From The Secret Footballer

[Blade for Sale]

And what he has to say about West Ham, is just about perfectly applicable to us in this league in my opinion:

"Every manager I've had, indeed every manager that my friends have ever had, will say the same thing on rocking up to play West Ham at the Boleyn Ground: West Ham's fans will win us this match. We just have to keep them quiet for 15 minutes'. And it's true-almost the second that the big hand has aligned with the hour hand at quarter past three, West Ham's fans start groaning."

I'm betting there's not a manager in this division that doesn't say something similar to his players when they come to BDTBL.

 

[MBoreman]

Bang on. Fans just do themselves over. They want the team to win, yet behave in a way which lessens the chances of that happening. Take the Southend game for example; despite a poor half we'd come back from 2 down, should have been roared off and encouraged to go for the win. Nope, more boos.

 

[Kenilworth]

What breaks the cycle then?

Getting 100% of 20,000 fans not recognising lack of effort or how shit something is and getting frustrated at a set of underperforming Walters or getting a group of hard working professionals to compete at the same level as the opposition so that their superior ability will prevail?

One is like herding cats

The other is herding Twats

It's a dilemma.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Bang on. Fans just do themselves over. They want the team to win, yet behave in a way which lessens the chances of that happening. Take the Southend game for example; despite a poor half we'd come back from 2 down, should have been roared off and encouraged to go for the win. Nope, more boos.

Exactly. A defining moment of the season for me.

The players cared enough to get us back in that match. Some of the fans didn't. I back those players over those fans every time.

UTMB

 

[ziggy4001]

The players didn't care when they set out onto the pitch against Southend though did they? They all looked like they wanted to just turn up and win by default. Happened too many times at home this season.

 

[UnitedBlade]

What breaks the cycle then?

Getting 100% of 20,000 fans not recognising lack of effort or how shit something is and getting frustrated at a set of underperforming Walters or getting a group of hard working professionals to compete at the same level as the opposition so that their superior ability will prevail?

One is like herding cats

The other is herding Twats

It's a dilemma.

Generally scoring the first goal. Until the Shrewsbury game, we'd won every game when we scored first I think.

I want aggressive, fast attacking football but I'm not convinced we have the set up in midfield to do this.

Although tightening up at the back obviously prevents going behind.

There's still a long way to go and it won't help with Coventry turning up on an unbeaten run of 11 games after a week off.

So, my advice to the lads is go all out for the first goal and we'll get behind you.

 

[blade too long]

its the easiest moan in the world
they dont care
you dont have to prove a thing
just take something thats gone wrong and blame lack of interest
its bone idle moaning of the lowest form

thats todays problem
not enough fans bright enough to do constructive criticism
its all facebook style jeremy kyle sensationalism
they dont care,, how the fuck can you tell , for certain

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

The players didn't care when they set out onto the pitch against Southend though did they? They all looked like they wanted to just turn up and win by default. Happened too many times at home this season.

But somehow at 2 down they decided to switch on?

Couldn't disagree more. This line about the players not caring is just plain wrong.

Another great example was Swindon second leg of the play-offs. 5-1 down. Some fans moaning, players get on with it and nearly turn it around in an amazing game of football.

Neutral comments at the time focused on the incredible spirit of the team.

The players clearly care more than some of the fans. I back those players, and the club, over those fans every time.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

its the easiest moan in the world
they dont care
you dont have to prove a thing
just take something thats gone wrong and blame lack of interest
its bone idle moaning of the lowest form

thats todays problem
not enough fans bright enough to do constructive criticism
its all facebook style jeremy kyle sensationalism
they dont care,, how the fuck can you tell , for certain

The easiest moan in the world. Spot on.

 

[Bladepicker]

And what he has to say about West Ham, is just about perfectly applicable to us in this league in my opinion:

"Every manager I've had, indeed every manager that my friends have ever had, will say the same thing on rocking up to play West Ham at the Boleyn Ground: West Ham's fans will win us this match. We just have to keep them quiet for 15 minutes'. And it's true-almost the second that the big hand has aligned with the hour hand at quarter past three, West Ham's fans start groaning."

I'm betting there's not a manager in this division that doesn't say something similar to his players when they come to BDTBL.

Conversely Upton Park like Bramall Lane can be one of the most intimidating places for opposition teams to play when the home side is on top.

Rough with the smooth. I guess it is why some players suceed at smaller clubs but freeze like a rabbit in the headlights when they play for us. We need players with bollocks like David Bowie in Labyrinth.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Exactly. A defining moment of the season for me.

The players cared enough to get us back in that match. Some of the fans didn't. I back those players over those fans every time.

