Are our fans a hindrance?

[Railway Blade]

I don't think our fans being a hindrance is necessarily a Sheffield United problem. I would imagine the same happens in almost every fan base.

I heard on Talksport this year Arsenal fans arguing that Arteta should be fired because he didn't win the league.

Its the problem of a large group of diverse people with one aligned goal, wanting the best for their club.

You have multiple personality types all wanting the same thing, which is fine when everyone can see that things are moving well towards the goal but the cracks appear when that progress is halted or even worse reversed.

Social media exacerbates the problem giving a platform for people to air their views sometimes to the extreme with no repercussions. Previously you would just vent your frustrations with your circle of friends or just sit on your hands and howl at the moon . Now you can, wind up, taunt, goad people you don't even know to get your point across and get yourself the attention you crave.

All this makes the polarisation more extreme when things go wrong or there is a shift from the norm that makes some uncomfortable.

But like I say this isn't just a Sheffield United issue it's a societal one.

 

[DeanLearner'sCat]

I'm happy with the appointment, but if somebody from Sheffield had his CV, I suspect our fans who talk of wanting a "progressive", "modern" club would be outraged and would say he'd only got the job because of Bladeyness.

 

[knowsnowt]

I love having the Spaniards in charge as I myself are from the Spanish town region of Wybourn.
He's almost kin.

 

[St Annington]

Reminds me of this from a few years back

 

[Jacobsenthecrab]

For the last 9 years we've been lucky enough to have one of our own in charge for long spells achieving success. To have this in English football is not normal at our level, it's an international business and we are the outlier.

The second foreign manager in Blades history is one day into his reign, he's already being subjected to criticism that will ripple, if he loses his first few games, he'll have vocal opposition, he already has vocal opposition.

Blades who I respect and know well have voiced their concerns, I get being concerned about change, AI, data, all that malarkey that nobody understands.

Some are plain racist and don't want a foreigner in charge.

We seem to be trying to follow the Brentford/Brighton model. But we're hamstrung by fan resistance. Do you think Brentford and Brighton were as resistant when their new owners started to change things? Do you think it helps to vocally oppose changes in the way our fan base has so far?

Personally I think we have a problem. Half of us want a progressive club that adapts to modern football and gives us the best chance of success. Half of us want to do things in the traditional way and will only be bought over by success.

The one thing we all have in common is that we have no choice, we may agree or disagree, or be unsure, but none of us can do anything other than watch it unfold. I'm hopeful, I'll enjoy my days out at the match, I'll enjoy the ride and I'll support my club unconditionally, unless I think we're being harmed, like Chansiri harmed

But I don't get why we have so much negativity when we're in probably the best condition we've been in on a general level.

I wish my fellow Blades could be less entitled and more supportive, the negativity is a problem for me and maybe for the club.

Great post.
I think all clubs have fans with different opinions but Wilder being a fan brings a different dynamic here.
In terms of the new set-up we need to move forwards with a new model if we ever want to become a fixture in the Premier League as the sums involved to stabilise a mid-table club are way outside anything we can generate commercially or with owner funds.
The academy getting to tier one is a must and it’s painfully obvious we need a new recruitment model.
I read yesterday that they guy we are using for the data/analytics is from a similar background to the Brentford and Brighton owners and used to work for them both so hopefully that’s a good sign.
It is a long term project though and you have to bring in a lot of players to find those gems.

We do have a certain identity that the Wilder style plays into, same with Warnock but if we start seeing improvements on the pitch I’m sure the fans will get behind the new manager as ultimately all we want is results and a good day out.

 

[mindoo03]

Fans need a scapegoat.

It was Wilder after the season ended.
Now it's the owners.
If we start badly, it'll be Selles.
If we start well, it'll probably be Robinson.

 

[I should coco]

Can you tell me how many owners of football clubs in let's say, the last 40 odd years, have bought and owned football clubs for purely benevolent reasons? Of course they'd ultimately want to get something out of it... I'm still amazed people seem shocked by this notion. It doesn't mean as a football club there can't be success at the same time.

I'd say most club owners up to about 20 years ago were fans, not in it to make money. The Glazers were the first to get involved for purely financial reasons.

