What needed to be done in the summer...a big clear out

[brownie4583]

When Clough was sacked and Adkins appointed we needed a big clear out and new players recruited during the summer.
This hasn't happened and we are now still in the same position of having a big squad of players,most who are not good enough!
Wiping the slate clean and giving existing players a chance has been a waste of time IMO as they were not good enough last season and are still not good enough now!
There are maybe 6 or 7 players who we should keep and the rest moved on and replaced by buying or loan signings,but this should have happened in the summer,a new broom sweeps clean!
It is a worry that we basically need a new back 4,a keeper and a good centre midfielder to realistically challenge for promotion.
Making McEv captain is ridiculous and Long is just not good enough by a long way.
We have 1 good defender,Brayford,who is out injured.
It is bloody frustrating because all the fans know where the problems lie defensively.
It is going to be difficult to ship out players,if anybody wants them,and recruit this amount of players before the transfer window shuts,very worrying!
Does anyone else share my concerns and frustration?

 

[Woodwardfan]

When Clough was sacked and Adkins appointed we needed a big clear out and new players recruited during the summer.
This hasn't happened and we are now still in the same position of having a big squad of players,most who are not good enough!
Wiping the slate clean and giving existing players a chance has been a waste of time IMO as they were not good enough last season and are still not good enough now!
There are maybe 6 or 7 players who we should keep and the rest moved on and replaced by buying or loan signings,but this should have happened in the summer,a new broom sweeps clean!
It is a worry that we basically need a new back 4,a keeper and a good centre midfielder to realistically challenge for promotion.
Making McEv captain is ridiculous and Long is just not good enough by a long way.
We have 1 good defender,Brayford,who is out injured.
It is bloody frustrating because all the fans know where the problems lie defensively.
It is going to be difficult to ship out players,if anybody wants them,and recruit this amount of players before the transfer window shuts,very worrying!
Does anyone else share my concerns and frustration?

1. The manager was appointed 68 days ago, that's not a sensible period to judge anything.
2. We have 45 games left.
3. Players have contracts.
4. We have numerous injuries including our two best players
5. The transfer window is way off and clubs are still doing business. Our targets are maybe down the chain of signings. Should we settle for inferior targets?

 

[brownie4583]

The transfer window closes in 22 days,3 weeks,which is not that far away really.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

1. The manager was appointed 68 days ago, that's not a sensible period to judge anything.
2. We have 45 games left.
3. Players have contracts.
4. We have numerous injuries including our two best players
5. The transfer window is way off and clubs are still doing business. Our targets are maybe down the chain of signings. Should we settle for inferior targets?

1 Who interviewed him and failed to demand action. pigs have brought in double figures and then we're told Stoke have on the commentary today. we've played at it.
2 Could be 145 points adrift
3 Do deals, Leeds and Sharp did.
4 Get rid of players like Wallace and Coutts who can't even get a pre season in - again
5 If we can't get a player now move on to the next, dragging our feet to 'get the right man' has already got history that it's bollocks that doesn't work.

 

[brownie4583]

This should have been done during pre season.
Coots,Wallace,Higdon etc etc should have been moved on and the defence strengthened.

 

[1973_Blade]

Life is so simple it's it!

 

[Woodwardfan]

1 Who interviewed him and failed to demand action. pigs have brought in double figures and then we're told Stoke have on the commentary today. we've played at it.
2 Could be 145 points adrift
3 Do deals, Leeds and Sharp did.
4 Get rid of players like Wallace and Coutts who can't even get a pre season in - again
5 If we can't get a player now move on to the next, dragging our feet to 'get the right man' has already got history that it's bollocks that doesn't work.

I feel as though you are just acting as a prompt as a friendly journalist would:

1. Action for action's sake?
2. 145 points, I presume you mean 1,4, 5 points adrift, frankly that is nothing in August.
3. Deals for deals sake? No thanks.
4. Explain how we get rid of players on cintracts who can;t get through a game. I think the pertinent question might be "why did we sign them", though I don't succumb to that view which has to be pertinent though.
5. Vague and guesswork for anybody not involved in the transactions. Results do matter though and second, third or fourth choices rarely fit in.

What more can I say, it's all so obvious?

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I feel as though you are just acting as a prompt as a friendly journalist would:

1. Action for action's sake?
2. 145 points, I presume you mean 1,4, 5 points adrift, frankly that is nothing in August.
3. Deals for deals sake? No thanks.
4. Explain how we get rid of players on cintracts who can;t get through a game. I think the pertinent question might be "why did we sign them", though I don't succumb to that view which has to be pertinent though.
5. Vague and guesswork for anybody not involved in the transactions. Results do matter though and second, third or fourth choices rarely fit in.