UTMB

The only consistancy and positive which comes out of BDTBL these days are the fans . We have the pleasure of seeing players and management continue to perform second rate.

The good thing about being a blade is the fantastic support , not the players , manager or results . Us fans have a common goal , and its about time the football club matched us .

WHF- fans are fans and forever - lay off.

UTB.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

The only consistancy and positive which comes out of BDTBL these days are the fans . We have the pleasure of seeing players and management continue to perform second rate.

The good thing about being a blade is the fantastic support , not the players , manager or results . Us fans have a common goal , and its about time the football club matched us .

WHF- fans are fans and forever - lay off.

UTB.

To me that's a platitude.

When I see players, staff, tea-ladies, ball-boys - one did a great job time wasting yesterday - all pulling together those are the ones with who I feel common cause.

Booing, jeering, abuse etc seems to me like self-serving dummy-spitting nonsense and if it works at all works against the interests of the team.

 

[judge]

And what he has to say about West Ham, is just about perfectly applicable to us in this league in my opinion:

"Every manager I've had, indeed every manager that my friends have ever had, will say the same thing on rocking up to play West Ham at the Boleyn Ground: West Ham's fans will win us this match. We just have to keep them quiet for 15 minutes'. And it's true-almost the second that the big hand has aligned with the hour hand at quarter past three, West Ham's fans start groaning."

I'm betting there's not a manager in this division that doesn't say something similar to his players when they come to BDTBL.

Its true i temember alex ferguson ( arguably the greatest ever manager) saying exactly that after we had spanked them one night
Cant remember which time ,happened a few times

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

Here we go again, its shameful when he blame gets put on the fans.

 

[derryblade]

Exactly. A defining moment of the season for me.

The players cared enough to get us back in that match. Some of the fans didn't. I back those players over those fans every time.

UTMB

A defining moment? two points out of nine from the following league games, a battering at home by the mighty Shrews, I'd say it was confirmation that we have a poor squad of players and a manager struggling to find a solution.

 

[bladesmanluke]

If you don't give 100% you will not get the support of the Bramall Lane crowd it's very simple

 

[alcoblade]

It's the fans fault again.

Not only did I freeze my tits off paying to watch these overpaid bunch of talentless tosspots, it's my fault they're shite.

For the umpteenth time, the fans turn when the players confirm, for the 257th time, that they are not fit to wear the shirt. It happens in that order.

UTB

 

[judge]

its the easiest moan in the world
they dont care
you dont have to prove a thing
just take something thats gone wrong and blame lack of interest
its bone idle moaning of the lowest form

thats todays problem
not enough fans bright enough to do constructive criticism
its all facebook style jeremy kyle sensationalism
they dont care,, how the fuck can you tell , for certain

Is it ?
So people like kevin gage are thick not very bright sensationalists ?

Its funny because that is exactly the description i would give every single one of your posts on here while kevin comes accross as a knowledgable and articulate professional pundit /expert


And to answer your stupid question people who have watched football all their lives and care about sheffield united can tell quite clearly when someone is trying or not
Youre obviously too busy thinking up obscure comparisons between us and europes elite clubs to notice

 

[PeteBlade]

But somehow at 2 down they decided to switch on?

Couldn't disagree more. This line about the players not caring is just plain wrong.

Another great example was Swindon second leg of the play-offs. 5-1 down. Some fans moaning, players get on with it and nearly turn it around in an amazing game of football.

Neutral comments at the time focused on the incredible spirit of the team.

The players clearly care more than some of the fans. I back those players, and the club, over those fans every time.

No, I'm sorry but you can't have it both ways.

You can't use coming back from 2-0/5-1 down as an example of the players caring and showing bottle but then completely ignore/disregard how we got there in the first place.

Of course you won't get this reply, as you've put me on ignore, as you have others that aren't deluded.

 

[Blade for Sale]

Some great comments on here, and unfortunately I can't get David Bowie's spandex wrapped lunchbox out of my mind. I suppose what I was getting at is that this pretty much settles the debate that the mood of the home crowd can and usually does have a major impact on the outcome of the match, unless you thing TSF is mistaken, and for me he seems so knowledgeable about everything else for him to be wrong on this. I don't knock the fans for booing a perceived lack of effort, but in so doing, that you give the opposition a lift is pretty much undeniable.

 

[raul]

Is it ?
So people like kevin gage are thick not very bright sensationalists ?

Its funny because that is exactly the description i would give every single one of your posts on here while kevin comes accross as a knowledgable and articulate professional pundit /expert


And to answer your stupid question people who have watched football all their lives and care about sheffield united can tell quite clearly when someone is trying or not
Youre obviously too busy thinking up obscure comparisons between us and europes elite clubs to notice

Shhhhh, I'm Bayern Munich away from a full house.......

