How the once (quite) good have fallen

[itsinyerblood]

If this has been written elsewhere forgive me.

Watching yesterday's 'entertainment' against the 'mighty' Millwall, to borrow a comment by another poster, the apathy around Bramall Lane was tangible. It was if the relief brought by a goal would somehow disguise the overall sense of mediocrity that was on display. Please don't misunderstand, there were individuals who you could sense were willing to put their all on the line for their employers and the supporters (one and the same you might argue), but the almost abject sense of know-how, the inability to be able to construct an idea that might be the answer to defeating Millwall, was so obviously lacking that I wonder how any of this mob can convince themselves that they are worthy of the title 'professional footballers'.

Sharp tried hard against a defence prepared to bully him, Hammond showed a few organisational glimpses of what I hope we can look forward to, Jamal, well what can be said about the brother from another planet, he's tricky, sometimes so much that he beats himself. I enjoy his potential threat, but that's usually what it is, potential. Young Harrison at the back was steady and thus impressive compared to the others, and our current young saviour, Adams, seemed destined to stay out on the wing waiting for the 97 to appear to take him to his destination (this could, of course, have been an instruction so not necessarily a blame issue). But otherwise, a truly poor game that was the equivalent of watching paint dry.

On this performance we'll be fortunate to reach the play-offs. So maybe mid-table security is where we're meant to be. What a shower we are!

 

[Blade56]

Try St Johns Wort iiyb

 

[Small Mendonca]

I've just got a feeling we're left with no other option than just to give Adkins as long as he needs to sort us out, even if we're down here for another 2 years after this season. The only way we can move forward (united together ) is to allow him time to clear the crap out of our squad and assemble his own team. Also, we need to break the cycle of sacking managers and seen as Adkins is a proven manager at this level, we need to give him time.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Adkins has my complete faith, it's the squad which lacks either the quality, the will or both to realise his vision that I have zero faith in.
Barring one or two exceptions, any of our entire squad could walk out the door in January and I will not miss them one bit, in fact I hope a fair few of them do fuck off.

This is simply not Sheffield United.

 

[alcoblade]

Adkins has my complete faith, it's the squad which lacks either the quality, the will or both to realise his vision that I have zero faith in.
Barring one or two exceptions, any of our entire squad could walk out the door in January and I will not miss them one bit, in fact I hope a fair few of them do fuck off.

This is simply not Sheffield United.

Yep, the frustrating part is watching Adkins honeymoon period dry up, in the knowledge that he can only really take the necessary action in the summer.

We have about 8 players worth keeping, and I trust he knows thst already.

UTB

 

[Tyler Durden]

Yep, the frustrating part is watching Adkins honeymoon period dry up, in the knowledge that he can only really take the necessary action in the summer.

We have about 8 players worth keeping, and I trust he knows thst already.

UTB

I think he does. The things he's been saying about players having to prove their worth in the squad is a polite way of saying that he's already seen enough.Thats my interpretation anyway.
He needs at least a full season without question. My concern for the mid/long term is that the level of support he recieves from upstairs will determine whether or not he gives us up as a bad job and walks away of his own accord.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

I'm fed up of feeling like this.

I'm going to Shirecliffe on Monday and I'm going to kick the shit out of the fucking lot of them.

 

[silverfox]

I've just got a feeling we're left with no other option than just to give Adkins as long as he needs to sort us out, even if we're down here for another 2 years after this season. The only way we can move forward (united together ) is to allow him time to clear the crap out of our squad and assemble his own team. Also, we need to break the cycle of sacking managers and seen as Adkins is a proven manager at this level, we need to give him time.

Far too sensible for someone at your age.

You need to drink so much more beer!

 

[Harry's Game]

I've just got a feeling we're left with no other option than just to give Adkins as long as he needs to sort us out, even if we're down here for another 2 years after this season. The only way we can move forward (united together ) is to allow him time to clear the crap out of our squad and assemble his own team. Also, we need to break the cycle of sacking managers and seen as Adkins is a proven manager at this level, we need to give him time.

I agree although 2 years is probably a bit optimistic, more like 5. Adkins is as good as we are going to get, if we had kept Clough I firmly believe we would be In the bottom half and sacking him about now.

 

[longinthe toothblade]

If this has been written elsewhere forgive me.

Watching yesterday's 'entertainment' against the 'mighty' Millwall, to borrow a comment by another poster, the apathy around Bramall Lane was tangible. It was if the relief brought by a goal would somehow disguise the overall sense of mediocrity that was on display. Please don't misunderstand, there were individuals who you could sense were willing to put their all on the line for their employers and the supporters (one and the same you might argue), but the almost abject sense of know-how, the inability to be able to construct an idea that might be the answer to defeating Millwall, was so obviously lacking that I wonder how any of this mob can convince themselves that they are worthy of the title 'professional footballers'.

Sharp tried hard against a defence prepared to bully him, Hammond showed a few organisational glimpses of what I hope we can look forward to, Jamal, well what can be said about the brother from another planet, he's tricky, sometimes so much that he beats himself. I enjoy his potential threat, but that's usually what it is, potential. Young Harrison at the back was steady and thus impressive compared to the others, and our current young saviour, Adams, seemed destined to stay out on the wing waiting for the 97 to appear to take him to his destination (this could, of course, have been an instruction so not necessarily a blame issue). But otherwise, a truly poor game that was the equivalent of watching paint dry.

On this performance we'll be fortunate to reach the play-offs. So maybe mid-table security is where we're meant to be. What a shower we are!

We'll do better than that 'I'................trust me (he says) .

