Are we behind?

[Bladesman]

We just need a couple of defenders and another striker really.

Then just maybe get a few quality loans in if needed.

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

I agree with you, but I can understand why they are doing it this way and I like it. I like the way the new manager is giving all the players another chance, until we get new players in

 

[bladesmanluke]

Why not? Here's this 'we are far superior to all other teams because we are SUFC' attitude again.

Are we not the biggest club in league one? We are far superior. If I thought Wigan were far superior to us I'd go and support them instead. I support the best football club in the world

 

[grafikhaus]

Not sure enjoy is the right word for the US open - unless you like to see golfers struggle.

This could be won by the highest score ever considering what the players have been saying about the course.

As could The Ashes...

 

[grafikhaus]

Just checked the OS and we're down to 19th! FFS Adkins, get on with it!!!

 

[Whipitin]

Patience is a virtue.

 

[blade too long]

yes lets buy players now before Adkins has seen what weve got , he can guess at who will fit in and then he gets the blame for getting in someone who doesnt fit in

 

[pommpey]

Christ. The optimism and blind hope oozes out from here doesn't it.

Barney is in a small way, correct. The players are on holiday, big deal. It doesn't take some sort of footballing genius to to work out and understand where our major weaknesses were last season out there on the park. We lack a consistent central back four pairing, with McEveley and Basham ceratinly not the solution. I am anticipating two central defenders being signed and certainly if we really, really mean to be promoted they should be at leat of Championship standard. Our talismanic right back is crocked and we have no real news on when he is returning. Both left backs are clearly not able to raise their game beyond odd flashes of mediocrity. In midfled we are vastly short of ability and experience to dominate and create with only Basham seemingly able to step up to the mark. Out on the flanks we are one-brick-thick out left (and don't dream that Murphy is a stayer) and out wide any number of right wingers don't electrify the game much. Finally up front we have one consistent workhorce in Done but if he is injured we have precious little than Higdon (a busted flush) and McNulty (cold-hot-cold in most games). The rest are kids, Hobbits and Clough-era mis-signings like Coutts.

So what is stopping the board (who steer the manager) putting the feelers out? They know who is on the transfer list, who has been released and who is out of contract. Get the bids in.

pommpey

 

[Bert]

Thank you for the inside information that exposes the board's lack of activity. It's a disgrace, an utter disgrace.

 

[sheffielder]

I honestly can't tell if we are slightly behind the other clubs at the moment. For example with Wigan signing an excellent keeper and somebody else from Rotherham which could turn out a decent signing.

A lot of other clubs as well have started signing a few players by now. I don't know whether we are far enough behind to lose out a great deal but it is worth pondering.

Once again I need to make this absolutely clear that I am not blaming the club or anybody else, it's just merely unlucky at the inevitable time loss that selecting a new manager produces.

By all accounts, one deal is done.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Why not? Here's this 'we are far superior to all other teams because we are SUFC' attitude again.

We are far superior to all other teams for that very reason, that we are SUFC.

(see other's have already posted my sentiments)

 

[Grecian2000]

Fucking Hell Barnyblade, you really need to trawl back through the threads posted in previous summers before starting one like this!

1. Our summer business is ALWAYS brilliant, whenever we do it.
2. When we sign players early (like last season) that is easily the best thing to do, no question.
3. When we delay any business it's because it's all happening in the background and clubs getting players in early a) panicking or b) don't know what they're doing.
4. If we don't sign anyone of note it's because the squad is already brimming with players ready to piss the league.
5. When we make the big summer sale it's because it's a) good business or b) the player left us no choice
6. Should the squad end up looking a bit under cooked it's because we're keeping our powder dry for some serious loaning (or refer to 4).

Think that just about sums it up. Now relax until Colchester arrive for that mythical first game!

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Fucking Hell Barnyblade, you really need to trawl back through the threads posted in previous summers before starting one like this!

1. Our summer business is ALWAYS brilliant, whenever we do it.
2. When we sign players early (like last season) that is easily the best thing to do, no question.
3. When we delay any business it's because it's all happening in the background and clubs getting players in early a) panicking or b) don't know what they're doing.
4. If we don't sign anyone of note it's because the squad is already brimming with players ready to piss the league.
5. When we make the big summer sale it's because it's a) good business or b) the player left us no choice
6. Should the squad end up looking a bit under cooked it's because we're keeping our powder dry for some serious loaning (or refer to 4).

Think that just about sums it up. Now relax until Colchester arrive for that mythical first game!

Bring me sunshine, in your smile......................................

 

[mattbianco1]

Maybe from all the DVDs he's seen over the last weeks he thinks he only needs to tweek what he already has.

He does IMO. We need 4 or 5 players to add to what we have

 

[Rossb123]

If anything we are ahead of the rest. We have something that most of teams don't have in this league.........a manager that knows how to get out of this league on a tight budget (Scunthorpe) and on a good budget (Southampton).

