Do our players like each other?

[CarlingBlade]

Technically I'd say we've got a good team, comfortable in possession and we have the ability to ping the ball about quite nicely.

The problem I see is we've got a squad which generally haven't gelled, they don't appear to be willing to fight for each other or really have much connection as a group rather than the fact they've been thrown together when signing for our great club.

As fans of this club we're not particularly a picky bunch, we want to see players fighting for the shirt, proud to play for the club, none of which we're currently seeing.

We need to trim the squad, get a tighter knit squad, I'd rather us spend money on paying off players contracts and getting rid of some of Cloughs deadwood, I truly think this would have a positive effect on the team and at least create some commradary in the team.

 

[Bladesman]

I get that impression with some of them.

Although I hope most of them are part of the 10 or so players that Adkins wants to get rid of.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

I get that impression with some of them.

Although I hope most of them are part of the 10 or so players that Adkins wants to get rid of.

Sorry has Adkins actually said he wants rid of 10 players?

Not being pedantic genuine question.

 

[Bladesman]

Sorry has Adkins actually said he wants rid of 10 players?

Not being pedantic genuine question.

I've heard rumours there around 10-14 players he wants to get rid of. He has got rid of 3 so far.

 

[Worksop II]

I want to see the reaction when we start next Season with this Squad ...

 

[judge]

Do the players like each other ?
I would doubt it given there a bunch of twats more bothered about tatoos beards and gay hairstyles

 

[yorkshirecoast]

I've heard rumours there around 10-14 players he wants to get rid of. He has got rid of 3 so far.

Problem is the ones NA has brought in are no better than what we already had - which is incredible really.

 

[zablade]

I think it is common knowledge that Collins and Long don't get on to put it mildly.

Apart from that I haven't heard of any bust ups in training or anything like that, the main problem is most of them aren't very good.

 

[derryblade]

I think some supporters assume that with 13/14 contracts coming up for renewal in June, rightly or wrongly the majority will be allowed to run out. We are not privy to NA thoughts on these players so whatever he decides will provoke an interesting topic on here and other sites. Certainly will help pass the close season.

 

[maidmarion]

Does Collins get on with anyone. the Cloughs certainly don't like him

 

[Gee]

When I have seen them out running as a group on the Parkwood hills they all seem to be having good banter with each other. I don't think they are only acting because I am there and they don't want me to know they really hate each other.
Seems plenty of team spirit as there does when you watch them training.
Next excuse?

 

[Houston_Blade]

When I have seen them out running as a group on the Parkwood hills they all seem to be having good banter with each other. I don't think they are only acting because I am there and they don't want me to know they really hate each other.
Seems plenty of team spirit as there does when you watch them training.
Next excuse?

I saw an article a few weeks ago about how "banter" in football has changed in the last 20 years. Used to be rubbing ralgex in everyone's pants and maybe letting their sponsor provided Toyota's tyres down.

Now it's burning a Louis Vuitton hold-all and getting your teammates Ranger Rover Sport re-sprayed pink while they're training for the laugh.

 

[super_pig]

shouldn't matter ..they are pros.. allegedly

 

[DronnieBlade]

shouldn't matter ..they are pros.. allegedly

Thats naive. A team that has cliques or even worse, a genuine dislike of each other is also more likely to be disjointed when it goes out on the park.

UTB

 

[super_pig]

Thats naive. A team that has cliques or even worse, a genuine dislike of each other is also more likely to be disjointed when it goes out on the park.

UTB

sorry the sarcasm doesnt' always come across

 

[Woodwardfan]

My guess is that Clough's management style was divisive and he signed a clique of ex-Derby players which didn't help.

Adkins has gone part way up the same path unfortunately though sharp was an obvious fit.

Team spirit comes with success and sometimes all of a sudden. I can only think that Adkins has a consensual and collective leadership style but I think this OP raises an important point. Spirit is earned and not a given. When things are going well it's a lot easier to like your colleagues in a successful environment ( including cheers from the terraces rather than boos).