What more can I say, it's all so obvious?

We're in the third division because of historical fuck ups, we're still fucking up and have learnt nowt over the years.

You keep clapping and enjoy the ride.

 

[Hartley Hare]

It is not as easy as it seems.

I wager we are in for a number of targets, but clubs will not decide to let players go until replacements have been secured. I suspect it will all happen at the last moment as is the way.

The transfer window should close before the season starts.

HH

 

[pommpey]

When Clough was sacked and Adkins appointed we needed a big clear out and new players recruited during the summer.
This hasn't happened and we are now still in the same position of having a big squad of players,most who are not good enough!
Wiping the slate clean and giving existing players a chance has been a waste of time IMO as they were not good enough last season and are still not good enough now!
There are maybe 6 or 7 players who we should keep and the rest moved on and replaced by buying or loan signings,but this should have happened in the summer,a new broom sweeps clean!
It is a worry that we basically need a new back 4,a keeper and a good centre midfielder to realistically challenge for promotion.
Making McEv captain is ridiculous and Long is just not good enough by a long way.
We have 1 good defender,Brayford,who is out injured.
It is bloody frustrating because all the fans know where the problems lie defensively.
It is going to be difficult to ship out players,if anybody wants them,and recruit this amount of players before the transfer window shuts,very worrying!
Does anyone else share my concerns and frustration?

Mate - exactly.

Yet out there, amongst the blessed collective of Bladesman, there exists a cabal of people who, if fucking Bryan cunting Robson staggered through the staff door in Cherry Street tomorrow and presented his pissed-up self shaking hands with McCabe as the new team manager would still excitedly roll out the same deluded phrases and get all straight-out about 'the new season'. If Robson slurred, "Okay, bonny lads and lasses ... ahm telling yas nah that ahm wipin' the sleeyat dead cleeeyan pet and ahhl the pleyahs will be canny assessed laiake. Now, what times tha fukkin bar owerpen?" people would obediently follow the shiny coin, whilst McCabe laughed up his sleeve off camera.

I was hoping (daft cunt that I am) that the embarkation of Adkins would actually see an exodus of luggage from our books and we would see some heartening signings which really had us going, "Fucking hell! What a signing!" but when you look back, when was the last time you saw a player holding up a Blades shirt with the kop in the background and you actually felt that? Following on from that, when did a player actually sign for us and fucking burn a hole in our dismal pessimism to completely (and consistently) play like a Trojan for us? It's a long time ago, isn't it? And finally, if they did that, when did we retain their services for five or more seasons?

Go on - tell me ... any of you.

pommpey

 

[Woodwardfan]

We're in the third division because of historical fuck ups, we're still fucking up and have learnt nowt over the years.

You keep clapping and enjoy the ride.

Grumpy, I have been exactly the opposite of a "clapper" this past year but I do reckon I know when it's the right time to judge and when to support the manager in the meantime. June 2nd he was appointed.

 

[JohnDenver]

when did a player actually sign for us and fucking burn a hole in our dismal pessimism to completely (and consistently) play like a Trojan for us?

Matt Done is the nearest I can think of.

 

[alcoblade]

This should have been done during pre season.
Coots,Wallace,Higdon etc etc should have been moved on and the defence strengthened.

Press the "move on" button? Use harsh language to unsettle them? Do the deals on the X-Box?

UTB

 

[boo radley]

My garage is a right mess and no space for a new bike.

 

[Deleted member 875]

Adkins made his first mistake and it was a fucking monumental mistake when he said he would first look at the existing squad of players and give them a chance first.

It would have been bleeding obvious by looking at any number of the last few games of last season that the existing squad was not fit for purpose.

Therefore he went in to the first game with a non-league standard left-winger and left-back, a past it borderline Championship standard in his heydey left-back at centre half, partnered by a 30 something centre-half that has been here for the last 5 years and been a fundamental part of our inability to get out of this division, and then at right-back a full back who couldn't even get a game at Mansfield earlier on last season, and who makes Daryl Westlake look like Roberto Carlos.

 

[Grappler]

Adkins made his first mistake and it was a fucking monumental mistake when he said he would first look at the existing squad of players and give them a chance first.

It would have been bleeding obvious by looking at any number of the last few games of last season that the existing squad was not fit for purpose.