All we realistically need is two centre backs, a striker and maybe a left/right back on loan until Brayford returns. We already have a very big squad there's no point adding to that wage bill until Adkins has decided who he does/doesn't want.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Christ. The optimism and blind hope oozes out from here doesn't it.

Barney is in a small way, correct. The players are on holiday, big deal. It doesn't take some sort of footballing genius to to work out and understand where our major weaknesses were last season out there on the park. We lack a consistent central back four pairing, with McEveley and Basham ceratinly not the solution. I am anticipating two central defenders being signed and certainly if we really, really mean to be promoted they should be at leat of Championship standard. Our talismanic right back is crocked and we have no real news on when he is returning. Both left backs are clearly not able to raise their game beyond odd flashes of mediocrity. In midfled we are vastly short of ability and experience to dominate and create with only Basham seemingly able to step up to the mark. Out on the flanks we are one-brick-thick out left (and don't dream that Murphy is a stayer) and out wide any number of right wingers don't electrify the game much. Finally up front we have one consistent workhorce in Done but if he is injured we have precious little than Higdon (a busted flush) and McNulty (cold-hot-cold in most games). The rest are kids, Hobbits and Clough-era mis-signings like Coutts.

So what is stopping the board (who steer the manager) putting the feelers out? They know who is on the transfer list, who has been released and who is out of contract. Get the bids in.

pommpey

Although I don't necessarily agree with all the sentiment, I did enjoy the language and style!

Just checked the OS and we're down to 19th! FFS Adkins, get on with it!!!

View attachment 12130

Just checked the OS and we're down to 19th! FFS Adkins, get on with it!!!

View attachment 12130

Fuck me! The Dingles are doing well aren't they! If we just change our name to AFC Sheffield United, I think we'd piss this league.[/QUOTE]

Back to the thread, I can see what Barny is trying to say that we may be missing out on some of the 'fresh pickings' if you like due to the new manager coming in and you wouldn't expect him to dive straight in signing players from day one. I'm sure there will still be plenty more 'fish in the sea' for us to capture. I think back to around 1983 when we got back into the old 3rd div (this one, actually! 'League One' my arse) and Porter splashed out on Curran and Young among others and for one reason and another, it didn't work. The following season we'd offloaded them and bought more sensibly, Stan the man springs to mind, and we didn't spend that much. The result being we had a much more balanced and settled squad and of course we got promoted. I recall the late season signing of Cockerill was inspired.

 

[pommpey]

Thank you for the inside information that exposes the board's lack of activity. It's a disgrace, an utter disgrace.

Thing is,I hope we are not repeating that recurring pattern that goes something like this:

1. Sign new manager. Everybody gets a firm-on and starts whacking each other about the buttocks about how this is the start of the new-age of Sheffield United
2. Weeks pass. No one gets signed as the new manager 'asssesses the fucking obvious' and fails (for whatever reason) to toe-end the wage-stealers into touch
3. Pre-season friendlies show a line-up made up of 99% of last seasons fuck ups and some kids from the kindergarten. We lose or draw most of them with the excuse 'the team is bedding in' and 'Adkins is still making his mind up about his starting eleven'
4. First four games, one 1-0 win, two losses (one at the Lane) and a 0-0 draw. 18th in the table
5. Transfer window shuts. We sign two Barry Oddnobs, one from Dunfirmeline Athletic one from FC Lumphammer in Belgium. Undisclosed, of course.
6. In the final 30 minutes Murphy is sold to Bolton, only to sit on the bench for most of the season
7. Come Christmas we are 7th. Everybody questions how, but on balance, the league is shitola
8. JTW opens. No movement until 19th when out of nowhere, a bid comes in for our top scorer (Done, 6 goals) from the Dingles. Adkins fends them off but the board are interested.
10. We sign two more Barrys, one as part of the swap plus cash for Done (he's a dynamic midfielder apparently but hasn't played for the Dingles since 2009 when he signed) and the other one is me. I buy some boots and pads from Sports Direct.
11. We scrape into the playoffs. Fill in the gaps.

ps. I am top scorer with 7 goals

pommpey

 

[Grecian2000]

There's a big hole where 2a should reside.

2a First new players arrive. All are "unheard of" or "has been" but it's fine because these are the squad fillers and the marquee signings take more time to come to fruition and will be along later.

 

[Rodley]

Who says we aren't making bids? Wait a minute haven't we been here before with Baki's CV?!

 

[BushBlade]

Well that's depressing, anyone would think that our board's approach to the business side of football in some way hampers our managers' chances of getting promoted. No idea why anyone would think that.

Assuming Adkins, actually I'll call him Atkins so our less literate supporters don't get confused, has some knowledge of football and hasn't spent the last six months living in a cave looking at paintings of when we last won something, he'll be aware that he can sign two centre halfs and a striker and still be able to give our existing players 'a chance'.

The optimist is me thinks this will happen within the next couple of weeks.
The pessimistic cynic in me says it will be exactly as predicted in Pommpey's post.

 

[grafikhaus]

By all accounts, one deal is done.

Is that 'done' or 'Done'?

