Fans pathetic tonight

[finlaytheblade]

Didnt hear one song sung, Sunderland fans certainly got to our players and you could see it.

I dont blame the fans fully, the club closing the Kop was partially to blame but that was poor tonight.

Totally different atmosphere when the kops shut,better off playing these early rounds away

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Didnt hear one song sung, Sunderland fans certainly got to our players and you could see it.

I dont blame the fans fully, the club closing the Kop was partially to blame but that was poor tonight.

There wasn't much to sing about though was there?

 

[Guesty]

Was never going to be one bit different.

No Kop = no proper game = no urgency.

More than a big enough attendance to justify opening it but it would only have helped the team so it's no wonder they didn't....

I'm emphatically right about closing it - it is cheap, pathetic and sends totally the wrong message.

It's an insult to the competition, it's an insult to our fans who want us to win and it's an insult (but a great help) to Sunderland.

Well given that it was a complete clusterfuck getting into the parts of the ground they deigned to open for us I'd suggest you're right, the attendance was plenty big enough.

Imagine missing 10 minutes of a fucking League Cup tie because of queuing...

 

[Hartley Hare]

Please tell the 3 tits that were sat behind me tonite,all i heard from them all game long was chat about anything other than the game,weddings,shopping,other mates wives,did my fucking head in.

Didn't Scaramanga have three tits, well nipples?

Apparently 1 in 18 men have three nipples. On that basis there must be a good few around these here parts?

HH

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Don’t know why we didn’t put out a decent side and go for a win in this to be honest, especially when so many Premier League teams are disinterested, meaning there’s a half decent chance of getting to the final?

We’ve got less league fixtures this season and there can’t be many more fixtures left to play in this cup?

Are we just too big time to bother with the League Cup now or what?

For £100k prize money or £50k for the runners up...yes.

At least the FA Cup offers a decent amount for the winner - £2M.

And retaining Premier League status is worth closer to £200M.

That's why things are like they are mate. Simple as that.

 

[alcoblade]

I agree about the South stand atmosphere in general (and that's where I sit now so am acutely aware) but I don't get that about tonight's game - are you saying there was no one who normally goes on the kop on there tonight?

I sit on the kop, but sat in silence tonight. There’s no established singing area, so no concentration of willing participants. Those who sit there regularly rarely sing. Net result - silence.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

100% about shutting the Kop. It should be the first part of the stadium opened in every game because that's where the drive comes from.

Start by opening the Kop then fill the rest as needs require. Opening the other stands before the Kop has proved to be a disaster. Let's not do that again?

There’s no corporate in the Kop.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Throw a load of strangers together and that’s what you get.

Are you referring to the people gathered in the South Stand... or the players on the pitch?

 

[Houston_Blade]

How many goals has the Kop scored ever?

If we had to play a behind closed doors game would the team play terribly?

The reason we lost is because we put a reserve side out and our 2nd 11 isn’t a cohesive unit and can’t play tuftyball like the first 11 can.

You could slot the odd one into the first 11 and they’d be fine but playing 10/11 of them together doesn’t work.

It’s nothing to do with the kop being closed, lack of pyro, lack of a singing section, lack of ultras or any other fan based nonsense.

 

[Harry's Game]

The entire event was treated like a pre season fixture by Club, players and fans.

Park it now it’s gone.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Are we just too big time to bother with the League Cup now or what?

I know that the prize money in the EFL cup is pitifully low.
Even a league 1 club having a great cup run doesn’t boost finances that much.
In the EFL cup the winners receive £100K in prize money, the runners up receive £50K.
This prize money is not even some players weekly wage.

Compare this to the FA Cup where the winners receive £2 million, 20 times more than the EFL cup winners.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Didnt hear one song sung, Sunderland fans certainly got to our players and you could see it.

I dont blame the fans fully, the club closing the Kop was partially to blame but that was poor tonight.

Saw the thread header and thought surely it should read "team pathetic tonight"

 

[JohnDenver]

How many goals has the Kop scored ever?

If we had to play a behind closed doors game would the team play terribly?

The reason we lost is because we put a reserve side out and our 2nd 11 isn’t a cohesive unit and can’t play tuftyball like the first 11 can.

You could slot the odd one into the first 11 and they’d be fine but playing 10/11 of them together doesn’t work.

It’s nothing to do with the kop being closed, lack of pyro, lack of a singing section, lack of ultras or any other fan based nonsense.

Yeah but I was garbage tonight. 2/10.

 

[wizadry]

The club have treat this competition and it’s supporters appallingly, we should be punished accordingly.

