BladesPod - latest episodes

[Beans]

Hi S2, got a new episode here - I didn't see the Forest game live, but Roygbiv did and I enjoyed hearing about what sounds like some promising signs from the new players in particular from this one. We also discuss a big two weeks ahead before "the season really starts" in September:



ALSO! I'll stick this here - I'm launching a newsletter today covering Sheffield United Women for the coming season. It's totally free, just stick your email address in and every week or so you'll get an article straight to your inbox. I'll be writing about the games and the club's journey into full-time status - it could be a fun season (certainly will be interesting) so I'm aiming to bring a little more coverage to the side for this year and beyond. You can subscribe here: https://womenofsteel.substack.com/subscribe

 

[Nesh Blade]

Hi S2, got a new episode here - I didn't see the Forest game live, but Roygbiv did and I enjoyed hearing about what sounds like some promising signs from the new players in particular from this one. We also discuss a big two weeks ahead before "the season really starts" in September:



ALSO! I'll stick this here - I'm launching a newsletter today covering Sheffield United Women for the coming season. It's totally free, just stick your email address in and every week or so you'll get an article straight to your inbox. I'll be writing about the games and the club's journey into full-time status - it could be a fun season (certainly will be interesting) so I'm aiming to bring a little more coverage to the side for this year and beyond. You can subscribe here: https://womenofsteel.substack.com/subscribe

Looking forward to the United women coverage! Need to get me season ticket renewed this week

 

[JohnDenver]

Mo Besic.

 

[Beans]

Hello all, Roygbiv is away this week, so I was delighted to have the time of YorkBlade instead - really really enjoyable chat talking Man City, Everton, Cameron Archer, transfer deadline wishes, and quite a lot more. Massive thanks to Hal for his time, really appreciate it. And thanks to anyone who listens!



Should also say my latest piece for my new newsletter, Women of Steel, is also up - some thoughts on United Women's opening day draw at Charlton. Isobel Goodwin looks a player. https://womenofsteel.substack.com/p/charlton-athletic-1-1-sheffield-united

 

[Swannyblade]

Hello all, Roygbiv is away this week, so I was delighted to have the time of YorkBlade instead - really really enjoyable chat talking Man City, Everton, Cameron Archer, transfer deadline wishes, and quite a lot more. Massive thanks to Hal for his time, really appreciate it. And thanks to anyone who listens!



Should also say my latest piece for my new newsletter, Women of Steel, is also up - some thoughts on United Women's opening day draw at Charlton. Isobel Goodwin looks a player. https://womenofsteel.substack.com/p/charlton-athletic-1-1-sheffield-united

Just listened and I think don't think we should be putting too much value on the stats from the three games we've played so far - the line-up against Palace was a joke and we clearly weren't a complete squad at that point, and the Man City game was always going to be an anomaly. I'm not excusing our lack of preparation for the season as I think a squad should be 90% or more complete for the start of a season, but I'd be extremely surprised if the stats from the three games we've played are anywhere near typical for the rest of the season. I understand that it's all we've got to look at for the moment, but I'm not tempted to be too worried by the numbers at this stage.

 

[Nade]

Hello all, Roygbiv is away this week, so I was delighted to have the time of YorkBlade instead - really really enjoyable chat talking Man City, Everton, Cameron Archer, transfer deadline wishes, and quite a lot more. Massive thanks to Hal for his time, really appreciate it. And thanks to anyone who listens!



Should also say my latest piece for my new newsletter, Women of Steel, is also up - some thoughts on United Women's opening day draw at Charlton. Isobel Goodwin looks a player. https://womenofsteel.substack.com/p/charlton-athletic-1-1-sheffield-united

That's my trip to work sorted tomorrow, nice one.

 

[Cappy]

Will listen now for the drive to the lane. Cheers gents. Does YorkBlade sing? I assume you would edit that shit out Beans ?

UTB

 

[Frank the tank]

Enjoyed that will probably listen again on way in to work tomorrow

 

[Beans]

Just listened and I think don't think we should be putting too much value on the stats from the three games we've played so far - the line-up against Palace was a joke and we clearly weren't a complete squad at that point, and the Man City game was always going to be an anomaly. I'm not excusing our lack of preparation for the season as I think a squad should be 90% or more complete for the start of a season, but I'd be extremely surprised if the stats from the three games we've played are anywhere near typical for the rest of the season. I understand that it's all we've got to look at for the moment, but I'm not tempted to be too worried by the numbers at this stage.