Therefore he went in to the first game with a non-league standard left-winger and left-back, a past it borderline Championship standard in his heydey left-back at centre half, partnered by a 30 something centre-half that has been here for the last 5 years and been a fundamental part of our inability to get out of this division, and then at right-back a full back who couldn't even get a game at Mansfield earlier on last season, and who makes Daryl Westlake look like Roberto Carlos.

Too late on a Sunday night for a big answer but, I agree, I expected Nigel Adkins to have gone into his final job interview having watched a load of videos of our games, so he could say with authority, "these are the problem areas, this is what is needed, these are the players", etc.

For Freeman, as I have said before, there is a good player in there somewhere, he played well last season, no blame on him when our two Centre Halves, one of whom is Captain, played like two wax work dummies.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

My garage is a right mess and no space for a new bike.

Get a skip, put some hard work in and then you might even be able to get a Focus in instead of some crummy bike?

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Too late on a Sunday night for a big answer but, I agree, I expected Nigel Adkins to have gone into his final job interview having watched a load of videos of our games, so he could say with authority, "these are the problem areas, this is what is needed, these are the players", etc.

For Freeman, as I have said before, there is a good player in there somewhere, he played well last season, no blame on him when our two Centre Halves, one of whom is Captain, played like two wax work dummies.

I expected Adkins to have gone into his second interview with the problems of last year still ringing in his ears and an action plan to put to the board that would start June 1st if his contract can be sorted quick enough.

As it happened the contract was delayed by 24 hours although the action plan seems to be only just starting to be put together based on Saturdays interview?

Is there a lot of blame to be laid at the board? We seem to be repeating Clough again?

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

It is not as easy as it seems.

HH

Seems to be for other clubs?

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/league-one/transfers/wettbewerb/GB3/saison_id/2015

255 players in, we manage 4.

 

[Rodley]

Mate - exactly.

Yet out there, amongst the blessed collective of Bladesman, there exists a cabal of people who, if fucking Bryan cunting Robson staggered through the staff door in Cherry Street tomorrow and presented his pissed-up self shaking hands with McCabe as the new team manager would still excitedly roll out the same deluded phrases and get all straight-out about 'the new season'. If Robson slurred, "Okay, bonny lads and lasses ... ahm telling yas nah that ahm wipin' the sleeyat dead cleeeyan pet and ahhl the pleyahs will be canny assessed laiake. Now, what times tha fukkin bar owerpen?" people would obediently follow the shiny coin, whilst McCabe laughed up his sleeve off camera.

I was hoping (daft cunt that I am) that the embarkation of Adkins would actually see an exodus of luggage from our books and we would see some heartening signings which really had us going, "Fucking hell! What a signing!" but when you look back, when was the last time you saw a player holding up a Blades shirt with the kop in the background and you actually felt that? Following on from that, when did a player actually sign for us and fucking burn a hole in our dismal pessimism to completely (and consistently) play like a Trojan for us? It's a long time ago, isn't it? And finally, if they did that, when did we retain their services for five or more seasons?

Go on - tell me ... any of you.

pommpey

So it's the fans fault?!

 

[Rodley]

Adkins made his first mistake and it was a fucking monumental mistake when he said he would first look at the existing squad of players and give them a chance first.

It would have been bleeding obvious by looking at any number of the last few games of last season that the existing squad was not fit for purpose.

Therefore he went in to the first game with a non-league standard left-winger and left-back, a past it borderline Championship standard in his heydey left-back at centre half, partnered by a 30 something centre-half that has been here for the last 5 years and been a fundamental part of our inability to get out of this division, and then at right-back a full back who couldn't even get a game at Mansfield earlier on last season, and who makes Daryl Westlake look like Roberto Carlos.

But we finished in the playoffs. That wouldn't suggest we need to jettison the whole squad. Didn't Adkins say on Saturday that he'd almost got a centre half over the line; presumably news on that before this Saturday.

 

[pommpey]

So it's the fans fault?!

Yes mate. Course it is

Lots of love

McCabe

 

[Hartley Hare]

Seems to be for other clubs?

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/league-one/transfers/wettbewerb/GB3/saison_id/2015

255 players in, we manage 4.

Looking down that list almost all of those transactions are free transfers. A situation where the selling club is happy for the player to move on and there are no financial consequences.

I would like to think that the calibre of player we are after will command a fee. If a player is under contract there is no obligation to sell which will almost certainly require some negotiations with club and then player.

It would be wrong for us to overpay just to speed up a process which will conclude one way or the other in the next few weeks.

I just hope we can convince better players to drop down to Div 1 and they are not put off by the persistent bad luck and misfortune which has dogged us for years.

HH

 

[boo radley]

Get a skip, put some hard work in and then you might even be able to get a Focus in instead of some crummy bike?

