Am I the only one that feels optimistic?

[Patrick Suffaux]

Heard a few moaners on RS tonight while I was cleaning the car. I think this lack of activity on deadline day has really got under some people's skin hasn't it? I'm fairly happy with the squad, especially having seen a really solid performance at Preston and a four game unbeaten run. Things are looking up aren't they?

It's not perfect, never is and we definitely do need one or two more (an extra forward first) but there will be loads of decent players available in this next loan window. A lot of big squads in the league above and it will filter down. Come on cheer up, in Clough we trust!

UTB

 

[blader]

Depends on where your expectation level lies. If you're 'optimistic' we'll get automatic promotion, you are more like 'deluded'!

 

[JJBlade]

I'm optimistic. I think we'll go up as Champions.

 

[shorehamview]

No. We're going to piss this shitty little league with it's shitty little teams and opposition fans who think that by chanting "Sheffield's a shithole, I wanna go home" will make up for the fact that they've come from Bradford, Gillingham, Crawley, Walsall or a host of other similar grim-as-fuck hellholes.

Of course, I've been saying this for a few years now.

 

[Kenilworth]

No where near enough goals in this squad at the moment to get auto. If we add some decent strikers to the mix then I might be more comfortable about a play off place. Problem is if they are loans they cannot be relied on for the whole term. They may be recalled or go elsewhere if they succeed. Then we are just giving experience and game time to someone else's player.

If you are satisfied with another season to come at this level then you should be content. If you believe that it is vitally important for this club to gain promotion to the championship this year - then you should be very concerned until the striker situation is resolved.

We are difficult to beat and resolute and we have a bunch of lads full of commitment to the cause. However, we are currently a long way away from HMS Piss The League - a long, long way off.

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

I'm optimistic, in fact I'd say that I'm actually confident we'll go up. This is partly based on the current squad, but also partly based on the fact that I think we are, without doubt League One's most attractive proposition for loanees from the top two divisions. We should be in a position to sign two, or even three quality players. That, on top of what we have would give us what we need to win this division.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Depends on where your expectation level lies. If you're 'optimistic' we'll get automatic promotion, you are more like 'deluded'!

Why? Can you really justify that at the start of September?

Is it not possible that Higdon and McNulty will improve with games and fitness? Is it not possible that Baxter will continue scoring? Is it not possible that Murphy's form will improve?

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

No where near enough goals in this squad at the moment to get auto. If we add some decent strikers to the mix then I might be more comfortable about a play off place. Problem is if they are loans they cannot be relied on for the whole term. They may be recalled or go elsewhere if they succeed. Then we are just giving experience and game time to someone else's player.

If you are satisfied with another season to come at this level then you should be content. If you believe that it is vitally important for this club to gain promotion to the championship this year - then you should be very concerned until the striker situation is resolved.

We are difficult to beat and resolute and we have a bunch of lads full of commitment to the cause. However, we are currently a long way away from HMS Piss The League - a long, long way off.

Ken, this squad will easily make the playoffs. Difficult to prove it because we will undoubtedly bring in a few more, probably mostly on loan.

Let's review it in May based on transfer fees spent etc.

 

[judge]

Will higdon be 100% match fit for the play off final ?

 

[blader]

I'm optimistic, in fact I'd say that I'm actually confident we'll go up. This is partly based on the current squad, but also partly based on the fact that I think we are, without doubt League One's most attractive proposition for loanees from the top two divisions. We should be in a position to sign two, or even three quality players. That, on top of what we have would give us what we need to win this division.

You'd think so. However, Ben Marshall, Marcell trotta, Patrick Branford, Alan judge and many others would probably beg to differ. Let's face it the only quality loan signing we've made in many years was one of Clough's old mates who's fallen out of favour and wanted some game time.

Generally, we've been useless in the loan market... Cofie, Ohalloran et al

 

[blader]

Why? Can you really justify that at the start of September?

Is it not possible that Higdon and McNulty will improve with games and fitness? Is it not possible that Baxter will continue scoring? Is it not possible that Murphy's form will improve?

Well lots of things are 'possible' when you put it like that. It's possible we could go down, but unlikely. The question is: is it LIKELY we will finish in the top 2? Surely your answer has to be no?

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Well lots of things are 'possible' when you put it like that. It's possible we could go down, but unlikely. The question is: is it LIKELY we will finish in the top 2? Surely your answer has to be no?

Who could you say is a certainty for top 2 at this stage?

 

[blader]

Who could you say is a certainty for top 2 at this stage?

