PR for next season

[PeteBlade]

Whatever the rights or wrongs were of this transfer window (it was wrong) and whether or not we were lied too/misled (we were), I'm sure no one can deny that the club have scored a HUGE PR own goal this month and have got a job on to win their own supporters back on side.

But how do you think they'll play this over the summer?

Will they continue with the line of 'squad re-sizing' and it taking several transfer windows to sort out and risk losing a few thousand off the gate?

They can hardly push the 'true blade' line seen as they've given up on the season and effectively thrown the towel in themselves.

Do we employ someone at the Lane to handle PR?

I've never known so many long term Blades talking about not bothering.

Most clubs down size after relegation, but not many teams put their fans through it twice!

I hope Jim doesn't try and blunder his way through it like his rather embarrassing social media updates.

It's a tough task to try and win round a fan base after losing them as this board have done.

It will be interesting to see how they play it having witnessed the anger their inaction has caused up to now.

 

[Rodley]

Whatever the rights or wrongs were of this transfer window (it was wrong) and whether or not we were lied too/misled (we were), I'm sure no one can deny that the club have scored a HUGE PR own goal this month and have got a job on to win their own supporters back on side.

But how do you think they'll play this over the summer?

Will they continue with the line of 'squad re-sizing' and it taking several transfer windows to sort out and risk losing a few thousand off the gate?

They can hardly push the 'true blade' line seen as they've given up on the season and effectively thrown the towel in themselves.

Do we employ someone at the Lane to handle PR?

I've never known so many long term Blades talking about not bothering.

Most clubs down size after relegation, but not many teams put their fans through it twice!

I hope Jim doesn't try and blunder his way through it like his rather embarrassing social media updates.

It's a tough task to try and win round a fan base after losing them as this board have done.

It will be interesting to see how they play it having witnessed the anger their inaction has caused up to now.

I think attendances will drop down to the 18,000 mark. A fair proportion of the people telling me they aren't going to bother, stopped bothering 2 or 3 seasons ago anyway.

 

[sitwell]

We have these posting every season and the crowds go up.

 

[Rodley]

We have these posting every season and the crowds go up.

The ones that post it have stopped going Sitters.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

For me it is less about PR and more about having a Board willing and able to put in the investment and commitment needed to get us out of L1 and pushing for the Premier League anytime soon.

The fans have done their bit by turning up in incredible numbers despite many shocking performances and defeats. The Board seem unwilling or unable to do their bit. If they can't or won't I would rather they put all their effort into finding buyers who will. If the pigs can find big investment given the mess they were in, there should be no reason why we can't.

 

[Rodley]

For me it is less about PR and more about having a Board willing and able to put in the investment and commitment needed to get us out of L1 and pushing for the Premier League anytime soon.

The fans have done their bit by turning up in incredible numbers despite many shocking performances and defeats. The Board seem unwilling or unable to do their bit. If they can't or won't I would rather they put all their effort into finding buyers who will. If the pigs can find big investment given the mess they were in, there should be no reason why we can't.

How much investment have Burton and Walsall had? It's not necessarily about spending huge sums of money, it's getting the recruitment right with the correct players. We've chucked lots of money at a huge number of mediocre players.

 

[derryblade]

The attendances have been tremendous that goes without saying. The last two seasons the fans thought, and rightly so, we were on the way back. I certainly came out of Wembley even after losing to Hull that given the right signings we would gain promotion, in reality it was a disaster. Cue this season, new manager, great CV optimism rose again as yet he hasn't delivered, we can blame the board but NA has to take a good chunk of the hit and miss season. There is still time for him to turn it around 18 games to play says it is possible. If he doesn't I'm not sure where the optimism will come from.

 

[Roygbiv]

The crowds have been nonsensical really. I just can't see it carrying on any longer though unless we scrape promotion. I have no idea who, outside of those who will buy season tickets no matter what, will be enticed to buy one next time out without some serious incentives in terms of pricing.

Many will have had enough and I don't see any who were undecided taking the plunge to buy one after this season. I imagine a fair few bought last season on the basis of Adkins coming in. In fact at the start of every season since we came down there has been something to suggest that things may be different but I just don't know what will make those who don't usually buy one change their mind

 

[BushBlade]

How much investment have Burton and Walsall had? It's not necessarily about spending huge sums of money, it's getting the recruitment right with the correct players. We've chucked lots of money at a huge number of mediocre players.