Currently, the Coates family at Stoke, Mathew Benham/Brentford, Tony Bloom/Brighton Andy Holt/Accrington, the Port Vale woman, Steve Gibson/Boro Derby Hemmings family/ Preston are the obvious ones, but I think most L1&L2 clubs are still owned by fan benefactors.

I'm not really sure what your point is. I'm suspicious of our lot and think they will drop us as soon as they get bored. You obvious think that they are the dog's doodahs.

 

[dexter101]

Fans will always have different opinions. You only have to look at comments following Deadbat ratings to see that people have different interpretations of good and bad.
Historically, up to this point we are a club who, for the most part, draws its fans from the local area. So when we end up with a manager/player who is "one of our own" it means more. This isn't unique to us either, but we tend to hang onto it a bit more because we have less outside influences. Look at Manchester United and their time with Solskjær, he isn't even from England, let alone manchester...

I love our connection to the city, however if we want the club to be bigger, we have to look outside of this space.

The best example I can see of this is the owners. Yes, it would be a dream for some local person to own the club, and be successful. However, in reality, our previous owner was a Prince without enough money to keep a football club operating at this level. We are now owned by American millionaires who may be able to fund success.

If we don't want that, and we want a local owner, we would have to then accept that we may be a championship side (at best!) football has changed and we just wouldn't survive.

Money also then brings changes to drive more money. The owners will be looking at how we can increase our fan base, both locally AND elsewhere.

Look at the social media engagement from Bangladesh following Choudhury's loan! We always seem to also get a lot of Turkish engagement? not sure why. And having BBD tended to result in comments from Chile (the Stoke of South America...)

All these moving parts means that parts of the club will be changing, I just hope they have a plan for keeping our heart, which is Sheffield and its people, the mardy lot that they can be

 

[Bladesman]

For the last 9 years we've been lucky enough to have one of our own in charge for long spells achieving success. To have this in English football is not normal at our level, it's an international business and we are the outlier.

The second foreign manager in Blades history is one day into his reign, he's already being subjected to criticism that will ripple, if he loses his first few games, he'll have vocal opposition, he already has vocal opposition.

Blades who I respect and know well have voiced their concerns, I get being concerned about change, AI, data, all that malarkey that nobody understands.

Some are plain racist and don't want a foreigner in charge.

We seem to be trying to follow the Brentford/Brighton model. But we're hamstrung by fan resistance. Do you think Brentford and Brighton were as resistant when their new owners started to change things? Do you think it helps to vocally oppose changes in the way our fan base has so far?

Personally I think we have a problem. Half of us want a progressive club that adapts to modern football and gives us the best chance of success. Half of us want to do things in the traditional way and will only be bought over by success.

The one thing we all have in common is that we have no choice, we may agree or disagree, or be unsure, but none of us can do anything other than watch it unfold. I'm hopeful, I'll enjoy my days out at the match, I'll enjoy the ride and I'll support my club unconditionally, unless I think we're being harmed, like Chansiri harmed

But I don't get why we have so much negativity when we're in probably the best condition we've been in on a general level.

I wish my fellow Blades could be less entitled and more supportive, the negativity is a problem for me and maybe for the club.

As much as people like the Championship and would prefer it to another dry bumming in the Premier League, an owner isn't going to fund the clubs losses indefinitely in this league. We are going to have to make the push to at least try and have a longer spell in the Premier League.

So the club needs a change in ethos that at least gives us a chance of staying in the PL for a sustained period of time. We all appreciate the success Wilder has brought to the club, took us out of the mire of League 1 and gave us some really great times but as I said elsewhere that was Wilder MK1. It's obvious he has a ceiling, similar to Warnock and for whatever reason can't quite adapt to the way football now is at the top level. He like ourselves are emotionally invested in the club and sometimes that can work against you hence some of his outbursts this season and in the PL.

I wouldn't say it's racist regarding the resistance to Selles, I just think fans just seem to be a fan of Wilder more than the club now and they struggle to take to anyone else managing the club. People turned quickly on Slav and some didn't want him despite his record previously. They took to Hecky better but I'd say it's down to him hitting the ground running more than anything.

