Daz’s View From: View from a Mansfield player.

[Revolution]

Norwich was one of the best and worst football experiences I had had up to that point (I was also 21 at the time).

Best: we were fantastic on the day against a really good Norwich side who were (I think) fighting for the (old old) 1st Division title.
Worst: only just predating Hillsborough, there were so many Blades there they opened the gates and let everyone in, tickets or not I suspect, far too many for the away end. I spent the entire match braced against a girder trying to stop myself being crushed to death.

Watching the highlights on MoTD later was also my first experience of us not getting any credit for a brilliant performance, no mention of how good Deane and Agana were, just a lot of purring over Robert fleck and Dale Gordon.

I thought we had a chance in 1990 and in 1992.

In 1990 we froze against a poor Man U team, and had we done it we would have had Oldham - who we'd got the double over - in the semi.

In 1992 there were only 5 or 6 Division One teams in the last 16 (Liverpool won the cup without playing a top division side) and we were playing well at the time. We got one of the hardest draws - Chelsea away - and had no luck on the day.

We also had a chance in 1993 as all 4 semi finalists were close in ability but the Pigs outplayed us on the day. Arsenal and Spurs (who we beat 6-0 of course) were not that far from us at the end of the season.

 

[AWetFlannel]

The fanbase and players putting in 50% effort comes straight from the manager. Everyone knows, for all his bluster, that Wilder is at best ambivalent towards the cups.

We got over 20,000 for the Wrexham fourth round replay and then 28,300 against Spurs in the fifth round in 22/23 because we all knew that under Hecky we'd give it a proper go.

You actually think cup attendances correlate with Wilder being manager, rather than our fans not being arsed?

 

[Chimpan-A]

I thought we had a chance in 1990 and in 1992.

In 1990 we froze against a poor Man U team, and had we done it we would have had Oldham - who we'd got the double over - in the semi.

In 1992 there were only 5 or 6 Division One teams in the last 16 (Liverpool won the cup without playing a top division side) and we were playing well at the time. We got one of the hardest draws - Chelsea away - and had no luck on the day.

That Man Utd game was a real missed opportunity, and actually saved Ferguson’s job. Had they not won that cup, they would’ve been sacked.
I have no memory at all of the Chelsea match!!

 

[Revolution]

That Man Utd game was a real missed opportunity, and actually saved Ferguson’s job. Had they not won that cup, they would’ve been sacked.
I have no memory at all of the Chelsea match!!

Jones' foul straight from the kick off
Graham Stuart scored through Phil Kite's legs, Simon Tracey failing a fitness test on the morning of the game
Deano headed against the crossbar
33,000 there: Chelsea had a crowd of 7,000 for a league game 3 days before
The Pigs lost 7-1 at Arsenal

 

[Geordie Blade]

Jones' foul straight from the kick off
Graham Stuart scored through Phil Kite's legs, Simon Tracey failing a fitness test on the morning of the game
Deano headed against the crossbar
33,000 there: Chelsea had a crowd of 7,000 for a league game 3 days before
The Pigs lost 7-1 at Arsenal

The scoreboard was behind the away end and United fans were cheering every time Arsenal scored.

Also, a Concord flew over the ground during the game.

 

[Rochdaleblade]

Jones' foul straight from the kick off
Graham Stuart scored through Phil Kite's legs, Simon Tracey failing a fitness test on the morning of the game
Deano headed against the crossbar
33,000 there: Chelsea had a crowd of 7,000 for a league game 3 days before
The Pigs lost 7-1 at Arsenal

Bladders squaring up to Jones?

 

[Paisley Blade]

Morning all, I’ll never claim to be ITK but my career once in a while has put me up close to the odd footballer. (Annoyingly not many Blades)
I think the only time I’ve any put any info on here was when I revealed Jack Marriott had signed for Derby instead of us 24 hours before it was officially announced. Front page news eh?
Anyways, the last few days me and a Mansfield Town player have had a couple of meetings.
Obviously we spoke more football than business and he was telling me how shocked he was with the lack of effort from the Blades in our FA Cup game. His words were that “we were only going for it 80%”
Apparently at half time Cloughie was hammering home the fact we didn’t want it.
He also said some of our challenges were “half arsed” and “soft”
He was really surprised but said they just knew we weren’t fully committed and Mansfield fancied it from the first minute.
Nothing ground breaking I know but just thought I’d share his thoughts.
Didn’t want Burnley anyway!!!

