attention to those who are in the anti-Clough brigade

[hoylandblade]

now now children behave and get behind the team you allegedly support.I've done this for the last 55 years!!!

 

[Rodders]

but the harsh reality is that now, after 4 years in this division, we are an established League 1 side, just like Coventry, Walsall and Oldham. We are now at this level, so anything above mid-table is actually an achievement. Our position in the league is completely fair on the balance of the season, and we shouldn't expect any more.

The most depressing post I've ever read on here.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

now now children behave and get behind the team you allegedly support.I've done this for the last 55 years!!!

The support is and always will be consistent . The football is and always will be inconsistent .

It does not cost 2 shillings and 6 pence for the privilege to watch the blades any more .

The harsh reality , the management and players are not as good as perhaps they think they are , and we have no choice , but to accept it.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

[QUOTE="Lord Bos of Eckington., post: 700571, member: 15219] .

The truth is that we are a middle of the road team , punching above our weight .

UTB[/QUOTE]

Sat nearer to relegation to the 4th division than promotion to the 2nd, if that's really true then my god, we're in trouble.

UTB

 

[breeny]

I think Clough is generally a good manager, and I doubt we could get better if he got the sack. At the current rate, we'll finish 5th/6th and contest the play-offs, and honestly I think that's fair. There's a lot of entitlement amongst Blades fans, because we all think we deserve to be in the 2nd tier, but the harsh reality is that now, after 4 years in this division, we are an established League 1 side, just like Coventry, Walsall and Oldham. We are now at this level, so anything above mid-table is actually an achievement. Our position in the league is completely fair on the balance of the season, and we shouldn't expect any more. You all mouth off about the lack of quality in the squad, yet we've been in the top 6 most of the season and have reached a cup semi-final. With the squad we have, that's pretty solid. We'll qualify for the play-offs, and then it's anyone's game, isn't it. We are not owed anything. We are not entitled to 2nd tier status. We have to earn it.

Is it a fair position based on investment and wages?

 

[itsinyerblood]

now now children behave and get behind the team you allegedly support.I've done this for the last 55 years!!!

You deserve a like for that mate

 

[Damski]

Is it a fair position based on investment and wages?

Well I think that investment only goes so far. It's certainly a boost to a club in our situation, but it's not a guaranteed league championship once we get the money rolling in. Maybe it'll take a while to build up. Man City are a good example of this. Look at the millions poured into that club. It still took them nigh on 5 seasons after getting the money to actually win anything.

 

[Davie Blade]

Is it a fair position based on investment and wages?

It isn't about entitlement but generally in football the clubs with the most money win out.
I don't think there's a manager in this division who has got remotely anything like the resources (the biggest wages academy players and transfer budget) NC has had at his disposal.

 

[JasonEllis]

Well I think that investment only goes so far. It's certainly a boost to a club in our situation, but it's not a guaranteed league championship once we get the money rolling in. Maybe it'll take a while to build up. Man City are a good example of this. Look at the millions poured into that club. It still took them nigh on 5 seasons after getting the money to actually win anything.

I would draw a distinction between Man City trying to catch up financially with some of the best/wealthiest teams in the world and the blades trying to compete with teams in the English third tier

 

[grafikhaus]

Well I think that investment only goes so far. It's certainly a boost to a club in our situation, but it's not a guaranteed league championship once we get the money rolling in. Maybe it'll take a while to build up. Man City are a good example of this. Look at the millions poured into that club. It still took them nigh on 5 seasons after getting the money to actually win anything.

If 'only' it would take 5 years to see something for our 'game changing investment', I think most would be happy. Except it won't. In five years, we'll still be in League One (with an excursion to League Two highly likely on the way). In that time, we'll see yet more teams passing us on our way down. So far we've seen teams lke Bournemouth, Watford, Bristol City, Swindon etc. etc. going in the right direction while we sink ever lower.

Depressing, yes. But what I find even more depressing is some on here insisting 'we'll get in the play-offs.' Based, exactly, on what? We are an extremely poor team. I've been to every home game this season and, Preston last week apart, every game has been in the balance. Crawley, Rochdale, Notts County are games we could have easily lost.

