Jims Thoughts on SUFC's JTW 2016

[Ted Danson]

Bringing players in to a club in January is not necessarily a prequisite of success. Many clubs have bought unwisely at this time of year, wasting resources and disrupting team cohesion. NA has had the unenviable task of clearing the decks after several years of injudicious player recruitment and he does not deserve the abuse he is receiving from some quarters. Let's see what happens during the rest of this season, which is far from a write off, and allow the club to take measured steps in the transfer market during the summer.

I agree bringing players in in Jan for the sake of it is bad but we're desperate. What is this 'team cohesion' you speak of? Ive not seen any of it at the Lane this season.

NA does deserve the abuse, his signings have been crap along with his tactics and motivational skills and then he just talks shit after each game. Cant see any positives in him atall (other than his CV as everyone keeps banging on about which I couldn't care less about) I dont want him pissing all our money away in the summer and putting us back in the position where we have shite players on 3 year contracts that need getting rid of again, a team full of Woolfords fills me with dread.

We need to change the lot, new owner, new board, new manager, new players

 

[Esablade]

a team full of Woolfords fills me with dread.

..and a team full of Sharps and we'd be promoted...get the goose video prepared Nigel...

 

[ziggy4001]

'We're just a team full of Woolfords... team full of Woolfords!'

 

[Bartleby]

Yes if top talent means a right back who can't defend and a player who struggles to get on the pitch
If that's our top talent where all doomed

just saying what I thought he meant by the statement

 

[Sheffsteel]

" Keeping the top talent "

Made me chuckle that did.

At the beginning of the season Adams was in top form and the hottest talent in kraut 1 meaning loads of clubs were sniffing,

At the time many Blades said he was the new Deano and a probable England international. Most predicted we'd do a Kyle Walker and sell at the first big offer.

The club showed ambition yet again by giving Adams a massive pay rise. Some even said "give him what he wants even if he's the highest paid player at the club".

 

[Grecian2000]

Poor old WHF must think this sites closed down for the day. There's only people he's got on ignore posting.

I, genuinely, can't believe everyone is so surprised we haven't signed anyone. We've only had a month to get things "over the line", how are we ever expected to work to those tight timescales?

 

[Jan Age]

One or two injuries to key players and one or two suspensions and we could be in a relegation battle.

Wigan recruited well and Barnsley have quietly gone about their business, Gillingham and Walsall have turned down large bids... it can be done.

 

[sheffielder]

Not had a chance to read all the responses, but I find that the statement was on linked in and not an official club statement a lot more telling than anything he said. When was the last time he did anything in an official capacity? And yes I know he's not been well

 

[Booker4]

I agree bringing players in in Jan for the sake of it is bad but we're desperate. What is this 'team cohesion' you speak of? Ive not seen any of it at the Lane this season.

NA does deserve the abuse, his signings have been crap along with his tactics and motivational skills and then he just talks shit after each game. Cant see any positives in him atall (other than his CV as everyone keeps banging on about which I couldn't care less about) I dont want him pissing all our money away in the summer and putting us back in the position where we have shite players on 3 year contracts that need getting rid of again, a team full of Woolfords fills me with dread.

We need to change the lot, new owner, new board, new manager, new players

I get the sentiment but A: its not realistic to change everything and B: we have the tools to do much better than we currently are, its just we're underachieving.

I still think with this squad we should be doing better and now that Adkins knows he can't get new arrivals in, he needs to get the best out of the existing players and we should make play offs. Anything else will be a disaster, as far as I'm concerned. I still rate Adkins and although the Adkins bingo is annoying, particularly when we lose, we are actually in a very similar position to what we were last season when Clough had a significant budget and delivered a really average output. Adkins hasn't yet been able to reshape the squad, although I admit Woolford and co haven't inspired, Sharp excused. He clearly doesn't fancy much of this squad but is having to work with them, anyway. Pulling the trigger now would be the worst thing we could do!

 

[Ted Danson]

I still think with this squad we should be doing better and now that Adkins knows he can't get new arrivals in, he needs to get the best out of the existing players and we should make play offs.