I didn't want Wilder to go first time around but I wasn't 100% about wanting him back and this is why. He has divided the fanbase and the fact some nutters are returning the season ticket over him leaving says it all. We have become Wilder United FC (and fans of other clubs see it as well) and he has his own clique of supporters (and pals) who think he walks on water.

Even if Selles flops, I'd hope we don't get calls to have Wilder comeback a third time. This club needs to move on especially now we have new owners. Respect the work Wilder has done, he's put the foundations in the ground. It's time for the new owners of the club to build on those foundations and take us forward.

 

[PrestwichBlade]

I'd say most club owners up to about 20 years ago were fans, not in it to make money. The Glazers were the first to get involved for purely financial reasons.

Currently, the Coates family at Stoke, Mathew Benham/Brentford, Tony Bloom/Brighton Andy Holt/Accrington, the Port Vale woman, Steve Gibson/Boro Derby Hemmings family/ Preston are the obvious ones, but I think most L1&L2 clubs are still owned by fan benefactors.

I'm not really sure what your point is. I'm suspicious of our lot and think they will drop us as soon as they get bored. You obvious think that they are the dog's doodahs.

I didn't even mention our owners, so I'm unsure how you've come to that conclusion. As for the others, fair enough, but I'd also wager if someone came along with an interest in buying the club, they wouldn't just give it away! I guess the point is, that unless you have a willing 'benefactor' happy to wave goodbye to hundreds of millions of pounds (which we apparently don't), then to 'succeed' there has to be a businesslike approach that necessitates the sort of route we and many others have gone down. Of course it doesn't always work out that way, but this type of ownership model doesn't have to be for nefarious reasons. I suppose idealistically they invest, we/they succeed in their aims and they turn a profit... I'm comfortable with that if it happens.

 

[Silent Blade]

Fans need a scapegoat.

It was Wilder after the season ended.
Now it's the owners.
If we start badly, it'll be Selles.
If we start well, it'll probably be Robinson.

Spot on!

 

[Gin&Juice]

I love having the Spaniards in charge as I myself are from the Spanish town region of Wybourn.
He's almost kin.

Knowsnowt Salvador

 

[luffenhamblade]

For the last 9 years we've been lucky enough to have one of our own in charge for long spells achieving success. To have this in English football is not normal at our level, it's an international business and we are the outlier.

The second foreign manager in Blades history is one day into his reign, he's already being subjected to criticism that will ripple, if he loses his first few games, he'll have vocal opposition, he already has vocal opposition.

Blades who I respect and know well have voiced their concerns, I get being concerned about change, AI, data, all that malarkey that nobody understands.

Some are plain racist and don't want a foreigner in charge.

We seem to be trying to follow the Brentford/Brighton model. But we're hamstrung by fan resistance. Do you think Brentford and Brighton were as resistant when their new owners started to change things? Do you think it helps to vocally oppose changes in the way our fan base has so far?

Personally I think we have a problem. Half of us want a progressive club that adapts to modern football and gives us the best chance of success. Half of us want to do things in the traditional way and will only be bought over by success.

The one thing we all have in common is that we have no choice, we may agree or disagree, or be unsure, but none of us can do anything other than watch it unfold. I'm hopeful, I'll enjoy my days out at the match, I'll enjoy the ride and I'll support my club unconditionally, unless I think we're being harmed, like Chansiri harmed

But I don't get why we have so much negativity when we're in probably the best condition we've been in on a general level.

I wish my fellow Blades could be less entitled and more supportive, the negativity is a problem for me and maybe for the club.

Don’t think any of the perceived negativity is because he is foreign. Pretty sure it would have been the same if it were O’Neil.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

ultimately all we want is results and a good day out.

The problem last season is that for a lot of games we got results but a crap day out as well.

 

[Bartleby]

Bassett?

Poster is technically correct - Bassett got us promoted to Div 1 which became Premier League while we were in it.