Back to the point of this thread, I don't want NC to leave. If he does, we'd only get yet another thoroughly average manager (which, let's be fair, 90% of managers are). Stick with Clough and hope that he eventually realises what is required - which most posters on here already do.

 

[yuley82]

Lets give our verdicts / postmortem at the end of the season . Yes disappointing and frustrating up to press ,but we need to stick with the manager , and not start all over again on the changing manager merry-go round . Yes pissed off , but we are not yet down and out.

Play offs are more than achievable , and winning them is .

UTB

I know what your saying there is no other person that we could appoint, but I don't like the man.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

If 'only' it would take 5 years to see something for our 'game changing investment', I think most would be happy. Except it won't. In five years, we'll still be in League One (with an excursion to League Two highly likely on the way). In that time, we'll see yet more teams passing us on our way down. So far we've seen teams lke Bournemouth, Watford, Bristol City, Swindon etc. etc. going in the right direction while we sink ever lower.

Depressing, yes. But what I find even more depressing is some on here insisting 'we'll get in the play-offs.' Based, exactly, on what? We are an extremely poor team. I've been to every home game this season and, Preston last week apart, every game has been in the balance. Crawley, Rochdale, Notts County are games we could have easily lost.

Back to the point of this thread, I don't want NC to leave. If he does, we'd only get yet another thoroughly average manager (which, let's be fair, 90% of managers are). Stick with Clough and hope that he eventually realises what is required - which most posters on here already do.

All blades fans are understanding and patient . The fault of the fans unrest is down to Mr McCabe and his statement of " Game Changing Investment " . I for one thought that this was the sign we would buy the right calibre of players preseason and in the JTW to have a team that would gain outright promotion.

I know we still have a chance for the play offs , but fans would not be pissed off , frustrated , and angry , if Mr McCabe had actually said -

Game Changing Investment - To Keep us in Business and not going Bust or into Administration.

As i said we are understanding and would have accepted this more than being misled , with a political spun statement ,which is both true / untrue , which ever way you look at it.

UTB

 

[Mad Mick]

I do get frustrated, but that's all part of being a Blade. Always will be. I'm 100% behind NC and I know we will get in the play off's.
Trust me.
I'd take the play off's every year. We're bound to win one eventually.
Aren't we?

 

[Bladesway]

Bit disappointed in you Silent. There are three main parts to this club, Players, board and manager. All have some level of responsibility as to where we are. Mainly the board and their continued apparent economy with the truth on spending, but are you saying Clough shouldn't be in some part responsible for where we currently are? Should no one question him because that would be regarded as anti Clough. You home in on Judge for things he never actually said. I know him a little and he is as committed a blade as there is in his heart. You don't have to suck up everything you are told and smile about it when the club opens itso collective gob.

Personally I think there should be more respect across the board for sensible views. OK I saw someone call Clough a knob head somewhere but that's a small minority talking hot headed bollocks. I challenge anyone to find a single fan who doesn't want clough, McCabe and the fake shake and bake to succeed. I don't care if I end up eating humble pie over my own views so long as SUFC the club get promoted. I personally don't think changing managers is an option let alone an answer. But this doesn't mean you don't question the players and manager after a defeat.

 

[Davie Blade]

Well I think that investment only goes so far. It's certainly a boost to a club in our situation, but it's not a guaranteed league championship once we get the money rolling in. Maybe it'll take a while to build up. Man City are a good example of this. Look at the millions poured into that club. It still took them nigh on 5 seasons after getting the money to actually win anything.

The analogy with Man City fails on many fronts.
Wrong on the time and progress
In 4years they went from 10th to 5th to 3rd to 1st a period of continuing upwards improvement.
Compare and contrast that to us.
We've regressed every season from 3rd to 5th to 7th.
Taking out last seasons DW2 era of complete elite coaching muppetry, we've regressed AGAIN spectacularly this season. The current points per game total is abysmal. We are currently only 7th due to so many shit clubs condensing the table, if we were in D2 with 36 points we'd be 12th!
1.5 pts a game is not play off form

.

