Hard work has paid off

[BladeFisher]

Congratulations to Chis Wilder, Alan Knill and the team for coming through this difficult period of results.

A few weeks ago we were debating how we were doing and I posted that Wilder and Knill were not meeting the challenge. And they weren't. Clearly struggling. Their job is to get the team to perform.

Well the guys have turned it around and one feels we are back up to 3rd gear and raring to accelerate again and I'm delighted for them all. This division is a learning curve but a previous Blades team, Bournemouth and Southampton have climbed two leagues in two years and we should try and follow.

The last two results combined, give confidence that in the short term we can struggle through without Couttenio and I always believe in the Pearl Harbor principle that you strike when it is least expected. Whilst we have now played all the other teams, this year probably represents our best chance of promotion without significant investment, which sadly as fellow devotees of the mighty Blades we can't exactly expect with any degree of confidence.

Wilder is just bloody fantastic, the best manager for fans this club has ever (and maybe will ever) have. His communication to us through the radio and tv media is spot in. No bullshit, if we play crap he says so, if we lose but unfairly get beaten (i.e. Bristol City) he says so and praises the effort. If not enough is put in, he says that. Where the opposition is better e.g. Millwall he says so. Unlike that other great motivator (but whinger too) Uncle Neil, who seemed to blame everybody else all the time. And of course they're was the all time super whinger Suralex. He may have won countless trophies but ffs he had no humility whatsoever.

Chris does. He's so objective he should be leading the Brexit negotiations. He even apologised for swearing yesterday. Brilliant.

Well done guys. Keep trucking on.

You make us all proud to be Blades.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

We've now played everyone and seen very little to fear. I've not seen anyone suggest as yet that the Blades slipping down a few places and possibly towards mid-table is 'the rightful order returning' but if they were to suggest that, I'd argue them down and defend Wilder's Blades to the hilt.

Those teams closing in on us in recent weeks; Villa, Leeds, Boro etc. It isn't because we've "been found out" and the natural order has been resumed. Far from it, we're just missing a few key (vital) players and we've had difficulty adapting to their absence, giving other teams a chance to catch up. A United side on form and fully fit are as good as anyone in this division. Now, we need backing in January because, whilst exceeding many fans' original expectations, as you say BladeFisher this now represents a great chance to go up.

UTB.

 

[ElephantBlade]

We've now played everyone and seen very little to fear. I've not seen anyone suggest as yet that the Blades slipping down a few places and possibly towards mid-table is 'the rightful order returning' but if they were to suggest that, I'd argue them down and defend Wilder's Blades to the hilt.

Those teams closing in on us in recent weeks; Villa, Leeds, Boro etc. It isn't because we've "been found out" and the natural order has been resumed. Far from it, we're just missing a few key (vital) players and we've had difficulty adapting to their absence, giving other teams a chance to catch up. A United side on form and fully fit are as good as anyone in this division. Now, we need backing in January because, whilst exceeding many fans' original expectations, as you say BladeFisher this now represents a great chance to go up.

UTB.

Amen, this could be our best chance in a while.

 

[Bladey McBladeface]

A few weeks ago we were debating how we were doing and I posted that Wilder and Knill were not meeting the challenge. And they weren't. Clearly struggling. Their job is to get the team to perform.

The thing is, our performances were never that bad. Ok, we weren’t good against Milwall and Preston, but against Birmingham and Bristol City we could (and should) have taken all the points.

 

[Boxer Blade]

We've now played everyone and seen very little to fear. I've not seen anyone suggest as yet that the Blades slipping down a few places and possibly towards mid-table is 'the rightful order returning' but if they were to suggest that, I'd argue them down and defend Wilder's Blades to the hilt.

Those teams closing in on us in recent weeks; Villa, Leeds, Boro etc. It isn't because we've "been found out" and the natural order has been resumed. Far from it, we're just missing a few key (vital) players and we've had difficulty adapting to their absence, giving other teams a chance to catch up. A United side on form and fully fit are as good as anyone in this division. Now, we need backing in January because, whilst exceeding many fans' original expectations, as you say BladeFisher this now represents a great chance to go up.

UTB.

Most teams we have played, won, lost or drawn we have been the better team in most of the games. From memory, which isn't the best, Fulham, Millwall (?) Preston (?) were better on the day and desererved there wins, I agree koz, we aint been found out or the natural order of things, our injuries/ suspensions have been our biggest problem, and yet here we are half way through and in 6 th. I dont know what January brings but I have been told CW has two million to spend and Ryan Leonard is a done deal along with a Canadian on loan and Wilder ain't happey about van winkle, not official just something I heard from someone who is a decent person who gets little snippets, who knows.

 

[BladeFisher]

The thing is, our performances were never that bad. Ok, we weren’t good against Milwall and Preston, but against Birmingham and Bristol City we could (and should) have taken all the points.

Absolutely. Already debated that against BC we should have gone for the draw once Fleck got voted off in the 'tackle off'.

 

[wavy-blade]

To be fair if fleck hadn't been sent off we would have won a match a lot earlier, he's back now so happy days , and if brooks is fit again !Watch out Bolton !

 

[Tommoblade66]

The thing is, our performances were never that bad. Ok, we weren’t good against Milwall and Preston, but against Birmingham and Bristol City we could (and should) have taken all the points.

To be fair just about every team goes through a bad patch in a season, let's hope that's our only one. Great win against Sunderland and draw at Villa. Bolton are going to be different again - they're gonna put 11 men behind the ball at BDTBL and hoof it long into the corners and run on to it. We have to be prepared for that or we may struggle. Still, as long as the ball is down their end of the pitch ...

 

[RammyBlade]

Most teams we have played, won, lost or drawn we have been the better team in most of the games. From memory, which isn't the best, Fulham, Millwall (?) Preston (?) were better on the day and desererved there wins, I agree koz, we aint been found out or the natural order of things, our injuries/ suspensions have been our biggest problem, and yet here we are half way through and in 6 th. I dont know what January brings but I have been told CW has two million to spend and Ryan Leonard is a done deal along with a Canadian on loan and Wilder ain't happey about van winkle, not official just something I heard from someone who is a decent person who gets little snippets, who knows.

Who is van winkle ? ......

 

[boo radley]

As the management said. They probably need to revisit certain coaching points. The players need to take on board those points (which they have).
All capable of progression and that's what we want and have. An adaptable coaching and management team as well as the players.

 

[mattbianco1]

I've not seen anyone suggest as yet that the Blades slipping down a few places and possibly towards mid-table

Don't know any pigs then?

 

[Carlton Blade]

Not keeping up with Wolves and ending up mid table are very different things. We had a bad run of it. And I'll maintain that we'll win a lot at home and struggle away for the rest of the year. Just need to turn those Preston games into the odd draw

 

[Carlton Blade]

It'd be nice to maybe have a forward who can comfortably turn 532 into 541 and let Leon stay up against the CBs while slotting in up top when we are doing well. Like a bigger, stronger Duffy or a newly defence conscious Brooks

 

[sheffielder]

It'd be nice to maybe have a forward who can comfortably turn 532 into 541 and let Leon stay up against the CBs while slotting in up top when we are doing well. Like a bigger, stronger Duffy or a newly defence conscious Brooks

I hope that’s where Murphy comes in, if true

 

[Boxer Blade]

Who is van winkle ? ......

Just been appointed by the Prince, understand its to do with players on the European market, sounds ok but only if CW was involved, we will see.

 

[Bladeloyal]

If we are going to be a progressive club what's not to like about somebody with vast knowledge of the European game overseeing the football side ,also van winkle is a intelligent guy he will know not to step on to many toes .