 

[Claude Makelele]

Can't believe fans are having blame aimed at them. We're getting 19,000 in our 5th season in League 1, who cares if people are booing or complaining on social media? We all pay the same prices for our tickets, booing is no worse than clapping them off after another toothless performance.

The blame lies at the feet of the players, management and ownership structure, not the fans. They're the last ones who deserve any stick or blame.

 

[BeatleBlade]

Can't believe fans are having blame aimed at them. We're getting 19,000 in our 5th season in League 1, who cares if people are booing or complaining on social media? We all pay the same prices for our tickets, booing is no worse than clapping them off after another toothless performance.

The blame lies at the feet of the players, management and ownership structure, not the fans. They're the last ones who deserve any stick or blame.

That's not the point. It's great that we get such numbers but when the fans get on the players backs after about 15 minutes it is counterproductive. I can understand the frustration but 15 minutes in is far too early and is counterproductive as TSR has been saying.

 

[alcoblade]

That's not the point. It's great that we get such numbers but when the fans get on the players backs after about 15 minutes it is counterproductive. I can understand the frustration but 15 minutes in is far too early and is counterproductive as TSR has been saying.

I can honestly say I can't remember the fans getting on the players backs this season, before any capitulation. True, it's like a morgue - that's to be expected as another dull and unproductive season unfolds. But I really don't get this suggestion about the fans creating a nasty atmosphere.

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

I've come to the conclusion that the problem some of our fans have is the middle ground..

Currently we are doing shit, performances from players and manager alike are below par, the board have made some big errors - to be frank they all deserve the criticism, and the fans are well within their rights to demand more. Especially when we are getting crowds of 20K.

When things are going well, our team puts in effort, plays with passion, creates chances, entertain the fans with quick, direct attacking football the fans and kop will be fantastic and can be that mythical "12th man", we saw it under Warnock numerous times. Our fans were amazing.

Now where I personally feel our fans let the club down is the middle of the two. When results are okay, but things are just not going perfectly, maybe performances are off, or it's taking a while to instill a style of play, of if the style of play isn't that pretty i.e. Under Clough, Blackwell, some seasons under Warnock, Wilsons second season, some of Kendall's reign for that matter. This is when some of our fans don't have the patience or football knowledge to realize that results take president over performance or that there is a bigger picture involved. This is when some of our fans switch to calling for the manager out or abusing the players when they need to be more supportive. That's when they let the club down. I remember the derby in 2008 when the pigs won at the lane. The atmosphere was shocking that day, fans were more interested in abusing Blackwell than supporting the team against our hated rivals.

At the moment, given that the club are now at their worst run in history (longest period out of the top two divisions), and given that the men who run the club haven't learned from mistakes, then I think the fans reaction is justified. Fans have just had enough. especially when the sacking of clough was supposed to result in progress.

Our support can be brilliant if the club just got moving in the right direction with a positive style of play - whether that be direct or possession based.

 

[BeatleBlade]

I can honestly say I can't remember the fans getting on the players backs this season, before any capitulation. True, it's like a morgue - that's to be expected as another dull and unproductive season unfolds. But I really don't get this suggestion about the fans creating a nasty atmosphere.

I thought people complained about booing? At the games I could make I remember it being quiet but we won those.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

We need players with bollocks like David Bowie in Labyrinth.

 

[s35blade]

And what he has to say about West Ham, is just about perfectly applicable to us in this league in my opinion:

"Every manager I've had, indeed every manager that my friends have ever had, will say the same thing on rocking up to play West Ham at the Boleyn Ground: West Ham's fans will win us this match. We just have to keep them quiet for 15 minutes'. And it's true-almost the second that the big hand has aligned with the hour hand at quarter past three, West Ham's fans start groaning."

I'm betting there's not a manager in this division that doesn't say something similar to his players when they come to BDTBL.

Yup, have a look at this:

 

[alcoblade]

I thought people complained about booing? At the games I could make I remember it being quiet but we won those.

It keeps getting repeated and now many are just accepting it as fact.

There is booing, but generally after the likes of Colchester have demonstrated their superiority and stuffed us.

The idea that the players aren't performing because of the crowd is just nonsense. They aren't performing because they are fucking rubbish.

UTB

 

[BeatleBlade]

It keeps getting repeated and now many are just accepting it as fact.

There is booing, but generally after the likes of Colchester have demonstrated their superiority and stuffed us.

The idea that the players aren't performing because of the crowd is just nonsense. They aren't performing because they are fucking rubbish.

UTB

I guess so.
Also, I've had a think about the TSF quote. If what he says is actually true West Ham would have a shocking home record and their wins would all come from early goals which I don't think is the case.