Confess your unpopular opinions regarding SUFC

[Sean Thornton]

IF we get promoted:

I wouldn't mind if we didn't sign a single player for the entirety of next season because:

1. The current squad all deserve their chance in the PL without anyone new getting in the way, who could also disrupt the harmony

2. That means we use the money to:

a) Pay off all the outstanding debts

b) upgrade the stadium where needs be, plus scouting infrastructure, academy etc for the next generation

c) Save up for the 2020-2021 campaign and long term be financially stable and/or independent of McCabe

3. I'd be genuinely interested to see how far this current group can actually go

--

Last thing I'd want us to do is to risk blowing it on a load of crap and struggle thereafter like Fulham have done/will have to

What debts?

The ownership situation as it stands, i.e. Not decided means that any redevelopment plans are sat in a corner gathering dust until we have a winner, and that winner sells us on.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

What debts?

The ownership situation as it stands, i.e. Not decided means that any redevelopment plans are sat in a corner gathering dust until we have a winner, and that winner sells us on.

It can only mean the Prince and McCabe pocket all the money they’ve lost so far subsiding our promotions.
Given the threads title, I think this will take some beating.

 

[Ricky]

IF we get promoted:

I wouldn't mind if we didn't sign a single player for the entirety of next season because:

1. The current squad all deserve their chance in the PL without anyone new getting in the way, who could also disrupt the harmony

2. That means we use the money to:

a) Pay off all the outstanding debts

b) upgrade the stadium where needs be, plus scouting infrastructure, academy etc for the next generation

c) Save up for the 2020-2021 campaign and long term be financially stable and/or independent of McCabe

3. I'd be genuinely interested to see how far this current group can actually go

--

Last thing I'd want us to do is to risk blowing it on a load of crap and struggle thereafter like Fulham have done/will have to

What's more important, the club's future or rewarding individual players who've already been rewarded nicely with promotion bonuses?

There's little room for sentiment.

It's possible to give all our prominent players a chance whilst also strengthening the squad significantly.

I'd want to see 6-8 signings, with a number of loans, and without going daft on wages.

 

[8lade]

What's more important, the club's future or rewarding individual players who've already been rewarded nicely with promotion bonuses?

There's little room for sentiment.

It's possible to give all our prominent players a chance whilst also strengthening the squad significantly.

I'd want to see 6-8 signings, with a number of loans, and without going daft on wages.

I know this has gone OT but this is why I want to see McCabe (jointly) at the helm at least until we've had the first year in the Prem (whether that is next season or whenever and whether it ends in relegation or not). He has had to learn the hard way and it's cost him money, on which point I wouldn't be unhappy for him to claw some of his losses back but most importantly with McCabe/Wilder I now see sensible investment and sensible but competitive wages. I'm not sure that we would see this with another owner in place.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I can't see Wilder going down the foreign mercenaries route. I think he'd stick to his formula of mainly British players. Probably looking at the better Championship players, players who are good but can't get in their respective Premier League teams and loans. Obviously the wages we'd be prepared to pay will be a big factor and I hope the club keep a tight control on this.

Would love us to get rid of those two posts on the Kop as it cheapens and lets down the rest of the ground.

 

[true99blade]

Not as confident as many that we will go up this season.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Not as confident as many that we will go up this season.

So you think Leeds are better than us.

 

[true99blade]

So you think Leeds are better than us.

Think we’re pretty even, but we’re edging them in the table based on results so we deserve to be above them.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Think we’re pretty even, but we’re edging them in the table based on results so we deserve to be above them.

For them to overtake us they have to do better than us over the same number of games against opposition that is not weaker overall. For you think that they will overtake us means that you think they will do better than us over the next 8 games.

 

[true99blade]

For them to overtake us they have to do better than us over the same number of games against opposition that is not weaker overall. For you think that they will overtake us means that you think they will do better than us over the next 8 games.

