Anyone else just happy at the moment?

[Chali 2na]

Good points from both you and Hamburg Blade. I tend to side with your good self Chali, mostly because, should Wilder leave us in the not too distant future, I think we'd be in for a horror show in terms of who we'd attract as manager. Managerially, there aren't many good 'uns out there, and my gut feeling is that we might sink like a lead weight with a new incumbent.

We're like many clubs that begin to progress, and Charlton under Curbishley come to mind. Once they reached the heady heights of the Premiership, Charlton's fans began to forget the days when winning was a formality, and constant defeats saw the fans moan and groan, why I'm unsure, as the gulf in class between the Championship and the Prem was, as it is now, substantial. Without moneybags in control any promoted club is destined to struggle, so why fans complain at this state of affairs is puzzling. McCabe fell lucky the day Wilder and Knill were appointed, and given his pretty awful record of management appointments, I doubt that Kev would ever have such a winning result in future.

The point I'm making is that however poor yesterday's result was, and let's be honest, there are a few players who will do well to remain at United come the summer, we're doing fantastically well given the peanuts that Wilder is handed with each transfer window. By all means moan if it helps, but do not lose sight of the far more important picture outside of this one game.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I almost feel we're getting spoilt under Wilder to the point where people are starting to forget how bad it can really get.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

You're right, deep down, I don't think they've all been shit. (They have all been shit in comparison to Wilder though I suppose.)

Warnock - Mixed, generally good though.
Robson - Shit
Blackwell - Shit
Speed - Very poor
Adams - Shit
Wilson - Poor
Clough - Poor, would've been "Shit" if not for the cup runs
Adkins - Shit

Where's Weir?

 

[The Crab]

I would say my life as a Blade, in many ways mirrors my life with Ms Crab.

There are times when it frustrates, when it hurts, when it does your fucking box in.

But you live for the times when it hits the sweet spot because when it does that, my God there's no better place to be.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I couldn't have said it better myself. I almost feel we're getting spoilt under Wilder to the point where people are starting to forget how bad it can really get.

Good, that's at least one (not forgetting I should coco ) poster I can count on

I meant to add, of course Wilder isn't above criticism, but doesn't that extend right throughout life, no matter who you are or what you do?

By all means offer something constructive - much preferred to "Ain't this a load of bollox!" - but try not to have a momentary bout of amnesia just because you're overwhelmed with rage and upset. Fulham, remember they spent £100 million in the summer, were beaten by Oldham yesterday. Now that's something worth moaning about!

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

The draws can throw up some great and memorable games, games where the players can test themselves against PL opposition

Premier League managers have consistently shown this to be a reality for lower league teams only if you get to the last 8 at best. If you draw a team in the top 6 it's likely you have to get to the Semi-Final before they bother to play their 1st 11. Winning the FA Cup is reserved for the top teams who decide it's suddenly worth winning if/when they get to the Semi.
The sad truth is that mega-money and Prem League arrogance has screwed the competition. At least we have the history books to show us that we won the competition in the days when it was the World's best club competition.
If SUFC had been where SWFC (aka CCFUFC) are in the League, then Wilder would have put out his best 11 and we would have had 18,000 in the ground and won the game at a canter. Our reputation would not have been "Sky-High" though as a result of that, and likewise our reputation as serious promotion candidates has not been damaged by yesterday's result.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Premier League managers have consistently shown this to be a reality for lower league teams only if you get to the last 8 at best. If you draw a team in the top 6 it's likely you have to get to the Semi-Final before they bother to play their 1st 11. Winning the FA Cup is reserved for the top teams who decide it's suddenly worth winning if/when they get to the Semi.
The sad truth is that mega-money and Prem League arrogance has screwed the competition. At least we have the history books to show us that we won the competition in the days when it was the World's best club competition.
If SUFC had been where SWFC (aka CCFUFC) are in the League, then Wilder would have put out his best 11 and we would have had 18,000 in the ground and won the game at a canter. Our reputation would not have been "Sky-High" though as a result of that, and likewise our reputation as serious promotion candidates has not been damaged by yesterday's result.

Again, I agree with most of that. Someone else posted on a different thread that a draw in the next round against Man City would result in a drubbing, but here you're saying they woudn't put out their 1st 11, so I think we have to acknowledge there are a fair few different opinions flying around. Personally I wouldn't mind it, it gives teams a chance to knock the big boys out and no one cares that it wasn't the first team (just like Barnet don't with us). Yes, it's annoying that the top PL teams suddenly change their tune when it gets to the semis, but you still have a good chance once there's so few minutes on the board. (And at least it's a one leg competition, 2 legs gives lower teams no chance.)

