Is it time...

[Houso]

... for a few of us to stand up and apologise for the dogs abuse that some players have been given this season?

As I've said in another thread, I'll happily hold up my hands and admit that Michael Doyle is an important player for us at the moment. He's clearly passionate about club, willing to give 100% and even knows he's not a favourite in the stands. While I'm still not convinced he's a long term solution, I do think he has to be a starter for the remainder of the season and will play a big role in our success.

I also owe Mark Howard an apology. Was looking forward to his contract being up in the Summer. But he's been a key part of that stunning run of clean sheets.

Now to other players who have been insulated and written off. From memory, these would include:
- Harry Maguire - can think of one Southern poster in particular who ripped him apart at every opportunity. Overrated, fat, slow, clumsy etc etc. I'll be amazed if we don't field some big bids for him this summer.
- Murphy and Flynn - written off by many as not good enough for football away from Scotland. The former will be attracting attention of clubs in leagues above us no doubt at all.
- Collins - 'past it', 'legs gone' etc. He's been easily as good as his central defensive partner.
- Baxter - fat and only good enough for Oldham. He's fairly inconsistent, but he's still as talented as any player at this level.
And there have no doubt been others.

I'm not saying they've not been poor in the past and should get a free pass going forward, but perhaps it's a lesson that we should give players that little bit longer before we say they're not good enough.

 

[wizadry]

No its not time to apologise they deserved every bit of the criticism, cant forget how bad some of the players were, we pay our money and are aloud our views but a good post none the less houso

 

[Sheff de party]

... for a few of us to stand up and apologise for the dogs abuse that some players have been given this season?

As I've said in another thread, I'll happily hold up my hands and admit that Michael Doyle is an important player for us at the moment. He's clearly passionate about club, willing to give 100% and even knows he's not a favourite in the stands. While I'm still not convinced he's a long term solution, I do think he has to be a starter for the remainder of the season and will play a big role in our success.

I also owe Mark Howard an apology. Was looking forward to his contract being up in the Summer. But he's been a key part of that stunning run of clean sheets.

Now to other players who have been insulated and written off. From memory, these would include:
- Harry Maguire - can think of one Southern poster in particular who ripped him apart at every opportunity. Overrated, fat, slow, clumsy etc etc. I'll be amazed if we don't field some big bids for him this summer.
- Murphy and Flynn - written off by many as not good enough for football away from Scotland. The former will be attracting attention of clubs in leagues above us no doubt at all.
- Collins - 'past it', 'legs gone' etc. He's been easily as good as his central defensive partner.
- Baxter - fat and only good enough for Oldham. He's fairly inconsistent, but he's still as talented as any player at this level.
And there have no doubt been others.

I'm not saying they've not been poor in the past and should get a free pass going forward, but perhaps it's a lesson that we should give players that little bit longer before we say they're not good enough.

No. We judge them on their merits (or at least we should). They're professional footballers earning good money, they're in the public eye and many of us have paid good money to watch shocking displays this season.

I've regularly said Flynn wasn't good enough for this level, mainly because he was a paperweight footballer who refused to try n take anyone on. Clough has sorted that out. I've also spent a fair bit of time criticising Doyle and he's deserved it in my opinion. The key is, we should now be praising those who have turned it around. I think Maguire has always been one of our best so I haven't had a pop at him, but Murphy and Flynn are the stand-out players for me now. Despite their ability, they weren't doing it - that's not good enough lads. Now they are - credit to you for turning it around, enjoy it and Wembley is as much for all them as it is for us.

 

[Jon Bon]

Yep, I'd like to apologise for slating Flynn and Doyle when they were shit but now that they're great, I'd like to give them both a hearty man hug - but strictly no tongues though. *

* Issued by Foxy Principal Player Rating Ltd which is authorised and regulated by The Pinchy Pass and Move Authority. The contents of this post do not constitute advice and should not be taken as a recommendation to praise or badmouth any of the players mentioned. Before taking any decisions, we suggest you seek advice from a professional scapegoat adviser. All figures and data contained within this post were correct at time of writing. Form and player popularity can fall as well as rise. Remember, your reputation is at risk if you do not keep up to date with who is playing well and who is continually having a stinker.

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

What the hell........ apologizing to players what a load of rubbish, they were crap and had been for a full year since Mr Evans got banged up, none of them stepped up, costing Wilson his job.
I can forget the past but can not forgive it.
I'm glad they have turn around their performances but no way am I going to forgive them for a full year of halfhearted performances.

 

[super_pig]

as i've said many times. if you want to stop being the scapegoat, stop playing crap.. i'm not apologising.. they were shit.. the fact that the same guys are now transformed would support that opinion

 

[Houso]

oooo blimey, some sandy fannies in here for such an innocent thread.

You'll of course notice that I never said that the team was beyond criticism, but instead it was unfair to:
A) insult our players, and
B) write them off entirely.

