If we lose tomorrow...

[YES Blade]

I must disagree. Imagine if, when Adkins came in August 2015, people had suggested that it would take a full year to make improvements. It's been an utterly wasted year - the effects of which haven't fully hit home. Season ticket sales will be well down next season and God forbid Wednesday start the season in the PL. Sure, Adkins has had a hard time, but harder than teams like Walsall? Burton? Gillingham? Teams who subsist on crowds and resources a fraction of what the Blades have.

If there had been a glimmer of hope anywhere in this season, it wouldn't have been so bad. But there hasn't. Not a single one. The only task that concerns any manager of United is to get us out of the Third Division. (Preferably upwards). Cup runs are fine but we haven't even had those this season. Instead, it's been a catalogue of humiliations against 'lesser' clubs (with every chance of adding another two by next Saturday evening).

We approach a home game against Burton with trepidation. What can possibly be achieved in the final 13 games to give us optimism for 2016-17? If there is not significant movement in the transfer market before next season, will we fall back on the 'hands are tied', 'McCabe's fault' excuses? Other, much smaller teams seem to manage. You say "Had we stuck with Clough, the problems would have just got worse with more average players joining who wouldn't really improve us.". I can assure you that, by substituting 'Clough' for 'Adkins' you'd be spot on.

Look, it gives me no pleasure to advocate the sacking of Adkins. Like Clough and Wilson I hoped it would be a 'new dawn' but Adkins' performance this season means McCabe is running out of ideas, time and options. A football manager should be the same as any other manager - if the performance is woeful (and it has been - all season) it's time to move on. The only difference in football is that some fans adopt a perverted form of The Stockholm Syndrome where the victims (i.e. us) blame themselves and begin to emphasise with their captors.

Adkins needs to produce something, and fast. Maybe a good, unbeaten run between now and the end of the season would show some faint signs of progress. But as we've only had two winning runs of 3 games all season, I'm not holding my breath.

The glimmer of hope for me is 3 League One promotions and 1 Championship promotion on Adkins CV. Unless Adkins "does a Weir", then why not give the bloke with the best CV (that we could realistically attract) the chance to get us promotion?

We all want promotion ASAP but we can't just keep going with the policy of employing managers and hoping each time that he might be the one to do it. Adkins was the fans choice for a reason, why aren't we as fans backing our belief in Adkins instead of throwing in the towel after two thirds of a season?

 

[Deaneandagana]

Voted No - on several counts....

1. Financial - K Mc (note the singular reference to our co- owners) can't afford to.

2. Credibility issues, K Mc track record of sackings starting to be seen as lacking professionalism.

However, my view fwiw, is that NA should be sacked, brought nothing to the party, players haven't responded, performances & league position both regressed.

Wasn't that long ago that this squad got to 2 semis + went 10 straight wins.

Accept you can't keep sacking managers but perhaps the time to sack & not to sack has been totally confused by our club & those in charge.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Will Adkins be sacked?

Sadly I have an awful feeling that he will be.

United 2 Burton 0. This is my prediction.

 

[Bartleby]

If he wasn't sacked after losing against the might of Bury and Rochdale, why on earth would he be sacked after losing to table toppers Burton?

the vanity of football club chairmen should not be underestimated (but no I don't think he will be sacked at this stage)

 

[Fiery Blade]

Unfortunately, the club is struggling at all levels:

• The Board: Lacking in both direction and leadership - we have joint chairmen who seem to be taking it 'in turns' to defend the boards transfer policy (or lack of it !) and we have directors who frankly, whilst succesful businessmen, do not appear to have either a clue or an opinion of what to do next ! The Prince is remaining in the background yet his reputed contribution of £15 million seems to be a 'drop in the ocean' compared to other foriegn owners' investments in English football.
• The Team Manager: Came with a good CV boasting success at both Scunthorpe and Southampton but his last post at Reading was more in line with his performance so far this season. His pre match and post match interviews are full of cliches and contradictions, he doesn't appear to know his best side or formations and he seems to struggle to motivate any of the players to put in a decent shift. I have been very disappointed in both him and his coaching team as they do not appear to have a clue ( see corners, free kicks and throw in techniques - useless !) His dealings in thr transfer market apart from Sharp has been very poor - I don't see him the man to lead us out of the division either this season or any season to come !
• The Players: The majority of players are probably earning more than they have ever been paid before and a handful of very big earners Hammond, Brayford, Sammon don't look that interested. There is no heart, passion, or balls in their performances and they look like they just want the season to end.
• The Supporters: Whilst attendances have stood up very well despite piss poor performances at home week in week out yet it appears they are very happy to keep coming to the home games - at least Liverpool fans had the balls to walk out after 77 minutes in an effort (and successful) to change the boards' mind re ticket prices. Our supporters don't seem to have the heart to demand change - I for one will not be renewing my season ticket next season as a direct challenge to the club to change ! Away games have been hijacked by a set of mindless morons who seem to want to go to grounds of much smaller clubs than us and illustrate how they can make complete dickheads of themselves without really trying ! I used to really enjoy away days, after Rochdale and Doncaster in the last three weeks I don't think I will bother again !

