Just back….

[Jonboy60]

We was totally and utterly shit yesterday. We looked weaker than MK Dons in every department, and they didn't play well either. We looked slow and ponderous, showed no attacking threat or intent, until the last 5-10 minutes but by that point the game it was a case of too little, too late. The only player who really looked like creating something for us was Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

At the minute we need a couple of new players in there, and need some height, power and pace in the side, as we are quite clearly missing all 3 of those attributes, and that is pretty much why we are a soft touch in the league especially away from home.

That's JCR dropped for next match then.

 

[metalblade]

Strange how year upon year since Colin was manager we have finished lower in the table and this season looks like keeping that trend going.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Only use this site from work so it's a rare occasion for me to be working/viewing on a Sunday. Is it always like this?

Fuck me, thirteen months ago we were languishing in the relegation zone of this division, now we're falling apart because we don't look like we're going to finish top two 18 months on. Was that ever going to happen?

Even seen a thread wanting Neil Warnock to come back and "rescue" us from Clough. Sweet Jesus and the orphans.
When everyone's favourite tractor driver took the reigns in 1999 we were in a similar precarious position. He steadied the ship and we survived and then he led us to promotion SIX (note the capitals), yes six, years later. Before this promotion he took us to 2 semi finals (I know the cups are shit and all that but . . . . ) and a play-off final.
By the end of this "write off" season we WILL have replicated the semis (Yadda yadda useless cups yadda) and possibly BOTH the play off final and promotion.

What did we learn from giving Warnock the time to do the job? Sweet fuck all judging by some of the stuff on here today.
Some of the football we played in that now "golden period" was mind numbingly tedious and there was plenty of derision and vitriol aimed at the manager/club/players BUT we followed it through and the patience was eventually rewarded.
Perhaps we are not where we want to be (although I have/will never join in the continuous "shit division" mantra) but surely we are just beginning the journey not at the end of it.

Would we be this close to meltdown if we had won a handful of games in the back half of last season and survived by half a dozen points or scraped through to survival on the last day? Sadly the run of last season was built on sand (two top loanees and a soon to depart CB) and has given us a false sense of entitlement toward this season.

Write off? Fuck off!

Absolutely anyone could have taken over after Weir and improved things. In fact we could have sacked Weir and played without a manager and we would still have finished top half with the players we had.

There were signs of Clough being too negative last season - but it didn't matter because we rose up the table on the back of several narrow wins and lots of clean sheets.

The cup runs apart this season has been unacceptable. Poor signings, ultra negative style and ludicrous team selections.

In the summer we were crying out for more pace and power - and of course a decent striker. But, unbelievably, none of that was addressed. Instead Clough brought in lots of squad fillers - many of them simply not good enough. We have ended up with a team lacking pace, power and strength. We have no goal threat, are a soft touch and too easily bullied.

Clough approaches every game in the same way - worrying about the opposition, hoping to keep it tight and to nick it 1-0. For Sheffield United to play this way in L1 is a disgrace. And 8 league defeats already and a shocking goals scored record proves beyond any doubt that it doesn't work. It's absolutely shite to watch too. The only positive intent we have seen is when we go behind and Clough has no option but to ditch his usual appalling approach.

Our hopeless tight fisted and unambitious owners don't help matters but we should still be doing better than we are given we are in L1.

As for all this crap about unrealistic expectations, we are 7th in L1 ffs - closer to the relegation places in points terms than we are to automatic promotion. How can anyone see that as anything but unacceptable?

But apart from that, I think it's going well.......

 

[Guesty]

Strange how year upon year since Colin was manager we have finished lower in the table and this season looks like keeping that trend going.

Indeed, since Warnock left, we have finished lower than the previous season every season, with the exception of Blackwell's first full season in charge.

 

[alcoblade]

Only use this site from work so it's a rare occasion for me to be working/viewing on a Sunday. Is it always like this?

Fuck me, thirteen months ago we were languishing in the relegation zone of this division, now we're falling apart because we don't look like we're going to finish top two 18 months on. Was that ever going to happen?