It could very well happen. Like CW said the other day, I wouldn’t rule out West Brom either. I see some tough games for us coming up, it’ll be very close either way.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

It could very well happen. Like CW said the other day, I wouldn’t rule out West Brom either. I see some tough games for us coming up, it’ll be very close either way.

Yes, I know all that, but from our current position, to not be confident about going up means that you expect someone else will do better or at least are likely to do better. Whether it's West Brom or Leeds, to think that we'll finish 3rd you have to think that one of them is better than us.

 

[Ricky]

I think we have the edge over Leeds as a team. Largely due to the recent defensive strength we've developed.

I think the possession stats from Saturday's game are misleading, as we didn't go to play that way. Put Duffy in for Basham and I think it would have been much more equal.

I think our system is better, with the players so comfortable and familiar within it.

It also has to be said that we've had better 'luck' with injuries than them.

None of this is to say we'll finish above them though. It's going to be close.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I don’t think we are as big of a club as some on here and in general think. We are a medium sized club with higher than average attendances for a club our size. We have potential to be a bigger club, City centre club, the proper Sheffield club but decades of miss management and shite leave us where we are. We haven’t won owt (worth winning) in most if not all of our lifetimes. It pains me to see our fans belittle clubs like Ipswich it just makes me cringe.

But I thought crowds determined the size of a club?

 

[Hamburg Blade]

But I thought crowds determined the size of a club?

And people keep posting that they don't want the crowds to increase just because we're doing well.

 

[true99blade]

Yes, I know all that, but from our current position, to not be confident about going up means that you expect someone else will do better or at least are likely to do better. Whether it's West Brom or Leeds, to think that we'll finish 3rd you have to think that one of them is better than us.

Based on history, I think someone else could do better than us. Not are likely or will do better. Which is why I don’t think we’re certainly up, thus, I am not as confident as many. Are you still struggling to understand?

 

[BorbokisKS]

IF we get promoted:

I wouldn't mind if we didn't sign a single player for the entirety of next season because:

1. The current squad all deserve their chance in the PL without anyone new getting in the way, who could also disrupt the harmony

2. That means we use the money to:

a) Pay off all the outstanding debts

b) upgrade the stadium where needs be, plus scouting infrastructure, academy etc for the next generation

c) Save up for the 2020-2021 campaign and long term be financially stable and/or independent of McCabe

3. I'd be genuinely interested to see how far this current group can actually go

--

Last thing I'd want us to do is to risk blowing it on a load of crap and struggle thereafter like Fulham have done/will have to

If we show no attempt of at least trying to compete by the board in the PL Wilder will be gone by Xmas. Love our current team but we are punching as it is, we'd get slaughtered if we went up without improvements.

 

[BorbokisKS]

So you think Leeds are better than us.

It's fair to say we are evenly matched based on their performance against us, dont you think?

 

[Tommoblade66]

Dont know if its an unpopular thing or not but football heaven was interesting tonight with talk on fair play. How do takeovers work with this fairplay stuff? If we get promoted McCabe is bound to up his price, I would. Does that count as income or does the money go to McCabe instead of the club? Secondly, if the prince buys he can only invest so much money because of fair play so would he even bother if he cant get his money back? im not sure how all this works?

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Dennis Longhorn was 10 years ahead of his time. How he never played for England is a real mystery.

View attachment 50578

I love led his hair as he gamely chased the ball around a rainy, windswept Lane, game after game.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Based on history, I think someone else could do better than us. Not are likely or will do better. Which is why I don’t think we’re certainly up, thus, I am not as confident as many. Are you still struggling to understand?

Basing it on history is a bit odd, why not base it on how good the current teams are? If by "many" you mean a handful who are very confident, then yes, I understand. Other than a handful, most seem to be very cautious about our chances, so not being a confident as many suggests not being very confident. You're dodging saying you think Leeds are better, so yes, I'm struggling to understand how you can be lacking confidence but think we're better. Not that I'm that bothered, think what you want. If you'd given a straight answer to my question, this wouldn't have dragged out.

It's fair to say we are evenly matched based on their performance against us, dont you think?