Never mind though, feel free to get incredibly defensive despite having nothing to feel guilty about

 

[LSF]

oooo blimey, some sandy fannies in here for such an innocent thread.

You'll of course notice that I never said that the team was beyond criticism, but instead it was unfair to:
A) insult our players, and
B) write them off entirely.

Never mind though, feel free to get incredibly defensive despite having nothing to feel guilty about

Nice one Houso..... as you say, constructive criticism is one thing, dogs abuse and insults achieve fuck all and is disrespectful and counter productive.
Some just can't help themselves.....
Murphy has been the only player I've written off in the past and have long since eaten a huge slice of humble pie on this fellah.

 

[Bladesway]

Critisism yes but personal attacks that went way over the top along with comments that were factually incorrect. No one wants to accept that they know Bugger all about football but reality teaches us otherwise.

I'm with Houso here.

 

[Houso]

Good post Bladesway.

 

[Blade56]

Who's going to say sorry to the fans who came under a huge amount of criticism from Wilson, weir and other fans?

Forget the past we are looking up the table not down it anymore so let's look forward and not backwards. Those who have stepped up are still here, some who did not are away on loan.

One thing for sure is Nigel's miraculous turn around has killed of the clappers and slashers, we are all Blades again

 

[super_pig]

Critisism yes but personal attacks that went way over the top along with comments that were factually incorrect. No one wants to accept that they know Bugger all about football but reality teaches us otherwise.

Not attempting to start a flame war here but all of the criticisms were correct. people basically said that many players were playing crap and recent form has vindicated this opinion
anyway.. all crimes are paid. we move on.

 

[Houso]

Not attempting to start a flame war here but all of the criticisms were correct. people basically said that many players were playing crap and recent form has vindicated this opinion
anyway.. all crimes are paid. we move on.

So those people who said Murphy, flynn et al weren't good enough and had no future in english football were correct?

 

[Houso]

Who's going to say sorry to the fans who came under a huge amount of criticism from Wilson, weir

Can you find me said huge criticism please? Not that it's at all relevant to this thread.

 

[super_pig]

yes at the time i think it was a fair comment (not made by me .. in fact i can't remember anyone actually making such a statement). if they had carried on like that then they would 'not' have had a future in english football, that is fairly obvious.

 

[alcoblade]

Yep, I'd like to apologise for slating Flynn and Doyle when they were shit but now that they're great, I'd like to give them both a hearty man hug - but strictly no tongues though.

No tongues? If this carries on they'll be needing lube!



UTB

 

[Houso]

yes at the time i think it was a fair comment (not made by me .. in fact i can't remember anyone actually making such a statement). if they had carried on like that then they would 'not' have had a future in english football, that is fairly obvious.

But... they were wrong. So they were unfair and incorrect. There's no two ways about it.

And yes, plenty said it.

 

[wizadry]

... for a few of us to stand up and apologise .

The few of u that have done bad stand up and apologise and have done with it

 

[Bladesway]

Not attempting to start a flame war here but all of the criticisms were correct. people basically said that many players were playing crap and recent form has vindicated this opinion
anyway.. all crimes are paid. we move on.

Some of it certainly but that levelled at people like Porter and Doyle in particular went way beyond in my opinion.

But I think it is hard for some people to just accept that perhaps they went over the top.

 

[super_pig]

But... they were wrong. So they were unfair and incorrect. There's no two ways about it.

And yes, plenty said it.

i feel like there is trawling going on here so i'm out of this thread. basically if players are playing crap then i reserve the right to criticise them.. if they improve then that is great and i'm genuinely pleased for them and the team

 

[bobby ford]

Desperate time, desperate measures. It was a two way street of negative football on the pitch and negative reactions in the stands.

We've turned a corner, relationships between players and fans are as positive as they've ever been. No need to dwell over who was in the wrong. Let's focus on enjoying the good times now.

On a personal note, I'm happy to eat my words with regards to a certain Mr Doyle. I've never questioned his passion but often his ability in the first half of this season. He's proved me wrong in showing impressive displays of both.

Could serve as a useful reminder not to write off certain players in future SUFC XI's, we now know that with the right man in charge they can flourish.

PS. I think i'm in love with John Brayford.

 

[Houso]

i feel like there is trawling going on here so i'm out of this thread. basically if players are playing crap then i reserve the right to criticise them.. if they improve then that is great and i'm genuinely pleased for them and the team

Forgive the 'flame war' (really?), but are you reading what I'm typing? I'll turn it into two points for you.

1) It's fair to criticise players when they play bad. They deserve it and should expect it as professional footballers.
2) It's unfair to personally insult them and it's unwise to write them off entirely.

I wrote off Doyle (who I've also personally insulted) and I wrote off Howard. I was wrong on both and I apologise. I will not apologise for criticising their performances, in the past or going forward.

Its a genuinely simple post.

