Excited for next season

[Slim Man]

After the most boring, dull, pointless, un-ambitious, shambles of a season since... Well, the last one, the shoots of recovery are well on their way.

Still with a lot of work to do but the work has already begun. We now have a new shape, an exciting one which gets the best out of our players. We have got rid of a lot of the deadwood and bad eggs with a summer of changes to come.

If we can sign Baptiste in the summer anything is possible, he really is that good. He affects everyone around him in a positive way, if we could only sign one player this summer he has to be it.

Of all this with their contracts running out, sort out Long, McEveley and Flynn with an extra year (albeit the last 2 on less wages) as they're all good professionals and have all played their part in our revival. Add those few bits of quality in each area that we need, a 'big man' option upfront who can actually head the ball. A 'leader' at the back to to inbetween Baptiste and the left centre back. A creative midfielder and a top drawer winger if we want to change things.

I've been the most pessimistic of the lot this year, but even I'm starting to think we're on our way back now.

There's still some work to do but it's looking a lot rosier than it did 2 months ago. And don't rule out the play offs either, if we win the next two it could be down to goal difference, who knows!

UTB

 

[Sean Thornton]

Mods WHF has hacked Danny's account !

 

[The_Green_Man]

OH WHEN THE BLADES (OH WHEN THE BLADES)......................................................



















DRINK TO MUCH ALE ( DRINK TOO MUCH ALE)
OH WHEN THE BLADES DRINK TOO MUCH ALE.................

 

[Ricky]

We've still not even won back to back games since December!

 

[Slim Man]

Mods WHF has hacked Danny's account !

I think I've lost it

 

[Slim Man]

We've still not even won back to back games since December!

Been playing extremely well though, can't be denied

 

[Danny_Blade]

I've been excited for every upcoming season while we've been down here and as always it turned out to be a major disappointment every time. I think we will be better somewhat next season but we still might not even be in the promotion mix so I'm not going to fall for it/get carried away again this time.

We're not even sure if NA is still going to be here after the summer, I hope he is as I don't think changing the manager yet again is the right answer.

McEveley and Flynn are just playing for a new contract in my opinion, they have been solid but I reckon once they've got their new contracts under their belt they'll probably revert to being their inconsistent selves. They're only average players, we need a little more quality in the first team than these two if we want to gain promotion.

 

[The_Green_Man]

I've been excited for every upcoming season while we've been down here and as always it turned out to be a major disappointment every time. I think we will be better somewhat next season but we still might not even be in the promotion mix so I'm not going to fall for it/get carried away again this time.

We're not even sure if NA is still going to be here after the summer, I hope he is as I don't think changing the manager yet again is the right answer.

McEveley and Flynn are just playing for a new contract in my opinion, they have been solid but I reckon once they've got their new contracts under their belt they'll probably revert to being their inconsistent selves. Plus they're only average/solid back-up quality players, we need a little more quality in the first team than these two if we want to gain promotion.

I've always liked Flynn and have always said that he should feature more. With the exception of a poor spell in which I put down to him coming back from injuries, I think he has been one of our stand out performers of the last couple of years. Whenever he plays he tends to cause full backs problems and he can score goals from midfield as well.

You would think that Flynn very much fits the Adkins mould and style as well.

 

[Slim Man]

I've been excited for every upcoming season while we've been down here and as always it turned out to be a major disappointment every time. I think we will be better somewhat next season but we still might not even be in the promotion mix so I'm not going to fall for it/get carried away again this time.

We're not even sure if NA is still going to be here after the summer, I hope he is as I don't think changing the manager yet again is the right answer.

McEveley and Flynn are just playing for a new contract in my opinion, they have been solid but I reckon once they've got their new contracts under their belt they'll probably revert to being their inconsistent selves. Plus they're only average/solid back-up quality players, we need a little more quality in the first team than these two if we want to gain promotion.

Don't get me wrong Flynn always seems to play like this when he's out of contract but he's a good versatile squad player. McEveley much the same. They maybe shouldn't be first teamers if we're honest but they are useful players to have in the said imo.

 

[Higgo's Belly]

I love the positivity, however call me negative (which I'm sure some will), but I believe I'm realistic more than negative.
There is no chance at all of signing Baptiste. He is on a three year contract at a team that is likely going into the premiership. If they dont get promoted, they will be a top championship team next season. He is on good money, on a good contract. Why on earth would he move to a bang average League One team. After his performances for the Blades there will be plenty of offers from Championship teams for his services. After a awful injury, he's at SUFC to get his fitness back, by playing games. Boro's manager has said as much. Our budget, even if Baptise for some strange reason should wish to sign, will not stretch to anywhere near what wages he would want.

