Carrying the Scars of Pre-Season Optimism

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The current wave of optimism for the new season has revived my memories of when optimism has never been higher. 40 years ago this summer. The basis of this optimism was that the closing season had just seen our 2nd highest league position since the war (6th), the new South Stand was to open, record season ticket sales (at the time), Currie at his peak and record signing (at the time) Chris Guthrie added to the squad.
What could possibly go wrong? Answer – everything.
I know we have subsequently been much lower down the leagues and had vastly inferior teams but, to me, 1975-76 was the worst season I can remember. Younger fans will never agree; after all we were in the top league with TC in the team. But with all the pre-season optimism, to be certainties for relegation by October was hard to take. We only won 6 all season, with 4 of those coming after relegation was confirmed in late March.
We signed jinking, drinking Jimmy Johnstone, reputedly on more money that Woodward and Currie, and by his own admission he was a disgrace to his profession.
Perhaps wiser fans than me would have seen this coming. Aging team, no money and decent youngsters not ready for the first team. The thrashing at Villa in the cup was, with hindsight, a clear indicator of things to come.
Len Badger said recently that we were lucky when we finished 6th, several games were won that could have gone either way and he was worried that the lower league signings who had done well would not be able sustain their performance levels in the longer term. I believe his actual words were along the lines of - you sign 3rd division players, that’s where you will end up.
Nevertheless, despite the recurring psychological scars of 1975-76, and the widest possible gap between expectation and actual achievement, like another poster I too am counting the sleeps to the new season. The new managerial appointment could not have been bettered IMO and I am certain we will be champions this time.
Nurse, have the visitors gone yet?
 

Did Currie make it to the end of the season? I seem to remember an exodus to the USA?? or did that come later?

Also did Jimmy Johnstone arrive that year too? - I trust you more than my own memory, I've got so many megabytes in there, its running slow and the printer won't werkrrrrrite.
 
The current wave of optimism for the new season has revived my memories of when optimism has never been higher. 40 years ago this summer. The basis of this optimism was that the closing season had just seen our 2nd highest league position since the war (6th), the new South Stand was to open, record season ticket sales (at the time), Currie at his peak and record signing (at the time) Chris Guthrie added to the squad.
What could possibly go wrong? Answer – everything.
I know we have subsequently been much lower down the leagues and had vastly inferior teams but, to me, 1975-76 was the worst season I can remember. Younger fans will never agree; after all we were in the top league with TC in the team. But with all the pre-season optimism, to be certainties for relegation by October was hard to take. We only won 6 all season, with 4 of those coming after relegation was confirmed in late March.
We signed jinking, drinking Jimmy Johnstone, reputedly on more money that Woodward and Currie, and by his own admission he was a disgrace to his profession.
Perhaps wiser fans than me would have seen this coming. Aging team, no money and decent youngsters not ready for the first team. The thrashing at Villa in the cup was, with hindsight, a clear indicator of things to come.
Len Badger said recently that we were lucky when we finished 6th, several games were won that could have gone either way and he was worried that the lower league signings who had done well would not be able sustain their performance levels in the longer term. I believe his actual words were along the lines of - you sign 3rd division players, that’s where you will end up.
Nevertheless, despite the recurring psychological scars of 1975-76, and the widest possible gap between expectation and actual achievement, like another poster I too am counting the sleeps to the new season. The new managerial appointment could not have been bettered IMO and I am certain we will be champions this time.
Nurse, have the visitors gone yet?

It's also revived my memories of last year's pre-season optimism, slightly dashed on day one against Brizzle City. Doyle and Collins were on the bench and I sensed summat had gone down over the pre-season.
 
To be frank though I think the appointment of Adkins has reasonably filled us all with expectations and hope the like of which has not been seen among we, the faithful??? since the hiring of .. erm ...

Clough.


who in his turn had the most euphoric effect on us since the hiring of - well.......


Weir.
 
To be frank though I think the appointment of Adkins has reasonably filled us all with expectations and hope the like of which has not been seen among we, the faithful??? since the hiring of .. erm ...

Clough.


who in his turn had the most euphoric effect on us since the hiring of - well.......


Weir.


Based on Adkins record I'd guess the team is excited as well and can't wait to get back to work.
 
We should be one of eight or nine clubs that can realistically challenge, theres 12 that have no chance and 3 who could go either way , give or take a couple of unforeseen changes.
I thought we were realistic play off contenders last year ,said so at the start , we eased into the top 6 but we ended up losing too many points at home,
Adkins major change is to make us much more dominant at the Lane, we have to eek out ugly wins at times from games we drew last season
if we win 9 of the 13 we drew , thats 18 more points on the 67 taking us to 85 meaning 1 loss turned to a win and one away win to break through 90

Its key the home form is improved, , no , its paramount

I believe its within his capabilities,,, just got to convince those on the shiny new grass
 
Hey Grumpy, you're just not grumpy enough any more....


btw. As I remember it, the pre-season tour of New Zealand and our shiny (numbered) new kit had all added to the great expectation.