Even seen a thread wanting Neil Warnock to come back and "rescue" us from Clough. Sweet Jesus and the orphans.
When everyone's favourite tractor driver took the reigns in 1999 we were in a similar precarious position. He steadied the ship and we survived and then he led us to promotion SIX (note the capitals), yes six, years later. Before this promotion he took us to 2 semi finals (I know the cups are shit and all that but . . . . ) and a play-off final.
By the end of this "write off" season we WILL have replicated the semis (Yadda yadda useless cups yadda) and possibly BOTH the play off final and promotion.

What did we learn from giving Warnock the time to do the job? Sweet fuck all judging by some of the stuff on here today.
Some of the football we played in that now "golden period" was mind numbingly tedious and there was plenty of derision and vitriol aimed at the manager/club/players BUT we followed it through and the patience was eventually rewarded.
Perhaps we are not where we want to be (although I have/will never join in the continuous "shit division" mantra) but surely we are just beginning the journey not at the end of it.

Would we be this close to meltdown if we had won a handful of games in the back half of last season and survived by half a dozen points or scraped through to survival on the last day? Sadly the run of last season was built on sand (two top loanees and a soon to depart CB) and has given us a false sense of entitlement toward this season.

Write off? Fuck off!

Whilst suggestions of sacking Clough now are unfair and daft, you've drawn too much from comparisons with the Warnock era.

Warnock took over a club with half the support and resources it has now. He got us promoted above our station to the premier league, and the club was totally transformed.

The current anguish, some of it OTT, comes because we are in our worst phase In over 125 years of existence, with enormous support, debt free and "apparent" backing from a Saudi prince.

We should expect to escape our current plight. We could not say that under Warnock.

UTB

 

[Darthblade]

The same tactics took us on an amazing run last season. We've just lost our edge.

Bradford, Maguire and Coady have gone out, and we've signed some good players and some promising players, but none who can do the jobs these three did to the same standard.

I think it's that simple.

We haven't lost our "edge" we've lost the element of surprise ! We've been found our and the rest of the League realise that we can simply be bullied off the ball and referees at this level will NOT give a foul.

Our players, formation and tactics are not suitable for this agricultural division ...... our current league position demonstrates and evidences this.
UTB & FTP

 

[Jonboy60]

We haven't lost our "edge" we've lost the element of surprise ! We've been found our and the rest of the League realise that we can simply be bullied off the ball and referees at this level will NOT give a foul.

Our players, formation and tactics are not suitable for this agricultural division ...... our current league position demonstrates and evidences this.
UTB & FTP

Get rid of clough then, bring him back when wer'e in the premier.

 

[JohnDenver]

We haven't lost our "edge" we've lost the element of surprise ! We've been found our and the rest of the League realise that we can simply be bullied off the ball and referees at this level will NOT give a foul.

Our players, formation and tactics are not suitable for this agricultural division ...... our current league position demonstrates and evidenc

The power of Maguire, the athleticism of Brayford and running of Coady were our edge.

 

[alcoblade]

Indeed, since Warnock left, we have finished lower than the previous season every season, with the exception of Blackwell's first full season in charge.

Fuck winning matches and league positions, I don't think you're putting enough emphasis on the "change in ethos" we've enjoyed!



UTB

 

[alcoblade]

The power of Maguire, the athleticism of Brayford and running of Coady were our edge.

Does it matter though? We're just not good enough, and both the manager and board are at fault.

UTB

 

[JohnDenver]

Does it matter though? We're just not good enough, and both the manager and board are at fault.

UTB

Well, yes, because it suggests to me we're not a million miles away from getting back to where we were so the case for wholesale change isn't strong.

It's yet another disappointment, but unless the cheque book suddenly opens, there are no short term fixes. I'd sooner Clough slowly builds a squad with the necessary quality than we get another manager and expect alchemy.

 

[alcoblade]

Well, yes, because it suggests to me we're not a million miles away from getting back to where we were so the case for wholesale change isn't strong.

It's yet another disappointment, but unless the cheque book suddenly opens, there are no short term fixes. I'd sooner Clough slowly builds a squad with the necessary quality than we get another manager and expect alchemy.

As long as you accept that "not far away" involved to loss of about £6,000,000 worth of talent.

