Fed-up?

[Putney Blade]

Chaps,

Now quarter way into our fourth season in Division 3. On top of the relegation season, been five long years of mainly disappointment and frustration.

Been few sunny days - semi at Wembley last season for example, but the fact remains that we are as stuck in Division 3 as when we entered it; and so far this season, the trend has continued, more disappointments than sunny days.

Am fed up of feeling down with Utd.

Fed up of seeing poor players play in our beloved red & white strips, fed up with managers who see a totally different game to us, fed-up with owners and directors talking-the-talk but failing to deliver, fed-up with hearing 'massive club with history and potential', but loose 5-2 to Swindon Town, fed-up with the current manager not seeing that we are crying out for striker(s) and instead resigns Porter, and fed-up of not being surprised of going down 3-0 to Chesterfield….

No reason to believe things will change, hope they will, hope there are better times to come starting this season, but given what's happened over the past five years, difficult to be confident, including the let's 'trust in Nigel' mantra. Not confident about the away game on Sky at Bradford on Saturday…am fed-up with that...

UTB

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Nowt like a cheery, optimistic and uplifting post to brighten up everyone's weekend.

 

[sitwell]

He cut and pastes that 3 times a season for the past 5 years.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I am a little fed up yes. It's more or less the same thing year in year out and it's beginning to actually feel like it will never ever change.....I know we've all said it many times "same owd same owd" but I'm genuinely convinced that we are going nowhere. We'll fester in the third tier at best.

Without a change of attitude at the top the club will continue to repeat its mistakes. I'm sick of hearing/reading nice glossy statements from directors that make undelivered promises. I fail to see how our objective can be promotion when you look at the market we have been shopping in. If the money either isn't there or won't be forthcoming then tell the supporters and be realistic with expecations. I'm tired of hearing "we tried at the eleventh hour but...." and "we have to adhere to financial fair play"....other (smaller) clubs find ways to get things done. We never do.

Instead we shop in the bargain bin for players that have "League One experience" yes, too much of it. So much of it that they've been stuck at this level themselves for 4,5,6 years....what innovative recruitment. The irony is that some of those players (i.e McEveley, Wallace, JCR) have looked like our better players and I appreciate their contribution but are they the sort of players that have the track record to get us out of this league?....I'm not convinced.

A club with serious intentions of going up would be picking up the phone and calling Chesterfield with an offer for Eoin Doyle in the January window (using the Maguire money) but they won't.

 

[super_pig]

Am fed up of feeling down with Utd.
UTB

i don't think you are the only one mate.. people will only be lied to for so long. tbh, the best thing on here is walthy and darrens squabbles.. and 'you ' lot.

 

[blader]

I am a little fed up yes. It's more or less the same thing year in year out and it's beginning to actually feel like it will never ever change.....I know we've all said it many times "same owd same owd" but I'm genuinely convinced that we are going nowhere. We'll fester in the third tier at best.

Without a change of attitude at the top the club will continue to repeat its mistakes. I'm sick of hearing/reading nice glossy statements from directors that make undelivered promises. I fail to see how our objective can be promotion when you look at the market we have been shopping in. If the money either isn't there or won't be forthcoming then tell the supporters and be realistic with expecations. I'm tired of hearing "we tried at the eleventh hour but...." and "we have to adhere to financial fair play"....other (smaller) clubs find ways to get things done. We never do.

Instead we shop in the bargain bin for players that have "League One experience" yes, too much of it. So much of it that they've been stuck at this level themselves for 4,5,6 years....what innovative recruitment. The irony is that some of those players (i.e McEveley, Wallace, JCR) have looked like our better players and I appreciate their contribution but are they the sort of players that have the track record to get us out of this league?....I'm not convinced.

A club with serious intentions of going up would be picking up the phone and calling Chesterfield with an offer for Eoin Doyle in the January window (using the Maguire money) but they won't.

Nice to see you're seeing it like me now, Patrick. You'd have hounded me off the board for making similar posts a couple of months ago! I agree with all of this post.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Nice to see you're seeing it like me now, Patrick. You'd have hounded me off the board for making similar posts a couple of months ago! I agree with all of this post.

I don't think I've "hounded you off the board" blader and it was certainly never my intention so I'm sorry if that's the way it was interpreted. I was challenging some of your arguments, some that I still disagree with.

Now that we have had an adequate number of games by which to measure performance I am starting to agree with you that investment in the playing staff has been insufficient. I'm still unconcerned by the actual net spend, more concerned that we haven't done enough in that regard based on the evidence of our league position and recent results.

I think we are still far apart on many issues but I have certainly moved much closer to you on a couple.

 

[HolmesfieldBlade]

At least we're not Portsmouth who currently sit 12th in League Two.

 

[blader]

I don't think I've "hounded you off the board" blader and it was certainly never my intention so I'm sorry if that's the way it was interpreted. I was challenging some of your arguments, some that I still disagree with.

Now that we have had an adequate number of games by which to measure performance I am starting to agree with you that investment in the playing staff has been insufficient. I'm still unconcerned by the actual net spend, more concerned that we haven't done enough in that regard based on the evidence of our league position and recent results.