We won every match in New Zealand but I suppose nobody in Sheffield actually realised that nobody down there even knew you couldn't handle the ball.
 
The current wave of optimism for the new season has revived my memories of when optimism has never been higher. 40 years ago this summer. The basis of this optimism was that the closing season had just seen our 2nd highest league position since the war (6th), the new South Stand was to open, record season ticket sales (at the time), Currie at his peak and record signing (at the time) Chris Guthrie added to the squad.
What could possibly go wrong? Answer – everything.
I know we have subsequently been much lower down the leagues and had vastly inferior teams but, to me, 1975-76 was the worst season I can remember. Younger fans will never agree; after all we were in the top league with TC in the team. But with all the pre-season optimism, to be certainties for relegation by October was hard to take. We only won 6 all season, with 4 of those coming after relegation was confirmed in late March.
We signed jinking, drinking Jimmy Johnstone, reputedly on more money that Woodward and Currie, and by his own admission he was a disgrace to his profession.
Perhaps wiser fans than me would have seen this coming. Aging team, no money and decent youngsters not ready for the first team. The thrashing at Villa in the cup was, with hindsight, a clear indicator of things to come.
Len Badger said recently that we were lucky when we finished 6th, several games were won that could have gone either way and he was worried that the lower league signings who had done well would not be able sustain their performance levels in the longer term. I believe his actual words were along the lines of - you sign 3rd division players, that’s where you will end up.
Nevertheless, despite the recurring psychological scars of 1975-76, and the widest possible gap between expectation and actual achievement, like another poster I too am counting the sleeps to the new season. The new managerial appointment could not have been bettered IMO and I am certain we will be champions this time.
Nurse, have the visitors gone yet?
TC said before the start of the 1975-76 season that we would be the surprise team. He was right but for the wrong reasons! Shoot! Summer Special 1975 had a feature saying that we are contenders to win the League Championship!
 
Did Currie make it to the end of the season? I seem to remember an exodus to the USA?? or did that come later?

Also did Jimmy Johnstone arrive that year too? - I trust you more than my own memory, I've got so many megabytes in there, its running slow and the printer won't werkrrrrrite.
TC was suspended for the first two games of the season, he played 33 league matches for the whole season, he was out due to an injury for two spells (November and February). He played in all of the last 11 league matches of the season.

Ken Furphy went to manage New York Cosmos in 1976 and signed Pele along with Keith Eddy, Terry Garbett and Tony Field!

Jummy Johnstone joined us in November 1975 and I was home for the weekend to see his debut for us in the 2-1 defeat at Stoke
 
Pretty much all the seasons I can remember being optimistic for have been ultimately a let down, whereas those where we have had success I haven't really expected anything from.

Specifically thinking of

89-90, 92-93, 02-03, 05-06, 11-12
 
Towards the end of 75-76 McGeady, Kenworthy, Edwards and Stainrod made their first team debuts. With Hamson and Conroy not far behind and Garner brought in from Huddersfield we had the core of a decent team, but the experienced players, including Woody, as Vorpal has said, tried their hand in the USA and it was too much for the youngsters to carry the burden alone.

Back to the modern day, as in 1976, the Academy remains a major asset. 10 players have played at premier league level or moved to a premier club in the last 10 years. Only the academy, as opposed to investment, can provide players of this potential. Again, I feel Adkins is the man to develop this source, as he did at Southampton.
 
Hey Grumpy, you're just not grumpy enough any more....


btw. As I remember it, the pre-season tour of New Zealand and our shiny (numbered) new kit had all added to the great expectation.

We won every match in New Zealand but I suppose nobody in Sheffield actually realised that nobody down there even knew you couldn't handle the ball.


I was this happy when Weir was appointed.
 
To be frank though I think the appointment of Adkins has reasonably filled us all with expectations and hope the like of which has not been seen among we, the faithful??? since the hiring of .. erm ...

Clough.


who in his turn had the most euphoric effect on us since the hiring of - well.......


Weir.

Clough - who had no track record of managing a team to promotion in the football league, and Weir - who had no track record of managing a team. Think we have more cause to be optimistic this time :-)
 

Back to the modern day, as in 1976, the Academy remains a major asset. 10 players have played at premier league level or moved to a premier club in the last 10 years.

That's an interesting statistic. Do you know how many Academy players have gone on to play professional senior football?
 
That's an interesting statistic. Do you know how many Academy players have gone on to play professional senior football?