In today's terms, you could equally argue that's "miles away".

UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Well, yes, because it suggests to me we're not a million miles away from getting back to where we were so the case for wholesale change isn't strong.

It's yet another disappointment, but unless the cheque book suddenly opens, there are no short term fixes. I'd sooner Clough slowly builds a squad with the necessary quality than we get another manager and expect alchemy.

Sensible, reasoned answer - trouble is ,your reasoned solution is not enough for a certain noisy set on here.
Do they have a point - yes, but as usual they want to spend others peoples money and offer nothing other than more noise.

There isn't another solution and the intransigence and intolerance on here is just mind boggling at times - hence the "warning" on another thread from the admin team.

UTB

 

[JohnDenver]

As long as you accept that "not far away" involved to loss of about £6,000,000 worth of talent.

In today's terms, you could equally argue that's "miles away".

UTB

Perhaps, but from what I see on the pitch it's still just three top Div1 players we need. If we can't spend your notional amount of money, then all the more reason to allow time to develop or find them.

Much as I'd like us to spend the money and get it sorted yesterday, it's getting ever more unlikely.

 

[alcoblade]

Sensible, reasoned answer - trouble is ,your reasoned solution is not enough for a certain noisy set on here.
Do they have a point - yes, but as usual they want to spend others peoples money and offer nothing other than more noise.

There isn't another solution and the intransigence and intolerance on here is just mind boggling at times - hence the "warning" on another thread from the admin team.

UTB

Sorry fella, but your need to put groups into boxes does the debate no good at all.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Perhaps, but from what I see on the pitch it's still just three top Div1 players we need. If we can't spend your notional amount of money, then all the more reason to allow time to develop or find them.

Much as I'd like us to spend the money and get it sorted yesterday, it's getting ever more unlikely.

What about attacking teams from the off and not boring us senseless for half the match? The stats suggest this approach would have had us as automatic contenders.

Unfortunately, his current approach seems to confirm his long term, steady as you go track record. I was concerned about that before his initial appointment, and this is not some knee jerk over reaction from me.

UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Sorry fella, but your need to put groups into boxes does the debate no good at all.

UTB

it's all about opinions - you have yours, other have theirs. Just agreeing with a poster and then my aim was to challenge the boundaries - thanks for biting - it is what was expected.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

it's all about opinions - you have yours, other have theirs. Just agreeing with a poster and then my aim was to challenge the boundaries - thanks for biting - it is what was expected.

UTB

I haven't bitten. I like the debate. I just find the clapper versus slasher approach incredibly lazy, from people who want to then say "there's no point in debating". Make your point, disagree, agree, or don't bother at all.

UTB

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I've seen nothing in the Chumpionship games I've seen this season to suggest we couldn't be competitive, even with what we have now, the trouble is we're in League 1 and not capable of beating the likes of Oldham, Fleetwood, Port Vale etc. The longer we stay in this division the worse it will get as any decent player we have will be picked off, we won't be able to compete with higher placed clubs when it comes to attracting players and we're back to square one again.

NC has built a decent young squad which could definitely compete higher up with a few additions but that's no good when we are where we are. I just think he has to sacrifice his main principles a bit, stop worrying about clean sheets and get us out of this division. Of course it's not as simple as that but he should have learnt from the last few months and not keep bemoaning our luck and saying we're not far off.

 

[JohnDenver]

What about attacking teams from the off and not boring us senseless for half the match? The stats suggest this approach would have had us as automatic contenders.

Unfortunately, his current approach seems to confirm his long term, steady as you go track record. I was concerned about that before his initial appointment, and this is not some knee jerk over reaction from me.

UTB

That's a valid concern, yup.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I haven't bitten. I like the debate. I just find the clapper versus slasher approach inceedibly lazy.

and some of us find the constant moaning AFTER a loss equally tedious. The record gets stuck with some people.

As for grouping people - no need to, they already are, just pointing out a sad fact.

The forum has been interesting since 4.55 pm yesterday - same old rhetoric from the same old Blades warriors.

Please note: interesting.......not boring, but it does show the usual grouping. As for saying I can't group and it doesn't help the debate - that is YOUR opinion, are you trying to define that other can't have an opinion? It sounds like you are.

UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Unfortunately, his current approach seems to confirm his long term, steady as you go track record. I was concerned about that before his initial appointment, and this is not some knee jerk over reaction from me.

UTB

You are of course, correct - this is what Clough is all about.

You either put up with it or you don't - if you don't then you and others may still be moaning this time next season (aka: Derby fans)

You and many others can say " lets have another manager" etc....it will probably gets us no where and may even make things worse.

Clough is Clough, he has faults, so does McCabe, so do I and probably you too.

It will serve no purpose to change what Clough is doing - sure we are all disappointed (the bookies did us a great dis-service making us favourites for promotion) - we, unfortunately have to soldier on.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

and some of us find the constant moaning AFTER a loss equally tedious. The record gets stuck with some people.

As for grouping people - no need to, they already are, just pointing out a sad fact.

The forum has been interesting since 4.55 pm yesterday - same old rhetoric from the same old Blades warriors.

Please note: interesting.......not boring, but it does show the usual grouping. As for saying I can't group and it doesn't help the debate - that is YOUR opinion, are you trying to define that other can't have an opinion? It sounds like you are.

UTB

I'm challenging opinion on here, not saying there's no point because you're in one box and I'm in another. It's entirely consistant with allowing opposing views.

If you trace my history (I don't expect you to by the way ) you'd find that I've always tried to challenge people who've set their view, either positively or negatively.

I think I give the club the benefit of the doubt in most cases, but if you view our current positiion objectively it's really hard not to consider it unaccepatble, the football far too cautious, and the board somehow squandering it's strong financial position down an inexplicable black hole.

I don't think it's a measure of being of a fixed view to arive at that conclusion.

UTB

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

You are of course, correct - this is what Clough is all about.

You either put up with it or you don't - if you don't then you and others may still be moaning this time next season (aka: Derby fans)

You and many others can say " lets have another manager" etc....it will probably gets us no where and may even make things worse.

Clough is Clough, he has faults, so does McCabe, so do I and probably you too.

It will serve no purpose to change what Clough is doing - sure we are all disappointed (the bookies did us a great dis-service making us favourites for promotion) - we, unfortunately have to soldier on.

UTB

We are a business ( entertainment business) and soldering on is not acceptable , with changes usually made at both management and board level , if success is not achieved.

This will not happen to Mr Clough , the board , but to the players , if we do not get promotion this season.

This is not the time for any knee jerk reactions , but SUFC have been mediocre at best in League 1 . Yes we still have a great chance of the playoffs and ultimate promotion , but if not achieved , this season will to go down by all associated with the blades as a massive failure.

The league table will not lie at the end of the season and Mr Clough , will be judged on the performance of the team and ultimate league placing.

Yes we all have faults , but we are not managing SUFC , Mr Clough is.

The root cause is that either Mr Clough isn't a good manager , or the board are not allowing him to spend money on the right kind /calibre of players . It could be a bit of both.

In saying all that , we have to stick not twist , or we will be in the shit bid time , with finishing up with a journeyman manager , Phil Brown type or a rookie .

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

You are of course, correct - this is what Clough is all about.

You either put up with it or you don't - if you don't then you and others may still be moaning this time next season (aka: Derby fans)

You and many others can say " lets have another manager" etc....it will probably gets us no where and may even make things worse.

Clough is Clough, he has faults, so does McCabe, so do I and probably you too.

It will serve no purpose to change what Clough is doing - sure we are all disappointed (the bookies did us a great dis-service making us favourites for promotion) - we, unfortunately have to soldier on.

UTB

I'm not calling for his head. It would be another year for me, after which we should be commanding this division, or looking elsewhere. If we'd attracted a manager with a proven track record I could have been more patient. There's almost zero historical evidence ( I made this point when we appointed him) that sticking with Clough will lead to success. The only case for the defence is that forever sacking managers is also not the answer.

UTB

 

[finlaytheblade]

Only use this site from work so it's a rare occasion for me to be working/viewing on a Sunday. Is it always like this?

Fuck me, thirteen months ago we were languishing in the relegation zone of this division, now we're falling apart because we don't look like we're going to finish top two 18 months on. Was that ever going to happen?