Or perhaps we spent a lot of money on players to suit a certain style of play who were loyal to the manager who signed them and then soon after sacked the manager because we were scared his dull style of play might impact on future ticket sales? Then brought in a replacement with the brief that we wanted exciting open football.
And perhaps the new manager naively believed he could use the players we'd recently signed in a more attacking system and brought in a striker who likes to play in a 442 thinking it would be the icing on the cake.
Maybe he then realised the cake wasn't what he'd been told it was and can only function in a defensive minded 451 and by then it was too late, he'd made his key signing and was committed to 442.

 

[sitwell]

I think we have a mindset of being hard done to and the worst it gets we like a good moan about it. Compared to Lower Barnsley we are definitely the glass empty club and the crapper things are seems to attract more of us. Div 4 crowds were huge as are crowds even when we look like yet another glorious failure. Its in our DNA. UTB

 

[Barney]

We always say the crowds are going to get less and less every year. And guess what, they don't. Season after season there's always some piss weak excuse as to why we should all renew. Next season it'll be that "we're rebuilding and going for it" and "this is the season". This season it was "we have a new manager, everyone renew we'll go straight up" and "this is the season", season before it was "if we can go from bottom to 7th last season, we'll go up this" and "this is the season", season before that was "new manager, he's been at Everton, we'll go straight up" and "this is the season". Well, guess what, fucking bollocks to it next season. I'll wait for the signings and the action I want to see before I jump in with both clumsy feet.

 

[mosbolad]

We always say the crowds are going to get less and less every year. And guess what, they don't. Season after season there's always some piss weak excuse as to why we should all renew. Next season it'll be that "we're rebuilding and going for it" and "this is the season". This season it was "we have a new manager, everyone renew we'll go straight up" and "this is the season", season before it was "if we can go from bottom to 7th last season, we'll go up this" and "this is the season", season before that was "new manager, he's been at Everton, we'll go straight up" and "this is the season". Well, guess what, fucking bollocks to it next season.

A very cynical view Barney....... Crowds have remained around the 18 to 20,000 mark. Given the wisdom you espouse I am somewhat surprised that you have been taken in by the reasons for renewing you outline?

Maybe people like me simply enjoy going to watch our team on a Saturday, meeting up with mates having a pint and all that goes with it.

Of course you can 'fucking bollocks to it next season' just as you have done this season, but I will be going and no doubt I won't be stood on my own.

 

[sitwell]

A very cynical view Barney....... Crowds have remained around the 18 to 20,000 mark. Given the wisdom you espouse I am somewhat surprised that you have been taken in by the reasons for renewing you outline?

Maybe people like me simply enjoy going to watch our team on a Saturday, meeting up with mates having a pint and all that goes with it.

Of course you can 'fucking bollocks to it next season' just as you have done this season, but I will be going and no doubt I won't be stood on my own.

There will at least 18 k real Blades stood with you.

 

[S5Blade]

Maybe people like me simply enjoy going to watch our team on a Saturday, meeting up with mates having a pint and all that goes with it.

This for me. I will follow us regardless of what league we are, I meet up with mates, have a few pints, watch a game of footy, then a few more pints.

 

[S1blade]

For starters, they'll make a huge song and dance about the return of red and white stripe kits.

"Ee, that'd be grand, Mr. McCabe. Thank you! Thank you, sir! Here's £45."

Then they'll freeze prices and hope enough of us blink and fill the coffers yet again.

 

[Barney]

There will at least 18 k real Blades stood with you.

Bigger blade alert.

 

[IOM Blade]

Robinho is a free agent. Just sayin.

 

[Blade56]

Renew and we guarantee to let you down again.

 

[sitwell]

Bigger blade alert.

Nerve touched ?

 

[bornablade]

I think this summer the club will play some re-runs of the Desso Pitch movie. We'll all get sentimental, miss the old place and there'll be over 20,000 there at BDTBL when we open up next season against York.

 

[Tezza1889]

Firstly on the transfer window dealings, I have a foot in both camps, I get it that we need to slim the squad down and agree with that, I understand that we don't want the wrong type of player and didn't want to panic buy, chasing Dan burn who's 22 ( I think ) and getting better every game is very good but looking less likely as time goes on, he's doing really well at Fulham by the sounds of it and unless Adkins knows something others don't, I can't see him leaving for what's surely going to be a league one club again next season..