Very fair point. As long as they DO improve!

 

[jim2007]

Enjoyed as always. Between yourselves, Red Half and Four Blades that I have listened to today, we (myself included) have a remarkable amount of optimism for fans of a team who are played three, lost three.

 

[Swannyblade]

Very fair point. As long as they DO improve!

I think we have improved game by game as the new lads’ fitness levels have increased and more quality has been added to the starting 11.
Hopefully with some more new additions before Friday night, more time on the training pitch and players like Archer and McBurnie coming into the first team, we’ll go up another level and pick up our first points of the season against Everton.
Unforgivable to essentially throw away the first two games of the season, but I think we have reason to be optimistic.

 

[Beans]

Afternoon all, Roygbiv was back from the land of no internet to catch the Everton game and discusses it with me here - an eventful afternoon for Jordan Pickford, some debut for Cameron Archer, a big shift from Oli McBurnie, and the signings of Luke Thomas and James McAtee. Cheers for listening!

 

[bakeblade]

Afternoon all, Roygbiv was back from the land of no internet to catch the Everton game and discusses it with me here - an eventful afternoon for Jordan Pickford, some debut for Cameron Archer, a big shift from Oli McBurnie, and the signings of Luke Thomas and James McAtee. Cheers for listening!

Good pod as always and great to have Roy back, last weeks stand in did well (someone calling Al was it?) - but prefer Roy!

 

[Beans]

Hello all, with the international break coming to a close, Roygbiv and I went over some reasons to be cheerful - and reasons to be fearful - about the rest of the season. See you at Spurs!

 

[Beans]

Afternoon S2, me and t'old Roygbiv reflect on United getting "timed out" at Spurs, plus the media fallout and some wonderful ranting by Roy. Personally still feeling oddly upbeat given that this United team can actually score goals and stay "in" games even with the big boys, but hoy that was some kick to the balls and no mistake. We discuss timewasting generally, whether the new directives around added time are actually bad for the game overall, and look ahead to Newcastle. Thanks very much for listening.

 

[Charlieblade]

Maybe the answer is to play Souza and Norwood as a double pivot, to enable a learning experience for Souza. The problem with that is an Egan return might encourage Norwood to play too deep, protecting his centre back?

Hamer and McAtee should be given licence to play a more attacking game in support of Archer?

 

[Large Mendonca]

I’m still Uber pissed off about the Spurs game so although it was a good pod, it’s just pissed me off all over again !

 

[Roygbiv]

Maybe the answer is to play Souza and Norwood as a double pivot, to enable a learning experience for Souza. The problem with that is an Egan return might encourage Norwood to play too deep, protecting his centre back?

Hamer and McAtee should be given licence to play a more attacking game in support of Archer?

I think that's what I'd do. Maybe Tom Davies with Souza if he's fit enough?

 

[JPBrods]

Similarly, just made me feel angry again. Cheers lads x

On a separate note, enjoyed the talk diagnosing the ever evolving mindset of the top six fan. Bizarre detachment in the game these days of 'us and them'. I kind of feel like a lot of big club supporters these days have this worldview of 'I have chosen to support a good team while you have foolishly chosen to support a bad team, hence my knowledge and understanding of the game is superior to yours.' A lot of it is just plain ignorance really, isn't it?

 

[Swannyblade]

When the European Super League stuff first came around I thought it would be a disgrace if it went ahead, would rip the soul out of English football and be incredibly unfair on the traditional fanbases of the teams involved.
Now, I think I'd almost welcome it. It's like they're trying to establish it in the existing league structure anyway - give every possible advantage to the top teams and remove the element of competition between the bigger and smaller teams.
I'm not sure the traditional fanbases I was worried for even exist, as the fans of the big teams seem to be affronted if we dare to compete with them and not roll over and have our bellies tickled while they stick 6 past us.
Go and have your wanky Super League where franchises owned by oil states and billionaires throw endless amounts of money at winning a competition with no real jeopardy and no real meaning. If you don't do it now, it looks like the Saudis might beat you to the punch.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