I think we are still far apart on many issues but I have certainly moved much closer to you on a couple.

No I was only jesting, nothing wrong with disagreeing, it's why these forums exist. My patience is wearing extremely thin now though, despite my pessimism I thought we would stroll into the playoffs almost by default. Even that seems a long way from where we currently are.

 

[LSF]

No I was only jesting, nothing wrong with disagreeing, it's why these forums exist. My patience is wearing extremely thin now though, despite my pessimism I thought we would stroll into the playoffs almost by default. Even that seems a long way from where we currently are.

Jesus! Its October, who's to say we won't stroll into the play offs as you say, who's to say we can go up auto and whos to say we could be relegated eh!
I've seen evidence of all three already, but I'll stick my considerably thick neck out and say auto is quite possible on some of yesterdays showing

 

[Rudders]

A club with serious intentions of going up would be picking up the phone and calling Chesterfield with an offer for Eoin Doyle in the January window (using the Maguire money) but they won't.

I thought the same on Saturday when radio pig was banging on about how wonderful he (Doyle) is

 

[felix]

..and while we are about it send Nigel to study under Paul Cook for a month to learn how to build a squad which isn't overloaded with average players but still manages to put out a competitive XI every time.

Not that I'd change places with any Chesterfield fan, mind!

 

[SE1Blade]

At least we're not Portsmouth who currently sit 12th in League Two.

Portsmouth won the FA Cup and played in Europe.

I would swap relegation for that any day of the week.

 

[blader]

Jesus! Its October, who's to say we won't stroll into the play offs as you say, who's to say we can go up auto and whos to say we could be relegated eh!
I've seen evidence of all three already, but I'll stick my considerably thick neck out and say auto is quite possible on some of yesterdays showing

We lost 1-0 at home to Leyton Orient with 11 men. They when they had a man sent off and lined up on the edge of their box we looked good. I can't believe anyone still thinks we'll get automatic promotion!!

 

[alcoblade]

The more I see of us though, the more my frustration switches from the boardroom to the manager. I'm starting to believe that we have the players, yet the application is missing. That's down to Clough.

UTB

 

[Blackheath Blade]

He cut and pastes that 3 times a season for the past 5 years.

The only thing he'll be cutting will be his wrists if his post is anything to go by Sitters

 

[blader]

The more I see of us though, the more my frustration switches from the boardroom to the manager. I'm starting to believe that we have the players, yet the application is missing. That's down to Clough.

UTB

I partly agree, however such is the lack of transparency in Football club's finances, it's difficult to pinpoint. We have bad strikers, is that because Clough has chosen wrongly, or that the board were unwilling to sign the players he actually wanted (a la O'Grady, Freeman, the unknown 3 on TDD etc). The reason I still feel the blame lands with the board (just) is that I fail to believe Clough would choose Higdon over Agard for example. If it is true that Clough had access to everything he asked for (I really don't believe that) then he should rightly be sacked as he has done an appalling job of recruiting. Unfortunately, we're left with chicken and egg situation so is difficult to assess. I think Clough is a better manager than either Cotterill or Ferguson, therefore it comes down to lack of quality on the pitch. Again, all the actions of the club over summer suggest to me it was the club halting the transfer process and therefore I will retain my faith in him over the board... for now.

 

[blade too long]

Thought there were lots to be cheerful about yesterday , we need to be creating chances , we werent first few games , but now we are , more every game , just got to convert more now , but weve only failed to score once at Coventry so lets not forget but for that goal 9 minutes into 7 minutes of injury time we would be in top 6 .
The season has 105 points available yet , if we get 75 more we will piss league , so theres plenty of time

 

[grafikhaus]

Thought there were lots to be cheerful about yesterday , we need to be creating chances , we werent first few games , but now we are , more every game , just got to convert more now , but weve only failed to score once at Coventry so lets not forget but for that goal 9 minutes into 7 minutes of injury time we would be in top 6 .
The season has 105 points available yet , if we get 75 more we will piss league , so theres plenty of time

Reasons to be cheerful (Part 3)! Agree, blade too long. Yesterday was a day in the life of a football fan - the highs and the lows. Just watched En-ger-land and I wouldn't swap watching the Blades for that shite.

Once again, we turned up in (almost unbeleivable) numbers yesterday. We're doing our bit. Just need NC and the lads to match us for commitment. It'll come.

 

[LSF]

We lost 1-0 at home to Leyton Orient with 11 men. They when they had a man sent off and lined up on the edge of their box we looked good. I can't believe anyone still thinks we'll get automatic promotion!!

Its true, honest, there are some believers!

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

No I was only jesting, nothing wrong with disagreeing, it's why these forums exist. My patience is wearing extremely thin now though, despite my pessimism I thought we would stroll into the playoffs almost by default. Even that seems a long way from where we currently are.

Good, I didn't want you thinking it was personal. I like our debates, you put reason behind your arguments even if I don't agree with all of them.