 

[1889]

For £100k prize money or £50k for the runners up...yes.

At least the FA Cup offers a decent amount for the winner - £2M.

And retaining Premier League status is worth closer to £200M.

That's why things are like they are mate. Simple as that.

Yeah I know that’s the stock reply, but last season we played 46 league games, this season we play 38. Would a few more cup fixtures really derail our push for Europe?

I also appreciate that finishing one place higher in the Premier League would bring greater prize money than winning the Carabao Cup. But should it be all about the money?

FFS I’ve been going to Bramall Lane for 49 years and the only final we’ve ever reached was the Watney Cup.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

It was an abject performance regardless of the crowd's influence. As depressing as Barnet. Closing the Kop sends a huge message that this is a meaningless game in the club's eyes. Ok so the game would not sell out but 11,000 folk paid hard earned cash to watch it and I dare say if the club offered tickets at £5 an adult and kids go free or some such combination the attendance would have been higher, the atmosphere better and we encourage the next generation of Blades to get addicted. Having said that the performance by the players tonight (with very few exceptions) would probably have the kids suddenly getting into Ice Hockey or cake making in preference. On that showing I have the prayer mat open hoping we don't get many injuries in the first 11 as the replacements really didn't look up to it or up for it.

 

[Davalon]

I went tonight but I didn't expect a huge desire to win the game.

I doubt very much Wilder is particularly upset with the result, although he might be with some of the performances.

Never going to get much of an atmosphere all things considered tonight so not sure why people expected one.

Not too fussed myself tbh but I understand the point that cups like this in our current position could be a rare chance to reach a final or better.

 

[Newbury Blade]

Don’t disagree but at the same time it’s our 2nd team in the second round of the whatever the fuck it’s called this year cup, against League One opposition. Not exactly going to be a cauldron is it?

3rd round (2 games from quarter finals).

 

[Paulus]

Pretty fucking fuming tbh, I might be mad but I travelled 200 miles and spent good money to watch that (as I did for Blackburn). Closing the kop Is a joke. Wilder might as well give a team talk saying all right lads I’m going to hang you out to dry if we lose but tbh we don’t give a fuck.

Last time I checked we were a professional football club but the whole approach to these home league cup ties is rank amateur. Sitting there watching the Sunderland boys have a great night and take over the ground whilst we put more effort into a bloody light show pisses me off. Don’t we employ some people who are meant to do marketing?

Of course PL survival is the focus but I just don’t think the current approach to these matches does anyone associated with the club any credit at all is this really the best we can do?

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Yeah I know that’s the stock reply, but last season we played 46 league games, this season we play 38. Would a few more cup fixtures really derail our push for Europe?

I also appreciate that finishing one place higher in the Premier League would bring greater prize money than winning the Carabao Cup. But should it be all about the money?

FFS I’ve been going to Bramall Lane for 49 years and the only final we’ve ever reached was the Watney Cup.

I understand where you're coming from. I've been going since 1970 as well. It would be lovely to see them lift a bit of silverware wouldn't it? But the only silverware this lot are going to lift are the knives and forks that they eat their dinner with. I told my kids the same when I took them to their first match about 12 years ago. "Our team, but they never win owt". (An over-exaggeration of course - but not far off the mark when it comes to Cups). I'd commend you to adopt a similar attitude towards watching Sheffield United. Expect nothing - appreciate everything, however small - because it may be all you get.

I remember the Watney Cup final very well. It was back in the day of "Watney's Red Barrel". One of many insidious "keg" beers that killed off beer as we knew it, because it was so much easier and profitable to have on the bar. It sparked a generation of drinkers who like their beer fizzy and cold - and opened the door to the popularity of lager - which takes this concept to a higher level. As if that wasn't bad enough, Ted Hemsley missed a penalty.

I'm afraid it is all about the money. This is the thing that has improved and worsened our national game in equal measure. I like to blame Jimmy Hill for that, but it wasn't all his fault. He hadn't had a classical education and had never heard of Pandora's box. George Eastham as well. There's another one. I had multiple swops of him on the bubbly gum cards - I didn't realise at the time that he was going to start an avalanche of greed or I'd have binned them.

So, old-timer, what do you want and expect from your remaining days watching Sheffield United? I mean, you and I will be dead and long gone very soon, sorry to be so cheery about it, but the clock is ticking down for both of us. I'll tell you what I want...

