Hopes and expectations...

[Linz]

When dealing with United, I have always been cautious to keep these two things apart. While hope does indeed spring eternal... expectations of what United will actually do are more grounded in pessimism.

What have United actually done in the past to make people believe that we're going to pull something out of the bag at the last minute?

Impressive signings?

Dominating big matches?

Winning stuff?

Nope.

It's more like...

Bobbins signings.

Failing miserably.

Winning sod all.

By all means hope and pray for the former, but you'll be a lot happier if, like me, you expect the latter as the first few very rarely happen! Let's face it, we wouldn't be Sheffield United if they did - we'd probably all be a damn sight less cynical and have slightly lower blood pressure too

 

[matth]

It could be argued that, by accepting the status quo, nothing ever changes. In order to facilitate real, meaningful change - in football as much as anything else - people have to recognise a problem, publicise it, and act on it.

Similarly, it could be argued that I am a pretentious ponce

 

[Foxy]

people have to recognise a problem, publicise it, and act on it.

Problem being, the people that really hold the power to make the changes, recognise the problem, but often struggle to sort it.

 

[Linz]

It could be argued that, by accepting the status quo, nothing ever changes. In order to facilitate real, meaningful change - in football as much as anything else - people have to recognise a problem, publicise it, and act on it.

By all means point out problems but I don't see the point in getting all worked up in hyperbole and brandishing various items of footware at a building

If people wish to point out problems and publicise them, then McCabe is the person you need to talk to. I'm not entirely sure he reads this board, but perhaps something old fashioned like a letter to the club might be more productive than whinging on a message board if action is what someone requires.

If someone is just letting off steam, post away. But I don't want them do it under the pretence that it's actually going to change something. This board is here to discuss things until the cows come home (or pigs) but in terms of a voice, ours is but a small whisper in a room full of gobshites

Similarly, it could be argued that I am a pretentious ponce

Hahaha... no. It's a valid point. But from my point of view, I expect to be disappointed and hope that I won't be. It's an ethos adopt from my Grandmother. She was just born the last time we were in an FA Cup final and has never seen us win anything. She moans and moans but deep down, she'd be lost without watching United. As long as I remember, she's threatened not to renew her season ticket... and for the same amount of time, she inevitably has.

United are a bloody pain in the arse, cost us all a fortune and let us all down. But grudgingly, you've gotta love 'em.