But he has shown no ability in getting the best out of his players, his motivation skills seem to be his biggest flaw (this is criminal in my mind for a football manager and should be one of the most prioritized skills when selecting one, however under our board the manager just needs to be a yes man who can spin anything, he reminds me of Tony Blaire, all smiles and nice answers while hes quietly putting our club in the shitter while people keep backing him as he seems a nice guy). everyone has made excuses saying he needs to bring in his own players as he cant work with Cloughs players, why will he suddenly be able to now?

 

[Booker4]

I think we've under achieved this season mate, but I think to be fair to Adkins he did try earlier in the season to be attacking and play attractive football, but results weren't forthcoming. I think its far too early to be wanting him out. I'm not saying I agree with everything he's done, like signing Hammond seems to be a player on big wages that is no better than Basham, but that said Hammond is clearly seen as more than just a player but a player to set an example of attitude etc. I'm willing to give Nigel into next season to get his own men in and remove the dead wood.

If he fails next season then he'll probably be sacked.

 

[sheffielder]

One or two injuries to key players and one or two suspensions and we could be in a relegation battle.

Wigan recruited well and Barnsley have quietly gone about their business, Gillingham and Walsall have turned down large bids... it can be done.

On the flip side, we are one or two key players away from being on top form who could run this through. If you could get Che, Sharp, Done and Baxter firing at the same time it's half the job. There is always two side's to the coin.

 

[stannyblade]

On the flip side, we are one or two key players away from being on top form who could run this through. If you could get Che, Sharp, Done and Baxter firing at the same time it's half the job. There is always two side's to the coin.

Key players which must already be at the club as we now cant bring them in. Unless its on loan which we weren't supposed to be wanting to do any more. Seems to me they have written off this season and if by some miracle we do go up then that will be a massive (sorry) bonus

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

The survey from Jim was utterly ridiculous. To actually ask fans to poll opinion as to whether this has been a good window - when we have signed nobody, and we can all see where the squad is clearly lacking - is just a bonkers move.

Some of the statements in there are also telling - such as taking more windows to sort it out - which just sounds like buying time - until the boardroom unrest is resolved (which may actually mean he leaves). We all know, it would take one where you sign 4 quality players and add it to the mix we already have. It's pretty obvious there is a deadlock over more investment being put in.

A sorry state of affairs.

 

[Mancblade1889]

just saying what I thought he meant by the statement

just saying what I thought he meant by the statement

yes I know mate just saying myself that we don't really have any top talent because if we did and another club where genuinely interested they would have been sold and it's always been that way as long as I can remember and to be honest don't see it changing anytime soon

 

[PokerBlade]

I think we've under achieved this season mate, but I think to be fair to Adkins he did try earlier in the season to be attacking and play attractive football, but results weren't forthcoming. I think its far too early to be wanting him out. I'm not saying I agree with everything he's done, like signing Hammond seems to be a player on big wages that is no better than Basham, but that said Hammond is clearly seen as more than just a player but a player to set an example of attitude etc. I'm willing to give Nigel into next season to get his own men in and remove the dead wood.

If he fails next season then he'll probably be sacked.

I think it's become obvious that Adkins can't play the pressing football he wants because of how weak the defence is. We can't afford to play without Hammond and Basham (neither of which I'm particularly impressed by) without leaking goals from everywhere. We've even been playing Woolford for his supposed defensive qualities.

But we had most of last season, all of Summer, and now all of since then to identify some defensive targets. And I'm supposed to be happy with another round of failed bids for Burn. I don't even know if he's particularly good, but he can't be the only player worth signing in all that time. And I'm supposed to accept that anyone but Burn would've been a panic buy.

What a joke.

 

[Blade58]

Anyone with any sense knew at 1.00pm yesterday that there were to be no signings

That was the moment that Adkins, Green, Green, Simon McCabe and Kevin McCabe took up their seats to watch the U21's play

No wonder they had problems getting any deals over the line, there was no fker there to do them

 

[longinthe toothblade]

On the flip side, we are one or two key players away from being on top form who could run this through. If you could get Che, Sharp, Done and Baxter firing at the same time it's half the job. There is always two side's to the coin.

