Let's face the sad truth of it.

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

He has got them promoted from League 2. He also took them to a cup final, from the 4th tier, in the same season.

He did those things on a basic salary of 40 grand, plus a bonus for league position. A lot cheaper than our managers.

Agree . Parkinson was all but here even with his bag packed and framed picture of his mrs ready to sit at his desk in the managers office . Never mind what anyone says we are not in unison behind the scenes with out of joint owners , McCabe and Prince . Parkinson and Bradford chairman were left in the lurch and embarrassed with SUFC business acumen , and McCabe did do a U turn , in the management proceedings .

I still think they cannot agree moving forward on the right manager . Is Adkins in for the long term or is he waiting for his compensation money or will it be Parkinson close season , if Bradford don't make it .

Whichever it's come at the right time for a player contract clear out . I think both McCabe and Prince would get out of the Lane if they could , but are both stuck in a unhappy marriages.

Trust McCabe more than the Prince , but the bloke ain't getting any younger and perhaps sick of the no win no win situation.

The true ring of all this , is automatic promotion next season could be a long long way off .

UTB

 

[west_yorks_blade]

Thanks Woodwardfan ,only passing on a conversation I had with someone well connected ,unfortunately some just want to cause arguments and decry anything you post ,makes you wonder why you fucking bother.

I don't agree with that at all.

 

[sitwell]

I have no idea about Parkinson so I've not commented on him.

This well connected bloke has told you a load of bollocks, for example, Cleverly didn't join Villa so there was no fee, let alone seven million.

Pointing out facts isn't wanting to argue btw. It's pointing out facts, all of them in the public domain with thirty seconds research.

hey guess what Ive done 30 seconds research ,maybe you shouldtry 60 seconds next time.
http://talksport.com/football/exclu...nces-claims-bradford-co-chairman-150125133748

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co...._bad_financial_news_over_Cleverley_loan_move/

 

[Sean Thornton]

hey guess what Ive done 30 seconds research ,maybe you shouldtry 60 seconds next time.
http://talksport.com/football/exclu...nces-claims-bradford-co-chairman-150125133748

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co...._bad_financial_news_over_Cleverley_loan_move/

As I said, he didn't go to Villa so the seven million claim is bs and therefore why would Man United split any saving with them?

Never said Bradford didn't lose out because of a free transfer. Your links prove nothing about what you posted. Your post mentioned him being sold to Villa for seven million . Which never happened. Yet Villa get £125k off Man United who didn't get a fee for Cleverly? Really?

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

If it's a choice between trusting Adkins with a long-term project here, or Parkinson, then I'm firmly in the Adkins camp. Exciting, attacking football played the right way or 80s-style hoofball? No brainer, as far as I'm concerned.

Not that we've seen much sign of successful implementation of Adkins's ethos under year 1 of his masterplan. But, I'd imagine the same could have been said of Parkinson after his first year at Bradford.

And not that doubts don't remain about Adkins. But, again, I'd think the doubts would've been there now, but magnified many times, if Parkinson had have been given the keys last summer.

So, thanks Prince. ...or Kev. Or whoever it was.

#anyonebutparkinson

 

[Darthblade]

£15 million.

So we are told by the propaganda department .........
We are also told by the same dept. that "when a higher division Club comes in for one of your players you have no choice but to sell " .......

UTB & FTP

 

[Woodwardfan]

Thanks Woodwardfan ,only passing on a conversation I had with someone well connected ,unfortunately some just want to cause arguments and decry anything you post ,makes you wonder why you fucking bother.

I really could not agree more.

 

[Sean Thornton]

If it's a choice between trusting Adkins with a long-term project here, or Parkinson, then I'm firmly in the Adkins camp. Exciting, attacking football played the right way or 80s-style hoofball? No brainer, as far as I'm concerned.

Not that we've seen much sign of successful implementation of Adkins's ethos under year 1 of his masterplan. But, I'd imagine the same could have been said of Parkinson after his first year at Bradford.

And not that doubts don't remain about Adkins. But, again, I'd think the doubts would've been there now, but magnified many times, if Parkinson had have been given the keys last summer.

So, thanks Prince. ...or Kev. Or whoever it was.

#anyonebutparkinson

Or Jim!