Even seen a thread wanting Neil Warnock to come back and "rescue" us from Clough. Sweet Jesus and the orphans.
When everyone's favourite tractor driver took the reigns in 1999 we were in a similar precarious position. He steadied the ship and we survived and then he led us to promotion SIX (note the capitals), yes six, years later. Before this promotion he took us to 2 semi finals (I know the cups are shit and all that but . . . . ) and a play-off final.
By the end of this "write off" season we WILL have replicated the semis (Yadda yadda useless cups yadda) and possibly BOTH the play off final and promotion.

What did we learn from giving Warnock the time to do the job? Sweet fuck all judging by some of the stuff on here today.
Some of the football we played in that now "golden period" was mind numbingly tedious and there was plenty of derision and vitriol aimed at the manager/club/players BUT we followed it through and the patience was eventually rewarded.
Perhaps we are not where we want to be (although I have/will never join in the continuous "shit division" mantra) but surely we are just beginning the journey not at the end of it.

Would we be this close to meltdown if we had won a handful of games in the back half of last season and survived by half a dozen points or scraped through to survival on the last day? Sadly the run of last season was built on sand (two top loanees and a soon to depart CB) and has given us a false sense of entitlement toward this season.

Write off? Fuck off!

you cant win grecian with some negative blades fans its the way they are you me and most blades can see the progress we are making maybe slower than we had hoped but clough is building for the future as well as for now lets see where we are come may before we write this season off .It is possible we could have been in a cup final by then and whether we get promotion (play offs) that in its self will be progress we havnt been in a final since 1936 we lost that one but lets have a go anyway.COME ON YOU RED AND WHITE WIZARDS!!!!!

 

[ghandi]

We are a business ( entertainment business) and soldering on is not acceptable , with changes usually made at both management and board level , if success is not achieved.

This will not happen to Mr Clough , the board , but to the players , if we do not get promotion this season.

This is not the time for any knee jerk reactions , but SUFC have been mediocre at best in League 1 . Yes we still have a great chance of the playoffs and ultimate promotion , but if not achieved , this season will to go down by all associated with the blades as a massive failure.

The league table will not lie at the end of the season and Mr Clough , will be judged on the performance of the team and ultimate league placing.

Yes we all have faults , but we are not managing SUFC , Mr Clough is.

The root cause is that either Mr Clough isn't a good manager , or the board are not allowing him to spend money on the right kind /calibre of players . It could be a bit of both.

In saying all that , we have to stick not twist , or we will be in the shit bid time , with finishing up with a journeyman manager , Phil Brown type or a rookie .

UTB

So why the fuck doesn't he try some different tactics for 4 or 5 games. Give the players some freedom and attack and entertain. You never know we might win and win big but if we don't we can go back to boring the bollox off all us of to save us from a relegation scrap.

BTW - the £200 for charity is lamost in tha bag. Paddy Power paid out on Chelski winning the Prem when they were 10 points clear a few weeks ago not 18.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Hey just look around the rest of the division and you see clubs being linked with and signing all manner of players. We put an offensively small bid in for a scottish player, someone bigger gets alerted to this and we lost the player in part because we don't do business properly.

SUFC 2015 is the same as 2014, 2013 and beyond, its hell bent on not spending money. Sorry but we are at a point where if we don't just put hard cash on the table we won't get the players we need to even get in the play offs, let alone get promoted. Clough takes some responsibility as do the players, but the biggest share of the blame is with McCabe, the fake Shake and bake along with his American spin doctor.

You would think if we had any intent on doing business it would be done by now in some small part. O'Grady, no way, Brayford, no way, anyone else? I bet we end up with loan droppings off the table, its a fucking disgrace and some fans still want to give the board the benefit of any doubt? Let me ask you one question.

When was the last time we had a good transfer window? Managers have changed but one man still stays the same at the top of the tree. Why is that then?

Won't bring in a striker but righting off £34M is a fair old slab of investment?

 

[Bladesway]

Won't bring in a striker

And that's the bit that matters to me.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

But apart from that, I think it's going well.......

You have a pie at half time don't you?