 

[blade too long]

United , the team under performed under Wilson towards the end and under Weir
This thread tries to highlight the individual abuse certain players , who were picked out and scapegoated, its a chance to say perhaps it was a bit knee jerk to be so abusive to those individuals , who suffered from poor direction.
Is it beyond your dignity to admit you weere a bit zealous in inflicting such bile.
Ive at times got things wrong , but will confess and apologise to it .

I personally was called looney for being " far too" positive, and off my tree thinking we ,might make the play offs , but its not looking quite as barmy now and the cup run shows what some could see was building.
He .Nigel said it was slow steady progress that was required at the start , luckily thats turned into a gallop,, lets all pull together confess to being a little eager to run people down and move on

 

[sitwell]

Ive criticised three really ,Long , McMahon and Hill, never abused them though and I still stand by it ,don't think any of them are good enough and that really isn't hindsight.

 

[pommpey]

Nope. I don't apologise at all for criticism of any of our players. If you'd have seen the shower of wankers playing at Fratton last season ... and by the look of it continuing that dismal form this year ... then you'd understand.

I hope they hear and feel the taste of what success and the tailwind of an adoring support can do. But that comes from good, solid performances and gladly it seems that this is what is being put in these days rather than Long flapping at everything that comes near him, the two central defenders looking like they are playing in two different teams, our wide defenders gifting the opposition penetration and not offering much in return, the wingers forever going backwards, our central midfield being easy to suss-out and bypass and our strike force being piss-poor. Clough has all but rectified much of the defects there. He has replaced McMahon and a.n.other who deigned to play over the other side with clever, rapid playmakers and defenders, got Maguire and Collins to start re-understanding each other, Doyle now has a set role and can play to any number of outlets with a variety of partners and Murphy and Flynn are doing what they should be doing, running at their back four and creating. All we need to cap this is a devastating strike force. Baxter isn't that, we all know he prefers the 'front of the diamond' role which leaves us with Potter and Painter, who still don't seem to be up to much, despite the latter's recent flattering purple patch.

Finally, he has revived the career of our long-dead goalie who now knows that clean sheets and command of his area is the way to keep a resurgent Long out of his jersey.

We have improved, but we were shitola. Let's not let recent euphoria cloud what the majority of this season has dealt the club.

pommpey

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

... for a few of us to stand up and apologise for the dogs abuse that some players have been given this season?

As I've said in another thread, I'll happily hold up my hands and admit that Michael Doyle is an important player for us at the moment. He's clearly passionate about club, willing to give 100% and even knows he's not a favourite in the stands. While I'm still not convinced he's a long term solution, I do think he has to be a starter for the remainder of the season and will play a big role in our success.

I also owe Mark Howard an apology. Was looking forward to his contract being up in the Summer. But he's been a key part of that stunning run of clean sheets.

Now to other players who have been insulated and written off. From memory, these would include:
- Harry Maguire - can think of one Southern poster in particular who ripped him apart at every opportunity. Overrated, fat, slow, clumsy etc etc. I'll be amazed if we don't field some big bids for him this summer.
- Murphy and Flynn - written off by many as not good enough for football away from Scotland. The former will be attracting attention of clubs in leagues above us no doubt at all.
- Collins - 'past it', 'legs gone' etc. He's been easily as good as his central defensive partner.
- Baxter - fat and only good enough for Oldham. He's fairly inconsistent, but he's still as talented as any player at this level.
And there have no doubt been others.

I'm not saying they've not been poor in the past and should get a free pass going forward, but perhaps it's a lesson that we should give players that little bit longer before we say they're not good enough.

No we were not wrong, Weir was and had them in wrong roles, wrong mind set and I believe unfit.
This left them open to criticism.

Nigel has given them roles they enjoy which has sorted the mind set and their fitness levels seem much higher.
This brings praise.

 

[Houso]

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh

 

[metalblade]

Ferkin hell this thread sounds like something the Green Party and the tree hugging hippies would dream up, can we get some bright young solicitor to work out a compensation package for the players too, then we can all chip in and give them what they deserved at the time ............................ like a bag of f'kin rusty washers and that would be stretching things. I don't know about abuse when Weir was in charge they needed a jolly good rogering.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I'm not saying they've not been poor in the past and should get a free pass going forward, but perhaps it's a lesson that we should give players that little bit longer before we say they're not good enough.

Doyle has been at this club for nearly four years, Flynn nearly three.

How long should we give players before they start showing their true worth?

 

[sheffielder]

At the end of the day the change in formation and keeper has turned round most peoples season after the Crewe game.

Collins (keeper) and Doyle (formation) have seen the most spectacular turnaround.in fortunes, however while we all seem to want to carry Doyle over our shoulders like Bobby Moore let us not forget players like Harris and Coady who have gone up another level. They are all playing like champions at the moment and i think Doyle's obvious change in demeanour is helping greatly.