 

[sitwell]

As I said, he didn't go to Villa so the seven million claim is bs and therefore why would Man United split any saving with them?

Never said Bradford didn't lose out because of a free transfer. Your links prove nothing about what you posted. Your post mentioned him being sold to Villa for seven million . Which never happened. Yet Villa get £125k off Man United who didn't get a fee for Cleverly? Really?

So you think loan moves go ahead with no fee ? ?
Just read the stuff.
I get lucky and have a chat with one of the top agents in football who passes on some titbits which I then in turn post on the forum only for him to be questioned by someone who decides to google everything he said to be a smartarse ,really ??
Then he is proved right and you argue over something I claimed and need to prove ,get a fucking life. Im really not that bothered.
As I said through a friend Jason Atherton I have a good chance of meeting guys like this every now and then ,I certainly wont pass anything on again ,not worth it ,stick to ringtones.

 

[northsomersetblade]

If Parkinson had come here, he would be a broken shell of a man by now.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

It seems likely we will have a squad roughly like this

1. Long
2. Brayford
3. McEveley
4. Edgar
5.
6. Basham
7. Flynn
8. Coutts
9. Adams
10. Sharp
11. Done
12. Wallace
13.
14. Whiteman
15. Reed
16. Calvert- Lewin
17. Woolford
18. Kelly
19. Brooks


I think the No 5 needs to be a quality centre half to replace the departing Baptiste

we'll possibly sing another keeper, or keep Howard or promote one of Ramsdale/Eastwood etc.

I think we then need to add a couple of players of quality. Ideally, a good target man, left winger/ wing back and a box to box midfielder like Coady. Realistically, if we could get 2 of those 3 players of good enough quality on top of the quality centre half, we'd give ourselves a chance.

 

[Sean Thornton]

So you think loan moves go ahead with no fee ? ?
Just read the stuff.
I get lucky and have a chat with one of the top agents in football who passes on some titbits which I then in turn post on the forum only for him to be questioned by someone who decides to google everything he said to be a smartarse ,really ??
Then he is proved right and you argue over something I claimed and need to prove ,get a fucking life. Im really not that bothered.
As I said through a friend Jason Atherton I have a good chance of meeting guys like this every now and then ,I certainly wont pass anything on again ,not worth it ,stick to ringtones.

I didn't need to google anything. I know what the Prince has put in, I know he doesn't "own the club" it's 50/50 and I know Cleverly didn't sign for Villa ( because he signed for Everton).
Any loan fee between Man United and Villa would be anything to do with Bradford because firstly he's Man Utds player and a loan isn't a sell on. All you've done is posted links to something that didn't happen.

Tell me how can he be proved right when he said Cleverly was sold to Villa for seven million. IT DID NOT HAPPEN.

Name drop all you want, bs is still bs but is worth passing on for the comedy value for those who believe such tripe. No wonder people think agents are *****.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

If Parkinson had come here, he would be a broken shell of a man by now.

A bit like Adkins with that white van just pulling up at the training ground for him. , whilst he is being wrestled to the floor in a straight jacket . You just couldn't make it up.

He wanted Albert Hammond not Dean.

UTB

 

[Sean Thornton]

A bit like Adkins with that white van just pulling up at the training ground for him. , whilst he is being wrestled to the floor in a straight jacket . You just couldn't make it up.

He wanted Albert Hammond not Dean.

UTB

This'll be on VIP Blades as fact before the day is out!

 

[sitwell]

I didn't need to google anything. I know what the Prince has put in, I know he doesn't "own the club" it's 50/50 and I know Cleverly didn't sign for Villa ( because he signed for Everton).
Any loan fee between Man United and Villa would be anything to do with Bradford because firstly he's Man Utds player and a loan isn't a sell on. All you've done is posted links to something that didn't happen.

Tell me how can he be proved right when he said Cleverly was sold to Villa for seven million. IT DID NOT HAPPEN.

Name drop all you want, bs is still bs but is worth passing on for the comedy value for those who believe such tripe. No wonder people think agents are *****.