Again, I must stress, I am saying LIKELY, not certainly. It is not likely we will finish in the top two, you can't tell me this team looks to have the 70+ goals required for autos?

 

[S5Blade]

I'm optimistic, in fact I'd say that I'm actually confident we'll go up. This is partly based on the current squad, but also partly based on the fact that I think we are, without doubt League One's most attractive proposition for loanees from the top two divisions. We should be in a position to sign two, or even three quality players. That, on top of what we have would give us what we need to win this division.

this is pretty much how I feel. Its very early days, we are looking stronger by the game, we will get decent loans in and we will go up auto this season.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Again, I must stress, I am saying LIKELY, not certainly. It is not likely we will finish in the top two, you can't tell me this team looks to have the 70+ goals required for autos?

I find five games is not a big enough sample to be able to tell. Oddly football supporters always think it is

 

[blader]

I find five games is not a big enough sample to be able to tell. Oddly football supporters always think it is

Well Wolves were top after 5 games last year, and Brentford were 3rd so that wasn't such a bad gauge was it?

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Well Wolves were top after 5 games last year, and Brentford were 3rd so that wasn't such a bad gauge was it?

Wolves had the biggest budget of any third tier team ever and Brentford also slumped to 11th after 12 games. What's your point?

 

[blader]

Wolves had the biggest budget of any third tier team ever and Brentford also slumped to 11th after 12 games. What's your point?

A direct response to your '5 games isn't enough' post. Evidently on last season, it was enough to gauge who the best sides were.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

A direct response to your '5 games isn't enough' post. Evidently on last season, it was enough to gauge who the best sides were.

Ok let's try it this way....do you think that the top two will come from Peterborough, Fleetwood and Bristol City? I bet it won't.

 

[blader]

Ok let's try it this way....do you think that the top two will come from Peterborough, Fleetwood and Bristol City? I bet it won't.

I think again, you're confusing likelihood with certainty. I think it's more likely Peterborough will be there come May than us. Pointless debating really, you think we will finish top 2, I don't think we'll be anywhere near. Let's just wait I guess...

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

You'd think so. However, Ben Marshall, Marcell trotta, Patrick Branford, Alan judge and many others would probably beg to differ. Let's face it the only quality loan signing we've made in many years was one of Clough's old mates who's fallen out of favour and wanted some game time.

Generally, we've been useless in the loan market... Cofie, Ohalloran et al

The situation currently is that we had a very impressive end to the previous season and we have a very well known and respected manager in charge. This season we are, without a doubt, League One's biggest name.

If you are a manager in the Premiership or Championship at the moment, and you have some decent young talent you are looking to loan out - why wouldn't you want them to come to Sheffield United? Experience playing for a fantastic football club under a good manager, in front of sizeable crowds with a bit of pressure. Perfect for development.

So to me, it's just down to Clough to identify the right ones to bring in (and presumably the parent club contributing some of the wages if we are looking to take a high earner).

The loan market is a bit of a gamble by nature and I wouldn't expect every one to come off - but I do believe right now that we are in as good a position as we can be to make it work for us.

I actually do understand those who are concerned with the current squad and feel that we need to add more. Ideally I agree. I do seem to be in a bit of a minority though in that I think the current squad is better than some are giving credit for. I wonder what the first two league results would have been had Clough not made the selections he did. I'd be willing to bet that we wouldn't have lost both, that's for sure. Given the last three results (taking into account the opposition) I'd say there are some promising signs and anyone who says we are not capable of promotion at the moment is being a little premature.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I think again, you're confusing likelihood with certainty. I think it's more likely Peterborough will be there come May than us. Pointless debating really, you think we will finish top 2, I don't think we'll be anywhere near. Let's just wait I guess...

I'm not confusing anything. You're trying to suggest that league positions after five games are an accurate indication of where teams will finish and your argument is based on this time last season. If I really wanted to spend the time doing it (and I really don't) I could probably pull together several examples of when sides who were top at this stage, finished nowhere near at the end.

You're dealing in likelihood and certainty, not me. With 41 games to go and limitless variables over the course of those games, how can you possibly say Peterborough are any more likely to finish top 2 than us? We beat them at their place for a start!

I think the Blades have potential to improve as they have put in two or three really encouraging performances of late. I never said we would finish top 2 by the way.

 

[SwissBlade]

Will higdon be 100% match fit for the play off final ?