Ok but it's a big "if".

He hasn't succeeded in achieving this goal so far. Where's the actual evidence to support what you are saying?

Do you (and your 'likes') have some or is it simply wishful thinking?

 

[PeteBlade]

At the beginning of the season Adams was in top form and the hottest talent in kraut 1 meaning loads of clubs were sniffing,

At the time many Blades said he was the new Deano and a probable England international. Most predicted we'd do a Kyle Walker and sell at the first big offer.

The club showed ambition yet again by giving Adams a massive pay rise. Some even said "give him what he wants even if he's the highest paid player at the club".

What was he on?
And what does he now earn?

 

[Gabsblade]

Jim`s thoughts on the JTW by Jim on LInkedIn, see below:

My Thoughts on SUFC's JTW 2016
Feb 1, 2016


Blades, there is a lot of passion on display at the moment. I get that and 100% share the desire (read: desperation) to see this club go up. I believe I can fairly say we all do. While I cannot respond to every message I've received individually, I can share my thoughts on JTW 2016 in one take and review your responses. Here's my take:

General Take: We accomplished some, but not all, of our goals for JTW 2016.

Specific Take: I’d offer these five points:

· Right-sizing: Having a squad that is too big is unhealthy. During JTW 2016, we have begun the process of right-sizing the squad. More work on this front will need to wait until the close season, when contracts expire.

· Inward transfers: We have not brought in new players during JTW 2016, apart from extending inward loans to the end of the season. This is not for lack of resources, but rather because we did not get any of the footballers with respect to whom the football professionals had: (1) conducted due diligence; and (2) determined would make an improvement. It might have been tempting in the final hours of JTW 2016 to do something just for the sake of being seen to do something. The better choice, however, was to avoid both panic buying and purchasing for cosmetic reasons.

· Keeping top talent: During JTW 2016, we have not traded away top talent. While the financial realities and economics of the modern game make essentially every club a trading club, we have managed to preserve strength for the future in this window.

· Recruiting process: By my reckoning, counting JTW 2016, it will take at least three transfer windows to complete the work of addressing past recruiting errors and excesses. The key to getting this right going forward is the work we are doing now to reclaim, to strengthen and to implement club-owned recruiting processes and procedures. This imperative is and will remain a major focus. The resolve shown during JTW 2016 in not making panic or cosmetic acquisitions is an early victory in this process. More progress on this front should begin to evidence itself in the close season and transfers windows thereafter.

· Promotion imperative: We continue to seek promotion this year. We have 18 matches left to play this season. That’s 54 points for which to play. We are currently two points off the playoff places and 12 points off the automatic promotion places. By way of reality check, we are also only 14 points above the drop zone. The league table doesn’t lie. The competition remains tight. While going up this season remains feasible, doing so will require the Mighty to pull it together, to work together in a sustained fashion to make this happen. Lungs will need to be burnt out. Passion will need to be on display ... lots of it.


You canTELL ME WHAT YOU THINK HERE and, of course, in comments below. Though not scientific, doing the survey helps me get a sense for the rough numbers.

Sincerely yours,

Jim

 

[Bladesman]

Already posted: http://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/jims-thoughts-on-sufcs-jtw-2016.44574/

 

[Gabsblade]

Sorry Bladesman, didn`t see it but was so excited to share

 

[Pierre's PC]

I said on shoutbox yesterday that I don't think this is great by Jim.

He may be a nice fella, by all accounts he is but using a questionnaire or poll that are accepted in most businesses, in a football setting is asking for trouble.

Transparency is one thing and I have no doubt that's why he does this but again you can try to be too transparent and end up alienating your intended audience.

Do we really want Jim to become another strapon, when you would think that he has forgotten more about business than that idiot at s6 ever knew?

