Adkins, booing, and a bit of time..

[Bladesway]

Go through my posts and you'll find very accurate observations of many of the games.

Sorry but the pig accusations are old and boring now.

I'd say that's the most sensible thing you have posted. I may disagree with you on 99% of what you post but to call you a pig is over the line in my estimation.

I do have a collection of other names

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

2 in our case because of how riddled we are with mediocrity. You don't change 8 years of malaise in an instant. Nigels biggest issue is to stay positive in the sea of shit that comes his way daily.

Biggest issue is to stop signing shite.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I agree, in fact I think managers should have at the very least 2 full seasons to make their mark, provided they are showing some signs of progress. Personally I would have given Clough this season until at least Christmas.

However, what is worrying is that currently under Adkins we are not showing progress. We are worse off than last year in terms of points, league position and being out of the league cup, and performances are much the same and the players brought in haven't addressed the glaring issues from last year.

I don't buy into the notion that Adkins is dealing with "Clough's mess". Clough left a squad that finished 5th. Adkins has had almost 5 months to improve what he had, and has had that time to recruit and bring in the players we needed. His signings have been very poor - he failed to sign a permanent center half; failed to add any pace, hunger or dominance into central midfield; brought in another slow, useless midfielder in Woolford, and barley uses Sammon. Sharp is a good signing for this level.

The defending is still woeful. He hasn't found is best 11. Chops and changes every week. Sounds clueless in his interviews.

All of the above are what fans accused Clough of. That, and "bullying" McNulty......who has been rightly shipped out due to his off the field antics. Appears Clough was probably right there.

What worries me is that Adkins is making the exact same mistakes as Clough, and has not even had the "new manager impact". The only hope any of us has is that Adkins has past promotions on his C.V. That is the ONLY thing that is different to Clough, other than being 5 points off where we were at this stage last season.

I don't think we will make the play off's this season. However, I'd still give Adkins another season to get it right. I don't think the board will though, and Adkins will be gone in May. And we'll be having this exact same debate about a new manager this time next year.

Well said.

Agree about the signings and even Sharp has not been given the service he needs to play to his strengths, indeed Sharp has become part of the problem because he is in the way of Done to a degree. Sammon was a hasty signing and appears superfluous now. Adkins is keen to encourage Adams who has certain strengths but too many weaknesses and gives the ball away too easily a lot of the time. He is not a busy intelligent player as yet and I'd play Done instead, but a Done/ Sharp front two doesn't feel right, yet Sharp is not a natural lone striker. The Woolford signing seemed hasty knowing how many midfielders we already had. There is no doubt we needed at least two strikers but we are only using one new one.

Adkins was led up the garden path about Basham's capabilities in midfield, I remember the night at his welcome meeting when the whole room ( apart from me) clapped when Basham was suggested for midfield. That may have worked through by now and that's the point, Adkins has to learn about the players in game times.

Added to all that Adkins seems to have been appointed on a "entertaining football, two striker" brief and yet he has not sorted central midfield; his faith in Hammond will take time to look well placed.

The keeper issue is a delicate problem and the central defence issue is not one of our main problem areas IMO as I do rate Collins at this level, but Kennedy's fitness is a shame.

On top of all that we don't have a settled side or an identifiable formation as yet and that's serious if we are to contend for promotion at any stage.

Injuries have been cruel. On top of Harris, Brayford, Coutts and Kennedy the early injury to Done was critical. If we had Done fit for pre-season his value to the team would have shone through and he would be a main man by now.

Baxter has improved but Reed is not getting the playing time and the young lad would be my first name in midfield on the team-sheet by now. I would never pick Ryce from the start but realise why we need him as an option.

All in all we are not yet in good shape but it is very early days, not in the context of a promotion push, but in the context of the new manager who did inherit a poor and IMO divided and dispirited squad. Brayford can make a huge difference but how long will it take for him to play at full tilt for 90 minutes?

Adkins as yet? 5/10 but it's no time to judge.