 

[sheffielder]

I think I saw a wise old chap on here say last that McNulty should not be above criticism. Well neither should Nigel, so someone tell him to buck his ideas up.

 

[bladesman3]

Ditto, I'm not anti Clough but he's not doing it for us. In an ideal world he would be our manager and we would be doing a Brizzle or Swindon, sadly we've got him but something's not right

You are so right...something is not right!

 

[JJ Sefton]

If someone had said at the start of the season that Sheffield United would be scrapping to scrape into the play offs I think almost all of us would have said "Well, that's pretty awful". But that's exactly what we're looking at.

 

[Silent Blade]

Should no one question him because that would be regarded as anti Clough. You home in on Judge for things he never actually said. I know him a little and he is as committed a blade as there is in his heart. .

I do agree that Clough should take some blame for the decisions he has made such as he needs to make more positive decisions at times but I am not like some in here who constantly criticise him on a regular basis.The shoutbox often isnt a pleasant place to be in during the away matches I am unable to go to when there are the usual suspects want to take it out on Clough whenever we are losing and the comments in this Forum such as "I wont be joining in the "wankfest" if we knock Spurs out of the League Cup" do take the biscuit...

What Clough is doing is a "work in progress". I am confident that we will strengthen the squad and will finish the season strongly

 

[Bladesway]

I do agree that Clough should take some blame for the decisions he has made such as he needs to make more positive decisions at times but I am not like some in here who constantly criticise him on a regular basis.The shoutbox often isnt a pleasant place to be in during the away matches I am unable to go to when there are the usual suspects want to take it out on Clough whenever we are losing and the comments in this Forum such as "I wont be joining in the "wankfest" if we knock Spurs out of the League Cup" do take the biscuit...

What Clough is doing is a "work in progress". I am confident that we will strengthen the squad and will finish the season strongly

Never been any different though has it Silent. I remember Porterfield getting pelters that I felt was undue back in the day. Doesn't mean those fans cared less than I do. The medium is different but the result the same.

FWIW I don't have the same faith you do. Not because of Clough however but the three stooges running affairs.

 

[Silent Blade]

I remember Porterfield getting pelters that I felt was undue back in the day. .

Oh yes I remember that too when he was luring too many players with generous contracts and turning our team into Dad's Army

 

[Bladesway]

Oh yes I remember that too when he was luring too many players with generous contracts and turning our team into Dad's Army

The minute he benched Edwards for being lazy was the beginning of his end.

 

[Silent Blade]

The minute he benched Edwards for being lazy was the beginning of his end.

Oh yes, I was critical of him for benching KE but I was a part-timer for the most of the 1980s mainly due to playing football and other interests

 

[metalblade]

What Clough is doing is a "work in progress". I am confident that we will strengthen the squad and will finish the season strongly

Just out of interest Silent Blade what exactly is your confidence based on ??? recent history (well you could say long term history) would suggest that just before February we will have sold our best player lost out on replacing him in the last few days of the JTW and the board and management will be muttering about when the loan market re-opens and lamenting the fact that some clubs just don't want to sell their better players but unlike us they have the balls to say no. What will Clough do in your opinion that will change him from the steady hand that just scrapes mid table finishes like he has for years at Derby? Not one league promotion on his managerial CV why will he suddenly change into a positive attack minded manager because thinking about it as much as I do it still has me beat what anyone can see to make them think in the present boardroom and management that we have any winners who will get us promoted.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Well I think that investment only goes so far. It's certainly a boost to a club in our situation, but it's not a guaranteed league championship once we get the money rolling in. Maybe it'll take a while to build up. Man City are a good example of this. Look at the millions poured into that club. It still took them nigh on 5 seasons after getting the money to actually win anything.

Didn't win today.

 

[Damski]

The analogy with Man City fails on many fronts.
Wrong on the time and progress
In 4years they went from 10th to 5th to 3rd to 1st a period of continuing upwards improvement.
Compare and contrast that to us.
We've regressed every season from 3rd to 5th to 7th.