 

[PeteBlade]

I said on shoutbox yesterday that I don't think this is great by Jim.

He may be a nice fella, by all accounts he is but using a questionnaire or poll that are accepted in most businesses, in a football setting is asking for trouble.

Transparency is one thing and I have no doubt that's why he does this but again you can try to be too transparent and end up alienating your intended audience.

Do we really want Jim to become another strapon, when you would think that he has forgotten more about business than that idiot at s6 ever knew?

Sadly I feel he's well on his way to becoming like him.
His embarrassing public shows of emotion and long blogs or whatever are already widely ridiculed.

Which is a shame as I like him.

 

[Rodders]

Can someone let us know when he gets a Bebo account please?

 

[raul]

So basically if we want promotion we just have to shout at matches more?

Has he got a big telly on order? ??

 

[pommpey]

I like him and feel sorry for him too.

Phipps might sound full of shit, but his heart is in the right place. Strange how McCabe has certain individuals draw fire on his behalf. Phipps is one of them, his football team managers being another. Phipps tries his best to use sophistry and spin to alleviate a worsening situation, and clearly he is not ready for the inability for (the majority of) Unted fans to be easily bullshitted and go away thinking everything is going to be alright. It clearly isn't and I don;t think even Phipps has the answers, or at least he knows them, but isn't permitted to disclose what they are.

Like I say, the level of trust the fans have in McCabe now is rock bottom and Phipps is merely a lightning conductor to earth for all the energy which McCabe has generated. If (as I suspect) we don't go up this season, nothing short of a public statement by McCabe on a credible strategy is satisfactory. It needs to be honest and relistic and we need to know who and what is involved and some declaration on commitment toward not selling the residual 'talent' we have left in a team full of underachievers.

We have to get out of this division by 2017.

pommpey

 

[nopigfansintown]

Sadly I feel he's well on his way to becoming like him.
His embarrassing public shows of emotion and long blogs or whatever are already widely ridiculed.

Which is a shame as I like him.

Jim says a lot without really saying owt specific. What exactly do we think the transfer policy will be in future windows: What are the characteristics of future signings? What is the approximate budget? What is the current sales strategy? Will the current manager be here to implement the changes? How much control over said policy does the manager have?
What are the overarching policies of club administrators (not just Jim) that the humble blades fan can buy into?

Edit: I like Jim too but that's more or less irrelevant.

 

[Rodley]

Agree. Engaging on Facebook is a bad decision. He should stick to tweets and even then I wouldn't begrudge him not responding to people.

 

[Darthblade]

I like him and feel sorry for him too.

Phipps might sound full of shit, but his heart is in the right place. Strange how McCabe has certain individuals draw fire on his behalf. Phipps is one of them, his football team managers being another. Phipps tries his best to use sophistry and spin to alleviate a worsening situation, and clearly he is not ready for the inability for (the majority of) Unted fans to be easily bullshitted and go away thinking everything is going to be alright. It clearly isn't and I don;t think even Phipps has the answers, or at least he knows them, but isn't permitted to disclose what they are.

Like I say, the level of trust the fans have in McCabe now is rock bottom and Phipps is merely a lightning conductor to earth for all the energy which McCabe has generated. If (as I suspect) we don't go up this season, nothing short of a public statement by McCabe on a credible strategy is satisfactory. It needs to be honest and relistic and we need to know who and what is involved and some declaration on commitment toward not selling the residual 'talent' we have left in a team full of underachievers.

We have to get out of this division by 2017.

pommpey

For my sins ..... I've been supporting the Blades for 51 years ...... and in all that time we've never had even one Board of Directors who could be described as either "honest" or "realistic" !!

We have had Boards who could be given various descriptions from utterly incompetent to devious and deceitful, but we can never accuse them of being honest or realistic.

I would settle for a combination of being honest and prepared to accept reasonable advice from suitably qualified football professionals ........ sadly; I don't think it will happen in my lifetime.

I take comfort from the fact that, yet again ...... I will probably still be here supporting the R&WW when this lot have long gone ..........

UTB & FTP