I'm writing off promotion

[Patrick Suffaux]

I know I'll be told it's ridiculous at this stage and defeatist to say it but why?.....

This set of players keep proving that they don't have what it takes to be competitive at the top end of the division or to find any sort of consistency. Furthermore the club and its directors prove that we neither have the finance or nous to build a team that can. We have the same shortcomings every season, we repeat the same mistakes EVERY season. Please offer me a shred of hope by telling me why it's suddenly going to change and what you have to base it on.

Perpetual positivity and blind faith might make some of you feel better but it does nothing to improve the situation. Telling them it's alright whilst continuing to walk through the turnstile simply reinforces their belief that the club can passively wait for something to turn instead of making it happen.

How many more managers are going to be the fall guy for a poorly run football club with no understanding of what it takes to be successful. Sheffield United Football Club has found its level and belongs in the third division.

I'm sorry Nigel but you took the wrong job, like the supporters you deserve better.

 

[Grappler]

Hard to argue based on yesterdays first half performance.

 

[Roygbiv]

I'll be stunned if this squad get promotion. I genuinely think the play-offs will be too much of an ask unless some quality players are brought in soon. The only shining light for me is the fact so many players are out of contact in the summer. We simply can't afford to give extensions to players like Howard and McEvereley like we did last season. Just start again. I'm sick of seeing these players in a United shirt

 

[Rodley]

I know I'll be told it's ridiculous at this stage and defeatist to say it but why?.....

This set of players keep proving that they don't have what it takes to be competitive at the top end of the division or to find any sort of consistency. Furthermore the club and its directors prove that we neither have the finance or nous to build a team that can. We have the same shortcomings every season, we repeat the same mistakes EVERY season. Please offer me a shred of hope by telling me why it's suddenly going to change and what you have to base it on.

Perpetual positivity and blind faith might make some of you feel better but it does nothing to improve the situation. Telling them it's alright whilst continuing to walk through the turnstile simply reinforces their belief that the club can passively wait for something to turn instead of making it happen.

How many more managers are going to be the fall guy for a poorly run football club with no understanding of what it takes to be successful. Sheffield United Football Club has found its level and belongs in the third division.

I'm sorry Nigel but you took the wrong job, like the supporters you deserve better.

We're one point ahead of where we were last season. The league is wide open and a weaker squad last year got us into the top 6. Given 2 or 3 signings, we could have a good run at the top 2.

The problems are there for all to see and I can't really be arsed going into them as it won't achieve anything. But I think the penny dropped with Adkins and he's realised that good trainers, nice lads, hard workers up at Shirecliffe just aren't good enough / able to produce the good, consistent performances he requires.

 

[robbiez666]

I've not written off promotion, it's way too soon for that. 3 loanees in next week and investment in January could see us going up automatically (those who go up will need less points than last season).

I just think it's unlikely that we'll invest in the right players to do it. I wait to be surprised.

 

[Rodley]

I've not written off promotion, it's way too soon for that. 3 loanees in next week and investment in January could see us going up automatically (those who go up will need less points than last season).

I just think it's unlikely that we'll invest in the right players to do it. I wait to be surprised.

We are what we are, a playoff side. Enough to win more than we lose, but not the consistent enough to get into the top two. We haven't got enough leaders and we haven't got enough steel.

 

[wizadry]

I keep saying that with the players to come back we'll be more than alright, the problem with that is I have this uncanny knack of getting things wrong, sorry folks

 

[metalblade]

The sad thing is anyone could have posted a thread like this one in August for the last four years safe in the knowledge that they would be 100% spot on.

 

[Bladesman]

Its not rocket science to fix the squad we have but the loan window has been open long enough now for us to have brought someone in.

We could sort this out rather easily but at the moment the club don't seem that bothered.

 

[grafikhaus]

I keep saying that with the players to come back we'll be more than alright, the problem with that is I have this uncanny knack of getting things wrong, sorry folks

Don't get this, wiz. Who, apart from Brayford, is due back? And he was hardly pulling trees up before his injury. Don't expect to see the JB who thrilled us when he came in on loan. He was playing for a move back then. Now? He's part of the disinterested brigade.

 

[wizadry]

Its not rocket science to fix the squad we have but the loan window has been open long enough now for us to have brought someone in.

We could sort this out rather easily but at the moment the club don't seem that bothered.

It doesn't take two minutes for a loan transfer mate, come on, give them time We have to make sure we cover the christmas schedule

 

[sheffielder]

Do we have a bully of a holding midfielder or a brick shit house CB coming back from injury...

 

[alcoblade]

Its not rocket science to fix the squad we have but the loan window has been open long enough now for us to have brought someone in.

