CONFIRMED Nigel Adkins is announced as new Sheffield United Manager

[Blade82]

Thank Pele for that, mate! I agree with you, it has. The deeply disappointing thing is that so many of our fellow Blades would dearly like it to return! Most of them won't admit it, though - rather like voting for the Tories....

So you don't think anyone plays that way anymore?

 

[Pinchy]

I don't, I don't even believe it exists.

It's just that you're always amongst the first to challenge my advocacy of proper football. That's not a complaint, by the way! You have every right to express your view and I enjoy reading what you have to say.

 

[TonyAgana]

Do you enjoy watching the goalie repeatedly and monotonously punt the ball in the general direction of two giant but unskilled forwards

Steady on old boy, are you saying Bassett relied on unskilled forwards?

 

[Blade56]

Hold the front page Benitez is leaving Napoli

 

[Barney]

It's just that you're always amongst the first to challenge my advocacy of proper football. That's not a complaint, by the way! You have every right to express your view and I enjoy reading what you have to say.

Two questions..

(1) Would you say Sam Allardyce has been successful or not successful during his time at West Ham?
(2) What style of football was he playing?

I rest my case.

 

[Bladesman]

Hold the front page Benitez is leaving Napoli

Gotta be coming to Bramall Lane.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I wouldn't normally push my nose into the arguments of others, but as this seems to be a constant source of argument and disagreement across many football boards, I'm going to submit my two penn'orth here:

The teams that "win most often" are the teams that can adapt their style of play to that required at the time. The vast majority of teams which stick to a single approach to a game tend to be only moderately successful at best. Take Arsenal as an example, who for a number of years have been seemingly attempting to copy Barca, except with marginally less-talented players. In a decade they have won a single trophy, which for a team as big and with as much history as Arsenal is pretty much on a par with our own record of success. Barca play in a pretty one-dimensional way, not varying their game, and have had success with it, but look at the players they have to accomplish that. It *CAN* work if you have that level of exceptional talent, which very few do. That said - for the most part - I find them quite dull to watch. Arsenal too.

Now look at Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. These are all teams which vary their game and style according to the opposition they face. Real play the tippy-tappy tiki-taka stuff sometimes, but then break with pace and power. Bayern - now managed by the bloke how *INVENTED* the tiki-taka style - don't play that style consistently, only when necessary.

Success means changing what needs changing, when you need to change it, to ensure that your success continues.

-----

Now, on the Manager front, allow me to say this:

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PELE AND THE QUEEN PLEASE DON'T APPOINT PHIL PARKINSON!!

carthesis, all fair points mate, and I know that most of us would love to see a team capable of adjusting to whatever situations they were presented with and be capable of having the nous to deal with it. Who doesn't appreciate a great 40-yard pass that lands at the feet of the intended player? Then to see a series of short, swift passes exchanged and opening up a space that creates an opportunity? The key is to sign players capable of solving problems on the pitch, no matter what form they come in. Great levels of energy and technical ability are obvious qualities, as what's being discussed requires the ability to respond in a nano second. I think it's possible to achieve this, even at our level. Naturally it won't be as good as the teams you mention, but it would enable us to learn as we progress.

I happen to like Arsenal, but it's a very subjective taste thing, so no big deal.

 

[Pinchy]

So you don't think anyone plays that way anymore?

What, Bassett/Beck style route one in its most horrible, unadulterated form? No, not as bad as that. Just watch the recent Crazy Gang documentary and, if you love football, you'll cringe at the very sight of it. It's ghost lives on though, with unsophisticated, basic players and managers who care little for the beautiful game and deliver a functional, unsophisticated, direct "style" that might achieve a certain level of success but ultimately will fail when tested at higher levels. You can include the likes of Warnock, Allardyce, Grayson, Pulis and Hughes in that. I find it, whilst not pure hoof, the modern-day equivalent and deeply unattractive. It's football for the lesser-skilled, lowest common denominator manager and player. It fails to strive for excellence and is satisfied with mediocrity. I do...and I'm not....

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Tony Pulis's teams. Don't they generally play Hoofball with some "success"?

 

[Pinchy]

Steady on old boy, are you saying Bassett relied on unskilled forwards?

When Deano and your good self had departed, I'm afraid he did, mate.

Anyone for Jostein Flo and Alan Cork? Oh, and Paul Williams....