It has been the same for the last few years. I even sell some goods but then buy something to replace what I have sold with about the same quality. The new high quality Item is just a dream. Meanwhile I keep travelling up and down the street to Tesco on a bike that that the chain will come off every so oven and I feel I may as well have walked. When I get my pristine transport I will have no fear and ride on up to Waitrose.

 

[Slim Man]

Adkins made his first mistake and it was a fucking monumental mistake when he said he would first look at the existing squad of players and give them a chance first.

It would have been bleeding obvious by looking at any number of the last few games of last season that the existing squad was not fit for purpose.

Therefore he went in to the first game with a non-league standard left-winger and left-back, a past it borderline Championship standard in his heydey left-back at centre half, partnered by a 30 something centre-half that has been here for the last 5 years and been a fundamental part of our inability to get out of this division, and then at right-back a full back who couldn't even get a game at Mansfield earlier on last season, and who makes Daryl Westlake look like Roberto Carlos.

Bullshit.
Whats he meant to do? Clear out players with his eyes closed without even seeing them play himself?

As for trying to slag off Freeman, wow, just wow. He's more than capable, proved it last season. Got himself well up into the beards level.

 

[BushBlade]

Since relegation from the pl:

Robson - drunk. Failed at previous clubs, ended his most successful tenure stood forlornly on the touchline whilst Venables managed his team for him.

Blackwell - limited experience as a manager, no record of success.

Speed - rookie thrown in the deep end and given impossible brief; use the cloggers to play more attractive but still successful football with no preseason to get your ideas across or bring in your own players.

Adams - despite decent record of rescuing clubs from relegation battles, completely out of his depth trying to sort out the mess left by the above. Disaster.

Wilson - may as well have been the football head Tom Hanks talked to in Castaway. Difficult to find a more average manager. Sacked from his previous club for failing to do what we then employ him to do.

Morgan - why not give him a go? Makes perfect sense to put a rookie in charge at the most important part of the season. Genius.

Weir - obviously it's a good idea to get another rookie to oversee the rebuilding of a seriously depleted squad. What could go wrong?

Clough - known to be effective to an extent but really slow. I still think at a club with lower expectations he'll slowly improve them but he's the type you have to stick with. We didn't.

That's why we're fucked, that's why we've pissed money away.

 

[Bartleby]

Since relegation from the pl:

Robson - drunk. Failed at previous clubs, ended his most successful tenure stood forlornly on the touchline whilst Venables managed his team for him.

Blackwell - limited experience as a manager, no record of success.

Speed - rookie thrown in the deep end and given impossible brief; use the cloggers to play more attractive but still successful football with no preseason to get your ideas across or bring in your own players.

Adams - despite decent record of rescuing clubs from relegation battles, completely out of his depth trying to sort out the mess left by the above. Disaster.

Wilson - may as well have been the football head Tom Hanks talked to in Castaway. Difficult to find a more average manager. Sacked from his previous club for failing to do what we then employ him to do.

Morgan - why not give him a go? Makes perfect sense to put a rookie in charge at the most important part of the season. Genius.

Weir - obviously it's a good idea to get another rookie to oversee the rebuilding of a seriously depleted squad. What could go wrong?

Clough - known to be effective to an extent but really slow. I still think at a club with lower expectations he'll slowly improve them but he's the type you have to stick with. We didn't.

That's why we're fucked, that's why we've pissed money away.

quite a good summing up I'd say, though "effective to an extent" is a possibly a bit flattering to Clough IMHO

 

[Deleted member 875]

Bullshit.
Whats he meant to do? Clear out players with his eyes closed without even seeing them play himself?

As for trying to slag off Freeman, wow, just wow. He's more than capable, proved it last season. Got himself well up into the beards level.

Not bullshit sausage.

If you watched Freeman defensively you would see how often he gets caught out of position, and how many times he fails to make a tackle or a block.

Have a look at a lot of the goals we conceded last season, and if you watch closely enough you will be shocked with how many come from agree mans side, and how often he fails to get a tackle or a block in.

It is the likes of Freeman why we are firmly entrenched in this division.

 

[Worksop II]

It must be every managers dream in this division to have a huge squad

Adkins needs to get on and use it, every player, run the fuckers, in turn, into the ground to benefit SUFC, and the nice people on the Terraces

 

[Fiery Blade]

What does worry me is that Mr Adkins is pissing about picking players like Collins, McEveley, McFadzean, Keiron Wallace, Long who are clearly not up to the task !
We do seem to have a long injury list considering the season is just a week old so perhaps we do need a big squad !