He did sign for Villa on fucking loan for Christ sake ,are you thick or summat ,they got the loan fee and then he ran his contract out so he became a free agent ,a 7 million fee was agreed but Cleverley didn't agree terms ,its all in the articles , is it that hard to take in. How do YOU know he doesn't have the final say in anything ,do YOU know better than an agent who deals with these things.
As for name dropping ,Jason is a friend of mine has been for 20 years and a Blade ,many people on here know he is so I mentioned as some sort of validation that I would be in his company because people like YOU need to question anything on here and make an issue out of it.
But YOU know better obviously ,hope youre pleased with yourself ,making such a light posting into a fucking debate ,well tripe actually as you like to call things.

Actually if I did want to name drop there was a household name chef from TV ,2 ex England cricketers and a present and retired international footballer there only spoke to one of that lot and it wasn't a conversation worth repeating but hey ho. Its not that big a deal ,they are only people ,what is this about name dropping ,its not like an achievement or anything ,only in the same vicinity ,whys that such a problem to you ?

 

[Sean Thornton]

He did sign for Villa on fucking loan for Christ sake ,are you thick or summat ,they got the loan fee and then he ran his contract out so he became a free agent ,a 7 million fee was agreed but Cleverley didn't agree terms ,its all in the articles , is it that hard to take in. How do YOU know he doesn't have the final say in anything ,do YOU know better than an agent who deals with these things.
As for name dropping ,Jason is a friend of mine has been for 20 years and a Blade ,many people on here know he is so I mentioned as some sort of validation that I would be in his company because people like YOU need to question anything on here and make an issue out of it.
But YOU know better obviously ,hope youre pleased with yourself ,making such a light posting into a fucking debate ,well tripe actually as you like to call things.

Actually if I did want to name drop there was a household name chef from TV ,2 ex England cricketers and a present and retired international footballer there only spoke to one of that lot and it wasn't a conversation worth repeating but hey ho. Its not that big a deal ,they are only people ,what is this about name dropping ,its not like an achievement or anything ,only in the same vicinity ,whys that such a problem to you ?

I don't give a toss about who was there so calm the fuck down.

You stated Man United split a saving with Villa and Villa bought him for seven million. Now it's a loan deal. Don't try to change what you said. No deal, no split fee. It's that simple. The rest of your rant makes no sense whatsoever.

You also said that you'd been told HRH hadn't put much in and that he " owned" the club. Both incorrect but I see you've not bothered mentioning that. For someone so "well connected" your new pal knows f all about this clubs set up. So yes, I know more than him - as many many people do - about those two comments.

If you want to believe it despite evidence to the contrary get on with it and repeat it at your next soirée.

 

[sitwell]

I don't give a toss about who was there so calm the fuck down.

You stated Man United split a saving with Villa and Villa bought him for seven million. Now it's a loan deal. Don't try to change what you said. No deal, no split fee. It's that simple. The rest of your rant makes no sense whatsoever.

You also said that you'd been told HRH hadn't put much in and that he " owned" the club. Both incorrect but I see you've not bothered mentioning that. For someone so "well connected" your new pal knows f all about this clubs set up. So yes, I know more than him - as many many people do - about those two comments.

If you want to believe it despite evidence to the contrary get on with it and repeat it at your next soirée.

You know about the same as me which apart from what they want us to know is close on fuck all ,so Mr Sheff Utd if you think you know more than an agent who has day to day dealings with players , managers ,directors then good for you.

 

[Sean Thornton]

The stuff I've said about United is all logged at companies house. Check it out and see for yourself.

Then check who Cleverly signed for.

Might not be this bloke who got it all wrong. Thinking its you to be honest .

If we knew the same about this, you wouldn't have posted such bollocks.

I'll steer away from your posts in future, I wasn't aware your "ITK knowledge" had some sort of protected status that the rest of us don't have.

 

[Snipersdream13]

It seems likely we will have a squad roughly like this

1. Long
2. Brayford
3. McEveley
4. Edgar
5.
6. Basham
7. Flynn
8. Coutts
9. Adams
10. Sharp
11. Done
12. Wallace
13.
14. Whiteman
15. Reed
16. Calvert- Lewin
17. Woolford
18. Kelly
19. Brooks


I think the No 5 needs to be a quality centre half to replace the departing Baptiste

we'll possibly sing another keeper, or keep Howard or promote one of Ramsdale/Eastwood etc.

I think we then need to add a couple of players of quality. Ideally, a good target man, left winger/ wing back and a box to box midfielder like Coady. Realistically, if we could get 2 of those 3 players of good enough quality on top of the quality centre half, we'd give ourselves a chance.