 

[Kenilworth]

I'm afraid I've explained this so often, without it ever sinking in, that I'm weary of it now. One more time, in simple words. It's all about winning. Which teams win most often? The best footballing teams. The best footballing teams win games, leagues and trophies. Not the ones who can kick it longest, hardest and highest. The best teams play pass and move football. They assuredly do not play "Hoofy football". ["Gerritintbox Iniesta tha' wanker"] Proper football is winning football. Wimbledon are extinct.

Only in S2......

I despair [again...]. I'm in a state of constant despair.....

Hey Pinch - I've taken to reading your posts whilst envisaging you walking, nay mincing, about as you dictate them to an eager, youthful (possibly sycophantic) follower. You, resplendent in some dandy, flowery outfit, waving a spotted hanky as you emphasise the key words of your learned prose, spoken in a rather exaggerated camp tone.

It makes them even more funny


Bwahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[Pinchy]

carthesis, all fair points mate, and I know that most of us would love to see a team capable of adjusting to whatever situations they were presented with and be capable of having the nous to deal with it. Who doesn't appreciate a great 40-yard pass that lands at the feet of the intended player? Then to see a series of short, swift passes exchanged and opening up a space that creates an opportunity? The key is to sign players capable of solving problems on the pitch, no matter what form they come in. Great levels of energy and technical ability are obvious qualities, as what's being discussed requires the ability to respond in a nano second. I think it's possible to achieve this, even at our level. Naturally it won't be as good as the teams you mention, but it would enable us to learn as we progress.

I happen to like Arsenal, but it's a very subjective taste thing, so no big deal.

Arsenal have played compellingly delightful football under Wenger. The Bergkamp/Henry/Vieira Invincibles were everything a football team should be and a model we should aspire to. We can't replicate it (not good enough) but we can nod in the right direction.

Proper football, delivered by athletes blessed with power and pace but also sublime talent. I'm afraid many of our fellow Blades forget the latter. The former is redundant without it, if you truly want to succeed.

 

[BushBlade]

The closest to hoof I have seen recently is Bradford. To appoint Parkinson would be the biggest mistake since appointing Robson, sorry I mean Blackwell, sorry I mean Adams, no hang on, Weir........

Seriously, fuck me. Why spend four years trying to develop possession based passing football, invest in around thirty players to achieve that, including allowing the most recent manager to spend millions in the last window, and then change tack completely? Is it really that difficult to find a manager who can just take our squad, add a couple, coach well, tweak the tactics to make us a bit more expansive?

It's Clough that has failed, not the philosophy of playing decent football. Every time there's a setback, the club turns a drama into a crisis by throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

 

[Barney]

Anybody know recent sky bet odds, page isn't loading for me.

 

[Pinchy]

Hey Pinch - I've taken to reading your posts whilst envisaging you walking, nay mincing, about as you dictate them to an eager, youthful (possibly sycophantic) follower. You, resplendent in some dandy, flowery outfit, waving a spotted hanky as you emphasise the key words of your learned prose, spoken in a rather exaggerated camp tone.

It makes them even more funny


Bwahahahahahahahahahaha

One of my middle names is Oscar, as it happens......

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

As "Big" Sam points to his tactics daubed in blood on the side of a cave 100 000 years ago.

 

[Blade56]

Oops used wrong thread

 

[Blade56]

Tony Pulis's teams. Don't they generally play Hoofball with some "success"?

He's different it's called high passing

 

[TonyAgana]

When Deano and your good self had departed, I'm afraid he did, mate.

Anyone for Jostein Flo and Alan Cork? Oh, and Paul Williams....

Two / three good (or bad!) examples, but I was always under the impression that Bassett preferred skill and pace over muscle (Adrian Littlejohn, Carl Veart, Andy Scott) - true, he never made another coup like Brian Deane! I always remember an interview Deano did for one of the season-review videos where he was very unhappy at being known as a target-man.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Hey Pinch - I've taken to reading your posts whilst envisaging you walking, nay mincing, about as you dictate them to an eager, youthful (possibly sycophantic) follower. You, resplendent in some dandy, flowery outfit, waving a spotted hanky as you emphasise the key words of your learned prose, spoken in a rather exaggerated camp tone.

It makes them even more funny


Bwahahahahahahahahahaha

Ken, I can add to the picture you're attempting to paint. Firstly, is the sartorial image you've described of Pinchy one that happens while you're awake or asleep? Your answer will open doors that help you and Pinchy. He's certainly articulate, but nothing like his persona on here. I've met him and found him entirely agreeable.