Next time you meet up with little Louie can you tell him I’ve still not forgiven him for that miss against Spurs?

 

[CrookesBlade]

To a greater extent than fans of other clubs?

It probably got worse when we started closing the Kop too. Most clubs don't do this. When did we start, 10 years ago or so?

I think it’s more like 20 odd years. Sure I can remember L1 first round game against York in 03 where it was closed.

 

[nopigfansintown]

I'm still bitter about reaching the quarters after two brilliant away displays and having to play Arsenal behind closed doors having taken four points off them that season.

I think this time we picked a strong team and the management were up for it. The mood music was that this match is important, and a team was picked in line with that attitude. The players didn't turn up. I think this squad is far too well thought of and has betrayed a weak mentality far too often. This is the latest example. I'd be trying to take wrecking ball to it asap.

 

[Roygbiv]

That Man Utd game was a real missed opportunity, and actually saved Ferguson’s job. Had they not won that cup, they would’ve been sacked.
I have no memory at all of the Chelsea match!!

The opening to the game was insane

 

[joe casey]

I don't particularly care for tournament runs etc myself, not really something I care about but it can't be a coincidence Wilder more often than not goes out in the first couple rounds. I would have thought his obligation was to yknow, go for each game.

I mean it doesn't matter to me but feels like alot of people are annoyed with it

I've seen this a few times so thought I'd have a look. I think most of us have tarnished views from that Barnet loss and probably because in the League Cup we do tend to go out very early. In reality we have done ok-ish (QF's of FA Cup 2 out of 7 seasons) or lost to a team where we were not the favourite so expected to go out.

In terms of FA Cup exits under Wilder

16/17: Lost 1-0 to Bolton in R2. Bolton were up there with us at the top of League 1 so not a massive shock- we won the league at a canter
17/18: Lost 1-0 to Premier League Leicester in Round 5, hardly surprising (they also knocked us out the League cup that year)
18/19: The famous 1-0 loss to Barnet in Round 3. We did however win promotion to the premier league this season.
19/20: Lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the Quarter Final (no crowds and played in June ffs) - 9th placed finish in the Prem.
20/21: Reached the Quarter Finals in consecutive seasons where we lost 1-0 to Chelsea (Hecky was in charge by the time the QF came around).
23/24: Lost 1-0 to Premier League Brighton in Round 4. A dog shit season in every sense.
24/25: Poor 1-0 loss to an eventually relegated Cardiff side in R3
25/26: Lost 4-3 to League 1 Mansfield.

So, its not the best set of results by any stretch. But there's two QF's in there and losses to Prem sides in 4/7 games which would be expected if disappointing.

Barnet and Mansfield stand out as the two very poor results where we were definitely expected to win. We can only hope we finish this season the same way we finished the Barnet loss season...

 

[sufc323]

I've seen this a few times so thought I'd have a look. I think most of us have tarnished views from that Barnet loss and probably because in the League Cup we do tend to go out very early. In reality we have done ok-ish (QF's of FA Cup 2 out of 7 seasons) or lost to a team where we were not the favourite so expected to go out.

In terms of FA Cup exits under Wilder

16/17: Lost 1-0 to Bolton in R2. Bolton were up there with us at the top of League 1 so not a massive shock- we won the league at a canter
17/18: Lost 1-0 to Premier League Leicester in Round 5, hardly surprising (they also knocked us out the League cup that year)
18/19: The famous 1-0 loss to Barnet in Round 3. We did however win promotion to the premier league this season.
19/20: Lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the Quarter Final (no crowds and played in June ffs) - 9th placed finish in the Prem.
20/21: Reached the Quarter Finals in consecutive seasons where we lost 1-0 to Chelsea (Hecky was in charge by the time the QF came around).
23/24: Lost 1-0 to Premier League Brighton in Round 4. A dog shit season in every sense.
24/25: Poor 1-0 loss to an eventually relegated Cardiff side in R3
25/26: Lost 4-3 to League 1 Mansfield.

