Awards event

[UnitedBlade]

Whatever the fans' views on their inputs this season, it's pretty unacceptable of Hammond (30 league starts this season) and Sammon (15 +12 league appearances) to not attend the end of season awards.

They've got money to count.

They don't care, certainly not about our club.

Another contract done and on to the next one.

Rinse and repeat.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Whatever the fans' views on their inputs this season, it's pretty unacceptable of Hammond (30 league starts this season) and Sammon (15 +12 league appearances) to not attend the end of season awards.

To me it's a good sign that them two weren't in attendance. It means that they will not be here next season . To most players at the Lane , it's a job , and bloody well paid job at that . They may not have a infinity to the club , but if the players were out on the piss after the match , then it was either a leaving do for all of them , or they just couldn't care two fucks , especially if Adkins commences his one to ones this morning of who is going and more worrying who is stopping.

Never in 50 years have I seen the club in such a state of flux.

UTB.

 

[axel smeets]

Billy Sharps collection speeches showed how much he was hurting. Basham looked and sounded pretty gutted by how the season went but they all said they are not a million miles away.

Next season we need to make changes but we don't need to start again, NA has had an unsuccessful test run this season with what he had at his disposal along with some fairly poor signings however come next season with a settled side with no crocks we'll have much more chance.

Interesting how no Sammon or Hammond but Baptiste was there...

On another note Billy Sharp almost bought his own boots back over £100 and Nigel Adkins tried to secure his job by bidding £1k to be in the team photo for next season.

But they are a million miles way, aren't they? We finished 8 points from a play off spot, and 21 points from where we should be. In footballing terms, that is nearly a million miles.

 

[Roygbiv]

How do they think they aren't a million miles away? It really is worrying that so many at the top seem to think there isn't that much to do for us to be up there next season

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Yes he admitted we were poor even Billy and Na did. All admitted not as good as was expected and all are hurting but hope to come back stronger next season

Not as good, hurting, come back stronger next season, yawnnnnnnnnnnnnn.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Mccabe said something along the lines of don't look back at how bad a season we have had. We have had a year of transition and we move on . Nigel and the players want this as much as we all do

Must have got he biggest laugh of the night.

 

[Booker4]

Be mad as the situation was with Blackwell.

He needs to go and not leave a squad for someone else to manage.
He has no goodwill in the bank to survive two August defeats, be madness to keep him.

Someone else needs to build the new squad.

Totally get your sentiments and the job is certainly harder than it would be for a new guy, in terms of patience from fans. He has only signed 2 players so he doesn't leave a "squad" to be fair mate, its still Clough's squad, by in large.

In my view Adkins needs a break as much if not more than we do. The pressure he's being under and the regular criticism he's (understandably from our point of view) received due to poor results, must take its toll. Then there's the pressure from the board, and the situation in general, being at a big big football club in this country, let alone this division. But he needs to understand the fans more than he does, because as hard as it will have been for him to listen to the abuse yesterday and over the season at various times, the clubs passionate fans which are extremely vocal, particularly away, he needs to have a thicker skin to not come out with what he said yesterday. But that said he NEVER once said "this isn't my group of players" like I remember Bryan Robson saying even though he brought in Beattie, Naysmith, Sharp, Lee Hendrie and one or two others I've forgotten at a cost of £12m plus. Clough also regularly mentioned players mistakes etc. But if he wants to manage a club like Reading where the support is quieter and with it less volatile then he's at the wrong club at ours and many others with passionate fan bases.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

As easy as it would be to sack Adkins now, especially after his unwise comments yesterday, totally believe the right decision is to stick with Adkins....for now. I'm quite pissed off at the bloke right for that interview which I'm still surprised at, but I think he'll turn it round for next season.

I wanted Clough out last summer because I thought he hadn't done enough with the team he assembled and his man management was poor to certain players, but in hindsight we may as well have stuck with him because it was his squad and too many were still under contract. Time for stability not change for once. If he gets off to a poor start though the fans will turn against him.

I will be honest Booker4, I haven't attended a game since the defeat at home to Wigan. I decided that if we didn't show any ambition in the JTW, they wouldn't be getting my money for the rest of the season (Wife still went though, STH). I have before stated that difficult though it is to stick with NA, I would like to have seen him given another chance. That was backed up with recent form up to the Coventry game. That game, coupled with yesterday, and I am afraid I have little faith in this man turning things round, I just don't see anything special about him, and it is going to take a special type of manager ( of the DB mould) to get us out of this division, especially backed by such an unambitious, wing & a prayer board.