Chicken and the egg. My guess is that Adkins is the sort to judge team players and value them.

 

[1889]

My guess is that Clough's management style was divisive and he signed a clique of ex-Derby players which didn't help.

Adkins has gone part way up the same path unfortunately though sharp was an obvious fit.

Team spirit comes with success and sometimes all of a sudden. I can only think that Adkins has a consensual and collective leadership style but I think this OP raises an important point. Spirit is earned and not a given. When things are going well it's a lot easier to like your colleagues in a successful environment ( including cheers from the terraces rather than boos).

Chicken and the egg. My guess is that Adkins is the sort to judge team players and value them.

What? So you're suggesting team spirit is dependant on success? Well I hope you're wrong or we are well in the proverbial. Fortunately, I think you are

 

[Woodwardfan]

What? So you're suggesting team spirit is dependant on success? Well I hope you're wrong or we are well in the proverbial. Fortunately, I think you are

I'm just saying that once things start to move everybody has the "feel good factor" and players then feel confident to express themselves in many ways. If we are winning there will be no tales of players in the clubs at night. When results are bad the players are obliged to act seriously/ remorseful.

Good results lighten everything about the working day. It might be a bad refs decision, a big stroke of luck e.g. the opposition hitting the woodwork three times and off we all go on a run and the smiles return.

 

[Red Hot Currie]

Thought the OP raised an interesting question... none of us know what really goes on within the group behind the scenes, in training, lead up and aftermath of games etc (well, I certainly don't). I'd imagine though that unity and camaraderie are important. That said Teddy Sheringham and Andy Cole were successful for the Mancs whilst not exactly "hitting it off" as individuals.

My question though is... Do we (the fans) like the players?

Serious question. I have to admit that when I watch England players fail time and again on the big stage I kind of think "f*ck you lot..... overpaid, over indulged, over hyped bags of utter shite" (I believe in thinking/saying it as it is...!)... and I've kind of lost the 'love' for them... to the point where I just don't want to see them wearing the shirt. A kind of resentment.

Sadly..... and this is my real point (thanks and congrats to anyone who has stayed awake to read this far) I think that many Blades fans are starting to feel that same sense of resentment towards our players.... and it's at a point now where that's the mood from kick off.... which means that the first mistake or the first (maybe second ) goal for the away team leads to BDTBL becoming a bear pit.... For our own players.

Don't get me wrong - I totally understand the frustration (fucking hell, I almost suffered an embolism at 0-2 down on Saturday) but I dId reflect over several medicinal pints last night that we might just be making it easier for the away team at BDTBL.... when they ought to be sitting themselves and never ever wanting to come back (unless they were ever lucky enough to sign for us).

Many will say that our bunch of under achievers need to man up... If you can't handle playing at BDTBL or the expectations of the fans the go and play for teams who attract 4,000 or less. And a big part of me feels that way. If the current crop of under achievers keep on disappointing us all then I think the fans will do their bit towards ensuring that 19,000 plus crowds will no longer be a problem......

I don't have any answers, but it feels to me at the moment that Sheffield United comprises a hugely loyal set of fans who have more than done 'our bit' and a club/set of players who..... quite simply haven't and aren't doing. Resulting in a really negative atmosphere.... bordering on the nihilistic at times!

And then I turn on the news, see what's happened in Paris, and think to myself. ... get a grip man. It's only a game.....

 

[I should coco]

RHC

Shame I can only 'like' it once.

Agree completely and we have been nobbed off with our lot since Robson signed overpaid prima donnas.

A mate who was in the director's box at Bradford was told that when NA took over, he said there were 14 he wanted rid if.
You could put plenty of permutations together to make 14.....