Fuck me! The Dingles are doing well aren't they! If we just change our name to AFC Sheffield United, I think we'd piss this league.

I fancied Barnsley as a 'dark horse' and they're proving me right. Surprised at Wigan's poor showing though. The table never lies.

 

[jt64]

Assuming Adkins, actually I'll call him Atkins so our less literate supporters don't get confused, has some knowledge of football and hasn't spent the last six months living in a cave looking at paintings of when we last won something, he'll be aware that he can sign two centre halfs and a striker and still be able to give our existing players 'a chance'.

disagree with the striker, but this is exactly right. if the board asked adkins where he thinks our weaknesses are and how they should be addressed, then get on and do it. if they didn't, then i don't know what to say - who the hell appoints someone that doesn't do basic research on their potential employer?

 

[Barney]

Are we not the biggest club in league one? We are far superior. If I thought Wigan were far superior to us I'd go and support them instead. I support the best football club in the world

Of course we're the biggest club in league one. By superior i meant by all aspects of the football club, and we're obviously not far superior to all other clubs in this division in terms of the squad are we? Otherwise we'd of been promoted in the last 4 years. Need i say any more?

 

[HoodedClaw]

I think back to around 1983 when we got back into the old 3rd div (this one, actually! 'League One' my arse) and Porter splashed out on Curran and Young among others and for one reason and another, it didn't work.

Please never ever ever mention that c**ts name on this forum again

 

[Bartleby]

Thing is,I hope we are not repeating that recurring pattern that goes something like this:

the recurring pattern I was dreading was:
1. we have a cup run and finish 7th
2. we have a cup run and finish 5th
3. we sack the manager and replace him with another one who just had a cup run and finished 7th

but it didn't happen!!!

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Thing is,I hope we are not repeating that recurring pattern that goes something like this:

1. Sign new manager. Everybody gets a firm-on and starts whacking each other about the buttocks about how this is the start of the new-age of Sheffield United
2. Weeks pass. No one gets signed as the new manager 'asssesses the fucking obvious' and fails (for whatever reason) to toe-end the wage-stealers into touch
3. Pre-season friendlies show a line-up made up of 99% of last seasons fuck ups and some kids from the kindergarten. We lose or draw most of them with the excuse 'the team is bedding in' and 'Adkins is still making his mind up about his starting eleven'
4. First four games, one 1-0 win, two losses (one at the Lane) and a 0-0 draw. 18th in the table
5. Transfer window shuts. We sign two Barry Oddnobs, one from Dunfirmeline Athletic one from FC Lumphammer in Belgium. Undisclosed, of course.
6. In the final 30 minutes Murphy is sold to Bolton, only to sit on the bench for most of the season
7. Come Christmas we are 7th. Everybody questions how, but on balance, the league is shitola
8. JTW opens. No movement until 19th when out of nowhere, a bid comes in for our top scorer (Done, 6 goals) from the Dingles. Adkins fends them off but the board are interested.
10. We sign two more Barrys, one as part of the swap plus cash for Done (he's a dynamic midfielder apparently but hasn't played for the Dingles since 2009 when he signed) and the other one is me. I buy some boots and pads from Sports Direct.
11. We scrape into the playoffs. Fill in the gaps.

ps. I am top scorer with 7 goals

pommpey

Pompey . Hope you are well fella. That post could have been written years ago , re-posted 2014 and then reposted 2015. As the new dawn under Clough , we are in the same twilight zone , under Adkins . However this time , i do feel we have the right man for the job . The bloke has not joined a league 1 side , to put his cock on the block , to fail

Transfer movement will be in July , and i am sure we will not be buying Has Beens , Crocks , Mates , but genuine quality players who can shift us out of the league 1.

Adkins will know as much as us , or more , whats required , and the bloke ain't got a death wish for failure . Ok he does talk a bloody good game , but to be fair he can also deliver.

Worry - No

Concern - No

UTB

 

[grafikhaus]

Of course we're the biggest club in league one. By superior i meant by all aspects of the football club, and we're obviously not far superior to all other clubs in this division in terms of the squad are we? Otherwise we'd of been promoted in the last 4 years. Need i say any more?

While appreciating your opinions, please do not use terminology such as 'we'd of'. It's 'we'd have' and always was. Before the Jeremy Kyle generation mangled the English language.

Thanking you in advance.

 

[Barney]

While appreciating your opinions, please do not use terminology such as 'we'd of'. It's 'we'd have' and always was. Before the Jeremy Kyle generation mangled the English language.

Thanking you in advance.

Is that an avoidance of a direct reply whilst you silently acknowledge what an excellent point i make? I think it might be you know.

 

[ScoobBlade]

I for one think it's refreshing to see a new manager wait until he's seen his current squad in person before making any decisions

 

[grafikhaus]

Is that an avoidance of a direct reply whilst you silently acknowledge what an excellent point i make? I think it might be you know.

Go on then. I'm on my way out and can't be bothered to argue any more (most unlike me!). You make an excellent point, barnyblade. Have a 'like'.