When the European Super League stuff first came around I thought it would be a disgrace if it went ahead, would rip the soul out of English football and be incredibly unfair on the traditional fanbases of the teams involved.
Now, I think I'd almost welcome it. It's like they're trying to establish it in the existing league structure anyway - give every possible advantage to the top teams and remove the element of competition between the bigger and smaller teams.
I'm not sure the traditional fanbases I was worried for even exist, as the fans of the big teams seem to be affronted if we dare to compete with them and not roll over and have our bellies tickled while they stick 6 past us.
Go and have your wanky Super League where franchises owned by oil states and billionaires throw endless amounts of money at winning a competition with no real jeopardy and no real meaning. If you don't do it now, it looks like the Saudis might beat you to the punch.

I'm of this opinion too, in fact I would have been quite happy for the breakaway to happen.

Football has never been so skewed by money like it is now. There have always been dominant teams like Liverpool in the 80s, but there was a chance for teams to breakthrough, like Forest coming out of nowhere, with a genius manager and winning 2 European Cups. Just can't happen now, Leicester was the final one, and they had a huge amount of funding behind them too. Even to get a sniff now like Brighton takes a billionaire backer.

Ben and Andrew said it right on the last pod, we are just wallpaper in the Premier League to the big boys. We are there like the heels in WWE to turn up and let the star beat us up. Whenever someone looks like bloodying the nose of a big team you get castigated for it in the media, who solely revolve around the big market teams. All the recent rule changes are geared for the biggest and most expensive squads to minimise their chance of losing.

It's almost not worth it, 2/3rds of Man City's matches are meaningless training exercises where it is they who really need an off day to not win.

The Championship where it's a competitive match-up almost every week is just more interesting, I used to think Blades who said they'd prefer to stay in the Champ were unambitious, but I'm starting to see it

So let the top 6 (or 7 with Newcastle) fuck off to their European version of the NFL closed shop, and let's have an admittedly downgraded top flight here.

The problem will, like everything else, be ££££££. Sky and co will not pay what they do for that sort of league and so the likes of Villa and West Ham will do everything they can to stop any breakaway just from a financial perspective.

 

[Swannyblade]

I'm of this opinion too, in fact I would have been quite happy for the breakaway to happen.

Football has never been so skewed by money like it is now. There have always been dominant teams like Liverpool in the 80s, but there was a chance for teams to breakthrough, like Forest coming out of nowhere, with a genius manager and winning 2 European Cups. Just can't happen now, Leicester was the final one, and they had a huge amount of funding behind them too. Even to get a sniff now like Brighton takes a billionaire backer.

Ben and Andrew said it right on the last pod, we are just wallpaper in the Premier League to the big boys. We are there like the heels in WWE to turn up and let the star beat us up. Whenever someone looks like bloodying the nose of a big team you get castigated for it in the media, who solely revolve around the big market teams. All the recent rule changes are geared for the biggest and most expensive squads to minimise their chance of losing.

It's almost not worth it, 2/3rds of Man City's matches are meaningless training exercises where it is they who really need an off day to not win.

The Championship where it's a competitive match-up almost every week is just more interesting, I used to think Blades who said they'd prefer to stay in the Champ were unambitious, but I'm starting to see it

So let the top 6 (or 7 with Newcastle) fuck off to their European version of the NFL closed shop, and let's have an admittedly downgraded top flight here.

The problem will, like everything else, be ££££££. Sky and co will not pay what they do for that sort of league and so the likes of Villa and West Ham will do everything they can to stop any breakaway just from a financial perspective.

I'm in complete agreement with all of this.

The recent rule changes have really highlighted and made blatant the favouring of the bigger clubs:

• 5 subs - favours big teams with more money who can afford more strength in depth and stockpile talent.
• VAR - the better teams spend more time in the opposition's area so are more likely to pick up soft penalties for stray legs or arms in unnatural positions. The team spending more time defending is more likely to pick up soft red cards for challenges that look worse in slowed down frame-by-frame replays because they are making more tackles.
• New stoppage time initiative - longer games make it more likely for the better quality team to prosper - they can bring on 5 genuinely world class replacements while the opposition is on it's knees trying to play in the 110th minute of a game.

As if they needed any extra assistance to pick up wins.