Yes, that's my point. They only had success several years after investment. The 3 seasons of ours you've mentioned there are before we got the prince involved. So what you're saying isn't relevant. We've had the big money backing for like, 18 months. It'll take time to sink in, won't it? We're not gonna be Chelsea overnight, are we? It doesn't work like that.

Taking out last seasons DW2 era of complete elite coaching muppetry, we've regressed AGAIN spectacularly this season. The current points per game total is abysmal. We are currently only 7th due to so many shit clubs condensing the table, if we were in D2 with 36 points we'd be 12th!
1.5 pts a game is not play off form

.

This is something that you all seem to be latching onto, the "abysmal" standard of football, even though we have literally, just this weekend, even after weeks of what most of us can agree is poor form, we have only just dropped out of the top 6. So us, on shit form, are competitive for the play-offs in this league. That's a statistical fact. You're all so entitled because we were in the top flight 20 years ago. Well you know, we're not any more, are we. With the current squad matched with our recent form, this is a completely fair position for us to be in, and there are plenty of clubs way worse off than us.

What makes me fucking chuck is that if we'd have scraped a 1-0 win on yesterday, you'd all be going on about the genius of Clough's tactical display and McNulty's the best English striker since Lineker and how we're gonna follow the model set out by Southampton and win the Champion's League in 3 years and all war will be ended on earth and everyone can go and live in the Bahamas now because everything is right with the world and all our problems are dead and gone and we earn 5 grand an hour by drinking Gin and Tonic through a curly straw.

But we lost 1-0, so now because we're 7th the whole season is a write-off, apparently.

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Yes, that's my point. They only had success several years after investment. The 3 seasons of ours you've mentioned there are before we got the prince involved. So what you're saying isn't relevant. We've had the big money backing for like, 8 months. It'll take time to sink in, won't it? We're not gonna be Chelsea overnight, are we? It doesn't work like that.



This is something that you all seem to be latching onto, the "abysmal" standard of football, even though we have literally, just this weekend, even after weeks of what most of us can agree is poor form, we have only just dropped out of the top 6. So us, on shit form, are competitive for the play-offs in this league. That's a statistical fact. You're all so entitled because we were in the top flight 20 years ago. Well you know, we're not any more, are we. With the current squad matched with our recent form, this is a completely fair position for us to be in, and there are plenty of clubs way worse off than us.

What makes me fucking chuck is that if we'd have scraped a 1-0 win on yesterday, you'd all be going on about the genius of Clough's tactical display and McNulty's the best English striker since Lineker and how we're gonna follow the model set out by Southampton and win the Champion's League in 3 years and all war will be ended on earth and everyone can go and live in the Bahamas now because everything is right with the world and all our problems are dead and gone and we earn 5 grand an hour by drinking Gin and Tonic through a curly straw.

But we lost 1-0, so now because we're 7th the whole season is a write-off, apparently.

You mean 18 Months, how long will it take to sink in?

 

[Damski]

You mean 18 Months, how long will it take to sink in?

Yeah I spotted that typo after my mic drop and edited it. It'll take "a while" to sink in. Maybe we'll storm the league in the last half of this season. Maybe we'll still be here in 5 years. We'll just have to wait and watch, won't we.

 

[Silent Blade]

Just out of interest Silent Blade what exactly is your confidence based on ??? recent history (well you could say long term history) would suggest that just before February we will have sold our best player lost out on replacing him in the last few days of the JTW and the board and management will be muttering about when the loan market re-opens and lamenting the fact that some clubs just don't want to sell their better players but unlike us they have the balls to say no. What will Clough do in your opinion that will change him from the steady hand that just scrapes mid table finishes like he has for years at Derby? Not one league promotion on his managerial CV why will he suddenly change into a positive attack minded manager because thinking about it as much as I do it still has me beat what anyone can see to make them think in the present boardroom and management that we have any winners who will get us promoted.

Wait and see...

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Wait and see...

That why your called Silent?