Club Meh, Volume II

[shorehamview]

Now I'm not a clapper, a sunshinista, a fencist, a nay-sayer or a grinnist, lesbotic or anything else like that. What I am is a little fucked off that the overpaid collection of strangers that run around in red and white stripes and pretend to be Sheffield United haven't managed to convince me that this season will be anything other than a waste of time and my money.

I haven't even got the small comfort of a lunchtime drink because Mrs SV works quite a lot now on Saturday nights, so I have to stay sober as I have Small SV to entertain.

What I'd like is a side that plays for each other and for the crowd, a side that tries to win rather than strives not to lose. I'd rather we went out and had a bloody good go at winning and if we don't then so be it. What I don't want is a bunch of clowns who seem to have only the slightest idea of how to pass to a team-mate or how to tackle an opponent, and can't kick the ball straight or head it somewhere even vaguely on target to where it may do some good.

There are a few small bright moments to a match nowadays, but these are few and far between. I'm fed up of seeing players yell at each other after every misplaced pass, or every poor tackle, or every time an opponent skips jauntily past them. What I'd like to see is some commitment, some teamwork, some endeavour and above all some passion. What I'd like to see is them being Sheffield United, instead of just more highly rewarded strangers.

Until then I can summon no more feeling towards is than frustration and ultimately apathy. Sure, we, the crowd can do our best to try and raise the team, but when the team are just not really bothered week-in and week-out then it's hard to muster any sympathy or support for them at all.

It's not that I don't care, I do, but my care seems to matter little to them. Would that they had the passion of the fans, but it seems that they never will. And now it seems that the apathy has spread. The atmosphere is poor, and the players offer very little to give the criwd the spark they once had. Club Meh is spreading, and most of us aren't too bothered.

 

[super_pig]

top post shoreham.. grade fucking A mate

 

[JohnDenver]

I'm fed up of seeing players yell at each other after every misplaced pass, or every poor tackle, or every time an opponent skips jauntily past them. What I'd like to see is some commitment, some teamwork, some endeavour and above all some passion. What I'd like to see is them being Sheffield United, instead of just more highly rewarded strangers.

That's what worried me most yesterday. Players blaming each other. Waving their arms about rather than setting an example. They no longer seem to believe in each other or support each other half enough as is needed.

I want to see heads above parapets in this situation. Showing for the ball, making runs, redoubling efforts, helping their team mates. Instead we had players isolated, players complaining about each other.

We need to transplant Monty's testicles into some of the other players. Has he got enough to go round?

 

[Pinchy]

Sadly we seem to have transplanted his skills instead.

 

[JohnDenver]

Sadly we seem to have transplanted his skills instead.

I've seen almost all of the individuals in our team look good at this level.

Quite simply some of them need to get a grip.

 

[Pinchy]

I've seen almost all of the individuals in our team look good at this level.

Quite simply some of them need to get a grip.

JD,

Notwithstanding what you thought at the time, would you now move on any of those who were renewed, in an effort to free up resources for new blood?

 

[Bergen Blade]

I've seen almost all of the individuals in our team look good at this level.

Quite simply some of them need to get a grip.

Regardless of their quality, players won't always look good unless they play in a balanced team where players complement eachother. For example, David Batty was a somewhat limited footballer, but he was a vital part of different very successful teams. A team of 11 David Battys wouldn't work though - at any level.

Following defeats I think people are too focused on individuals that have had a poor game. We're struggling in general this season, and line ups would get a random look if we just replaced individuals who've had a poor game, hoping to stumble upon something that worked. We should aim to put out teams that have no obvious general weaknesses, and then if players aren't performing there'll be no excuses and adjustments should be made.

 

[Pinchy]

Regardless of their quality, players won't always look good unless they play in a balanced team where players complement eachother. For example, David Batty was a somewhat limited footballer, but he was a vital part of different very successful teams. A team of 11 David Battys wouldn't work though - at any level.

Following defeats I think people are too focused on individuals that have had a poor game. We're struggling in general this season, and line ups would get a random look if we just replaced individuals who've had a poor game, hoping to stumble upon something that worked. We should aim to put out teams that have no obvious general weaknesses, and then if players aren't performing there'll be no excuses and adjustments should be made.

I'm sorry. Bad players make bad teams. Many of our players are irredeemably poor. No amount of 'balance' can alter that. The balance required is the removal of poor players and the acquisition of better. That is, of course, easier said than done. The process would be eased, however, by an acceptance that some 'old favourites' are nowhere near good enough.