Now attendances, I'm a supporter who doesn't have a season ticket and likes to sit in different areas of the ground, been to a lot of home games and a few aways this season but not every week, I go when the mood takes me or when I get the use of a free ticket, or even when the missus is off doing her thing but for the last couple of seasons mainly cause it's a great dad/son quality time together, one of the rare things we have in common..

However I'm not going Saturday, I'm just not up for it, this is made worse by the fact that I'll be in town at one and going back to town at six to pick our gert back up (from the tattoo parlour of all places) , so I have five hours to kill in town and I'm choosing to not go, my son doesn't want to go, but that could be his age, he's a teenager now with ten years blades watching under his belt and would rather stop in his room all day, he's thirteen, and not up for a Saturday at the football with his dad, so that's half my motivation gone straight away.. Thirteen and you don't want a day at the footy with your dad because it's boring, that's tragic isn't it.

On the money side It costs me roughly £65/70 for the day when I go, 2 tickets, food, petrol, car parking pre match pint "etc" and I'm not motivated to pay it to watch what's being served up at the minute, I was wanting a new player or two to lift the gloom for myself and the long suffering blades fans, a little hope that the board can see what we can see and have the same desire to put things right, something to lift the crowd, energise our players even kickstart the season again.

But because it's not happened I know what I'll be seeing on the pitch this Saturday and hearing from the stands should we turn in another turgid hopefull performance, I'm not fussed about putting myself through that and it's not because I'm a fair weather fan who only wants to see a winning team, far from it, I'm just not bothered about parting with the cash for the same old hit and miss indifferent performances we've seen over the last three seasons ( truth be told ) i will possibly go and buy a nice new polo shirt instead with my hard earned, and nip in and spend time with my elderly parents this Saturday afternoon, the old fella will have the radio on... That'll do for me this Saturday...

I'll go again, just not got the motivation this week.. Might miss a cracker as well, you just don't know which United are going to turn up do you..

 

[Tezza1889]

Or perhaps we spent a lot of money on players to suit a certain style of play who were loyal to the manager who signed them and then soon after sacked the manager because we were scared his dull style of play might impact on future ticket sales? Then brought in a replacement with the brief that we wanted exciting open football.
And perhaps the new manager naively believed he could use the players we'd recently signed in a more attacking system and brought in a striker who likes to play in a 442 thinking it would be the icing on the cake.
Maybe he then realised the cake wasn't what he'd been told it was and can only function in a defensive minded 451 and by then it was too late, he'd made his key signing and was committed to 442.

If you're a footballer and you can't play in a 4/4/2 maybe you need to think about doing something else..

 

[west_yorks_blade]

I think crowds have held up because there has always been something to play for. Be it promotion, relegation, playoffs, cups. United provide amazing ups and downs. And that folks is entertainment.

I will keep going regardless but I have to say that for the first time in a long time, the blades roller coaster looks like providing a very bland ride with little prospect of going up for many years.

Of course we may end up involved in 'exciting' relegation battles ...

 

[finlaytheblade]

A very cynical view Barney....... Crowds have remained around the 18 to 20,000 mark. Given the wisdom you espouse I am somewhat surprised that you have been taken in by the reasons for renewing you outline?

Maybe people like me simply enjoy going to watch our team on a Saturday, meeting up with mates having a pint and all that goes with it.

Of course you can 'fucking bollocks to it next season' just as you have done this season, but I will be going and no doubt I won't be stood on my own.

Wasting your time mosbolad just ignore him in the end he will go away no blade should talk with that kind of abuse.At least he doasnt go to the lane anymore a lot better place without him.

 

[Jan Age]

They will find someway of ensuring ticket sales maintain; something along the lines of a DOF with a big name or a free agent signing to entice the crowd.

This will then be followed up with the sale of a key player just before the window shuts - letting the fans down once again.

The PR will once again be led by Jim with his unique style of communication leaving several interpretations so that he can never be accused of lying.

Our actual owners will continue to be absent at all times rather than carrying out any serious work with the club. Their absence also meaning the fans can't identify who to vent their frustration at.

This will lead to Adkins becoming the focal point for any demonstrations by the fans rather than uniting against the board.

By October we will be 10 points off the top 2 with ready made excuses about why. By Christmsa we will be in another crisis.

BUT I will still be there supporting our club.

I really really really hope I'm proven wrong about the above.