ISC

 

[Gin&Juice]

God I hope the majority of them fuck off. I long of the days when Montgomery, Quinn, Lucketti and Morgan we're seen as in-adequate.. Bunch of Yorkshire Pele's in comparison to the squad of wannabe lumberjack looking, grey goose swigging, cocky on a Saturday night but look like a nervous 4 year old being ushered out onto the stage for their Christmas nativity shower of shite.

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

Good point- under clough during our fa cup run, the players had a true love for the team and the cause, however I think this was ruined when we let coady mags and brayford go(for a short while) and replaced them with an idiot like butler, alock and McNulty. Now the team seems to not enjoy playing, they just do it to get the pay

 

[1889]

I'm just saying that once things start to move everybody has the "feel good factor" and players then feel confident to express themselves in many ways. If we are winning there will be no tales of players in the clubs at night. When results are bad the players are obliged to act seriously/ remorseful.

Good results lighten everything about the working day. It might be a bad refs decision, a big stroke of luck e.g. the opposition hitting the woodwork three times and off we all go on a run and the smiles return.

I just think that the Manager, Captain or even characters in the team create a good team spirit. The manager should make it clear what he expects, but encourage a bit of banter and practical joking. He should know every players psychological make up and how to get the best from them, both as individuals and as a team. He should select a captain who promotes the same qualities. Everyone on the payroll should like feel part of a family, from the star player to the tea lady and all be treated the same. To me that is what a good team spirit looks like, whilst I disagree that results on the pitch dictate team spirit, I do agree that a great team spirit means that we'd win far more than we'd lose and is probably an under rated asset in the modern game.
Both Bassetts and Warnocks teams had a great camaraderie, players would die for their mates and that not only produced results from sometimes average players, but such desire was infectious and the crowd loved to see players as passionate about Sheffield United as they were themselves. It does appear that spirit is lacking in todays squad, but believe me, win, lose or draw, there would never be any booing if the players had clearly given their absolute all.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I want to see the reaction when we start next Season with this Squad ...

At least that won't happen, just a shame all the new ones will be third division tossers.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I think some supporters assume that with 13/14 contracts coming up for renewal in June, rightly or wrongly the majority will be allowed to run out. We are not privy to NA thoughts on these players so whatever he decides will provoke an interesting topic on here and other sites. Certainly will help pass the close season.

One thing is certain, if he extends any of those contracts he'll have his P45 well before Xmas 16.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I just think that the Manager, Captain or even characters in the team create a good team spirit. The manager should make it clear what he expects, but encourage a bit of banter and practical joking. He should know every players psychological make up and how to get the best from them, both as individuals and as a team. He should select a captain who promotes the same qualities. Everyone on the payroll should like feel part of a family, from the star player to the tea lady and all be treated the same. To me that is what a good team spirit looks like, whilst I disagree that results on the pitch dictate team spirit, I do agree that a great team spirit means that we'd win far more than we'd lose and is probably an under rated asset in the modern game.
Both Bassetts and Warnocks teams had a great camaraderie, players would die for their mates and that not only produced results from sometimes average players, but such desire was infectious and the crowd loved to see players as passionate about Sheffield United as they were themselves. It does appear that spirit is lacking in todays squad, but believe me, win, lose or draw, there would never be any booing if the players had clearly given their absolute all.

But that's what dinosaurs do, get with program.

 

[bladesadviser]

With all the talk of NA letting players go I wouldn't be surprised for example if he gave Collins another year

 

[s35blade]

Well I doubt they all like each other, but then again is that a surprise? If you think about where you work there will definitely be people who you're indifferent to and few i'd guess that you actively don't like. The question is whether they can be professional and do what they're paid to do, on current evidence they can't, but believe it or not i'm still optimistic.

 

[Bladesway]

My guess is that Clough's management style was divisive and he signed a clique of ex-Derby players which didn't help.

D-I-N-G

Really? If that were the case I would expect team spirit to be lifted really, really quickly once the bell end had left. It doesn't seem to have been so I guess we can stop blaming him no? I thought you were beyond this.

 

[Blade56]

TBH I'm not right keen on most of em