The concern for next season is the budget Adkins is given. He is not going to be allowed to sign anything other than cheap signings and his record on signings so far, has been on the whole poor. Put these in alongside the academy young players (many who are not yet ready to play every week) and those under contract that he cant get rid of and its more realistic to think it will be a mid table or relegation battle next season, more than a promotion one. All the signs are there regarding expectation levels, from the things Adkins has been saying recently. Pathway for the youth, its a three year project to get to the next level and yesterday, we will have to cut our cloth accordingly. This is realism, not negativity.

 

[zablade]

Been playing extremely well though, can't be denied

The board will endeavour to put a stop to that sort of thing in the Transfer window.

 

[Sean Thornton]

The board will endeavour to put a stop to that sort of thing in the Transfer window.

Normal service resumed

 

[stringjunior]

After the most boring, dull, pointless, un-ambitious, shambles of a season since... Well, the last one, the shoots of recovery are well on their way.

Still with a lot of work to do but the work has already begun. We now have a new shape, an exciting one which gets the best out of our players. We have got rid of a lot of the deadwood and bad eggs with a summer of changes to come.

If we can sign Baptiste in the summer anything is possible, he really is that good. He affects everyone around him in a positive way, if we could only sign one player this summer he has to be it.

Of all this with their contracts running out, sort out Long, McEveley and Flynn with an extra year (albeit the last 2 on less wages) as they're all good professionals and have all played their part in our revival. Add those few bits of quality in each area that we need, a 'big man' option upfront who can actually head the ball. A 'leader' at the back to to inbetween Baptiste and the left centre back. A creative midfielder and a top drawer winger if we want to change things.

I've been the most pessimistic of the lot this year, but even I'm starting to think we're on our way back now.

There's still some work to do but it's looking a lot rosier than it did 2 months ago. And don't rule out the play offs either, if we win the next two it could be down to goal difference, who knows!

UTB

I'm with you on this danny. The majority of the season was kack, but the green shoots of recovery are plain to see. Stick with Adkins over the summer, add sensibly and we could (could) do well next year

 

[BeatleBlade]

I was a bit worried yesterday after hearing Adkins' preview for the game. However, we don't have to have a huge budget, just one big enough to compete with the top few clubs.
If we can sign Baptiste or someone of a similar ability (and another CB like Edgar) then I don't see why we can't compete with the top teams. Need another few additions though, hope the money is there for that.

 

[PeteBlade]

With everyone now noshing off Baptiste (virtually of course) then Adkins records on signings has improved somewhat.

And people can't discount the Baptiste signing on the basis of him "being a Blade" either.

 

[Sean Thornton]

With everyone now noshing off Baptiste (virtually of course) then Adkins records on signings has improved somewhat.

And people can't discount the Baptiste signing on the basis of him "being a Blade" either.

It says on BM Adkins didn't want him but McCabe did the deal anyway because he knows someone at Middlesbrough.

 

[PeteBlade]

It says on BM Adkins didn't want him but McCabe did the deal anyway because he knows someone at Middlesbrough.

Awesome!

Everyone that comes from BM is clearly moronic...

 

[Maidenhead]

It says on BM Adkins didn't want him but McCabe did the deal anyway because he knows someone at Middlesbrough.

It's called MAD Blades for a reason

 

[Ricky]

The dirty bastards will be saying Adkins didn't want Sammon next.

 

[Danny_Blade]

Don't get me wrong Flynn always seems to play like this when he's out of contract but he's a good versatile squad player. McEveley much the same. They maybe shouldn't be first teamers if we're honest but they are useful players to have in the said imo.

It just goes to show how badly this club is being run when Blades fans are easily content with the possibility of having such low calibre players in McEveley and Flynn remain at the club, especially despite what is probably the second worst darkest period in our history.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

After the most boring, dull, pointless, un-ambitious, shambles of a season since... Well, the last one, the shoots of recovery are well on their way.

Still with a lot of work to do but the work has already begun. We now have a new shape, an exciting one which gets the best out of our players. We have got rid of a lot of the deadwood and bad eggs with a summer of changes to come.

If we can sign Baptiste in the summer anything is possible, he really is that good. He affects everyone around him in a positive way, if we could only sign one player this summer he has to be it.

Of all this with their contracts running out, sort out Long, McEveley and Flynn with an extra year (albeit the last 2 on less wages) as they're all good professionals and have all played their part in our revival. Add those few bits of quality in each area that we need, a 'big man' option upfront who can actually head the ball. A 'leader' at the back to to inbetween Baptiste and the left centre back. A creative midfielder and a top drawer winger if we want to change things.

I've been the most pessimistic of the lot this year, but even I'm starting to think we're on our way back now.

There's still some work to do but it's looking a lot rosier than it did 2 months ago. And don't rule out the play offs either, if we win the next two it could be down to goal difference, who knows!