 

[Chali 2na]

Very harsh. Methinks your ratings would be a little higher if we hadn't found Wilder. I would up the ratings for Blackwell, Wilson and Clough. Easier for me to say when I've sat through fewer games, I know, but I think some of that list is "reverse nostalgia".

Edit: You forgot Weir. Probably best, however.

I tried to be objective, but perhaps you're right and I am being a little harsh.

I'll concede that I might need to change my rating for Wilson, however, as good as the football was in his 1st season, the squad he had should have won the league at a canter and his performances in big games was nothing short of woeful - I'll upgrade his rating to "mixed".

I feel my ratings for Blackwell and Clough are perfectly fair though:

Blackwell's sole achievement (IMO) was getting to the play off final - which, given the budget & parachute payments, wasn't anything to laud him for.
Meanwhile, he employed some of the most turgid, anti-football I've ever seen, all while gradually turning the squad from promotion-hopefulls to relegation fodder. I feel his reign can be summed up by the £2.5m signing of Darius Henderson - Shit.

If there is one manager in our history that has wasted more money than Blackwell though, it's Clough. Not going up during his full season is nothing short of a travesty - he was too busy falling out with new recruits and playing for draws at home - like I say, semi-finals aside; shit.

Not that I'm bitter or anything

 

[Chali 2na]

Where's Weir?

I believe it's what a shrink might call a "repressed memory".

 

[bladesadviser]

Just seen this after posting a similar new thread (apologies)

I’m chuffed to bits. Currently skiing in the alps and whilst we need more snow I’ve ski’d everyone of the last 8 days with 5 more to go.

Run yesterday afternoon, Spin bike session tonight and weds, swimming tomorrow... so my training is well under way. And next week I’ll be in the sunshine of Cyprus

Where in the alps are you?

 

[Chali 2na]

Good, that's at least one (not forgetting I should coco ) poster I can count on

I meant to add, of course Wilder isn't above criticism, but doesn't that extend right throughout life, no matter who you are or what you do?

By all means offer something constructive - much preferred to "Ain't this a load of bollox!" - but try not to have a momentary bout of amnesia just because you're overwhelmed with rage and upset. Fulham, remember they spent £100 million in the summer, were beaten by Oldham yesterday. Now that's something worth moaning about!

I think your last paragraph is the most poignant. Thinking about it, it's not the criticism of Wilder that bothers me, normally the nature of the criticism.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I think your last paragraph is the most poignant. Thinking about it, it's not the criticism of Wilder that bothers me, normally the nature of the criticism.

Generally, ain't it always so? I think most people (and there are those whose fabric isn't built for brutal criticism) can accept criticism if it's meant sincerely and constructively. But the 'attack dog' mode seems to be the currently fashionable style to adopt, and no matter how bitter and destructive, what matters is to say your tuppence no matter how ill-conceived a post might be.

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

no one cares that it wasn't the first team

What people feel and know in their hearts is not what they admit to - especially when it comes to our beautiful game. I'm afraid I've seen too many glorious Blades cup feats against top teams with their 1st 11 out there on the pitch to get excited about beating, for example, Man Utd and Spurs Reserves. I'd rather stick with, for example, my memories of a very glum looking Steve Bruce - along with all his other top-name team mates.

 

[Chali 2na]

Generally, ain't it always so? I think most people (and there are those whose fabric isn't built for brutal criticism) can accept criticism if it's meant sincerely and constructively. But the 'attack dog' mode seems to be the currently fashionable style to adopt, and no matter how bitter and destructive, what matters is to say your tuppence no matter how ill-conceived a post might be.

I think the attack dog mentality you describe is worsened by the fact that seemingly everyone has to have an absoloute opinion. Things are either great or shit, never indifferent. (Possibly evidenced by my grades for our previous managers )

 

[itsinyerblood]

I think the attack dog mentality you describe is worsened by the fact that seemingly everyone has to have an absoloute opinion. Things are either great or shit, never indifferent. (Possibly evidenced by my grades for our previous managers )

Agree, it's either pouring with rain or the weather's glorious.....not the best metaphor but you get my drift.

You're right though, as much as I support the idea that everyone should be entitled to have their say, it doesn't mean that everyone has anything worth contributing.
You only have to listen to Radio Sheffield to know how poor many of the contributions are.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Getting promotion to the Premier League may well have something to do with CW's decision to field his Reserve team yesterday. For Barnet this game represented maybe one of the most important games in their history, and their players responded to the task of playing like a team determined to make their mark on their own piece of history. The only significance for us was the opportunity for CW to see which (if any) of his reserves might be worthy of inclusion in the match-day squad, and (more importantly) resting his over-stretched 11 (unchanged but for the enforced change re Basham) and avoiding injuries.
He probably concluded that Coutts was the only one currently worthy of a place in the squad. He possibly also concluded that Lundstram and Washington are never likely to be.