Your probably pretty close with your squad. But my worry is who are we gonna lose (i.e. Sell, It happens every season). My guess is Adams, someone will get him on the cheap. It's the Blades way.

 

[Dkc]

Come on guys the stuff about Cleverly isn't worth having a meltdown over.

I think Sitters is posting in good faith, and the Parkinson story rings true. I remember at the time his odds came right in at one point before drifting back out. Could well be that McCabe favoured him over Adkins, or thought Adkins would be unaffordable. The Prince could have supported the more "ambitious" choice and stumped up the extra cash to make it happen. Guess we'll have to wait to read McCabe's memoirs to find out the truth.

I doubt this squad would have done any better under Parkinson. We were above Bradford a few weeks ago, and we are still just a couple of results from the play offs. I'm still of the opinion that it's the team that's cack not the manager. Hope McCabe and the Prince can at least agree that we need a big clear out this summer, if nothing else.

 

[pommpey]

Come on guys the stuff about Cleverly isn't worth having a meltdown over.

I think Sitters is posting in good faith, and the Parkinson story rings true. I remember at the time his odds came right in at one point before drifting back out. Could well be that McCabe favoured him over Adkins, or thought Adkins would be unaffordable. The Prince could have supported the more "ambitious" choice and stumped up the extra cash to make it happen. Guess we'll have to wait to read McCabe's memoirs to find out the truth.

I doubt this squad would have done any better under Parkinson. We were above Bradford a few weeks ago, and we are still just a couple of results from the play offs. I'm still of the opinion that it's the team that's cack not the manager. Hope McCabe and the Prince can at least agree that we need a big clear out this summer, if nothing else.

Agreed. We could have Mourinho or Ferguson managing us at the moment and we'd still be ripping each other to bits on here as to why we aren't in the playoffs. I really can't see or understand why posters don't get why we are where we are. We sold key players and didn't replace them. Quite why you sell key players in the first place is a mystery - aside fom the piss-weak statements of 'we couldn't say no'. I think we all agree that Adkins may have found some sort of temporary sweet spot with the team, but it's hardly timely and hardly permanent given mouch of the team are now playing for their jobs next season (and don't they fucking know it) and our place in la-la-land is as good as secured for another year. Its as if they know that if they were to be part of a promoted side they would be out of a job anyway (we'd hope) and the issue is if Unted stay where they are, we have no option but to extend theiur contracts as the matter is obviously financial.

McCabe has made no statement to my mind which alludes much of what is speculated on here, as much as people extol wishful thinking about 'new' players. If they are new, they'll be frighteningly cheap and worryingly shit, made up of what other teams can't wait to get rid of (see us, only in other colours with much of our baggage) And the shit fact is we are forgetting McCabe has written off 10% of a major revenue stream in a cynical move to sweeten the pill, safe in the knowledge that when we are ploughing the same furrow in mid table next November, he can cite that we are potless and at least it is cheaper to get a season ticket.

My dad used to say, "believe half of what you see, and nothing of what you hear". In the case of Sheffield United, I'd even half that measure again whilst McCabe is in charge in the boardroom.

pommpey

 

[Deaneandagana]

Come on guys the stuff about Cleverly isn't worth having a meltdown over.

I think Sitters is posting in good faith, and the Parkinson story rings true. I remember at the time his odds came right in at one point before drifting back out. Could well be that McCabe favoured him over Adkins, or thought Adkins would be unaffordable. The Prince could have supported the more "ambitious" choice and stumped up the extra cash to make it happen. Guess we'll have to wait to read McCabe's memoirs to find out the truth.

I doubt this squad would have done any better under Parkinson. We were above Bradford a few weeks ago, and we are still just a couple of results from the play offs. I'm still of the opinion that it's the team that's cack not the manager. Hope McCabe and the Prince can at least agree that we need a big clear out this summer, if nothing else.

My intelligence (!) on the matter is that it was KMc who appointed Adkins and therefore it's his and his alone's financial liability should there be one accruing.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

told us McCabe offered the job to Phil Parkinson last summer ,Parkinson agreed and was ready to sign the contract which had also been agreed. This is why his odds came down so far and so much money was lumped on him. The only person who had to sign the contract was the Prince who vetoed it straight away and his staff approached Adkins,as the Prince is the owner of the club he has the final say on everything ,he and McCabe do not communicate hardly and disagree on almost everything. McCabe had to make a grovelling apology to Parkinson and Bradford and tell them the situation.