 

[Booker4]

I will be honest Booker4, I haven't attended a game since the defeat at home to Wigan. I decided that if we didn't show any ambition in the JTW, they wouldn't be getting my money for the rest of the season (Wife still went though, STH). I have before stated that difficult though it is to stick with NA, I would like to have seen him given another chance. That was backed up with recent form up to the Coventry game. That game, coupled with yesterday, and I am afraid I have little faith in this man turning things round, I just don't see anything special about him, and it is going to take a special type of manager ( of the DB mould) to get us out of this division, especially backed by such an unambitious, wing & a prayer board.

Totally get your and many other peoples views but when he gets his own squad I'll judge more harshly if results don't come our way. Until then as fans we just need to be patient, even though many just want the news "Adkins departs"!

 

[axel smeets]

Totally get your and many other peoples views but when he gets his own squad I'll judge more harshly if results don't come our way. Until then as fans we just need to be patient, even though many just want the news "Adkins departs"!

After 6 years in Division Three, an average attendance of 20000 and the joint 4th - worst finishing position in our history, how much more patience do you actually think is required?

 

[nopigfansintown]

Listening to mccabes speech doesn't sound like NA going anywhere. We have been in a year of transition. Onwards and upwards. Billy got nearly all of awards except 2. Won by George and che. Neither sammon or Hammond in attendance

I have been posting that this is a year of transition all season. Down size this season, invest next when squad numbers are reduced.

 

[Jonboy60]

I heard Samson was over at Delilah's place for a hair cut

Ha ha, hope she cuts his legs off instead. F******g predictive text.

 

[Esablade]

I think it would be silly to bet on something I'm not near certain about. Which is precisely the reason I've only made a few bets this season. One being with blade too long on us not reaching the play offs, when he said we were.

Isn't that the premise of gambling!?!??

 

[Booker4]

After 6 years in Division Three, an average attendance of 20000 and the joint 4th - worst finishing position in our history, how much more patience do you actually think is required?

True but Adkins has only had one season with us. That's what I mean with patience with Adkins. We all feel totally pissed off at yet another season in this league but sacking Adkins won't guarantee progress and in my view despite how down we all are right now, I don't think its the right time to sack yet another manager. When Wilson was appointed I took loads of stick over his appointment (On Blades Mad admittedly) but I feel that I was vindicated after what he achieved in his first season and in his second in much harder circumstances. I'm backing Adkins now and we'll see come next season whether the club are right to stick with him ,as looks increasingly likely as every day goes on, but its still early days yet.

 

[axel smeets]

True but Adkins has only had one season with us. That's what I mean with patience with Adkins. We all feel totally pissed off at yet another season in this league but sacking Adkins won't guarantee progress and in my view despite how down we all are right now, I don't think its the right time to sack yet another manager. When Wilson was appointed I took loads of stick over his appointment (On Blades Mad admittedly) but I feel that I was vindicated after what he achieved in his first season and in his second in much harder circumstances. I'm backing Adkins now and we'll see come next season whether the club are right to stick with him ,as looks increasingly likely as every day goes on, but its still early days yet.

Adkins has talked himself out of a job now with his cuntish remarks about the fans yesterday. He loses any goodwill, and cannot survive a poor start to next season. He needs to go, and he needs to go now.

 

[Boxer Blade]

True but Adkins has only had one season with us. That's what I mean with patience with Adkins. We all feel totally pissed off at yet another season in this league but sacking Adkins won't guarantee progress and in my view despite how down we all are right now, I don't think its the right time to sack yet another manager. When Wilson was appointed I took loads of stick over his appointment (On Blades Mad admittedly) but I feel that I was vindicated after what he achieved in his first season and in his second in much harder circumstances. I'm backing Adkins now and we'll see come next season whether the club are right to stick with him ,as looks increasingly likely as every day goes on, but its still early days yet.

Its a gamble either way booker, a lot are calling for his head, for obvious reasons, some like yourself stay calm and give him a go next season, the thing is, there is a good argument for either discision, as I have stated before, back in jan/feb. I had come down to a 50/50, slowly I am changing my mind, if I heard today he had gone I suppose I would be slightly happier than if the news was he is staying, who knows what the right discision is, until this time next year probably, all about opinions.

 

[Booker4]

He's done himself no favours yesterday that's for sure. However with a few decent signings and a more positive Nigel Adkins at the start of next season, coupled with a decent start and I think we'll all be behind him. As you say only time will tell.

 

[blade too long]

Shh, I don't think he likes to talk about that stage in his life...