I want to continue to have the good health to be able to go and watch them live. I want to continue to enjoy watching them give 100% and come away feeling that I've had my moneys-worth, whether they win, lose or draw. I want to see them playing attractive, entertaining football. I want to see individuals who are blessed with exceptional skills playing for United, players with real flair and individuality (I'm talking "exceptional" here - not just good. I'd like to think there may be another TC or Woody somewhere coming through the ranks. Or another Edwards, Deane or Agana. That would be lovely! There isn't a single player in the current squad that I'd put anywhere near any of those guys. The most exceptionally talented player I've seen since them is David Brooks - and of course - we sold him). I want to see them refrain from selling our best players and build better teams around them instead. I want them to stay in the Premier League for a good stretch - at least the next 5 years. I want to see them be financially stable with genuine owners who want the best for the club and its supporters. I want to see the club extend the ground so that it holds a minimum of 40,000 and sells out every home game. I want to see us dominate the Sheffield football scene for future generations to come and put clear red water between us and our filthy neighbours. I want to see us finish in the top 6 and qualify for Europe. I'd like to have a reason to travel to a football match in Europe, when my team is playing and there's something at stake. I've never done that.

All these things, I think, are possible in the 20 years or so that I have remaining in life. But seeing them win a major trophy, is probably not. So honestly, I'm fine with that. As long as I can have some, if not all, of the other things.

(please!)

 

[Lane Ender]

Are you referring to the people gathered in the South Stand... or the players on the pitch?

 

[Lane Ender]

I understand where you're coming from. I've been going since 1970 as well. It would be lovely to see them lift a bit of silverware wouldn't it? But the only silverware this lot are going to lift are the knives and forks that they eat their dinner with. I told my kids the same when I took them to their first match about 12 years ago. "Our team, but they never win owt". (An over-exaggeration of course - but not far off the mark when it comes to Cups). I'd commend you to adopt a similar attitude towards watching Sheffield United. Expect nothing - appreciate everything, however small - because it may be all you get.

I remember the Watney Cup final very well. It was back in the day of "Watney's Red Barrel". One of many insidious "keg" beers that killed off beer as we knew it, because it was so much easier and profitable to have on the bar. It sparked a generation of drinkers who like their beer fizzy and cold - and opened the door to the popularity of lager - which takes this concept to a higher level. As if that wasn't bad enough, Ted Hemsley missed a penalty.

I'm afraid it is all about the money. This is the thing that has improved and worsened our national game in equal measure. I like to blame Jimmy Hill for that, but it wasn't all his fault. He hadn't had a classical education and had never heard of Pandora's box. George Eastham as well. There's another one. I had multiple swops of him on the bubbly gum cards - I didn't realise at the time that he was going to start an avalanche of greed or I'd have binned them.

So, old-timer, what do you want and expect from your remaining days watching Sheffield United? I mean, you and I will be dead and long gone very soon, sorry to be so cheery about it, but the clock is ticking down for both of us. I'll tell you what I want...

I want to continue to have the good health to be able to go and watch them live. I want to continue to enjoy watching them give 100% and come away feeling that I've had my moneys-worth, whether they win, lose or draw. I want to see them playing attractive, entertaining football. I want to see individuals who are blessed with exceptional skills playing for United, players with real flair and individuality (I'm talking "exceptional" here - not just good. I'd like to think there may be another TC or Woody somewhere coming through the ranks. Or another Edwards, Deane or Agana. That would be lovely! There isn't a single player in the current squad that I'd put anywhere near any of those guys. The most exceptionally talented player I've seen since them is David Brooks - and of course - we sold him). I want to see them refrain from selling our best players and build better teams around them instead. I want them to stay in the Premier League for a good stretch - at least the next 5 years. I want to see them be financially stable with genuine owners who want the best for the club and its supporters. I want to see the club extend the ground so that it holds a minimum of 40,000 and sells out every home game. I want to see us dominate the Sheffield football scene for future generations to come and put clear red water between us and our filthy neighbours. I want to see us finish in the top 6 and qualify for Europe. I'd like to have a reason to travel to a football match in Europe, when my team is playing and there's something at stake. I've never done that.

All these things, I think, are possible in the 20 years or so that I have remaining in life. But seeing them win a major trophy, is probably not. So honestly, I'm fine with that. As long as I can have some, if not all, of the other things.

(please!)

Ever thought of writing a book.
Excellent grammer by thé way

 

[ScottishBlade93]

Fans pathetic? We deserve a medal for even bothering to turn up for that half arsed crap.

 

[Killamarshblades]

In all honesty what were people expecting last night? Everyone who has followed united under Wilder and knows Wilder's approach is that he doesnt give two fucks about the cups. They are an inconvenience. His post match comments about once Sunderland scored he knew we wouldnt get into the game says everything you need to know. Im not having a go at him he's made it clear he isnt going to send teams out to win in these games. That's not changed all the time he's been here. Personally i'd rather us go and try and win these games and competitions but i know from the management side of things they're not arsed at all, and the sooner they are out the better. It's just how it is. So i dont really get why people are wound up, fuming about it, surely we all knew prior to the game what was going to happen???

