I was one of those. My hand is firmly up, IIYB. I have yet to see any Game Changing Investment. We are in no better place than we were when he joined and McCabe made that ridiculous, empty statement. Yet many were clapping their hands and stamping their feet expecting it to be the beginning of the new era for Sheffield United.
Firstly, you've at least had the bollocks to comment. I read your posts as I do many other posters on here. You certainly don't take prisoners mate, but at least you're up for a reasoned discussion if one is presented. Sadly, although you've been man enough to step forward, it'll be interesting to see if others who were as cynical as yourself (nothing wrong with cynicism by the way) can argue in the same vein as yourself.
Mebbes. Maybe we don't have the business acumen and experience that some of the big-shots at the Lane has ... but it does not for one minute reduce our ability or right to ask pertinent questions and make our own judgement calls which are agreeable or not with other board members.
Do you know what? I don't really care if other posters are clued-up financially, just as I don't give a toss if someone's use of english is that good. What matters is the intent that supports a post. That's the only thing that counts, because without passion what else is there, especially for a football club who are meant to be ambitious? So I'm agreeing, let a thousand flowers bloom. All I'd ask is that when criticism is forthcoming it attempts to consider the bigger picture, just not a poster's personal gripe.
So ... here's my question. Why not once? I ask this, because yes, we were greatly relieved he (is supposed to have) paid off Weir and his crew to relieve us of imminent descent into div two. But here's the cracker. Given Clough did squirt Cold Start into the cylinders of a spluttering club and we made the semis of the FA Cup and almost confounded the greatest cynics by making the playoffs, are we to believe that the impetus for continuing that level of success was in the same vein as you imply 'the board' served Clough and the supporters with the likes of Coutts and Higdon? Yup, Clough signed them. We still kinda don't know how much for, mind.
Unfortunately, I don't speak on behalf of the Prince or his mates. With hindsight, last season was very much a mixed bag, and as the season wore on it became something of a wrecking ball as far as our ability to match those above us. We simply weren't good enough, there, I've said it, and I was one of those who wanted Clough to do well. Fundamental errors were made and I hope Adkins can correct them ASAP! If you employ a manager the theory is that you employ a 'specialist'. Now, we all know that some 'specialists' aren't worth the paper their resume's are written on, but a board has to do it's best to support it's manager and not to make life difficult for him. By all means ask questions of the manager, but first and foremost the board should show support, it's what we, the fans, expect and demand. So blame Clough for those players you don't rate. NC asked for them and he got the support he expected.
Optimism is excellent, if the reality and possibilities exist to uphold it. Given our squad is shot full of talent-holes and will need some outstanding reinforcement to even make the play-offs again under any manager, I'd say the Prince had better get ready to get his bank card out again. We need a consistent goalkeeper (maybe two), some pretty solid central defenders, at least two injury-free playmaking midfielders and my favourite ... the golden 20+ per season striker. That is the only way we will be promoted and stay promoted.
Hopefully those holes you refer to will be addressed by Adkins. If not we'll struggle again.
Ask me this when come March 2016 we are six points clear with a chasing pack who look like they are running out of steam (like us in recent years) and we have a superior goal difference. I don't give one fat fuck about any of the cups, so McCabe's brief to Adkins should be to blood the benchers and youngsters in on the three competitions and get the first team squad, current players like Murphy, Basham, Done and Brayford plus their augmentees playing like a feared, Championship outfit and not like we have seen in the past thirty six months. I will show great respect for the board and indeed the Prince if that happens and we look like Southampton of five years ago and carry out the resurgence us fans truly deserve.
Agree about a cup, be it the FA or egg. There's one priority, promotion. As for your last comment, I pray that we'll come close to reaching standards that mean we impose ourselves on those in this poxy division and are regarded as the team to beat. I'm sure you and I will chat well before March next year, then we can see just how well everything has panned out.
I understand your comments IIYB and respect your point of view, but we have suffered enough. We have (yet again) a manager in place some fans believe can enable us to get out of div one but he isn't the playing staff. He needs the tools to do the job and the board are responsible for that.
Yes, we've lacked the nous, pure and simple. I could go round and round about what if this, or maybe that....but here we are, another season in a division I loathe. Let's see if the board do their part, then it'll be down to the manager, and most importantly, the players, to bring promotion to SUFC.
pommpey
Good to hear though.