Yes, which given the position we're now in, and considering recent form, we have to be favourites.

 

[blade67]

Chris Wilder should set a better example regards drinking Euro lager

Selling Agana was good business

 

[true99blade]

Basing it on history is a bit odd, why not base it on how good the current teams are? If by "many" you mean a handful who are very confident, then yes, I understand. Other than a handful, most seem to be very cautious about our chances, so not being a confident as many suggests not being very confident. You're dodging saying you think Leeds are better, so yes, I'm struggling to understand how you can be lacking confidence but think we're better. Not that I'm that bothered, think what you want. If you'd given a straight answer to my question, this wouldn't have dragged out.

I said earlier I think we’re pretty even, so I didn’t dodge anything, I gave you an answer. You seem to be trying to dissect something in my post that isn’t there. I’m not saying we aren’t as good as Leeds. I’m not saying we are certainly going up or staying down. I’m merely not at the level of confidence that we’re nailed on to go up like quite a lot of other folk. Football throws curveballs that a lot don’t see coming, so I’ll grow more confident the closer we get. And if you weren’t that bothered then why the many responses?

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

They also finished 18 points behind Portsmouth and 12 points behind Leicester, and lost at the Sty. We were never in an automatic promotion race really, the promoted teams were too far ahead and we had a bad start.

There were far more poor performances that season - great though it was - than we've seen this season. Walsall (H) and Wimbledon (A) spring to mind. We also lost 4 league games on the bounce at one point, didn't we?

What I am prepared to accept is that Michael Brown's season was better than any season one of our players have had this time around.

2002/03 was the best season that we’ve had since god knows when. We were a match for anyone in all four divisions. That’s a rarity in our history. Unless we get promoted this season, that fact still stands.

I remember us dry bumming league leaders Portsmouth live on Sky in January 2003, quickly followed by us dry bumming Wednesday live on Sky. It’s worth remembering that both Portsmouth and Leicester got promoted spending money that they didn’t have. Cheats seem to prosper at the expense of United.

 

[Revolution]

2002/03 was the best season that we’ve had since god knows when. We were a match for anyone in all four divisions. That’s a rarity in our history. Unless we get promoted this season, that fact still stands.

I remember us dry bumming league leaders Portsmouth live on Sky in January 2003, quickly followed by us dry bumming Wednesday live on Sky. It’s worth remembering that both Portsmouth and Leicester got promoted spending money that they didn’t have. Cheats seem to prosper at the expense of United.

It was a great season, one of my favourites, but that team was nowhere automatic promotion and this one is.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

It was a great season, one of my favourites, but that team was nowhere automatic promotion and this one is.

Our away form was our undoing that year, as was the fact we were competing on all fronts. We ended up 18 points off 1st and 12 points off 2nd, something which will still probably happen this year with Norwich’s blistering form and the difficulty of our run in.

I wouldn’t fancy us against any team except possibly Boro in the play offs over two legs. I would suggest that we wouldn’t get away with the rope-a-dope again away from home at the likes of Leeds, WBA, Villa or Wednesday.

Overall, this season will most likely end up with a 3rd place finish, defeat in the play off semi’s and a poor performance in the league cup v. Hull and an utter abject performance v. Barnet.

The atmosphere at BDTBL is currently about 50% of what is was in the triple assault season, and the fans haven’t had the pleasure of the great games and goals of that season during this. Think of the best atmosphere at a home game this, and then remember what it was like in 02/03. It’s laughable.

The 02/03 season would therefore easily rank higher than this, other than the argument that we passed the ball around better this year.

 

[Revolution]

Our away form was our undoing that year, as was the fact we were competing on all fronts. We ended up 18 points off 1st and 12 points off 2nd, something which will still probably happen this year with Norwich’s blistering form and the difficulty of our run in.

I wouldn’t fancy us against any team except possibly Boro in the play offs over two legs. I would suggest that we wouldn’t get away with the rope-a-dope again away from home at the likes of Leeds, WBA, Villa or Wednesday.