And come Saturday no one will give a shit about last nights match

 

[Tezza1889]

I’m very surprised by the reaction here, we know (or should) that we don’t have the level of quality / strength in depth to afford a cup run whilst trying to find our feet in the hardest division in the world.

To those who went, well done and we all share you’re disappointment on the loss, but only up to a point, however giving it a “go” in the cup means playing the first team and risking an injury to a key first team player, maybe 2 possibly 3 over the duration of the tournament, and all that risk to meet Man City or Liverpool in the final and get blown away on that big pitch in London..

I’m glad we’re out, we really really have bigger fish to fry this season..

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

team not much better .. chicken or egg?
i agree with you though .. closing the kop is totally counterproductive.. it’s the bit the away teams fear

But they fear the kop when it's got 10,000 on it, fired up.
That wasn't going to happen last night, open or closed. So they saved the staffing costs and chose to have fewer sections, fuller.

 

[JackSUFC]

3rd round (2 games from quarter finals).

My bad - 2nd game for us then.

 

[Bladesman]

The club have treat this competition and it’s supporters appallingly, we should be punished accordingly.

Force feed us cans of carabao?

 

['Doc' Pace my hero]

Performance and result exactly as expected,that's why 20K regular supporters didn't bother going.

 

[1889]

I understand where you're coming from. I've been going since 1970 as well. It would be lovely to see them lift a bit of silverware wouldn't it? But the only silverware this lot are going to lift are the knives and forks that they eat their dinner with. I told my kids the same when I took them to their first match about 12 years ago. "Our team, but they never win owt". (An over-exaggeration of course - but not far off the mark when it comes to Cups). I'd commend you to adopt a similar attitude towards watching Sheffield United. Expect nothing - appreciate everything, however small - because it may be all you get.

I remember the Watney Cup final very well. It was back in the day of "Watney's Red Barrel". One of many insidious "keg" beers that killed off beer as we knew it, because it was so much easier and profitable to have on the bar. It sparked a generation of drinkers who like their beer fizzy and cold - and opened the door to the popularity of lager - which takes this concept to a higher level. As if that wasn't bad enough, Ted Hemsley missed a penalty.

I'm afraid it is all about the money. This is the thing that has improved and worsened our national game in equal measure. I like to blame Jimmy Hill for that, but it wasn't all his fault. He hadn't had a classical education and had never heard of Pandora's box. George Eastham as well. There's another one. I had multiple swops of him on the bubbly gum cards - I didn't realise at the time that he was going to start an avalanche of greed or I'd have binned them.

So, old-timer, what do you want and expect from your remaining days watching Sheffield United? I mean, you and I will be dead and long gone very soon, sorry to be so cheery about it, but the clock is ticking down for both of us. I'll tell you what I want...

I want to continue to have the good health to be able to go and watch them live. I want to continue to enjoy watching them give 100% and come away feeling that I've had my moneys-worth, whether they win, lose or draw. I want to see them playing attractive, entertaining football. I want to see individuals who are blessed with exceptional skills playing for United, players with real flair and individuality (I'm talking "exceptional" here - not just good. I'd like to think there may be another TC or Woody somewhere coming through the ranks. Or another Edwards, Deane or Agana. That would be lovely! There isn't a single player in the current squad that I'd put anywhere near any of those guys. The most exceptionally talented player I've seen since them is David Brooks - and of course - we sold him). I want to see them refrain from selling our best players and build better teams around them instead. I want them to stay in the Premier League for a good stretch - at least the next 5 years. I want to see them be financially stable with genuine owners who want the best for the club and its supporters. I want to see the club extend the ground so that it holds a minimum of 40,000 and sells out every home game. I want to see us dominate the Sheffield football scene for future generations to come and put clear red water between us and our filthy neighbours. I want to see us finish in the top 6 and qualify for Europe. I'd like to have a reason to travel to a football match in Europe, when my team is playing and there's something at stake. I've never done that.

All these things, I think, are possible in the 20 years or so that I have remaining in life. But seeing them win a major trophy, is probably not. So honestly, I'm fine with that. As long as I can have some, if not all, of the other things.

(please!)

Yeah I agree all of that Cerberus Blade.

But still, Oxford away and five further Prem teams out in the next round, I think we’d get to the final of the League Cup, long before we’d ever need our passports to watch United