 

[Woodwardfan]

2 in our case because of how riddled we are with mediocrity. You don't change 8 years of malaise in an instant. Nigels biggest issue is to stay positive in the sea of shit that comes his way daily.

I agree entirely but by the time one year is up we will all hope to see obvious progress and if it isn't there then the writing is on the wall. A good manager should have shown his worth after a year.

In Adkins case this poor start might well be the best way to instigate a big clearout. In Clough's case the cup successes masked the reality and created unrealistic expectations.

Another of my maxims is " a manager is only as good as his signings" and Adkins has not made a very good start, though Turnbull joined us just a bit after the manager had started making signings.

Again though, no player should be judged on a handful of games, certainly not. Often it is those who start well who flatter to deceive and fail in due course.

 

[originaltrueblade]

I agree entirely but by the time one year is up we will all hope to see obvious progress and if it isn't there then the writing is on the wall. A good manager should have shown his worth after a year.

In Adkins case this poor start might well be the best way to instigate a big clearout. In Clough's case the cup successes masked the reality and created unrealistic expectations.

Another of my maxims is " a manager is only as good as his signings" and Adkins has not made a very good start, though Turnbull joined us just a bit after the manager had started making signings.

Again though, no player should be judged on a handful of games, certainly not. Often it is those who start well who flatter to deceive and fail in due course.

 

[originaltrueblade]

I fully support the manager, let's be honest when he was appointed the vast majority thought what a great appointment. We are finding out every week that most of the players are just not good enough. The manager will turn it round.
Ditch the rubbish in January And get the right players in.
BIG Question is will the board back the manager?
As for booing personally I don't boo but if you've paid your money that's your choice.

 

[Smirth]

I think we are out of the automatic race now.

We keep being told how the likes of Gillingham, Walsall and Burton aren't all that and are in a false position, yet they still occupy the top spots in the table, they are still picking up an average of 2 points a game and all of them are continuing to strengthen with good quality loan signings.

If you then throw in Coventrey who are currently 2nd. Admittedly I think there chances this season will depend upon whether they keep Armstrong for the second half of the season, but they are there at the moment and looking strong.

You also have Wigan who have found their feet after a slow start and have easily the best squad in the division.

Hate to say it, but I think automatic is out of our reach with us being 9 points behind already. At this stage last season we were 7 points behind Bristol and had a game in hand over them.

 

[originaltrueblade]

I think we are out of the automatic race now.

We keep being told how the likes of Gillingham, Walsall and Burton aren't all that and are in a false position, yet they still occupy the top spots in the table, they are still picking up an average of 2 points a game and all of them are continuing to strengthen with good quality loan signings.

Then who is to blame. The board for not replacing players sold?

 

[Bladesway]

Then who is to blame. The board for not replacing players sold?

In part, but to lay the blame for this at one person or one body is not sensible. There are a collection of fucks ups, some historical and some ongoing. Players, management and board all have to have a good look at themselves.

 

[Revolution]

I think we are out of the automatic race now.

We keep being told how the likes of Gillingham, Walsall and Burton aren't all that and are in a false position, yet they still occupy the top spots in the table, they are still picking up an average of 2 points a game and all of them are continuing to strengthen with good quality loan signings.

If you then throw in Coventrey who are currently 2nd. Admittedly I think there chances this season will depend upon whether they keep Armstrong for the second half of the season, but they are there at the moment and looking strong.

You also have Wigan who have found their feet after a slow start and have easily the best squad in the division.

Hate to say it, but I think automatic is out of our reach with us being 9 points behind already. At this stage last season we were 7 points behind Bristol and had a game in hand over them.

I agree with this. Without a massive upturn in form playoff defeat is the ceiling.

3 wins in 12. Jesus.

 

[mattbianco1]

I think we are out of the automatic race now.

We keep being told how the likes of Gillingham, Walsall and Burton aren't all that and are in a false position, yet they still occupy the top spots in the table, they are still picking up an average of 2 points a game and all of them are continuing to strengthen with good quality loan signings.