I despise all things Leeds. I was no fan of Batty, but he was an infinitely better footballer than our shower of scuffling, shadow-chasing mediocrities.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I'm sorry. Bad players make bad teams. Many of our players are irredeemably poor. No amount of 'balance' can alter that. The balance required is the removal of poor players and the acquisition of better. That is, of course, easier said than done. The process would be eased, however, by an acceptance that some 'old favourites' are nowhere near good enough.

I despise all things Leeds. I was no fan of Batty, but he was an infinitely better footballer than our shower of scuffling, shadow-chasing mediocrities.

In the summer I warned against giving new, expensive contracts to Mongomery, Morgan, Cresswell and Quinn and said that we should try to build a younger, more exctiting side, also without the short term loan signings. It didn't really happen.

The transfer window is shut and we have to make the best of what we've got. I don't for a minute believe you think different tactical options can't give different outcomes, so won't bother arguing against that.

Batty was slower than Ward, a worse dribbler than Yeates, poorer than Ertl in the air, but he also had some great attributes and was part of a well balanced Leeds midfield where four players complemented eachother. Such a balance - although with players of lesser quality - is possible to achieve.

 

[super_pig]

>Batty was slower than Ward, a worse dribbler than Yeates, poorer than Ertl in the air
yeah but he'd run through a brick wall for you.. and before the monty apologists appear .. could hit a simple 5 yard pass to a team mate

 

[JohnDenver]

JD,

Notwithstanding what you thought at the time, would you now move on any of those who were renewed, in an effort to free up resources for new blood?

Yes. But not without knowing better players were coming in.

Cresswell deserved a better contract but the one given was too long. Quinn should have been sold in the summer, while Morgan and Monty are players I'd keep unless worthy replacements are guaranteed. Obviously if current form continues, the decision gets made easier.

---------- Post added at 02:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:11 PM ----------

Regardless of their quality, players won't always look good unless they play in a balanced team where players complement eachother. For example, David Batty was a somewhat limited footballer, but he was a vital part of different very successful teams. A team of 11 David Battys wouldn't work though - at any level.

Following defeats I think people are too focused on individuals that have had a poor game. We're struggling in general this season, and line ups would get a random look if we just replaced individuals who've had a poor game, hoping to stumble upon something that worked. We should aim to put out teams that have no obvious general weaknesses, and then if players aren't performing there'll be no excuses and adjustments should be made.

.

I'd agree with that. Whereas Pinchy would ditch Monty and Morgan, I'm happy to see them play so long as they're alongside more talented ball players.

On saturday I thought the team wasn't exactly unbalanced, and I've seen the same players give far more in the exact same positions.

 

[Bergen Blade]

>Batty was slower than Ward, a worse dribbler than Yeates, poorer than Ertl in the air
yeah but he'd run through a brick wall for you.. and before the monty apologists appear .. could hit a simple 5 yard pass to a team mate

Are you saying a team of 11 Battys would work fine?

---------- Post added at 05:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:57 PM ----------

On saturday I thought the team wasn't exactly unbalanced, and I've seen the same players give far more in the exact same positions.

We've had worse line ups agreed, but the obvious weakness was the lack of creativity, assists and goals from central midfield. And considering how much we're struggling to score goals I think it may have helped us if we played with specialist full backs on both sides that could have overlapped and put in crosses.

 

[Grecian2000]

I think it may have helped us if we played with specialist full backs on both sides that could have overlapped and put in crosses.

Heresay. Where are we going to get a couple of those nuggets? They don't grow on trees you know.

We are suffering the consequences of a systematic weakening of the squad and a surfeit of "make do and mend" players (or "good back ups" as they were described on arrival).
We should have enough quality to put a decent side together (Just) but it has got to be round pegs in round holes from now on.

 

[bricktop]

To be honest i would tell the players that we are in a fight and its up to you to stand up and be counted, and if you can't then go and find another club.

For the most of the last few season there would only have been 2 or 3 players you could have been justified in saying that it was time for them to leave and bring in someone better to replace them and then we have improved.

Nowadays it's more a question of the two or three to keep.

Out of the current crop, i would only keep hold of Britton, Jamie Ward and maybe Monty. The rest of them all can go. And thats being kind

 

[Bergen Blade]

Heresay. Where are we going to get a couple of those nuggets? They don't grow on trees you know.

Don't you think Lowton or Calve are better at joining in with attacks, overlapping and crossing than Nosworthy?