 

[Westran]

Sorry, the racist comment is probably a bit misguided on my part, I guess I was just referring to comments I've heard about not wanting a foreign manager with no justification. I accept it's not necessarily racist, but it is a bit of a short sighted, restrictive, and at worst, ignorant view to take considering where we're at with modern football approaches. It's an international business and to be the best you need your pool to be as wide as possible to attract the best, focussing only on our home nationality has benefits, but also has major drawbacks.

 

[Captain Obvious]

For the last 9 years we've been lucky enough to have one of our own in charge for long spells achieving success. To have this in English football is not normal at our level, it's an international business and we are the outlier.

The second foreign manager in Blades history is one day into his reign, he's already being subjected to criticism that will ripple, if he loses his first few games, he'll have vocal opposition, he already has vocal opposition.

Blades who I respect and know well have voiced their concerns, I get being concerned about change, AI, data, all that malarkey that nobody understands.

Some are plain racist and don't want a foreigner in charge.

We seem to be trying to follow the Brentford/Brighton model. But we're hamstrung by fan resistance. Do you think Brentford and Brighton were as resistant when their new owners started to change things? Do you think it helps to vocally oppose changes in the way our fan base has so far?

Personally I think we have a problem. Half of us want a progressive club that adapts to modern football and gives us the best chance of success. Half of us want to do things in the traditional way and will only be bought over by success.

The one thing we all have in common is that we have no choice, we may agree or disagree, or be unsure, but none of us can do anything other than watch it unfold. I'm hopeful, I'll enjoy my days out at the match, I'll enjoy the ride and I'll support my club unconditionally, unless I think we're being harmed, like Chansiri harmed

But I don't get why we have so much negativity when we're in probably the best condition we've been in on a general level.

I wish my fellow Blades could be less entitled and more supportive, the negativity is a problem for me and maybe for the club.

Utter nonsense. Wilder was subject to criticism when he came back for his second spell. He won a lot over by winning a lot of games last season which is what Selles will have to do.

The negativity has nothing to do with the manager being foreign, it’s because he’s not achieved anything other than survival in the championship. It looks like an underwhelming appointment, whichever way you spin it. Don’t think you’d hear any negativity if Pep came to manage us, and he’s not English.

That being said, we need to create a positive environment for the manager and players at the start of the season.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Spot on!

Hope not as that means we are persisting with JLT

 

[Charlieblade]

I think Chris Wilder, chest thumping old fashioned management style, brought the club some of the best times ever.
The problem is that today, professional football has outgrown him. It is a serious highly regulated business. Wilder is not the only one outstripped by more modern business practice, and not all of that is positive.
The Premier League is now closed shop and some barriers to future success will be overturned because of it.

Hitch your horses to your favourite way ahead. The only only certainty is that change, in some form or other is inevitable.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

I think Chris Wilder, chest thumping old fashioned management style, brought the club some of the best times ever.
The problem is that today, professional football has outgrown him. It is a serious highly regulated business. Wilder is not the only one outstripped by more modern business practice, and not all of that is positive.
The Premier League is now closed shop and some barriers to future success will be overturned because of it.

Hitch your horses to your favourite way ahead. The only only certainty is that change, in some form or other is inevitable.

Hitch your horses? Chris is ot the only one being outstripped!

 

[metalblade]

For the last 9 years we've been lucky enough to have one of our own in charge for long spells achieving success. To have this in English football is not normal at our level, it's an international business and we are the outlier.

The second foreign manager in Blades history is one day into his reign, he's already being subjected to criticism that will ripple, if he loses his first few games, he'll have vocal opposition, he already has vocal opposition.

Blades who I respect and know well have voiced their concerns, I get being concerned about change, AI, data, all that malarkey that nobody understands.

Some are plain racist and don't want a foreigner in charge.

We seem to be trying to follow the Brentford/Brighton model. But we're hamstrung by fan resistance. Do you think Brentford and Brighton were as resistant when their new owners started to change things? Do you think it helps to vocally oppose changes in the way our fan base has so far?

Personally I think we have a problem. Half of us want a progressive club that adapts to modern football and gives us the best chance of success. Half of us want to do things in the traditional way and will only be bought over by success.