I think ultimately we now agree on where we think the team will finish and the acceptability of that. We have always seemed to slightly agree on what is required to make the team good enough but have differed on the importance of certain aspects of it.

I agree, this team isn't good enough for top six. It needs two or three players and not just two or three we can find on loan/free that nobody wants.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

The more I see of us though, the more my frustration switches from the boardroom to the manager. I'm starting to believe that we have the players, yet the application is missing. That's down to Clough.

UTB

Funny, I think the exact opposite.

 

[alcoblade]

I partly agree, however such is the lack of transparency in Football club's finances, it's difficult to pinpoint. We have bad strikers, is that because Clough has chosen wrongly, or that the board were unwilling to sign the players he actually wanted (a la O'Grady, Freeman, the unknown 3 on TDD etc). The reason I still feel the blame lands with the board (just) is that I fail to believe Clough would choose Higdon over Agard for example. If it is true that Clough had access to everything he asked for (I really don't believe that) then he should rightly be sacked as he has done an appalling job of recruiting. Unfortunately, we're left with chicken and egg situation so is difficult to assess. I think Clough is a better manager than either Cotterill or Ferguson, therefore it comes down to lack of quality on the pitch. Again, all the actions of the club over summer suggest to me it was the club halting the transfer process and therefore I will retain my faith in him over the board... for now.

I agree with all that, apart from Higdon.

I know I'm in a minority, but I believe if played the right way, he'll score freely in this division.

UTB

 

[blade too long]

remember one promotion season we had not started to clever but got a draw against the odds at home 3-3 I believe it was it changed our season, wed started being creative instead of just competing , thats what happened yesterday

 

[alcoblade]

Funny, I think the exact opposite.

Well, it's unclear. But every time we're forced to go at a team we seem to be able to take them apart. Until we start to go for it and put teams on the back foot, I can't help but blame the manager.

UTB

 

[metalblade]

It is difficult to know who to blame for the poor start to the season, I say poor because although better than last season we should be doing much better. I have seen nothing yet to be scared of including run away leaders Bristol C (now 11 pts ahead of us after 11 games). Yes hugely underwhelmed with the summer transfer dealings on the whole is that down to Clough or lack of budget who knows ? History says once more we are trying to do things on the cheap maybe. Clough has to take some of the responsibility too as from day one we have seen strange team selections, players out of position, certain players always in the team even though they are in poor form or carrying knocks/unfit, negative tactics (Derby fans warned us of these traits when we appointed Nigel), we cannot carry on paying for the last ten minutes why are we so slow and laborious until we go behind ? It has been shown that we are a match for any team if we go at them but Clough seems to have gone defensive like Wilson and Weir every second pass is sideways or backwards. We still have little real pace in the team and we still need that 20 goal striker, it would be just like us to pin our hopes on a guy who hasn't played for two and a half years. One thing is for sure if we don't start looking like a team that is going to do something soon it will be too late, another year in this shithole of a league is unthinkable for a growing number of fans who will probably not renew their ST for another unpalatable serving of league one dross.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Well, it's unclear. But every time we're forced to go at a team we seem to be able to take them apart. Until we start to go for it and put teams on the back foot, I can't help but blame the manager.

UTB

I don't think the squad is good enough. That's the end of it for me.

 

[alcoblade]

I don't think the squad is good enough. That's the end of it for me.

You might be right. I'm unsure. But wouldn't you rather we went for it and found out?

UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

..and while we are about it send Nigel to study under Paul Cook for a month to learn how to build a squad which isn't overloaded with average players but still manages to put out a competitive XI every time.

Not that I'd change places with any Chesterfield fan, mind!

lets wait and see till Feb/March time when the little clubs with small squads start to pile up injuries/suspensions and have 2 games a week due to game call offs etc.

We'll come on strong the longer the season goes.

UTB

 

[AlBlade]

My personal view is that the Board have to take the blame for our current predicament. It is clear that they have no idea how to run a football club, and they are clearly not making the funds available to make sure we get out of this shitty league.

Why we are not absolutely walking this league is beyond me. Having seen Bristol City and Peterborough this season, they are nothing special, and had we made serious funds available we could have bought two half decent strikers and a centre half, and that is all this team needs. Instead we are scraping around in the bargain basement of the Scottish league and relegated teams from the Dutch league.

We have a 30% higher average home attendance than the next highest in this league! and double that of all bar 4 other teams. So what the hell are the Board doing with this additional revenue from ticket sales and merchandising? There should be no reason our costs are double that of any of our rivals in this league, if they are it is further evidence of the incompetence of our Board as it would indicate they are paying way over the odds in wages for a decidedly average playing squad.

Jim Phipps pretty much sums up our problems. He is co Chairman of my beloved club has has no idea about football, sports administration or running a football club. His background is in American law and Shariah law, and being a Director of a Saudi paper company. So why he is remotely qualified to run a football club, and be a spokesperson for the Blades is beyond me. Each time I hear him interviewed on Radio Sheffield it becomes even clearer he has no clue what he is doing.

I am afraid that until we have a clear out and Board level, we are stuck in this crappy pub league for a long time to come.