The is no plan, no message and I fear no clue on how the Blades are going to be resurrected !

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

The answer should be yes (unfortunately), but (unfortunately) he won't be as I think we're stuck with this yet another hopeless excuse for a manager for the foreseeable (probably until he walks out of frustration)!

 

[TJB.]

hes had 2 transfer windows to bring in some tools of his own but brought in all the wrong ones, he spunked all his budget on his old boys and didnt address any areas we desperately needed.

That sounds familiar.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

Does anyone on here think this team of underachievers will suddenly become world beating footballers under a new manager?

Who gets the "You're not fit to wear the shirt" treatment?

 

[Darthblade]

Will Adkins be sacked?

Sadly I have an awful feeling that he will be.

I would prefer to see most of the players sacked for masquerading as professional footballers ......

UTB & FTP

 

[YES Blade]

Wasn't that long ago that this squad got to 2 semis + went 10 straight wins.

That team also had Maguire, Coady and Murphy in it, put those 3 in this team and we'd be doing a hell of a lot better than we are now.

 

[Darthblade]

Didn't we end last season convinced we just needed a centre back, and a centre-forward wouldn't go amiss?

No ...... I didn't anyway !

I ended last season utterly convinced that we needed GK, 2 x CH, LB, 2 x CM, WM, and 2 x CF as a bare minimum, together with a biblical scale clearout of dead-wood.

I was castigated for being a pessimistic old twat, which I am.

We still need all of the above to get out of this agricultural division next year ........ and Nigel needs to have the balls and the funding to do it or bugger off !!

UTB & FTP

 

[Tazzy]

I think its time now for adkins to come out with some home truths and stop pandering to the useless fuckers on the pitch .And stop with the with the honest hard working/ put it in one end keep out the other /try to be the best we can be bollocks

ITS GETTING ON MY TITS

 

[Deaneandagana]

That team also had Maguire, Coady and Murphy in it, put those 3 in this team and we'd be doing a hell of a lot better than we are now.

Agree, but this team has Billy, Hammond & Edgar - views on the relative merits of the 3 you mentioned vs the 3 above is open to debate, although I would concede Murphy is the biggest miss & Hammond the weakest but and here's my point this manager has got nothing out of the other existing squad, Brayford looks a shadow of his former self & there appears to be no esprit de corps amongst the team.

Also if you're going tomorrow night, look closely at the players & ask yourself if they appear to be enjoying themselves? - a key part of achievement in a sporting context

 

[nopigfansintown]

Didn't we end last season convinced we just needed a centre back, and a centre-forward wouldn't go amiss?

I thought we needed 1x target man, 1x gk, 2x cb, 2x cm, 2x winger. Clough himself wanted seven expensive players - before the Murphy sale

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Just keep Madkins in place,we should give him a contract extension this will quell the sack him gang,then we can all relax and enjoy the ride on the Bladescoaster,happy in the knowledge that we have to give Madkins more time to bring in more useless past it players.

Madkins is the man,he will have us on the front foot i am well aware of that,and dont shoot the geese.

Burton to score 4 us to get 1 or 2 ya know a game like Shrewsbury,that was a spectacle.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I think losing to Burton is more likely to result in a further vote of confidence from the Board rather than the sack - I am thinking McC would hate to give Clough the satisfaction of being the one to get Adkins the sack, added to which, sacking him, would undermine the Board line that the cause of the mess here is Clough. If by some strange chance we win I would be absolutely chuffed and I expect the Board would be too.