The one thing we all have in common is that we have no choice, we may agree or disagree, or be unsure, but none of us can do anything other than watch it unfold. I'm hopeful, I'll enjoy my days out at the match, I'll enjoy the ride and I'll support my club unconditionally, unless I think we're being harmed, like Chansiri harmed

But I don't get why we have so much negativity when we're in probably the best condition we've been in on a general level.

I wish my fellow Blades could be less entitled and more supportive, the negativity is a problem for me and maybe for the club.

It's a Sheffield United thing for 40 years we have been conditioned in up and at em football it is embedded in the clubs DNA now only Basset made a success of it but that was over 30 year ago it needs to be put in that museum in the corner of the south stand................ the one that has never had a worthwhile trophy in it. As for the fans we must be the most glass half empty lot in the country as a result, it is pathetic just look at this weeks posts and threads if you don't believe me "relegated", "that's me done" "shite appointment" a few of the common theme's before the guy has got his feet under the desk. YES we do have a problem with negativity contrast that with the fans in S6 where a few wins on the trot makes them world beaters, HMS Piss the league sets sail every year over there that is until it runs aground on the 1st weir on the river Don.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Sorry, the racist comment is probably a bit misguided on my part, I guess I was just referring to comments I've heard about not wanting a foreign manager with no justification. I accept it's not necessarily racist, but it is a bit of a short sighted, restrictive, and at worst, ignorant view to take considering where we're at with modern football approaches. It's an international business and to be the best you need your pool to be as wide as possible to attract the best, focussing only on our home nationality has benefits, but also has major drawbacks.

Agree the anti Selles feeling is not motivated by racism.
It’s mainly due to many Sheffielders being insular and hating/ distrusting any kind of change.

The old fashioned values and negativity towards anything new is part of the Sheffield culture
And it’s one of the reasons why both Sheffield clubs have struggled to attract higher profile investors/ buyers.

Also let’s be honest….most fans, including ours are incredibly fickle.
If Sellers starts well playing entertaining football…..no doubt some of our fans will be singing “Y Viva Espana”.

 

[ITALIANO BLADE]

GOOD LUCK RUBEN SELLES from a italian blade

 

[I should coco]

. I suppose idealistically they invest, we/they succeed in their aims and they turn a profit... I'm comfortable with that if it happens.

An 'idealistically'(?) and an 'if': that's my point. This whole ownership is just a fun punt for them. If a few billionaires lose a couple of hundred million quid, it's loose change to them, but we could get completely shafted.

I really can't understand why so many otherwise sensible Blades, are so laid back about this ownership group.

 

[MiserableBlader]

A hindrance.

YES.
The #sufc fans have always been pessimistic - the polar opposite of the Wendies.
The blades fans - top of the league - it won't last.
Wednesday fans - bottom of the third division - STILL the best team in the league - cannot score refs biased outplaying everybody just unlucky.
Got to say never admitted at 'work' I was ever a football fan.
But from personal experience #sufc fans could well be the thickest of a bunch of thickos and bigots.
Never appreciate and encourage young players - always want a journeyman signing because they noticed him at Bramall Lane - ie 20 minutes of football rather than watched week after week for seasons and remember them making a few mistakes eg Paul Beesley (signed yes) - top player booed at the Lane for a game where he was generally as good as always but sadly made two mistakes which were punished against quality opposition. NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME.
You only have to go back a few years to see the last disasters they caused because they demanded a manager because of one exciting 5-3 win at the Lane rather than Englands best manager Eddie Howe who was 100% the best choice to the intelligent amongst us.
Same with Wilder over Heckingbottom at the first opportunity
To me the clearest indication that Wilder IS an #sufc fan despite his background is that he IS as thick as most of those imbeciles. Ignores OUR youth, just plays everyone elses and signs journeymen endlessly
Good ****ing riddance Wilder.
Disaster with young players
Disaster with money
And **** the third division we were ****ing boring and negative and stopped from winning the league by his shite tactics. We only ever played because players like Hamer ignored him and created.
The football could SURELY only be more exciting under Monica Selles let alone this bloke.
Despite his background and the dread he is another Pepshit Coco clown or is it clone as Wilder was last season.
(GOOD first interview Selles)
**** possession - I want the ball in the back of their net - they can have possession from their restart.
I will hold him to the same standards and demand the best as with Wilder and all those before.
I want the BEST for my club not the general disaster of the last 50+ years.
Whether this is still the WORST second division I have ever seen as last year - as Sunderland will surely show next season as they are clearly not good enough without many absolute top quality signings.
ps Sunderland manager was apparently relegated previous season and this was his first in England.