It's all "ifs & buts", but if we had won Saturday we would've been 7pts off 1st.

9 points behind after 17 games and we can't claw that back? There is over 60% of the games remaining this season and we are playing shite. 3 wins in 12 but yet still only 9 points off.

Gillingham, Walsall and Burton won't finish above us. Not a chance. Coventry, Wigan and Millwall are the ones to worry about.

 

[Revolution]

It's all "ifs & buts", but if we had won Saturday we would've been 7pts off 1st.

9 points behind after 17 games and we can't claw that back? There is over 60% of the games remaining this season and we are playing shite. 3 wins in 12 but yet still only 9 points off.

Gillingham, Walsall and Burton won't finish above us. Not a chance. Coventry, Wigan and Millwall are the ones to worry about.

You say stuff like this every year.

You're always wrong.

3 wins in 12 is relegation form.

We only have 1 important player injured. Why will things improve? Magic?

 

[mattbianco1]

You say stuff like this every year.

You're always wrong.

3 wins in 12 is relegation form.

We only have 1 important player injured. Why will things improve? Magic?

3 wins from 12 but yet only 9pts behind.

Over the last 10 games we are 14th in the form table. So no, it's not relegation form. The reason being that there is only 3 defeats there too. The big issue is the 4 games drawn. Turn the draws into wins and we are 1 point behind the leaders.

Over the 10 games, Gillingham have lost the same amount as us (3). They have only drawn 2 over the games though and won the other 5. They are 9th in the 10 game form table, yet they are top of the league

 

[Revolution]

3 wins from 12 but yet only 9pts behind.

Over the last 10 games we are 14th in the form table. So no, it's not relegation form. The reason being that there is only 3 defeats there too. The big issue is the 4 games drawn. Turn the draws into wins and we are 1 point behind the leaders.

I was right - magic! We turn the draws into wins and we get 8 more points!

Let me know when you've finished building the time machine.

 

[mattbianco1]

I was right - magic! We turn the draws into wins and we get 8 more points!

Let me know when you've finished building the time machine.

Are you physically unable to hold a conversation?

All i'm saying beyond all the doom and gloom that most of you lot seem to have inherited of late is - It's fine margins, now that is a football cliché. But, if we had found the winning goal in the draws against Southend, Oldham, Burton and Bradford - we would be 3rd and 1pt behind the top 2. We didn't so that must mean the season is over, we're shit and the world is ending

 

[Smirth]

It's all "ifs & buts", but if we had won Saturday we would've been 7pts off 1st.

9 points behind after 17 games and we can't claw that back? There is over 60% of the games remaining this season and we are playing shite. 3 wins in 12 but yet still only 9 points off.

Gillingham, Walsall and Burton won't finish above us. Not a chance. Coventry, Wigan and Millwall are the ones to worry about.

You say it yourself - we are playing shite.

We've shown no real signs of that changing any time soon. Lots of fans are clinging to January as the time we will get the right players in but I have very little confidence that January will sort us out because we won't have that much room to move with all the shite players we already have here on hefty contracts. Also, Adkins signings have been largely poor so I'm not confident he'll get the right players in this time.

Gillingham, Walsall & Burton have been better than us all season. I admire your confidence in feeling that we will finish above them but I highly doubt we will.

 

[BushBlade]

If the players can't cope with the 'pressure' of playing for Sheffield United in the third division, then the choice is simple: piss off and ply your trade elsewhere.

It's November and we're already out of the automatic promotion race for another season, and people wonder why the fans are miffed.

Although saying that, I'm fully behind Adkins and think he should be backed this season and next to try and sort out Clough's mess.

Pete, once the players who can't take the pressure have pissed off, do you think we can find some who can take the pressure and who want to come to the Lane?

