Keep things in perspective

[toledo]

I am close to retirement age and the first game that I remember attending was Burnley (If remember correctly) in the FA cup when Bramall Lane hosted Yorkshire Cricket Club and the terraces were all stand ups and iron railings separated areas of the terraces. I was 4 years of age.

'Since then, we have seen so many good players - Currie, Woody, Hodgy (I'm a keeper) - and some good United teams. The game has also changed dramatically since the 50's.

I left the city of my birth in 1981 and since then I've had to listen to games on the radio, or the odd occasion that we were on a US Sports station, or wait until technology arrived so I could watch each game.

So, for me so far away, via ESPN3 and iFollow, I can finally watch a season of games.

And what I see this year is beyond my wildest dreams as to how we would do in the Championship. Given the game has changed, we are playing some terrific football and playing a style we have not seen very often in my lifetime. We are 3rd in the league with British born only players and with a United manager. We are an attacking side that goes to the end. We have players who put football first and not players who have a clause in their contract that allows them to leave a team if it gets relegated.

So, from this Unitedite who has seen United in six decades, please know that this is one of the best United teams we have had the joy to watch and we watch a team made of British players with passion.

Thanks Chris for managing the right way and keeping our blue collar values at heart.

Toledo

 

[Harrisblade]

Toledo, I feel exactly the same, watched 'em from before the Currie era but I disagree with you on one point - not 'one of the best' but THE best.
I know we're not in the top division as per 71/72, but football generally is so much faster, skillful and athletic, that us now surpasses the old 'uns (imo)

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Good post Toledo, you can never compare generations, even from decade to decade but as said elsewhere in the last few months, the club has never been more together than it is now in my lifetime and we should enjoy it while it's happening.

It's an indication how far we've come with this group (and a reflection on modern day reactions) that sat 3rd in the Chumpionship having only taken 1 point in 6 and it's a mini crisis in some people's eyes. We will hit a bad patch at some point and it will be interesting to see how we cope, not least of all Wilder but I have total faith in the club at the moment and any failings won't be due to lack of effort, planning, personalities, as it has been in the past.

UTB

 

[cahill]

What year was the Burnley game Toledo ? Not sure I could permanently leave UK, would miss supporting the Blades too much, part of my identity.

What about Leon and his goal scoring feats ?

 

[Boxer Blade]

Nothing wrong with the post but to be honest, we know, and we say so.

 

[Maidenhead]

Toledo, I feel exactly the same, watched 'em from before the Currie era but I disagree with you on one point - not 'one of the best' but THE best.
I know we're not in the top division as per 71/72, but football generally is so much faster, skillful and athletic, that us now surpasses the old 'uns (imo)

I said the same a few weeks ago.

I'm loving it.

Even when we lose everyone gives it everything, and up till now the fans have stayed right behind them too.

Long may it continue.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

I said the same a few weeks ago.

I'm loving it.

Even when we lose everyone gives it everything, and up till now the fans have stayed right behind them too.

Long may it continue.

Yeah but Lundstram is crap.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

What year was the Burnley game Toledo ? Not sure I could permanently leave UK, would miss supporting the Blades too much, part of my identity.

What about Leon and his goal scoring feats ?

Seems Silent Blade is neglecting his duties. March 1962, lost 1-0, played in effect with 10 men with Summers injured in the 2nd minute. Burnley were one of the top teams then, and we gave them quite a fright. The railings at the front of the terraces are significant, as there was a crush on the Kop which led to the railings collapsing, and several people were injured. 57,000 crowd.

 

[Silent Blade]

Seems Silent Blade is neglecting his duties. March 1962, lost 1-0, played in effect with 10 men with Summers injured in the 2nd minute. Burnley were one of the top teams then, and we gave them quite a fright. The railings at the front of the terraces are significant, as there was a crush on the Kop which led to the railings collapsing, and several people were injured. 57,000 crowd.

Might not be the same match Toledo is talking about? We played league matches against Burnley between 1962 and 1968

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I am close to retirement age and the first game that I remember attending was Burnley (If remember correctly) in the FA cup when Bramall Lane hosted Yorkshire Cricket Club and the terraces were all stand ups and iron railings separated areas of the terraces. I was 4 years of age.