Haven't got the link to hand but I think there's a Wikipedia page on this. Mentions Kevin Davies as one of ours, which I didn't know. I do remember his FA Cup hat trick(?) against Middlesborough(?) for Chesterfield though.
 
Haven't got the link to hand but I think there's a Wikipedia page on this. Mentions Kevin Davies as one of ours, which I didn't know. I do remember his FA Cup hat trick(?) against Middlesborough(?) for Chesterfield though.
Bolton in the 4th round. Middlesbrough were Chesterfield's opponents in the semi final
 
Did Currie make it to the end of the season? I seem to remember an exodus to the USA?? or did that come later?

Also did Jimmy Johnstone arrive that year too? - I trust you more than my own memory, I've got so many megabytes in there, its running slow and the printer won't werkrrrrrite.

I think TC left us in June 1976. I was in a lecture at college in Birmingham and a mate of mine had been to the Nat West Bank that had a digital printer of all the up to date news - well before the Internet. He came back to college and managed give me the information through the window on the door - much to the annoyance of the lecturer. My head hit the desk as if I'd been shot.

Who would've thought where we about to go over the next 13 years?
 
I think TC left us in June 1976. I was in a lecture at college in Birmingham and a mate of mine had been to the Nat West Bank that had a digital printer of all the up to date news - well before the Internet. He came back to college and managed give me the information through the window on the door - much to the annoyance of the lecturer. My head hit the desk as if I'd been shot.

Who would've thought where we about to go over the next 13 years?

Try 40 years!!!
 
It's also revived my memories of last year's pre-season optimism, slightly dashed on day one against Brizzle City. Doyle and Collins were on the bench and I sensed summat had gone down over the pre-season.

Day one last season diary entry v Bristol.
We should be good enough to go up this season this season but puzzled about team selection today. I wonder what Clough thinks is his first choice line up?

Cut and pasted for last match of season.
 
I think people were more optimistic before last season, I reckon 90% of people thought we were going to storm the league and be promoted as Champions...

This year as happy as people are with the Adkins appointment I don't think anyone really belives we are going to storm the division next season... In a funny way that might actually help the new regime settle in.
 
I think that this season we need to be a bit more cautious in our expectation. Personally I'd be happy if we just played more positively and instilled a bit of physical and mental strength in the side for when we come up against the 'boot' boys of the league. If we can do that, I think we can challenge. I'm interested to see how the summer pans out as not many players have left the club and most are still under contract so although I like us to sign a centre back or two and a central midfielder general, I would think that NA will also need to move some players out, which if other clubs are not interested, could be a costly exercise. So I'd like to give him a season to put together his own side, but at least give us some entertainment in the meantime.

I think another poster mentioned that you expect maybe half a dozen games at home a season where it's dull viewing, but last season it was pretty much week in week out frustration. Apart from the cup games, I think I can recall maybe 2 games where I went home thinking, yes, we played well today, Scunny 4-0 and the Preston league game 2-1 and possibly Swindon 2-0 too (although they should have had 3 by the time we scored our first).
 
Agree with a lot of the above comments exercising caution for next season. I can understand people wanting to appear optimistic but these things have come to bite us Blades in the arse many times before. When Higdon signed fans were falling over themselves to say how wonderful this was "last piece in the jigsaw" and all that bollox.

After the season before last I can't believe the disappointment of last season....oh ! Wait a minute

The lack of any hope towards the end of last season was painful. Actually losing to Swindon was a blessing in disguise
 
I have been fooled for the last few years into thinking we will go up. I am pleased with the mangerial appointment, but until we start winning games, or signing players that are'nt shit, I'll withold my hard on.
 
I'm very cautiously optimistic. This time last year we were all predicting a season of glory and almost nailed on promotion. Didn't quite go to plan.

My outlook's also been tempered by speaking to my friend who's a Reading fan. He says Adkins was unpopular there because they played boring football, he never knew his best 11 and his post-match comments bordered on delusional at times. Sounds ominously familiar.

I'm not trying to piss on anyone's chips but I don't think I'll ever be taking United's promotion chances for granted again.
 

I just dont believe you can buy immediate success. You can have a go at it by putting the right bits in place and Adkins appointment looks like a step in the right direction, but so was Clough , let's wait and see.
What intrigues me is what our new manager up to now.
I mean he would have turned up for work last week, been told his server password (don't write them down Nigel) given his induction by HR, taken round the ground, ( someone quips , will tha look at me bad back Nigel?) where the lavs are, stationery cupboard tea station location, car park pass. Here's your desk. Then he's left on his own looking bemused at the statues in the car park. Then what? I mean when does he see the players? Isn't he a conductor without a band, is he watching videos all day SBC checking S24SU?
Oh hello mr Girolimo what can do for you? Oh it's your son, well........
 

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