We've tried seasoned pros who should be thick skinned. We've talked about hungry young players but isn't that what Weir tried to do? For every Che, there's a Brandy or a Taylor. When we sign a player from, say Oxford or Colchester or whatever, how do we know he'll be able to cope with the big crowds, the intensity and the pressure of being expected to win every game? Will they stick their chests out and say 'bring it on' or will they wilt like so many of our players seem to?

This is the frustration; we know we shouldn't have spent so long in L1, that we need to get out but no-one, not one of us can say with certainty what we need to do to sort it out. We can speculate and say what 'we'd do', safe in the knowledge that we'll never be in a position whereby we could implement our ideas. But I can't even do that now. My fear is that NA will not be given sufficient time to get us up. And nor will his successor. Ad fucking infinitum.

 

[Worksop_Blade]

...he was so close to setting up a great team it was scary...

Must have missed that.

 

[mattbianco1]

You say it yourself - we are playing shite.

We are playing shite, yet we are still in touch. Look at Wigan, 10 unbeaten now and flying they looked shite at the start of the season. Millwall are now 5 unbeaten. 6 games ago they were 15th. It can all change so quickly. We won 4 on the bounce at the start of the season, do that again at any point and we will climb multiple positions.

We have started playing poorly since more players have come back from injury. Get back to playing Sammon & Sharp upfront and play more direct football and we'll be fine.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Pete, once the players who can't take the pressure have pissed off, do you think we can find some who can take the pressure and who want to come to the Lane?

We've tried seasoned pros who should be thick skinned. We've talked about hungry young players but isn't that what Weir tried to do? For every Che, there's a Brandy or a Taylor. When we sign a player from, say Oxford or Colchester or whatever, how do we know he'll be able to cope with the big crowds, the intensity and the pressure of being expected to win every game? Will they stick their chests out and say 'bring it on' or will they wilt like so many of our players seem to?

This is the frustration; we know we shouldn't have spent so long in L1, that we need to get out but no-one, not one of us can say with certainty what we need to do to sort it out. We can speculate and say what 'we'd do', safe in the knowledge that we'll never be in a position whereby we could implement our ideas. But I can't even do that now. My fear is that NA will not be given sufficient time to get us up. And nor will his successor. Ad fucking infinitum.

Agree 100% BushBlade that has been the problem ever since we lost on penalties to Huddersfield. We now have a manager who has won promotion from this division with under dogs (Scunthorpe twice) and a big club soton who were under a similar kind of pressure to us.
We will never get anyone with that kind of experience if we sack Nigel,OK he hasn't made the best of starts and frustration has set in amongst us fans (including me) but let's look at the bigger picture.
He said and rightly so he would give everyone a fresh start (he had to do it that way to retain credibility amongst the big squad) Morgan and other people around the club will have bent his ear about the squad with there opinions he could not allow that to interfere with the opportunity he gave them,I think he will have made a few decisions by now.
He took over Scunthorpe and soton and was able to fashion promotion winning teams from what he inherited (mainly).unfortunately
for us he had no such luck here and is going to fashion a team with some inherited players and signings that couldn't happen in august
hopefully he can get it right in the next window (no guarantee s).
He needs time and putting pressure on now doesn't help,the alternative! !!! sack him and start again:::: definitely a big NO

 

[Barney]

Are you physically unable to hold a conversation?

All i'm saying beyond all the doom and gloom that most of you lot seem to have inherited of late is - It's fine margins, now that is a football cliché. But, if we had found the winning goal in the draws against Southend, Oldham, Burton and Bradford - we would be 3rd and 1pt behind the top 2. We didn't so that must mean the season is over, we're shit and the world is ending

If I'm being honest, I find you and your posting style quite irritating.

Why do you not allow even a single criticism.

We will not be finishing ANYWHERE near the top two. I know it. You know it.

 

[grafikhaus]

I have to say, when Southend's second went in, the atmosphere was as poisonous as any I can recall at BDBL. If we hadn't gone in level at HT I can't imagine what it would have been like.

While I have deep, deep reservations about many aspects of how our club is being run (down), I cannot understand this outpouring of hatred from our own supporters.