 

[super_pig]

The crowds have been nonsensical really.

agreed but everyone loves a good car crash don't they?
oh and we are 'right sizing'.. please keep up lads

 

[PeteBlade]

There has to be a tipping point at some point. I reckon 5 years in this league, coupled with the nonsense this JTW could be it.

Should we enter the summer and be as inactive as we've been in January (despite us clearly needing people) I really can't see they're being the same enthusiasm come season ticket deadline time.

It's ok trotting out the 'true blades' nonsense but seriously, are 18-20k people up for another mid table league one campaign?

 

[Grappler]

Firstly on the transfer window dealings, I have a foot in both camps, I get it that we need to slim the squad down and agree with that, I understand that we don't want the wrong type of player and didn't want to panic buy, chasing Dan burn who's 22 ( I think ) and getting better every game is very good but looking less likely as time goes on, he's doing really well at Fulham by the sounds of it and unless Adkins knows something others don't, I can't see him leaving for what's surely going to be a league one club again next season..

Now attendances, I'm a supporter who doesn't have a season ticket and likes to sit in different areas of the ground, been to a lot of home games and a few aways this season but not every week, I go when the mood takes me or when I get the use of a free ticket, or even when the missus is off doing her thing but for the last couple of seasons mainly cause it's a great dad/son quality time together, one of the rare things we have in common..

However I'm not going Saturday, I'm just not up for it, this is made worse by the fact that I'll be in town at one and going back to town at six to pick our gert back up (from the tattoo parlour of all places) , so I have five hours to kill in town and I'm choosing to not go, my son doesn't want to go, but that could be his age, he's a teenager now with ten years blades watching under his belt and would rather stop in his room all day, he's thirteen, and not up for a Saturday at the football with his dad, so that's half my motivation gone straight away.. Thirteen and you don't want a day at the footy with your dad because it's boring, that's tragic isn't it.

On the money side It costs me roughly £65/70 for the day when I go, 2 tickets, food, petrol, car parking pre match pint "etc" and I'm not motivated to pay it to watch what's being served up at the minute, I was wanting a new player or two to lift the gloom for myself and the long suffering blades fans, a little hope that the board can see what we can see and have the same desire to put things right, something to lift the crowd, energise our players even kickstart the season again.

But because it's not happened I know what I'll be seeing on the pitch this Saturday and hearing from the stands should we turn in another turgid hopefull performance, I'm not fussed about putting myself through that and it's not because I'm a fair weather fan who only wants to see a winning team, far from it, I'm just not bothered about parting with the cash for the same old hit and miss indifferent performances we've seen over the last three seasons ( truth be told ) i will possibly go and buy a nice new polo shirt instead with my hard earned, and nip in and spend time with my elderly parents this Saturday afternoon, the old fella will have the radio on... That'll do for me this Saturday...

I'll go again, just not got the motivation this week.. Might miss a cracker as well, you just don't know which United are going to turn up do you..

"...But because it's not happened I know what I'll be seeing on the pitch this Saturday and hearing from the stands should we turn in another turgid hopefull performance, I'm not fussed about putting myself through that and it's not because I'm a fair weather fan who only wants to see a winning team, far from it, I'm just not bothered about parting with the cash for the same old hit and miss indifferent performances we've seen over the last three seasons ( truth be told ) i will possibly go and buy a nice new polo shirt instead with my hard earned, and nip in and spend time with my elderly parents this Saturday afternoon, the old fella will have the radio on... That'll do for me this Saturday........"

Sounds like a good idea for a song!

If only some local lads could come up with a catchy pop song using that title and give it away for free on the internet.............

 

[BushBlade]

If you're a footballer and you can't play in a 4/4/2 maybe you need to think about doing something else..

Tell that to Scougall etc. I'm far too old to play now.

 

[metalblade]

So much apathy around the club at the moment I think a fair few go to the lane out of habit, it is what we do. It's alright certain posters playing the bigger Blade card or wheeling the old line out of it was worse when we dropped into division four but for God sake that was over 35years back. We have two generations of Unitedites who have never seen it worse if it was worse back then. At least under Brearley he made a statement and spent a shit load of cash to make sure we were only down for the one season, with this lot who are in charge today there is little to look forward to or to lift the gloom other than more of the same shite for at least 2 more years. If the fans have no hope what is the point, does anyone seriously think these clowns masquerading as football club owners are really going to grasp the nettle and sort themselves out let alone a dying football club ?