We could sort this out rather easily but at the moment the club don't seem that bothered.

I don't think getting better players is as easy as you suggest. Signings for the sake of it have left us in this mess.

If it means writing this season off to wait for some quality for once, I'd take it.

UTB

 

[wizadry]

Don't get this, wiz. Who, apart from Brayford, is due back? And he was hardly pulling trees up before his injury. Don't expect to see the JB who thrilled us when he came in on loan. He was playing for a move back then. Now? He's part of the disinterested brigade.

That's what the smiley was for mate along with the quote of having the uncanny knack of getting things wrong. I'll try a bit harder next time to let you know what I meant. The players coming back excuse is starting to wear very thin.

 

[sitwell]

I know I'll be told it's ridiculous at this stage and defeatist to say it but why?.....

This set of players keep proving that they don't have what it takes to be competitive at the top end of the division or to find any sort of consistency. Furthermore the club and its directors prove that we neither have the finance or nous to build a team that can. We have the same shortcomings every season, we repeat the same mistakes EVERY season. Please offer me a shred of hope by telling me why it's suddenly going to change and what you have to base it on.

Perpetual positivity and blind faith might make some of you feel better but it does nothing to improve the situation. Telling them it's alright whilst continuing to walk through the turnstile simply reinforces their belief that the club can passively wait for something to turn instead of making it happen.

How many more managers are going to be the fall guy for a poorly run football club with no understanding of what it takes to be successful. Sheffield United Football Club has found its level and belongs in the third division.

I'm sorry Nigel but you took the wrong job, like the supporters you deserve better.

Why does he deserve better ,he isn't doing us a favour for nowt. He is being well paid to do a great job as manager of Sheffield United ,he isn't doing it very well at the moment. I think he will pull it round and it is very early in his reign but tactically, motivationally and other allys he hasn't got right yet. He has his own back room staff ,more money than most and a bigger club to attract players to ,he is only 10 games into his job. He is part of the problem at the moment and he has to show that he is a good manager. Give him chance and time but don't give him fucking apologies.

 

[stannyblade]

It seems to me that the club are doing their best to piss the fans off. We can all see where we need to bring players in yet we still haven't done it. Oh well it will save me on the season ticket money next year as if we are in this league next season I won't be renewing. ( have to work every other weekend and it won't be worth it)

 

[DorsetSUFC]

I think a top two finish will not happen - yet another false dawn this season for me I'm afraid.

Realistically, I believe play off's at best but need to improve our performances on and off the pitch, just hope that Mr Adkins, his staff, and The Board can sort it out over the next couple of weeks before we completely fall away.

And......to the players, I don't expect you to win every game, but I believe giving 100% effort and commitment to the cause would go a long way with us the fans of this magnificent club. After all, you are so called professionals.

End of Sunday Morning reflection.

 

[Grappler]

To be honest, Che Adams and Matt Done made a world of difference when they came, on, and I think only Matt Done would have had the speed of thought and reaction to score that goal (maybe Che, maybe Billy). Also, and I will save more detail for the match thread, Terry Kennedy gave us some much needed muscle in the back four when he came on, if only that lad could be fit every week, he is like the Terminator, barge into him, knock him to the floor, he just gets back up, no rolling around play acting.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I've not written off promotion, it's way too soon for that. 3 loanees in next week and investment in January could see us going up automatically (those who go up will need less points than last season).

I just think it's unlikely that we'll invest in the right players to do it. I wait to be surprised.

I dont really like relying on loan players . ( bad experience when we got relegated to league 1 ) . However the loan market is the way to go , to get out of this division , albeit it can leave you with a problem if you get promoted PNE , MK Dons , Bristol City .

In saying all that , it is the way to bring class / quality / pace into the squad , therefore we have to use the loan market now.

If we do , we have a chance of play off or even automatic . If not , we are mid table mediocrity , and be more like Crewe , who play nice football , but have no strength , pace or physical attributes . ( sounds on par )

Next week will be a telling week , both for Adkins personally and us fans IMO.

UTB

 

[metalblade]

I don't think getting better players is as easy as you suggest. Signings for the sake of it have left us in this mess.

If it means writing this season off to wait for some quality for once, I'd take it.

UTB

You make it sound like only players of the calibre of Messi would improve our midfield

 

[AnonymousBlade1995]

Only go to home games so can't speak of every game but from what i have seen we are nowhere near promotion when we do win it's not dominating football, Adkins did state that the squad is not good enough for promotion and in this case i think blaming the manager if we don't get promoted will do us no good even if we miss the play offs.

 

[sitwell]

I don't think getting better players is as easy as you suggest. Signings for the sake of it have left us in this mess.