Good slant on it . What's going on behind closed doors we have no idea . Clough may be the fall guy for what's all wrong at the lane , but I am sure nobody is chuffed at board level with Adkins performance to date . His he running out of friends and allies , no idea , but we know what a vote of confidence or backing can lead to.

A loss at home on Tuesday will not get Adkins the sack , but it certainly will not do him any good. It's a bit blades v QPR , Blackwell v Warnock , with McCabe squirming in his seat.

Let's hope we win to settle the restless natives . Not us - them who sit on the board.

UTB

 

[pommpey]

I think there is unequivocal support for Adkins. You can't expect him to polish turds.

The better question is:

"If McCabe sold the club tomorrow, would you give a fat fuck just as long as he was gone?"

pommpey

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I think there is unequivocal support for Adkins. You can't expect him to polish turds.

The better question is:

"If McCabe sold the club tomorrow, would you give a fat fuck just as long as he was gone?"

pommpey

Problem is Pompey , some of them turds are his.

With McCabe , ( I know it might only be me who thinks it , with a minority of 1 , but we have to be careful what we wish for )

This summer seems to be make or break for the club and all individuals involved . Will it work out - I hope so.

UTB

 

[TonyAgana]

Clough himself wanted seven expensive players

I've read this a few times - where has it come from?

 

[nopigfansintown]

I've read this a few times - where has it come from?

I used to work at the club and got told this in the summer. The two deals that were ready to be sealed were Andy Williams and Kyle Mcfadzean. Also got told by the same people that Sammon was signing weeks before this. I think these signings (and the others) would've improved us but they'd lost confidence after the previous summer's dealings. The wage packets of Coutts, Basham, Brayford, Cuveliar, Baxter, Hammond Sammon etc are far too high for a league one club imo. Billy took a substantial pay cut.

 

[TonyAgana]

So Clough was sacked based on his signings from Summer 2014? If that's the case, we really are a rudderless ship. Look at all the hot air from the first half of that season about how everybody was thoroughly delighted with Clough and how they'd all be happily relaxing on the beach in the summer whether we were promoted or not, safe in the knowledge that they had the right man in charge!

 

[blade too long]

I would come at it the other way

A big win over Burton is the only way to save him , hes not set our world alight has he
in fact hes still rubbing 2 sticks together, and not getting a spark
I agree just changing managers is a poor way forward
however retaining one who hasnt offered any fresh ideas , or offered a glimmer of excitement
the highlight has been playing 11 in our box at Old Trafford and nearly getting the draw
on the excitement richter scale the needle hasnt moved yet

 

[pommpey]

Problem is Pompey , some of them turds are his.

With McCabe , ( I know it might only be me who thinks it , with a minority of 1 , but we have to be careful what we wish for )

This summer seems to be make or break for the club and all individuals involved . Will it work out - I hope so.

UTB

Mee too LBoE. I remain eternally optimistic about outcomes for my football club.

Trouble is, when they sacked Warnock and appointed Robson, I was optimistic. Likewise right through, past Wier and even with Adkins.

Look where that got me.

I keep using the term 'common denominators' on here and there are only two.

The fans. Difficult to pin blame on them really, especially when twenty thousand of them still turn up season on season for a diminishing return of service.

Kevin McCabe. Yeah, he was part of the rescue team which saved us from McDonald et al, but as with managers who have a limited tenure in this game, so do Owners, part-Owners, Chairmen, Managing Directors or Chief Executives, whichever McCabe decides he is. Bottom line is he has his hands on the steering wheel, his feet on the clutch, brake and acellerator. The fans just put fuel in the tank.

It's time he considered more contributions or breaking the club up into saleable chunks, cutting his losses and fucking off once sold. He can, and will contribute no more toward the progress of this football club whilst he has the current mindset to sell and buy cheap and sack anyone who rumbles his bullshit.

pommpey

 

[nopigfansintown]

The board chose austerity and a new man they had more faith in. The only problem with this approach being they didn't communicate it to the fans. "Transitional year", "long term plan", and "expectation management" should have been buzz terms on here. Boardrooms never take responsibility in football.