Maybe coming on here allows Pinchy to embrace a persona he'd otherwise ignore, but I try to remember that each of us who post here probably have an equally rounded take on life and what matters to us. As for his sense of style, I can testify that dark stockings, suspenders, and the deepest, richest rouge seemed to suit Pinchy in ways that most of us couldn't get away with. Apart from that, Pinchy is sound as a pound.

 

[Barney]

One of my middle names is Oscar, as it happens......

Sorry, what is meant by this? I fail to understand.

 

[I should coco]

Sorry, what is meant by this? I fail to understand.

His other middle name is FOXTROT

I'll get my coat......

 

[Bladesince59]

Anybody know recent sky bet odds, page isn't loading for me.

Adkins 4/7. Parkinson 3/1, Robinson 8/1

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Anyone for Jostein Flo and Alan Cork?

The same Jostein Flo that terrorised the defence of the cultured footballing team of Brazil as hoofball Norway beat them at France 98?

 

[Barney]

Adkins 4/7. Parkinson 3/1, Robinson 8/1

Thanks, still looking good for Adkins.

 

[gavtheblade]

The same Jostein Flo that terrorised the defence of the cultured footballing team of Brazil as hoofball Norway beat them at France 98?

Flo was good for us.
I rated him.

 

[Large Mendonca]

Hey Pinch - I've taken to reading your posts whilst envisaging you walking, nay mincing, about as you dictate them to an eager, youthful (possibly sycophantic) follower. You, resplendent in some dandy, flowery outfit, waving a spotted hanky as you emphasise the key words of your learned prose, spoken in a rather exaggerated camp tone.

It makes them even more funny


Bwahahahahahahahahahaha

No offence Pinchy, but that's brilliant Ken.

Have 10 likes

 

[Pinchy]

Ken, I can add to the picture you're attempting to paint. Firstly, is the sartorial image you've described of Pinchy one that happens while you're awake or asleep? Your answer will open doors that help you and Pinchy. He's certainly articulate, but nothing like his persona on here. I've met him and found him entirely agreeable.

Maybe coming on here allows Pinchy to embrace a persona he'd otherwise ignore, but I try to remember that each of us who post here probably have an equally rounded take on life and what matters to us. As for his sense of style, I can testify that dark stockings, suspenders, and the deepest, richest rouge seemed to suit Pinchy in ways that most of us couldn't get away with. Apart from that, Pinchy is sound as a pound.

We all have our dark side, mate...we just need to embrace it.

 

[Pinchy]

No offence Pinchy, but that's brilliant Ken.

Have 10 likes

Make that eleven, and I rarely take offence, certainly not with those who entertain me with wit and imagination. I like my prose like my football - expansive, expressive and daring....it's mind-numbing literary Hoof I can't abide...

 

[Blade82]

What, Bassett/Beck style route one in its most horrible, unadulterated form? No, not as bad as that. Just watch the recent Crazy Gang documentary and, if you love football, you'll cringe at the very sight of it. It's ghost lives on though, with unsophisticated, basic players and managers who care little for the beautiful game and deliver a functional, unsophisticated, direct "style" that might achieve a certain level of success but ultimately will fail when tested at higher levels. You can include the likes of Warnock, Allardyce, Grayson, Pulis and Hughes in that. I find it, whilst not pure hoof, the modern-day equivalent and deeply unattractive. It's football for the lesser-skilled, lowest common denominator manager and player. It fails to strive for excellence and is satisfied with mediocrity. I do...and I'm not....

Some of west hams play this season was attractive. Of course they had plan b in Carroll and Nolan but even Barcelona and arsenal get criticised for not having that. The way they won promotion to the premiership wasn't bad either, they passed teams off the park at times.

Warnock took qpr up in a similar fashion. Remember the two games against us that season? Totally outplayed us and looked classy at times with taraat and faurline (spellcheck needed) running the show.

Go and watch Stoke's highlights this season. If you think hughes is a hoof man then you are beyond help. Again had a plan b but not the be all and end all of their game.

The managers you like to slate are direct but are not hoofy. They are an easy target for lazy journos and fans though. They love to play attacking football built around getting 5-6 players in or around the opposition box. Fergie made a career out of that with Man Utd. Get the ball wide attack with pace and getting midfielders forward, helped win them plenty of trophies under him.