If I'd bothered to go to that reserve game I might have been a little less than happy right now, but the fact I didn't and CW can pick a full-strength 11 for the next match; that we don't have a key player injured (unlike the Wendy who went in with a full-strength team and now face a replay); that we are in with great chance of auto promotion; that our goal-difference has improved significantly in only 3 matches etc... means that - YES - I'm very happy!!

Lets hope Barnet and Madne are just a spooky coincidence and there is nowt in it eh?

 

[Sean Thornton]

Ecstatic now.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Lets hope Barnet and Madne are just a spooky coincidence and there is nowt in it eh?

You mean apart from the entire women's team going to prison for racism, sex trafficking and murder?



I may have exagerated for effect.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

You mean apart from the entire women's team going to prison for racism, sex trafficking and murder?



I may have exagerated for effect.

don't think they count

 

[GrayBlade]

Just wondering, loads seem to be whining and moaning as if the wheels have come off.

Just wondered if anyone like me was just buzzing at the fact we’re 3rd with a cracking game at the weekend and a striker coming in this week to bolster?

Don’t even care it’s Madine I’m just happy with how it is right now.

Regarding some of the negativity, my view is that some Blades and football fans in general like a bit of a moan now and again no matter how good things are going in general. It’s just human nature and probably keeps it a bit more real when when things seem to good to be true.

Oh and intermingled with the genuine Blades, I suspect that there’s also a selection of oportunist undercover Pork who’ve desperately been waiting for a bit of of negativity so they can stir their Piggy pots.

 

[GrayBlade]

I was actually going to name her then but thought better of it!

I’m in Leeds by the way. Farsley

Is it Farsley Celtic? Reight pair of lungs on her.

 

[SwissBlade]

Where in the alps are you?

Morzine

 

[bladesadviser]

Very nice, just been skiing in Canada and normally go to Switzerland in February but funds will probably mean I have to miss it this year

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Given the poor budget and board room squabbles, I'm delighted with how the season is progressing. The Barnet result and Madine signing haven't ended my world. Let's hope we can kick on an be in the mix come April/May!

 

[Dronfield Blade]

It’s fashionable to be offended at everything. Personally find the whole false outrage boring....

Anyway does anybody know what number Madine has been issued? Thinking of getting his name and number on back of my shirt!!

Roll on Saturday!!!

Up the blades!!!!

 

[SwissBlade]

Very nice, just been skiing in Canada and normally go to Switzerland in February but funds will probably mean I have to miss it this year

I know the area around here well as I do my triathlon training camps here in the summer so it’s an easy place to settle back into.

Switzerland has some great places and loads of mates there so will probably go there next winter

 

[Come from away]

Just wondering, loads seem to be whining and moaning as if the wheels have come off.

Just wondered if anyone like me was just buzzing at the fact we’re 3rd with a cracking game at the weekend and a striker coming in this week to bolster?

Don’t even care it’s Madine I’m just happy with how it is right now.

I'm happy thanks to CW.

 

[bladesadviser]

I know the area around here well as I do my triathlon training camps here in the summer so it’s an easy place to settle back into.

Switzerland has some great places and loads of mates there so will probably go there next winter

Wengen and Zermatt are my favourites, love Switzerland. We may go walking in Wengen in the summer

 

[Revolution]

I don't think Wilder will have brought in Madine to just sit on the bench though Revolution! He might not start every game granted but he will take pitch time up of others, otherwise why bring him in if he's worse than what we have!.

Because we need cover and he's available and cheaper than paying for or loaning someone with a decent recent track record.

It was the same with Washington. Very poor recent record, QPR fans said he was poor - and for the most part he has been. But he was all we could afford. We signed him despite him being worse than what we have.

 

[SwissBlade]

Wengen and Zermatt are my favourites, love Switzerland. We may go walking in Wengen in the summer

We’ll have to organise an S2 alpine trip

 

[Booker4]

Because we need cover and he's available and cheaper than paying for or loaning someone with a decent recent track record.

It was the same with Washington. Very poor recent record, QPR fans said he was poor - and for the most part he has been. But he was all we could afford. We signed him despite him being worse than what we have.

Washington's a different case to Madine though. You're right re Washigton. It was a last minute signing, clearly not Wilder's first choice, but he's provided cover and that's about it.

Madine though did really well at Bolton and he's something different to what we have. Washington was also different, but not good enough. I believe Madine will make a difference and will be an asset. Only time will tell of course.