If it means writing this season off to wait for some quality for once, I'd take it.

UTB

Spot on ,take Hammond for instance , how is Brannigan supposed to change the mind of a player on 20 odd k a week in the premier league to join a 3rd division outfit for 5k a week ? Players like Grant at Port Vale are the ones we should be looking at and stop kidding ourselves we are a massive club.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

We're one point ahead of where we were last season. The league is wide open and a weaker squad last year got us into the top 6. Given 2 or 3 signings, we could have a good run at the top 2.

The problems are there for all to see and I can't really be arsed going into them as it won't achieve anything. But I think the penny dropped with Adkins and he's realised that good trainers, nice lads, hard workers up at Shirecliffe just aren't good enough / able to produce the good, consistent performances he requires.

I sadly just do not believe that these " lads" are hardworking, at any time, in any place.

 

[sheffielder]

Why does he deserve better ,he isn't doing us a favour for nowt. He is being well paid to do a great job as manager of Sheffield United ,he isn't doing it very well at the moment. I think he will pull it round and it is very early in his reign but tactically, motivationally and other allys he hasn't got right yet. He has his own back room staff ,more money than most and a bigger club to attract players to ,he is only 10 games into his job. He is part of the problem at the moment and he has to show that he is a good manager. Give him chance and time but don't give him fucking apologies.

So, unlike everyone else you don't think we have needed a CB and CM for the last 2 years, and it's all down to Adkins why these key areas have not been upgraded. I firmly believe that Edgar would not be here now if we had not been battered at Gillingham. The horse has bolted and on a Chinese dinner table before we do anything about it. We just react to bad decision after bad decision, and that is not at Adkins door, nor Clough and so on

 

[grafikhaus]

To be honest, Che Adams and Matt Done made a world of difference when they came, on, and I think only Matt Done would have had the speed of thought and reaction to score that goal (maybe Che, maybe Billy). Also, and I will save more detail for the match thread, Terry Kennedy gave us some much needed muscle in the back four when he came on, if only that lad could be fit every week, he is like the Terminator, barge into him, knock him to the floor, he just gets back up, no rolling around play acting.

Hi Phil. Somebody on P & G alluded to the fact that Edgar was 'bullied' to such an extent he was substituted. Any evidence of this?

 

[sheffielder]

Spot on ,take Hammond for instance , how is Brannigan supposed to change the mind of a player on 20 odd k a week in the premier league to join a 3rd division outfit for 5k a week ? Players like Grant at Port Vale are the ones we should be looking at and stop kidding ourselves we are a massive club.

He's not, and Leicester won't expect us to pay his full wage. They right now are paying his full wage so I understand your a man of business and you understand negotiation and sometimes you just have to pay over the going rate to get where you want. Every signing we have been involved with since he's been here has been long drawn out. The fact that Adkins has twice named Mal Branigan in interviews when players have not come, even when saying he's doing all he can is saying a lot more than that in my view.

 

[alcoblade]

Hi Phil. Somebody on P & G alluded to the fact that Edgar was 'bullied' to such an extent he was substituted. Any evidence of this?

I saw him grimace like he'd pulled a muscle, but given how he was being do outplayed, I'm sure he was glad to get off.

UTB

 

[sitwell]

So, unlike everyone else you don't think we have needed a CB and CM for the last 2 years, and it's all down to Adkins why these key areas have not been upgraded. I firmly believe that Edgar would not be here now if we had not been battered at Gillingham. The horse has bolted and on a Chinese dinner table before we do anything about it. We just react to bad decision after bad decision, and that is not at Adkins door, nor Clough and so on

I didn't say it had been addressed before ,it clearly hadn't ,but Adkins has been in the job for long enough to realise that this is where the problem needs looking at. If not he hasn't done enough research about us and Collins must look like fucking Beckenbaur in training.

 

[Grappler]

Hi Phil. Somebody on P & G alluded to the fact that Edgar was 'bullied' to such an extent he was substituted. Any evidence of this?

Yes, from where I was sat, their big number 9 (can't remember his name, foreign name), ran into him on a number of occasions, in fact he ran though all our back four at some point, especially to score the second goal. Terry Kennedy kept him quiet for the second half, no nonsense. Also, said it before and will say it again, for someone under six feet tall, Kennedy jumps higher than Collins and Edgar. Maybe he just "wants it" more?

 

[sheffielder]

I saw him grimace like he'd pulled a muscle, but given how he was being do outplayed, I'm sure he was glad to get off.

UTB

Is there something rotten going on behind the scenes. Seems Strange to me how players drop off quickly. Get em out, whoever they are.