat Norwich tomorrow though it will constitute an excellent start to the season.

Yeah too early for me, Swansea certainly didn’t look a good side against us.

Norwich will be interesting as they’ve spent big and will expect results.

 

[ancientblade]

What prevents me from sharing in the optimism is the fact that we could easily have lost all four of our league games. Our midfield has looked disorganised and been second best in all four games. We have our keeper to thank for lots of last ditch saves. If it wasn't for Cooper the season start could have been another disaster and many more people would be calling for the manager's head.

Positives are that every game we don't lose increases our confidence. We looked very good against an understrength Blackburn in the cup. Wilder has a track record of working magic with squads of inexpensive and seemingly limited players. But to get a tune out of the current bunch could be his biggest challenge to date.

yeah good point about our midfield and for me peck has been the most dissapointing of the lot of em hes been very poor last 2 games and really should be benched tomorrow

 

[Ron_Justice]

What prevents me from sharing in the optimism is the fact that we could easily have lost all four of our league games. Our midfield has looked disorganised and been second best in all four games. We have our keeper to thank for lots of last ditch saves. If it wasn't for Cooper the season start could have been another disaster and many more people would be calling for the manager's head.

Positives are that every game we don't lose increases our confidence. We looked very good against an understrength Blackburn in the cup. Wilder has a track record of working magic with squads of inexpensive and seemingly limited players. But to get a tune out of the current bunch could be his biggest challenge to date.

Not sure the 17/18 -18/19 squads would see it that way, particularly the 17/18 one. Until Coutts v's Burton that group was punching waaaay above where almost everyone expected.