UTB

Not looking rosier at all . Long way to go with ins and outs . Fed up of being let down therefore caution is the key .

Could get same old same old , could get a winning fomula. Who knows until 10 games in next season.

UTB

 

[Ricky]

It just goes to show how badly this club is being run when Blades fans are easily content with the possibility of having such low calibre players in McEveley and Flynn remain at the club, especially despite what is probably the second worst darkest period in our history.

If McEveley and Flynn were released we'd only have to replace them. They're both versatile squad players. We don't need to be signing more squad players and if we did we probably wouldn't get anyone better.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

If they sign Baptiste (which is highly unlikely) I might start to believe.

 

[Roygbiv]

If they sign Baptiste (which is highly unlikely) I might start to believe.

Was just about to post the same. If not him then someone like him. Who would have thought that buying a central defender was such a big issue............

 

[Danny_Blade]

If McEveley and Flynn were released we'd only have to replace them. They're both versatile squad players. We don't need to be signing more squad players and if we did we probably wouldn't get anyone better.

1 year only extensions then, once we're back in the Championship (whenever that is) then they must go as they wouldn't even be good enough for back-up at that level.

 

[Blade58]

After the most boring, dull, pointless, un-ambitious, shambles of a season since... Well, the last one, the shoots of recovery are well on their way.

Still with a lot of work to do but the work has already begun. We now have a new shape, an exciting one which gets the best out of our players. We have got rid of a lot of the deadwood and bad eggs with a summer of changes to come.

If we can sign Baptiste in the summer anything is possible, he really is that good. He affects everyone around him in a positive way, if we could only sign one player this summer he has to be it.

Of all this with their contracts running out, sort out Long, McEveley and Flynn with an extra year (albeit the last 2 on less wages) as they're all good professionals and have all played their part in our revival. Add those few bits of quality in each area that we need, a 'big man' option upfront who can actually head the ball. A 'leader' at the back to to inbetween Baptiste and the left centre back. A creative midfielder and a top drawer winger if we want to change things.

I've been the most pessimistic of the lot this year, but even I'm starting to think we're on our way back now.

There's still some work to do but it's looking a lot rosier than it did 2 months ago. And don't rule out the play offs either, if we win the next two it could be down to goal difference, who knows!

UTB

I hope you are right Danny. I really do. However, the problem I can see with that positivity, is that I've been like that for the last 9 seasons and absolutely nowt's happened. We are still as shit now as we were back then, well actually more so

I aim to renew my ST next week, but won't be getting carried away any time soon cos somehow, someway, you just know it and feel it in your bones come next May we'll be wondering wtf has happened......................again?

On the plus side tho, I do think Adkins needs time and I feel given that time he will make us better and stronger. Just a bit apprehensive wondering who is gonna be shown the door and I am absolutely convinced it won't be anywhere near the numbers some posters seem to think it should be or will be and then of course are the board gonna sell Adams? I wasn't bothered a few months back, but I believe he might actually be taking on board what the coaches are trying to teach him and dare I say it, it looks like the penny might be starting to drop and that he might be improving.

UTB

 

[stringjunior]

I've been like that for the last 9 seasons and absolutely nowt's happened. We are still as shit now as we were back then, well actually more so

I aim to renew my ST next week, but won't be getting carried away any time soon cos somehow, someway, you just know it and feel it in your bones come next May we'll be wondering wtf has happened......................again?

Well, we got out of Division 4 previously so getting out of the shit can and has happened.

Feeling a little glass half full today, can you tell?

 

[Bladesman]

Sign Baptiste or similar and that will be a good starting point.

We do need to make 4 or 5 decent signings in the summer as many will be on their way out of the club.

 

[Barney]

We may have played well the last few games but that is zero excuse to totally disregard every game before it. After what this club has been through, three games of playing well shouldn't even scratch the surface for encouraging optimism, and if it does then you have an extremely high acceptance level. The majority of the evidence from this season suggests nothing is going to improve any time soon, I'm sorry that's just the reality of the situation.

It's actually pretty grating to see threads like this as it lets those at the club that have subjected the supporters to such disappointment year after year off the hook to a certain extent. It makes it seem as though we're not bothered about finishing outside the play offs in league division three and we'll let 'em off. Which is an insult to all those that have shelled out season after season and are generally and genuinely pissed off with the sheer amount of underachievement we manage every bastard season.

 

[Revolution]

If McEveley and Flynn were released we'd only have to replace them. They're both versatile squad players. We don't need to be signing more squad players and if we did we probably wouldn't get anyone better.

If their contracts are renewed they will start, and we will fail.

We need to release everyone not under contract save Long, focus all our efforts on signing 5 or 6 good players, and the squad filler comes from the youth ranks or cheap pick ups later on.