 

[pommpey]

I used to work at the club and got told this in the summer. The two deals that were ready to be sealed were Andy Williams and Kyle Mcfadzean. Also got told by the same people that Sammon was signing weeks before this. I think these signings (and the others) would've improved us but they'd lost confidence after the previous summer's dealings. The wage packets of Coutts, Basham, Brayford, Cuveliar, Baxter, Hammond Sammon etc are far too high for a league one club imo. Billy took a substantial pay cut.

This doesn't surprise me. IN fact it reinforces my 'back me or sack me' stance I believe was behind Clough's exit. It doesn't take much imagination to think that he was promised the moon when he was hired, muckled through one and a half seasons on peanuts and second rate undiscloseds, juglled the chainsaws well enough to get a good cup run and a playoff spot and then when they sat down close season and Clough asked them to put their money where their mouths were, all he got was bullshit, once again. No surprise therefore Burton are above us now, is it?

And out of those players, Cuvellier ... jesus. Has anyone done a wages vs medical treatment vs goals (has he scored any?) vs minutes on pitch on this joker?

pommpey

 

[nopigfansintown]

This doesn't surprise me. IN fact it reinforces my 'back me or sack me' stance I believe was behind Clough's exit. It doesn't take much imagination to think that he was promised the moon when he was hired, muckled through one and a half seasons on peanuts and second rate undiscloseds, juglled the chainsaws well enough to get a good cup run and a playoff spot and then when they sat down close season and Clough asked them to put their money where their mouths were, all he got was bullshit, once again. No surprise therefore Burton are above us now, is it?

And out of those players, Cuvellier ... jesus. Has anyone done a wages vs medical treatment vs goals (has he scored any?) vs minutes on pitch on this joker?

pommpey

The analogy I'd use is the improvident professional gambler going to their spouse for more money to put on the roulette table, when they already have their income tied up in his/her gambling debts for the next two years. Do you give them more again, or will they land you in more shi#. The board decided that James Wallace, Coutts, Higdon, Basham, Collins, Cuvelier, Baxter etc were killing us. That we'd have had to pay a lot of them off, and back the manager that signed a lot of them, with major funds to replace them whilst trusting his judgement in doing so. The problem at united is more the wage bill, than transfer fees squandered.. The wages that some of them are on is truly sickening. Clough signed a lot of those players.

 

[Ted Danson]

The board decided that James Wallace, Coutts, Higdon, Basham, Collins, Cuvelier, Baxter etc were killing us. ... Clough signed a lot of those players.

he didnt sign Baxter, Culvier or Collins. Basham and couts have been ok and I doubt are on huge wages and James Wallace is just a crock. so to say signed most of them is stretching it abit. Id imagine Sharp and Hammonds wages dwarf these guys too

 

[nopigfansintown]

Sharp took a massive wage cut to come to united, but the fee is substantial by league one standards (still less than Done's fee). We're paying Sammon's full wages. You could add Brayford, Done and Harris to the substantial list. People would be surprised at how little of Hammond's wages we are paying. The board downed tools after deciding not to back Clough. I'd be amazed if Adkins has not brought in a hefty net surplus with the Murphy sale and OT gate receipts.

 

[Deaneandagana]

Sharp took a massive wage cut to come to united, but the fee is substantial by league one standards (still less than Done's fee). We're paying Sammon's full wages. You could add Brayford, Done and Harris to the substantial list. People would be surprised at how little of Hammond's wages we are paying. The board downed tools after deciding not to back Clough. I'd be amazed if Adkins has not brought in a hefty net surplus with the Murphy sale and OT gate receipts.

Interesting, so the same Board that agreed to sign these players & presumably sign the cheques to facilitate their arrival & agree to their contracts, is the same Board that subsequently "downed tools"?

 

[pommpey]

. I'd be amazed if Adkins has not brought in a hefty net surplus with the Murphy sale and OT gate receipts.

So why is McCabe telling us the Murphy money is spent? We have no net surplus. McCabe as much said so. We are living hand to mouth with no purchasing margin to dip into and according to him, we are being uplifted by him and HRH each year just to keep the books in the black.

So, gates at near on 20k, cup runs, cash from the playoffs, sale of players (at whatever price) advertising and merchandise.

But we still need millions to bale us out because apparently the wages of the players are too high.

Why did we lay that pitch? How much lost revenue in postponed games and fixture fuck ups has justified the spunking of one big large on a playing surface?

pommpey