Judge us at 10 games

[Maidenhead]

Yeah it's taken them seven seasons to get from prem to League 1, it only took us four!

Actually it only took them 4 too, and then they went one better and dropped to league 2

 

[dc_blade]

A small minority for whom any setback is doom.

A small minority for whom any criticism at all is a personal affront.

As usual, the bickering between the two drowns out any reasonable discussion.

 

[Rob86]

I’ll judge us on 31st Dec this year. Did the 10 game thing last year, got way too excited, and ended up depressed at the end of what was actually a very good season ! Hoping we get 6 points from the next 2 and then the run up to Christmas has some very testing games.

Appreciate we’ve got the job done in the last 2 games but we haven’t been that convincing against two bang out of form teams.

If McGoldrick, Billy and Duff play like they are for the next 36 games and Washington/Woodburn start chipping in, perhaps with a reinforcement in Jan, then who knows.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Might be worth pointing out that some of those having a “tantrum” we’re advocating for Lundy and Evans to be dropped and Duffy and Sharp to return to the side...

Indeed.

Considering the level we have come up to - the change IMHO has resulted in it being a better Wilder decision than when we were in L1.

CW & AK have learnt a lot from last season, and we are seeing the benefits this season.

We just need to keep it going - one game at a time.

UTB

 

[mattbianco1]

Hope you are listening at home on Weds this coming week.

I hope you're aware of the rather obvious solution to the team's problem?
And resolved it by NOT GOING TO ANYMORE BLOODY AWAY GAMES!!!!!

Despite my mates going on Wednesday, I've decided for the good of the team, to watch the game on the red button.

 

[Ricky]

A small minority for whom any setback is doom.

A small minority for whom any criticism at all is a personal affront.

As usual, the bickering between the two drowns out any reasonable discussion.

It's always been the same and it's absolutely pathetic.

 

[Ricky]

Let's have some S24SU Ideal Blade definitions. I'll start with a couple....


Tantrum: Any expression of dissatisfaction or disappointment about any aspect of the club's performance

Club basher: Anyone who suggests any aspect of the club could be better

 

[Tom Bott]

I'm judging us after 11 games.

And again after 12.

UTB.

 

[Tom Bott]

There’s no disadvantage to being in front of them imo.

Apart from the pressure and expectation.

 

[Pinchy]

Very decent start. Another plus is we've scored a few late winning goals which we rarely did last season.
Only rider is we've hardly played any teams in the top half and of those we have, we've lost a couple.

You don’t know which teams are in the top half until May, as I point out every season and every season somebody comes up with this sort of utterly meaningless information. Bolton, I think, were third when we took them apart on their own ground? It’s utterly irrelevant.

 

[knowsnowt]

I went as well, and a fucking wall fell on me. Still we won!

I remember that incident well. And losing 1-0 within minutes, won 5-1!

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

United top of the current form table, fourth in the league, level on points with 2nd and one point of top.

Well after ten games I’d judge that as being pretty good..

 

[alcoblade]

Let's have some S24SU Ideal Blade definitions. I'll start with a couple....


Tantrum: Any expression of dissatisfaction or disappointment about any aspect of the club's performance

Club basher: Anyone who suggests any aspect of the club could be better

Whilst I agree with your sentiment, let’s not pretend that some of these people don’t exist (Shout-box)

 

[Pinchy]

Oh grow up.

This is getting really tiresome. Few people on here seem interested in debate or discussion. Heaven forbid anyone should suggest that things could be better at times or criticise anything for any reason.

Actually the reason is important. Some simply can’t wait to have a dig at the club they claim to support. That is what’s ‘getting really tiresome’ together with their self-entitled bleating when someone sensible dares to challenge their foot-stamping.

 

[Pinchy]

Whilst I agree with your sentiment, let’s jot pretend that these people don’t exist (Shout-box)

How dare we ever, ever lose a game or even concede a goal. Such things are unacceptable and make me mad with rage.

 

[SteveBlade]

Let's have some S24SU Ideal Blade definitions. I'll start with a couple....


Tantrum: Any expression of dissatisfaction or disappointment about any aspect of the club's performance

Club basher: Anyone who suggests any aspect of the club could be better

I don't know man, tantrum does sort of fit a lot of the time.

tantrum
ˈtantrəm/
noun

1. an uncontrolled outburst of anger and frustration, typically in a young child.

 

[Pedro's Winger]

You don’t know which teams are in the top half until May, as I point out every season and every season somebody comes up with this sort of utterly meaningless information. Bolton, I think, were third when we took them apart on their own ground? It’s utterly irrelevant.

That's true but I think if we're looking at 10 games as a reasonable, rough marker for us, it probably is for the rest of the league.

 

[Harrisblade]

Indeed.

Considering the level we have come up to - the change IMHO has resulted in it being a better Wilder decision than when we were in L1.

CW & AK have learnt a lot from last season, and we are seeing the benefits this season.

We just need to keep it going - one game at a time.

UTB

Agreed.
We may even be doing a bit better than last season opponent wise:

Game 2018/19 2017/18 Point change

Swansea (h) L (Hull) W -3
Middlesbro'(a) L L 0
QPR (a) L W +3
Norwich (h) L W +3
Bolton (a) W W 0
Aston Villa (h) W L +3
Bristol City (a) L W -3
Birmingham C(h) D D 0
Preston (h) W L +3
Millwall (a) W L +3

TOTAL CHANGE +9 points

Sorry, formatting all over place between draft and "reply"

 

[A Storm of Blades]

I don’t know if it’s just me, but isnt the whole reason we love the game, because of peaks and troughs of emotion? I throw toys and blankets out the pram when we lose, and anticipate booking hotels for the Champions League final when we win. Dismissing valid and well thought out criticism (that has been proven to be correct) as a tantrum is a bit too simplistic for my taste. Having said that I’ve had many an irrational tantrum because of the blades over the years, and there are definitely one or two that filter everything through a shit smeared lens.