I dont like to think about backing a man who has been a complete let down , he turned out to be a spent force

 

[Roygbiv]

a more positive Nigel Adkins,

Is this possible?

 

[TJB.]

Is this possible?

He could turn into a magnet with HIV, I suppose. Besides that, probably not.

 

[Booker4]

Is this possible?

From yesterday, yes!

 

[PeteBlade]

I dont like to think about backing a man who has been a complete let down , he turned out to be a spent force

If only you'd listened to us instead of abusing us, calling us negative and blaming results on our attitude.

 

[blade too long]

What he kept uttering was he was bringing in the 3 or so players we all knew we needed, the let down came with his choice , as it was his choice , to let the JTW pass by without bringing in what he said he would, which in turn blew our chane of winning the 4 or 5 games , thats all that were needed to get in the play offs
to get in the play offs gives you a chance , 1 in 4 of going up , he sadly denied us this chance
the pigs have got that chance , which heaps even more misery on our patient long suffering fans
seeing a team thats took 16 years to get there getting a chance when he couldnt deliver in a piss poor competition

 

[Toronto Blade]

So after a terrible season the club is becoming a laughing stock and yet another year in this crap league.
McCabe tells us it's all a transition.McCabe has been transitioning long enough in this league and has failed yet again with his worst season in it.
Hey all will be well next season, he believes his youngsters are the way to go if so this so called transition will see the Blades in League 1 for a few more years.
Youngsters will get destroyed in rugged League 1 it will take them years to be able to compete, it will save money though on salaries.

 

[Clarkey87]

Totally get your and many other peoples views but when he gets his own squad I'll judge more harshly if results don't come our way. Until then as fans we just need to be patient, even though many just want the news "Adkins departs"!

I see your point and agree, however there is a stand out for me, that when Adkins came in, he said words to the effect of giving every player a chance and he (and his team) had been doing their homework on how we played the season prior to taking over.

IF he had done this homework he would have realised that some didn't deserve another chance and he would have seen what areas we needed to focus upon for recruitment (albeit it can be argued that we needed players in all departments, but in some more than others - CB for example).

The problems we have, haven't suddenly appeared this season under Adkins tenure, they were here before and obvious to see.

Time will tell I suppose.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Listening to mccabes speech doesn't sound like NA going anywhere.

We've known for a long time we're not going anywhere with Adkins...

 

[Booker4]

I see your point and agree, however there is a stand out for me, that when Adkins came in, he said words to the effect of giving every player a chance and he (and his team) had been doing their homework on how we played the season prior to taking over.

IF he had done this homework he would have realised that some didn't deserve another chance and he would have seen what areas we needed to focus upon for recruitment (albeit it can be argued that we needed players in all departments, but in some more than others - CB for example).

The problems we have, haven't suddenly appeared this season under Adkins tenure, they were here before and obvious to see.

Time will tell I suppose.

Good post, but he did sign Edgar who has done a decent job, especially after Collins went. Lets bare in mind that Adkins would have to find a taker for Collins and McEveley which wouldn't be easy, given their wages at our place and their age! I wouldn't be against Edgar joining on a two year deal, now we know we're in League One. Alongside a decent centre back like Baptiste Edgar has done well, in my view. What Adkins should have done was sign another winger and a target man. Who knows whether it was Clough or Adkins who signed Sammon but either way Sammon gives hope to us all that we can play professional football, and I'm 37 now! I'm not convinced that the youngsters in the squad are ready to step up to be regulars. DCL for example, has got potential but he's not better than Adams and he is still very raw, same with Whiteman. Time for Reed to grow a pair and step up.

We need some much needed bite and aggression. Morsy was that man, still don't get why we didn't move for him, unless there's something we don't know.

 

[PeteBlade]

What he kept uttering was he was bringing in the 3 or so players we all knew we needed, the let down came with his choice , as it was his choice , to let the JTW pass by without bringing in what he said he would, which in turn blew our chane of winning the 4 or 5 games , thats all that were needed to get in the play offs
to get in the play offs gives you a chance , 1 in 4 of going up , he sadly denied us this chance
the pigs have got that chance , which heaps even more misery on our patient long suffering fans
seeing a team thats took 16 years to get there getting a chance when he couldnt deliver in a piss poor competition

We accept your apology.

Don't do it again.

 

[shorehamview]

Transition, we will be entering our sixth season of transition ffs.

Even Sam Hashimi didn't take this long to transition.

 

[northsomersetblade]

I heard Samson was over at Delilah's place for a hair cut

Samson was powerless without his hair.....did Sammon have an old school mullet before this season, is it a related name thing or something?