I used to look down on La Liga with Barca and Real Madrid, Bundesliga with Bayern and Ligue 1 with PSG for being leagues with predictable winners whose games were more like training exercises with far inferior opposition. They were boring to watch because there was no competition week to week. Well, we've got our own version of it now and it's piss poor entertainment. Only difference is that we've got 4 or 5 PSG's in our league. Watching a Man City game now is no different to watching Barca against a low end La Liga side in their tiki-taka pomp.

Let them break away and form their special league - it will probably be good...the latter stages of the Champs League are great in terms of the quality of the football, but their presence in our league system negates the notion of competition.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Afternoon S2, me and t'old Roygbiv reflect on United getting "timed out" at Spurs, plus the media fallout and some wonderful ranting by Roy. Personally still feeling oddly upbeat given that this United team can actually score goals and stay "in" games even with the big boys, but hoy that was some kick to the balls and no mistake. We discuss timewasting generally, whether the new directives around added time are actually bad for the game overall, and look ahead to Newcastle. Thanks very much for listening.

Enjoyed the pod and agree with all the points that were made. The post match reaction from Spurs fans and even pundits on social media has been truly staggering considering they still won the game.
How dare these poor northern upstarts come to our beautiful stadium and try to win the game by any means? - fuck the lot of them.

 

[DI36O]

Just caught up on this and while I'm angry again about all the things mentioned above I actually find it cathartic. It's good to hear someone with the same frustrations elaborate on it and offer some different thoughts as well.
Totally agree with what you've both said on 26 mins onwards (for like the next 20 odd minutes) about how we have to approach these games. Well done calling out Jordan on his Burnley comparison and the other pundits with their completely inane takes. Love the line "if you want good football to watch give us some of your money".
Four Blades in the Pub was similar this week and I was glad I listened to that as well.

 

[Proper Blade]

I'm in complete agreement with all of this.

The recent rule changes have really highlighted and made blatant the favouring of the bigger clubs:

• 5 subs - favours big teams with more money who can afford more strength in depth and stockpile talent.
• VAR - the better teams spend more time in the opposition's area so are more likely to pick up soft penalties for stray legs or arms in unnatural positions. The team spending more time defending is more likely to pick up soft red cards for challenges that look worse in slowed down frame-by-frame replays because they are making more tackles.
• New stoppage time initiative - longer games make it more likely for the better quality team to prosper - they can bring on 5 genuinely world class replacements while the opposition is on it's knees trying to play in the 110th minute of a game.

As if they needed any extra assistance to pick up wins.

Spot on. The big teams bleat on about timewasting, players being tired and refs getting only their decisions wrong - so the authorities cave in to their every demand to appease them.

Last week Spurs brought on £200m of talent from the bench and had 15 minutes added on to try and turn it around. It's absolutely fucking ludicrous the advantages the big teams have nowadays.

No wonder Wilder was strongly arguing against the five sub rule when we were last in the Prem.

 

[JohnDenver]

No wonder Wilder was strongly arguing against the five sub rule when we were last in the Prem.

I think this rule is far worse than the time wasting initiatives. The latter has to evolve into something sensible because 115 minute games is self-evident insanity.

But the subs rule is unashamed loading the dice in favour of wealthy clubs. I was glad when Wilder stuck it to Klopp over the issue, but there’s only one winner in the end.

 

[Revolution]

Beans Roygbiv i don’t blame you if you don’t pod this week, but if you do, no looking for the upside please. Let them have it. They deserve it.

 

[Wards]

Bizarrely I'm looking forward to it in a gallows-humour sort of way. I also need someone to articulate my thoughts into something comprehensible cos I'm having trouble making sense of it all!

 

[Beans]

Beans Roygbiv i don’t blame you if you don’t pod this week, but if you do, no looking for the upside please. Let them have it. They deserve it.

We’re aiming to record tomorrow but I’m not sure I have the energy to get stuck in. I left at 6-0 (I think, it was hard to keep track, but they scored another before I left the ground) as I realised I’d rather spend the time with my wife and kids than watch any more.

Maybe I’ll have moved onto the angry phase by tomorrow!

Edit: that reads like only losing 8-0 at home would make me want to spend time with my wife and kids. I mean that I realised I could get back for bath and bedtime if I left then!

 

[Large Mendonca]

Not sure what the 5 stages of grief are but I’m definitely in angry today. I’m all to cock as I was in bargaining yesterday !