 

[alcoblade]

I don’t know if it’s just me, but isnt the whole reason we love the game, because of peaks and troughs of emotion? I throw toys and blankets out the pram when we lose, and anticipate booking hotels for the Champions League final when we win. Dismissing valid and well thought out criticism (that has been proven to be correct) as a tantrum is a bit too simplistic for my taste. Having said that I’ve had many an irrational tantrum because of the blades over the years, and there are definitely one or two that filter everything through a shit smeared lens.

My emotions follow the same pattern. The trick is to recognise that it’s emotion, not rationale, and to avoid attention seeking internet bile in the middle of it.

 

[Rodley]

How dare we ever, ever lose a game or even concede a goal. Such things are unacceptable and make me mad with rage.

Look if Wilder had ever done owt for us, he’d have had the benefit of the doubt after the first two games, until then......... GERRIT FORRARD

 

[dc_blade]

It's always been the same and it's absolutely pathetic.

Thought you were wrong about Leonard and thought your "spineless" post was a bit daft.

Not deserving of the witch-hunt that has ensued, however.

 

[Pinchy]

My emotions follow the same pattern. The trick is to recognise that it’s emotion, not rationale, and to avoid attention seeking internet bile in the middle of it.

Absolutely. It’s a Bladercoaster as someone once said. You win some; you lose some. All teams do to a widely varying extent.

Sensible, reflective discussions ex-post-facto are to be expected. Knee-jerk tantrums every time we concede a goal, pick the wrong team, miss a chance or Pele forbid, lose a game are absurd and childish.

Sometimes there is nobody to blame but that the opposition simply did more things well on the day than we did. No heads need roll; no need to go back to square one. Some of us seem incapable of contemplating such propositions.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Agreed.
We may even be doing a bit better than last season opponent wise:

Game 2018/19 2017/18 Point change

Swansea (h) L (Hull) W -3
Middlesbro'(a) L L 0
QPR (a) L W +3
Norwich (h) L W +3
Bolton (a) W W 0
Aston Villa (h) W L +3
Bristol City (a) L W -3
Birmingham C(h) D D 0
Preston (h) W L +3
Millwall (a) W L +3

TOTAL CHANGE +9 points

Sorry, formatting all over place between draft and "reply"

If I had to pick one word - I'd say we are "smarter" than last season.

Most have upped their game - none more so than Enda Stevens.

We seem very comfortable at this level now.

The next 4/6 weeks could define our season - and for me it doesn't matter who the opposition is - we can put some markers down, just like we did against Preston and Millwall - we wouldn't have won either last season and I also suspect Birmingham would have nicked it the other Wednesday last season.

We have progressed and we just need to keep growing as the season goes on - feels similar to L1.

UTB

 

[SteveBlade]

If I had to pick one word - I'd say we are "smarter" than last season.

Most have upped their game - none more so than Enda Stevens.

We seem very comfortable at this level now.

The next 4/6 weeks could define our season - and for me it doesn't matter who the opposition is - we can put some markers down, just like we did against Preston and Millwall - we wouldn't have won either last season and I also suspect Birmingham would have nicked it the other Wednesday last season.

We have progressed and we just need to keep growing as the season goes on - feels similar to L1.

UTB

I agree with this. The word 'smarter' hitting the nail on the head.

We seem to be winning games differently this season. Last year we'd dominate games but just lack that bit extra to get us over the line. In the games where we played poorly, we virtually always lost.

This season, we've added something to our game, and we're picking up points in games I'm certain we wouldn't have last season.

 

[Ricky]

Thought you were wrong about Leonard and thought your "spineless" post was a bit daft.

Not deserving of the witch-hunt that has ensued, however.

Have to give the Ideal Blade vultures something to feed off every now and then. What better than a few words of frustration in the middle of the game - it'll keep them going for years.

 

[SteveBlade]

Have to give the Ideal Blade vultures something to feed off every now and then. What better than a few words of frustration in the middle of the game - it'll keep them going for years.

Vultures are vastly misunderstood creatures.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Apart from the pressure and expectation.

I think the pressure and expectation is always there for a club like ours. And it increases the lower you are in the table, not the other way round.

If we carry on with the good form and find ourselves 10 points ahead of our nearest rival at the top of the table that’s far easier to deal with than trying to cling onto a top 6 spot imo. I’d prefer that sort of pressure and expectation.

The idea that we can “hide” behind the leading pack and no one will notice, then we spring it on them by surprise later in the season is a bit fanciful to me. Some teams do it of course. But a lot more promotion teams set the pace at the top and stay there.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

I remember that incident well. And losing 1-0 within minutes, won 5-1!

The wall went over when Kenworthy equalised with penalty. It wobbled when it was given, so I moved forward, meaning it fell on my leg, cut it and ripped my jeans. The guy stood next to me didn't move and broke his ankle

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I agree with this. The word 'smarter' hitting the nail on the head.

We seem to be winning games differently this season. Last year we'd dominate games but just lack that bit extra to get us over the line. In the games where we played poorly, we virtually always lost.

This season, we've added something to our game, and we're picking up points in games I'm certain we wouldn't have last season.

yes we certainly have added something. Savvy, streetwise, clever and just a whole lot smarter.

One major criticism last season was that we weren't as savvy in and around the oppositions 18 yard box - yet we are this season. The Winning goal v Preston and the two from open play v Millwall show that we are doing more, much more in that area.

We are having the same amount of possession as last season - just hurting teams more around their box.

We just need to keep improving and being just a bit tighter at the back.

We are getting our act together - lets hope it continues.

UTB