A few facts.

[bricktop]

1. Been looking through the paper today at attendances, and i counted about 8 games where i could say we wouldn't get as many in the ground for the same fixture had it been us at home in the same situation, against the same opposition as the home team.

2. We have the biggest ground outside the top division, considerably so with our capacity approximately 7,500 more than the next ground, Valley Parade

3. We have a ground with facilities that are Premiership standard, and better than most in the Championship

4. We are debt free, and have millions of pounds of investment available in the club

5. There have been 8 or 9 players who have played in the Premiership this weekend who have at one point or another been Sheffield United players

6. 2 of the England 2014 World Cup squad came through the Sheffield United Academy

7. We have a training facility and academy that is amongst the best in the country

So why are we currently 22nd in League 1?

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Because none of those things, whether true or otherwise equates to success on the pitch.

 

[blader]

1. Been looking through the paper today at attendances, and i counted about 8 games where i could say we wouldn't get as many in the ground for the same fixture had it been us at home in the same situation, against the same opposition as the home team.

2. We have the biggest ground outside the top division, considerably so with our capacity approximately 7,500 more than the next ground, Valley Parade

3. We have a ground with facilities that are Premiership standard, and better than most in the Championship

4. We are debt free, and have millions of pounds of investment available in the club

5. There have been 8 or 9 players who have played in the Premiership this weekend who have at one point or another been Sheffield United players

6. 2 of the England 2014 World Cup squad came through the Sheffield United Academy

7. We have a training facility and academy that is amongst the best in the country

So why are we currently 22nd in League 1?

Because 1,2,5 and 6 are irrelevant.
Because 4 is not a 'fact'.

 

[bricktop]

Because none of those things, whether true or otherwise equates to success on the pitch.

But the combination of these things together should equate to better than a 4th straight season of 3rd Division Football.

Because 1,2,5 and 6 are irrelevant.
Because 4 is not a 'fact'.

Number 4 is how the introduction of the Prince and his associates on the board was sold to the fans. It was supposed to be game changing.

 

[blader]

Number 4 is how the introduction of the Prince and his associates on the board was sold to the fans. It was supposed to be game changing.

Doesn't make it a fact sadly. Wish it was.

 

[OllyBlade]

2. We have the biggest ground outside the top division, considerably so with our capacity approximately 7,500 more than the next ground, Valley Parade

Top 2 divisions I assume you mean.

We are where we are because of failure on the pitch. 2010-11 and 2011-12 I think in a few decades will go down as 2 of the most disastrous in the club's history, as they were very avoidable failures and will likely cause us to be in the third tier for a few more years to come.

 

[bricktop]

Top 2 divisions I assume you mean.

We are where we are because of failure on the pitch. 2010-11 and 2011-12 I think in a few decades will go down as 2 of the most disastrous in the club's history, as they were very avoidable failures and will likely cause us to be in the third tier for a few more years to come.

Yeah, i meant the top 2 divisions.

2010-11 is the reason we found ourselves in this division, that was an absolute abomination from start to finish, and 2011-12 we in a division that was abnormally tougher than usual.

Since 2012 we have seen Bournemouth, Doncaster, Yeovil, Brentford, Wolves and Rotherham United all promoted. Why haven't we been anywhere near?

 

[Bulletnut]

Yeah, i meant the top 2 divisions.

2010-11 is the reason we found ourselves in this division, that was an absolute abomination from start to finish, and 2011-12 we in a division that was abnormally tougher than usual.

Since 2012 we have seen Bournemouth, Doncaster, Yeovil, Brentford, Wolves and Rotherham United all promoted. Why haven't we been anywhere near?

McCabe.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Number 4 is how the introduction of the Prince and his associates on the board was sold to the fans. It was supposed to be game changing.[/QUOTE]


It has been game changing, we're worse off than we were under Weirdo

 

[raul]

McCabe.

Hello, Mr Common Denominator.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Number 4 is how the introduction of the Prince and his associates on the board was sold to the fans. It was supposed to be game changing.

Try playing chess while eagles shit in your eyes, it's a very different game.

 

[OllyBlade]

Yeah, i meant the top 2 divisions.

2010-11 is the reason we found ourselves in this division, that was an absolute abomination from start to finish, and 2011-12 we in a division that was abnormally tougher than usual.

Since 2012 we have seen Bournemouth, Doncaster, Yeovil, Brentford, Wolves and Rotherham United all promoted. Why haven't we been anywhere near?

Yeah I think there is a longer term trend of bad decision making at board room level, and player sales. These are the wider contexts that made these 2 seasons so damaging. The Blackman sale in 2013 ruined that season, the Weir appointment and chaotic end to that transfer window scuppered any hope of success last year.

You might say 11-12 was abnormally tougher, but we ballsed it up. Oldham at home. Jesus.

 

[alcoblade]

1. Been looking through the paper today at attendances, and i counted about 8 games where i could say we wouldn't get as many in the ground for the same fixture had it been us at home in the same situation, against the same opposition as the home team.