That said, I do know where you are coming from and true, it's mightly frustrating. Isn't that being a Blade?

 

[Worksop II]

I'm fed up of feeling like this.

I'm going to Shirecliffe on Monday and I'm going to kick the shit out of the fucking lot of them.

Now, this is what I would call Supporter Liason

 

[boo radley]

Meh.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

This is a sensible thread.. I can only add my pennyworth by saying that Adkins is a proven manager and has inherited a side that has hardly set the footballing (third tier) on fire and it is unrealistic to expect him to turn it around in a few months. We either have faith and give him the chance or we keep spinning the wheel and hoping for the best.

 

[Barney]

Adkins has had success in the past, some that could be argued were ridden with luck.

His mistakes so far don't bode well for the future.

 

[itsinyerblood]

We'll do better than that 'I'................trust me (he says) .

That said, I do know where you are coming from and true, it's mightly frustrating. Isn't that being a Blade?

I hope your view is closer to the truth than mine mate. I know we all say it depends on which team decides to take the pitch, but what I witnessed was pretty awful. Sometimes all it takes is a bad performance to instil the feeling that the collective needs to get a grip and be the players they're meant to be, but those who wore the shirt yesterday need to raise their game to levels I believe we're well below.

We didn't harass, confront, make life difficult for the opposition, or do all the things that I expect a team with ambition to do. These are fit professionals, they are meant to understand how the game works, yet we were shoddy and, at times, embarrassing. I support Adkins and I also feel for him, but we will need to be patient as it will take him a good part of a season to get close to the levels he should expect, which will mean new personnel to take the place of those who are not good enough.

 

[longinthe toothblade]

I hope your view is closer to the truth than mine mate. I know we all say it depends on which team decides to take the pitch, but what I witnessed was pretty awful. Sometimes all it takes is a bad performance to instil the feeling that the collective needs to get a grip and be the players they're meant to be, but those who wore the shirt yesterday need to raise their game to levels I believe we're well below.

We didn't harass, confront, make life difficult for the opposition, or do all the things that I expect a team with ambition to do. These are fit professionals, they are meant to understand how the game works, yet we were shoddy and, at times, embarrassing. I support Adkins and I also feel for him, but we will need to be patient as it will take him a good part of a season to get close to the levels he should expect, which will mean new personnel to take the place of those who are not good enough.

Agree with that.

We are long overdue new personnel in some key positions. In addition, it's absolutely vital that NA and his coaching team succeed in getting the very very best out of the current squad of players too.

 

[Wapping Blade]

Adkins has had success in the past, some that could be argued were ridden with luck.

His mistakes so far don't bode well for the future.

I was right, you are Len!

 

[maidmarion]

How can we possibly create anything special at Bramall Lane when the turnover of managers is so high. We have to stop this continual sacking of managers and put a long term plan in place.
Hopefully we now have a man who can do this, all we need to do is give him time and if that means another season in this awful league then that's what it has to be. I'm hoping it won't and I'm hoping that at some point we'll put a run together and win promotion.
Patience my friends, patience......

 

[Barney]

I was right, you are Len!

Oh yes, along with Curtis, Brian the Blade, and a few others too?

 

[Darthblade]

Adkins has had success in the past, some that could be argued were ridden with luck.

His mistakes so far don't bode well for the future.

The problem is that in the past when he's had success ( specifically Southampton ) he's had some decent players to work with and a budget.

He's currently saddled with a sack of shit with the bloated underperforming squad he's inherited and I'm afraid nothing but a "Charlton" style clear-out is going to work. We need to be ruthless and cull the majority of this bunch of wasters and rebuild a squad we CAN be proud of and who DO deserve the phenomenal support that still persevere, despite having to watch the regular servings of crap to which we are treated !!

UTB & FTP

 

[mattbianco1]

For me we're "ok". We're 5pts behind 2nd in a very poor division.

Brayford and Harris are still to come back. As much as Wallace and Freeman have been playing well, you can't deny that Brayford and Harris will be first choice.

I think those two back in the side will offer a better proposition both defensively and offensively.

Basham. He wants to play CM. Adkins wants him to play CM. I don't For me Basham is a better CB than Collins, McGahey and Mceverley. We now have Hammond to do the holding role so why not drop Basham back.

With a fully fit side we could line up something like this:

Howard
Brayford Edgar Basham Harris
Hammond
Coutts Baxter Adams
Done Sharp​

 

[Ted Danson]

I agree although 2 years is probably a bit optimistic, more like 5. Adkins is as good as we are going to get, if we had kept Clough I firmly believe we would be In the bottom half and sacking him about now.

funnily I think the complete opposite, I think if Clough had stayed we'd be in the top 2 now, hed have signed 1 or 2 CBs over summer and we'd have the solid defense we need. For me Clough showed more promise in his first season than Adkins has since hes been here.

 

[Silent Blade]

funnily I think the complete opposite, I think if Clough had stayed we'd be in the top 2 now, hed have signed 1 or 2 CBs over summer and we'd have the solid defense we need. For me Clough showed more promise in his first season than Adkins has since hes been here.

Shaun Barker still hasnt played a match for a long time. Clough was going to sign him and it would have been another waste of signing

 

[Harry's Game]

funnily I think the complete opposite, I think if Clough had stayed we'd be in the top 2 now, hed have signed 1 or 2 CBs over summer and we'd have the solid defense we need. For me Clough showed more promise in his first season than Adkins has since hes been here.

Clough took over in October 2013, we were still in the bottom three in February 2014. I think Adkins has had a slightly better first three months.