Will he fuck! He'll have just been drinking champions champagne for two weeks, doing the league one champs version of the ice bucket challenge in some sleazy hotel in Vegas whilst Murphy's slumped on a bar stool having just smashed a dozen jäger bombs and iron bru.

Ched relaxing by the pool with a book and a mineral water...

They won't be fit enough to watch the play off final let alone play it!

 

[blader]

I'm not confusing anything. You're trying to suggest that league positions after five games are an accurate indication of where teams will finish and your argument is based on this time last season. If I really wanted to spend the time doing it (and I really don't) I could probably pull together several examples of when sides who were top at this stage, finished nowhere near at the end.

You're dealing in likelihood and certainty, not me. With 41 games to go and limitless variables over the course of those games, how can you possibly say Peterborough are any more likely to finish top 2 than us? We beat them at their place for a start!

I think the Blades have potential to improve as they have put in two or three really encouraging performances of late. I never said we would finish top 2 by the way.

So this goes back to my very first post. In what way are you 'optimistic'? If you are optimistic about our chances of top 6, then we have been in agreement all along!

 

[stringjunior]

Will he fuck! He'll have just been drinking champions champagne for two weeks, doing the league one champs version of the ice bucket challenge in some sleazy hotel in Vegas whilst Murphy's slumped on a bar stool having just smashed a dozen jäger bombs and iron bru.

Ched relaxing by the pool with a book and a mineral water...

They won't be fit enough to watch the play off final let alone play it!

Double like. Spat me tea out laughing

 

[Bladesway]

Depends on where your expectation level lies. If you're 'optimistic' we'll get automatic promotion, you are more like 'deluded'!

Ahh the great oracle has opened his gaping maw and told everyone how it should be. Personally I dont have a clue whether we are good enough or not. I see an improving side but think we need something up front. Higdon may come good but I have my doubts. However last season I had us down as relegation certainties even after Clough came in. I was pleased to be wrong.

Be optimistic if you want, moan like a twat if you want, none of us really know how things are going to turn out.

 

[Bladesway]

Will higdon be 100% match fit for the play off final ?

Someone shat in your dinner recently Judge?

 

[judge]

Someone shat in your dinner recently Judge?

I know Ive been in a reyt mood , had a bug/virus for about 3 weeks and I cant get rid of it need to stop coming on here

 

[SelbyBlade]

To the OP no you are not. I believe, as per last season, that Clough can see the problems and will be trying to solve them. He isn't coming in after >10 games with a massive motivation problem to sort as well as an over-staffed squad low on quality with only 4 points, not 7 points after 5 games.

Murphy hasn't turned into a bad player in fact he has turned into a player with a reputation that other managers will focus on countering. Wallace isn't fully integrated yet and Clough has the problem of where to play Baxter.

Some of the improvements from last year are that JCR can give the wingers a rest and some competition, we have an in depth midfield in terms of different playing styles i.e. counter or controlling and Mark Howard playing out of skin.

Some positives including getting the winning spirit back against Crawley and Peterbrough, a tough centre against the cheats, Alcock although not as good as Brayford has been a great acquisition, three good wingers and Davies who has been excellent.

Clough does need to look for a replacement for Maguire there's no doubt about that and ironically you can get better players on loan than you can permanently in this division (Brayford), someone not quite in the first team in the top of the Championship who whose team don't want to loan out to a rival or even lower Prem. As it develops I hope Higdon can integrate and get fitter I'm sure in training they will be looking at the most productive ways of utilising what he can do.

Also by loaning players now the money the Prince has set aside can be utilised in a higher level.

Its far too early to panic or be down hearted especially after four unbeaten games including an away win to a Prem team who really wanted to thrash us. Many were still optimistic that Weir would pull it round this time last year, its only 5 games in.

 

[blader]

Ahh the great oracle has opened his gaping maw and told everyone how it should be. Personally I dont have a clue whether we are good enough or not. I see an improving side but think we need something up front. Higdon may come good but I have my doubts. However last season I had us down as relegation certainties even after Clough came in. I was pleased to be wrong.

Be optimistic if you want, moan like a twat if you want, none of us really know how things are going to turn out.

And until this is resurrected I hall remain realistic about our capabilities. Everyone acknowledges we need more up front, so it confuses me if you acknowledge this yet still think we will win promotion. IF we sign a prolific and mobile striker I will then believe automatic promotion is achievable. However, this guy has to come very soon, we're already quite a few points off the front runners. 5 in 5 hardly screams promotion sadly, wolves had 14 goals at this stage last season.