Overall, this season will most likely end up with a 3rd place finish, defeat in the play off semi’s and a poor performance in the league cup v. Hull and an utter abject performance v. Barnet.

The atmosphere at BDTBL is currently about 50% of what is was in the triple assault season, and the fans haven’t had the pleasure of the great games and goals of that season during this. Think of the best atmosphere at a home game this, and then remember what it was like in 02/03. It’s laughable.

The 02/03 season would therefore easily rank higher than this, other than the argument that we passed the ball around better this year.

All of that is mere conjecture at this point. Whereas the 2002-3 team not being in an automatic promotion race is a fact.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Yes, I know all that, but from our current position, to not be confident about going up means that you expect someone else will do better or at least are likely to do better. Whether it's West Brom or Leeds, to think that we'll finish 3rd you have to think that one of them is better than us.

Norwich promoted then ?.
They are not over the line yet by a long way.
Winning it is still very possible

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

All of that is mere conjecture at this point. Whereas the 2002-3 team not being in an automatic promotion race is a fact.

A mixture of conjecture and cold hard facts. We have been shit in both cups this year, the atmosphere at BDTBL this season has been poor, crowds are down 2.5kish, other than the Villa game in August I can’t remember a good game this season (good results, but not good games), there’s been no humdingers of games like 02/03 nor have we been treated to many worldly goals like 02/03. Them’s the facts.

I seriously doubt that if we revisited Leeds, WBA, Villa or Wednesday that we’d get the same positive results. To get promoted in the play offs that’s would we’d need to do. That’s my opinion.

Weren’t in the race for automatic? We were 3rd for the majority of the 2nd half of that season, and in mid January, after beating Wednesday, we were 3 points behind 2nd and 5 behind 1st. Admittedly our form was patchy down the home straight, and Portsmouth pulled away in 1st, but even at the beginning of March we were only 6 points off 2nd.

 

[Revolution]

A mixture of conjecture and cold hard facts. We have been shit in both cups this year, the atmosphere at BDTBL this season has been poor, crowds are down 2.5kish, other than the Villa game in August I can’t remember a good game this season (good results, but not good games), there’s been no humdingers of games like 02/03 nor have we been treated to many worldly goals like 02/03. Them’s the facts.

I seriously doubt that if we revisited Leeds, WBA, Villa or Wednesday that we’d get the same positive results. To get promoted in the play offs that’s would we’d need to do. That’s my opinion.

Weren’t in the race for automatic? We were 3rd for the majority of the 2nd half of that season, and in mid January, after beating Wednesday, we were 3 points behind 2nd and 5 behind 1st. Admittedly our form was patchy down the home straight, and Portsmouth pulled away in 1st, but even at the beginning of March we were only 6 points off 2nd.

We made little effort to win both cup games. Warnock did the same in 2005-6. I don't like it but it was done to help with promotion.

If you can't remember a good game other than Villa? Wow. It's been a season full of them from where I'm sitting.

After beating Wednesday we lost 4 games in a row, and that was that. We had games in hand but our Selhurst Park double header, seeing us win 1 point from 6, finished us.

You simply cannot say at this point that 2003 was the better side.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

A mixture of conjecture and cold hard facts. We have been shit in both cups this year, the atmosphere at BDTBL this season has been poor, crowds are down 2.5kish, other than the Villa game in August I can’t remember a good game this season (good results, but not good games), there’s been no humdingers of games like 02/03 nor have we been treated to many worldly goals like 02/03. Them’s the facts.

I seriously doubt that if we revisited Leeds, WBA, Villa or Wednesday that we’d get the same positive results. To get promoted in the play offs that’s would we’d need to do. That’s my opinion.

Weren’t in the race for automatic? We were 3rd for the majority of the 2nd half of that season, and in mid January, after beating Wednesday, we were 3 points behind 2nd and 5 behind 1st. Admittedly our form was patchy down the home straight, and Portsmouth pulled away in 1st, but even at the beginning of March we were only 6 points off 2nd.

Derby game at home was good.