2. We have the biggest ground outside the top division, considerably so with our capacity approximately 7,500 more than the next ground, Valley Parade

3. We have a ground with facilities that are Premiership standard, and better than most in the Championship

4. We are debt free, and have millions of pounds of investment available in the club

5. There have been 8 or 9 players who have played in the Premiership this weekend who have at one point or another been Sheffield United players

6. 2 of the England 2014 World Cup squad came through the Sheffield United Academy

7. We have a training facility and academy that is amongst the best in the country

So why are we currently 22nd in League 1?

It's crossed my mind, controversially, that it might be because of number 7 and not in spite of it..

There has to be a reason a club our size seems to be short of cash despite investing so little on players. I wonder if the running costs of the academy aren't strangling us.

UTB

 

[JOEYDEE]

Try playing chess while eagles shit in your eyes, it's a very different game.

What a delightful quote WalthamstowBlade,I think I have heard/read it before,was it Shakespeare perhaps,Keats maybe?Or maybe one of Wordsworths' later works ?
Fuckin great !!!!! haha

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

The failure to get promoted at the first attempt in 2011-12 was a devastating hammer blow.

It's extremely difficult to get that kind of momentum back.

 

[Silent Blade]

7. We have a training facility and academy that is amongst the best in the country

Has anyone outside SUFC or isnt a SUFC fan told you this??

 

[Punk Blade]

6. 2 of the England 2014 World Cup squad came through the Sheffield United Academy

Ok, I'll pick this one up. Who exactly are you talking about?

 

[Revolution]

The failure to get promoted at the first attempt in 2011-12 was a devastating hammer blow.

It's extremely difficult to get that kind of momentum back.

What happened to Brentford in 2013 was worse than what happened to is in 2012, and it didn't phase them. Mind you, they didn't wilfully dismantle their team.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

What happened to Brentford in 2013 was worse than what happened to is in 2012, and it didn't phase them. Mind you, they didn't wilfully dismantle their team.

I'd say what happened to us was worse.

Plus, we still had players of the calibre of Evans, Quinn and Lowton so it really was shit or bust.

 

[Bladesway]

It could be fact number 8 that is missing:-

We always sell our best players and replace them with players who aren't as good. Possibly.

 

[IOM Blade]

What happened to Brentford in 2013 was worse than what happened to is in 2012, and it didn't phase them. Mind you, they didn't wilfully dismantle their team.

Its was all FPPs fault don't forgot! The board must have got a collective hard on when that rule came in. They had a ready made excuse for selling anyone of note.

Doesn't seem to affect anyone else tho.

 

[Gavlar]

Ok, I'll pick this one up. Who exactly are you talking about?

Kyle Walker (would have been tho injured) and Jags, although possibly Cahill aswell.

 

[Houso]

Insofar of this season in particular, I'd say it's a whole gamut of reasons:
1) Poor team selections
2) Poor recruitment close season
3) A team that doesn't know each other yet
4) Players in poor form
5) Expectation coupled with complacency

Insofar as the wider status of the club:
1) A culture of losing which despite an excellent second half to last season still pervades
2) Terrible managerial choices
3) Terrible playing staff choices
4) Shit bad luck

That said, we are two league games into the season and players will come into form. It will get better... it just needs to happen soon.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Kyle Walker (would have been tho injured) and Jags, although possibly Cahill aswell.

Jags didn't come through the academy and neither did Cahill.

 

[Gavlar]

Jags didn't come through the academy and neither did Cahill.

Fair enough, still they were ex-blades (tho not really cahill) i spose which is the point.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Insofar of this season in particular, I'd say it's a whole gamut of reasons:
1) Poor team selections
2) Poor recruitment close season
3) A team that doesn't know each other yet
4) Players in poor form
5) Expectation coupled with complacency

Insofar as the wider status of the club:
1) A culture of losing which despite an excellent second half to last season still pervades
2) Terrible managerial choices
3) Terrible playing staff choices
4) Shit bad luck

That said, we are two league games into the season and players will come into form. It will get better... it just needs to happen soon.

5) Clough possibly being pissed off that he's going to be known as the manager who gave a convicted rapist his job back......?

 

[Punk Blade]

5) Clough possibly being pissed off that he's going to be known as the manager who gave a convicted rapist his job back......?

I don't see how this could be a scenario. If Clough doesn't want him then why would the club waste money on a contract (and invite the negative press) if he isn't going to play?

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I don't see how this could be a scenario. If Clough doesn't want him then why would the club waste money on a contract (and invite the negative press) if he isn't going to play?

Because internally within the club it's probably not going to be his decision, but to the outside world (due to ignorance of people in general about the inner workings of football) it will appear that it is.

 

[Houso]

With Punk on this; aint a chance Clough takes him back if he doesn't want him back. There would be no gain for the club in that scenario. Bad press, a big contract and a manager who doesn't want to play him.

I also think Clough would walk before players were foisted upon him. He's not a yes man in any way or form.

 

[Darren]

With Punk on this; aint a chance Clough takes him back if he doesn't want him back. There would be no gain for the club in that scenario. Bad press, a big contract and a manager who doesn't want to play him.

I also think Clough would walk before players were foisted upon him. He's not a yes man in any way or form.

I agree, but I don't think it would be a "big contract": the stigma of a rape conviction and two and a half years away from football. He will be doing well if he gets the average third division wage.