So, its not the best set of results by any stretch. But there's two QF's in there and losses to Prem sides in 4/7 games which would be expected if disappointing.

Barnet and Mansfield stand out as the two very poor results where we were definitely expected to win. We can only hope we finish this season the same way we finished the Barnet loss season...

I wish we only lost 1-0 to Brighton in 23/24. We got battered 5-2 just weeks before we shipped another 5 to them in the league.

I don't get our poor cup runs under Wilder, surely he knows as a fan that some of our better recent memories have been in the cups.

 

[joe casey]

I wish we only lost 1-0 to Brighton in 23/24. We got battered 5-2 just weeks before we shipped another 5 to them in the league.

I don't get our poor cup runs under Wilder, surely he knows as a fan that some of our better recent memories have been in the cups.

If I'm honest just scrolling through those results gave me such PTSD there's no wonder I got the score wrong

 

[sitwell]

Could tell you every winner ,and most final goalscorers just about from 1970 to 1990. Couldnt tell you the last 3 winners. Thats what theyve done to the FAcup, Man utd, Sky ,the FA ,whole bunch of tossers . No one cares anymore.

 

[Varkanoid]

Obviously we spoke more football than business

the fact they were a part time player and not a full professional makes the loss even worse.

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

If you do that it will mean that many lower division sides will not have a Boxing Day fixture, as they are already out and their league opponents are not, so it's not a good idea.

Very good point

 

[Super_Dazzler]

Next time you meet up with little Louie can you tell him I’ve still not forgiven him for that miss against Spurs?

I will go on record and say it’s not Louie!!!!

 

[Cheets]

Jones' foul straight from the kick off
Graham Stuart scored through Phil Kite's legs, Simon Tracey failing a fitness test on the morning of the game
Deano headed against the crossbar
33,000 there: Chelsea had a crowd of 7,000 for a league game 3 days before
The Pigs lost 7-1 at Arsenal

Carl Bradshaw took to the field in a Vinnie Jones-style white headband, before throwing it to the ground in front of the Blades fans and stamping on it to much hilarity from the away fans.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Home Cup wins >>>> 99.9% of league wins

So many of our most memorable moments are from the Cups.

Man Utd in their green and gold
Blackburn QF
Coventry penalties
Everything from 02/03
Everything from Clough
Wrexham, Spurs and Blackburn

I'm sure I've forgotten some

Charlton. Villa away.

 

[SRBlade]

We only get good home 3rd round attendances for glamour ties - local derbies or top half prem teams. The timing of the 3rd round is also abit wank. I’d be very much in favour of moving it to Boxing Day! That would be such a good tradition IMO.

Here's a novel idea, make the FA Cup on international weekends, it'll make it that little bit harder for the top 6 to win it 9 times outta 10.

 

[Valleyblade]

We'll never win the prem whilst I'm alive.

A cup win, and the subsequent European qualification would shut all pigs up forever.

I'd like that.

 

[TJ blade]

We'll never win the prem whilst I'm alive.

A cup win, and the subsequent European qualification would shut all pigs up forever.

I'd like that.

I've been going 60 odd years mate.... it ain't happening sorry

 

[Paisley Blade]

Charlton. Villa away.

Villa away is in my personal Pantheon. Absolute joyous day and the atmosphere was off the charts.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

The fanbase and players putting in 50% effort comes straight from the manager. Everyone knows, for all his bluster, that Wilder is at best ambivalent towards the cups.

We got over 20,000 for the Wrexham fourth round replay and then 28,300 against Spurs in the fifth round in 22/23 because we all knew that under Hecky we'd give it a proper go.

Exactly so. Well put. Precisely why, for the first time in many years, I didn’t bother going to a home 3rd round tie on Sunday.

If the manager and team can’t be arsed, neither can I.