 

[mattbianco1]

If I'm being honest, I find you and your posting style quite irritating.

Wow. That must be the most ironic post ever read in the history of this forum.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Are you physically unable to hold a conversation?

All i'm saying beyond all the doom and gloom that most of you lot seem to have inherited of late is - It's fine margins, now that is a football cliché. But, if we had found the winning goal in the draws against Southend, Oldham, Burton and Bradford - we would be 3rd and 1pt behind the top 2. We didn't so that must mean the season is over, we're shit and the world is ending

If my aunt had a cock she'd be my uncle.

 

[mattbianco1]

If my aunt had a cock she'd be my uncle.

Correct she/he would be.

It is fine margins though, even the most pessimistic blade can agree with that surely? We're not playing great, we're only 2pts off the top 6 and are 9pts off top. It's not where we want to be or where we expected to be. However, it is far from disastrous.

Go 5 games unbeaten in this league and it changes quite a lot. Win 3 or 4 on the bounce and it changes even more.

 

[Bartleby]

Pete, once the players who can't take the pressure have pissed off, do you think we can find some who can take the pressure and who want to come to the Lane?

I think we may start to have difficulty attracting players for these reasons

My fear is that NA will not be given sufficient time to get us up. And nor will his successor. Ad fucking infinitum.

I think he will go at the end of the season if we don't go up. Possibly sacked, but if the atmosphere gets worse I think he will just resign - he's already starting to allude to the negative atmosphere in interviews. All that "if we can be united" stuff he was spouting was his caveat for that scenario and he made sure he got that one in very early and very repeatedly. He'll use that as his get out clause and to preserve his reputation.

 

[Barney]

We are playing shite, yet we are still in touch. Look at Wigan, 10 unbeaten now and flying they looked shite at the start of the season. Millwall are now 5 unbeaten. 6 games ago they were 15th. It can all change so quickly. We won 4 on the bounce at the start of the season, do that again at any point and we will climb multiple positions.

We have started playing poorly since more players have come back from injury. Get back to playing Sammon & Sharp upfront and play more direct football and we'll be fine.

 

[grafikhaus]

More like...

 

[BushBlade]

I think we may start to have difficulty attracting players for these reasons

I think he will go at the end of the season if we don't go up. Possibly sacked, but if the atmosphere gets worse I think he will just resign - he's already starting to allude to the negative atmosphere in interviews. All that "if we can be united" stuff he was spouting was his caveat for that scenario and he made sure he got that one in very early and very repeatedly. He'll use that as his get out clause and to preserve his reputation.

I wouldn't blame him if he did. If I were him, I'd be giving a list of players to whoever is in charge and saying 'get this lot in the JTW or I'm off'. I wouldn't hang around to see what's left of my reputation destroyed by a tax dodger and a plastic prince.

 

[SwissBlade]

We are playing shite, yet we are still in touch. Look at Wigan, 10 unbeaten now and flying they looked shite at the start of the season. Millwall are now 5 unbeaten. 6 games ago they were 15th. It can all change so quickly. We won 4 on the bounce at the start of the season, do that again at any point and we will climb multiple positions.

We have started playing poorly since more players have come back from injury. Get back to playing Sammon & Sharp upfront and play more direct football and we'll be fine.

You're right of course Matt, were very close in terms of points and we can get back points because those above us will drop points.

The massive problem is that despite your positivity, we are not playing well, conceding a lot and we haven't addressed the defensive problems we have had since day one of Adkins reign.

Is that all bad news? Theoretically no, Brayford coming back will boost the back four. The January transfer window will also open

However, Adkins been consistent in his team selections, we've not exactly picked up any gems in the transfer market and there are no positive signs from what we've done in the first 40% of the season.

So like Revolution says, how are we going to do this, magic?

The main thing in January is to clear out the likes of Collins, Howard, Scougal and JCR. Send Hammond and Edgar back. Having proved that they're more liable to errors. We have to look elsewhere for the remainder of this season.