 

[PrestwichBlade]

An 'idealistically'(?) and an 'if': that's my point. This whole ownership is just a fun punt for them. If a few billionaires lose a couple of hundred million quid, it's loose change to them, but we could get completely shafted.

I really can't understand why so many otherwise sensible Blades, are so laid back about this ownership group.

Yes, I used the words idealistically and if quite specifically. I'm aware there's no guarantee. Why get yourself in such a stew about it? What would be your preference, what's your solution? Assuming you wish to see sustained success at Bramall Lane?

 

[Gareth Kay]

Born in Dinnington, was evacuated to East Ham during the Blitz when he was 2 months old (considered safer) .Never ever lost his roots but obviously his accent was affected - FACT

Note wrong wi dinno

 

[Gareth Kay]

Best condition?

Ok, our owners have piut money in to stop us going out of business, but we have no idea about their motivations, plans or methods? Are we just a toy, to be played with and take a punt on PL football?

Were any of them interested in 'soccer', before Wrexham took off in the USA?

I don't see why a group of random billionaires, would seize upon little old Sheffield United, as the club of their dreams.

I have a horrible feeling that we will just be a plaything, to be discarded when they get bored. Disagree by all means, but nobody will be able to demonstrate that these guys are the real deal, so let's see.

But the thing is we needed change in the board room to have a chance at been a Brighton, brentford, Bournemouth etc. What do we want, is it up and down or more than that? We've rolled the dice now amd this week we've done it again

 

[Silky Sabella]

For the last 9 years we've been lucky enough to have one of our own in charge for long spells achieving success. To have this in English football is not normal at our level, it's an international business and we are the outlier.

The second foreign manager in Blades history is one day into his reign, he's already being subjected to criticism that will ripple, if he loses his first few games, he'll have vocal opposition, he already has vocal opposition.

Blades who I respect and know well have voiced their concerns, I get being concerned about change, AI, data, all that malarkey that nobody understands.

Some are plain racist and don't want a foreigner in charge.

We seem to be trying to follow the Brentford/Brighton model. But we're hamstrung by fan resistance. Do you think Brentford and Brighton were as resistant when their new owners started to change things? Do you think it helps to vocally oppose changes in the way our fan base has so far?

Personally I think we have a problem. Half of us want a progressive club that adapts to modern football and gives us the best chance of success. Half of us want to do things in the traditional way and will only be bought over by success.

The one thing we all have in common is that we have no choice, we may agree or disagree, or be unsure, but none of us can do anything other than watch it unfold. I'm hopeful, I'll enjoy my days out at the match, I'll enjoy the ride and I'll support my club unconditionally, unless I think we're being harmed, like Chansiri harmed

But I don't get why we have so much negativity when we're in probably the best condition we've been in on a general level.

I wish my fellow Blades could be less entitled and more supportive, the negativity is a problem for me and maybe for the club.

The 2 point deduction last season is nothing compared to the infinity points deduction this season being created by the endless, unacceptable negativity towards the change of manager from a select group of people.
The new owners have invested money to the level unimaginable to ourselves, not to mention their losses already ( play off loss, 10 million pounds on cannon and £200,000 in fines for player and manager behaviour all induced in wilders time).
To all the people who are wilder obsessed and who are not willing to embrace change you are not TRUE supporters of Sheffield United

 

[Houston_Blade]

An 'idealistically'(?) and an 'if': that's my point. This whole ownership is just a fun punt for them. If a few billionaires lose a couple of hundred million quid, it's loose change to them, but we could get completely shafted.

I really can't understand why so many otherwise sensible Blades, are so laid back about this ownership group.

What’s the other option though?

We had 2 fraudsters making offers to buy us and COH. We were hardly inundated with billionaire Blades fans so we ended with the only party who wanted to pony up. Abdullah had checked out.