Tin hat on given the reaction to other bits on this thread, but McCabe's on record as saying he tried to get Adkins previously in summer 2013, but the situation wasn't right. Not saying we didn't seriously try and get Parkinson initially (I recall we tried before too), but think your contact may have misinterpreted that one if the suggestion is it was solely the Prince's choice.

 

[sitwell]

Wouldn't it be nice if the other half of the McCabe/Prince team actually spoke now and then ,whats the point of him ?
Another one who could vouch for what happened is Steve Parkin ,Parkinson assistant who happens to live a couple of roads away from me ,so I would prefer to believe the account I have been told from the horses mouth if you like.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

We don't know that for a fact . The bigger worry , I don't think Adkins knows , and there lays the problem.

UTB

If the 2 or 3 dropping out are from McEveley, Flynn, Coutts & Hammond and they are replaced with better players then we’ll be in contention. If it’s Baptiste and Che that go then we’re in bother.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

No chance of Baptiste. I think we will sign Edgar but he's only looked okay since Baptiste has been marshalling him.

I think Edgar has looked OK at other times. When he first came in he had about 4 or 5 very good games on the bounce before getting injured on international duty then struggling for a while. He recovered some form over Christmas before having the odd dodgy game but has improved again since the 352 switch with a higher line. I’d be happy to sign him as we need two centre backs and I can’t see us signing two that are both better than him.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

If I'm allowed to dream for a second, I'd like...

J.Lewis

Baptiste Burn Pierre

Byrne Basham Trotter Gladwin Pringle

Sharp Evans

That would be a fantastic side only I’d be happy to stick with George as our number one with an old head winding down his career like Kelvin Davis or similar as back up/ mentor. Possibly Lundstram instead of Trotter too. Otherwise, I’d love to see that team.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Steptoe wouldn't take some of this squad.

Baptiste would be an excellent signing (on what's been seen so far) but if he's a £1/£1.5m player and the rest of the budget is loose change, I'd rather not sign and concentrate on bringing in players that could form the spine of the team.

I think the only way Baptiste will be back is if Boro go up and don’t get any serious offers to buy him outright. In that scenario, I could see us getting him on loan but proabably not til August. I hope we’ve got two decent centre halves in by then. Edgar and Curtis Nelson from Plymouth would do me.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Seriously? We've already very visibly started the extensive process of binning players who's contracts are up. Two (Khan & Dimaio) were released back in January. Collins has gone. Harris, JCR, Wallace were all loaned to the end of their deals. Kennedy, McFadzean and Baxter are as good as gone. Howard and Willis are very likely to go. Those are all givens – 11 effectively already out the door. Whiteman already has his new deal, Long will get another deal.

Of the players we own, we are therefore left with 4 decisions on who to retain: McEveley, McGahey, Flynn, Cuvelier. I'm not convinced we'll give deals to all of them, though I think McEveley and Flynn will be retained. Retained as part of the squad, not as first-team starters.

I personally can't wait for the summer cull.

I think McGahey has a chance if he’s willing to accept low enough wages as he’s back up who is young enough to develop.


I’d be very disappointed if we kept Flo on as he’s not been able to get into this team or make any real contribution. He also has an atrocious injury record and stands in the way of people like Reed and Whiteman who provide cover there.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I am surprised that people still think there is a role for Ched Evans at SUFC, not to do with his morals or actions, but just by the fact that the bloke has not played a professional game of football in a long time. Not saying he won't have kept himself fit, but being fit and being match fit/ready are two different things.

Do we think McNulty is coming back? A better first touch than Adams (from memory) and can score if given service.

I know some people on here scoffed when one poster mentioned Hanson at Bradford as a target, the guy got a hat trick yesterday. We do need a tall striker I think. or a tall, athletic, attacking midfielder who can add 10 goals a season as well as assist.

I was none too excited about the prospect of Hanson when he was discussed previously. We could do a lot worse and he is good at what he is good at. But I guarantee that within a few months there will be a section of our fans labelling him a big useless lump. He will divide opinion the way Henderson did.