'Since then, we have seen so many good players - Currie, Woody, Hodgy (I'm a keeper) - and some good United teams. The game has also changed dramatically since the 50's.

I left the city of my birth in 1981 and since then I've had to listen to games on the radio, or the odd occasion that we were on a US Sports station, or wait until technology arrived so I could watch each game.

So, for me so far away, via ESPN3 and iFollow, I can finally watch a season of games.

And what I see this year is beyond my wildest dreams as to how we would do in the Championship. Given the game has changed, we are playing some terrific football and playing a style we have not seen very often in my lifetime. We are 3rd in the league with British born only players and with a United manager. We are an attacking side that goes to the end. We have players who put football first and not players who have a clause in their contract that allows them to leave a team if it gets relegated.

So, from this Unitedite who has seen United in six decades, please know that this is one of the best United teams we have had the joy to watch and we watch a team made of British players with passion.

Thanks Chris for managing the right way and keeping our blue collar values at heart.

Toledo

Please come back - we need as much positivity as possible with expectation levels rising. And you've confirmed one observation I've made from my time on here - keeping goal must be good for the soul, because the ex-goalies make the most sensible comments.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Might not be the same match Toledo is talking about? We played league matches against Burnley between 1962 and 1968

He thought it was a cup match, and his mention of the railings seemed to suggest it was that one. I never let the facts get in the way of a good story!

 

[Silent Blade]

He thought it was a cup match, and his mention of the railings seemed to suggest it was that one. I never let the facts get in the way of a good story!

What about the League Cup match in October 1966?

 

[finlaytheblade]

Might not be the same match Toledo is talking about? We played league matches against Burnley between 1962 and 1968

Yes silent that cup tie was in the late fifties

 

[Silent Blade]

Yes silent that cup tie was in the late fifties

The FA Cup tie was in 1962

 

[LSF]

The FA Cup tie was in 1962

Definitely '62, I was there aged nine.

 

[pommpey]

Agree with Toldeo.

The Blades go in phases, don't they? I started at a gathering crest in the late sixties/early seventies when we did look like we could punch our weight but had that SUFC ailment of selling players (like Salmons and Currie) and hoping we'd just get by and no one would notice. We didn't ... we slumped. Next one was Harry Bassett and we again looked the part but the investment was piss poor to sustain any firm claim to a place at the top table. Again we slumped. Then Warnock, who although did have money to get us over the line, couldn't keep us there and really, we needed money put in to strengthen in depth. Again we sold and slumped.

I don't think this is 'the best team'. I think it is equally the best team we had at our fighting best with Warnock and our flair with Bassett. I think it is equal (in comparison with context) with Harris's team. Either way up, I think we are fucking great. We battled against Fulham and Birmingham parked the bus and we've just lost our midfield playmaker and general. Imagine if we'd have lost Browny, any one of three good midfielders during Bassett or Salmons/Currie during past years. We have lost key players - Whitehouse, Hockey to name but two but we have had strength in depth to at least cover across. I know we have that now ... I just hope we have enough of it to sustain the momentum.

UTB

pommpey

 

[Maidenhead]

Yeah but Lundstram is crap.

Better than you and me put together mate

 

[Silent Blade]

Agree with Toldeo.

The Blades go in phases, don't they? I started at a gathering crest in the late sixties/early seventies when we did look like we could punch our weight but had that SUFC ailment of selling players (like Salmons and Currie) and hoping we'd just get by and no one would notice. We didn't ... we slumped. Next one was Harry Bassett and we again looked the part but the investment was piss poor to sustain any firm claim to a place at the top table. Again we slumped. Then Warnock, who although did have money to get us over the line, couldn't keep us there and really, we needed money put in to strengthen in depth. Again we sold and slumped.

I don't think this is 'the best team'. I think it is equally the best team we had at our fighting best with Warnock and our flair with Bassett. I think it is equal (in comparison with context) with Harris's team. Either way up, I think we are fucking great. We battled against Fulham and Birmingham parked the bus and we've just lost our midfield playmaker and general. Imagine if we'd have lost Browny, any one of three good midfielders during Bassett or Salmons/Currie during past years. We have lost key players - Whitehouse, Hockey to name but two but we have had strength in depth to at least cover across. I know we have that now ... I just hope we have enough of it to sustain the momentum.

UTB

pommpey

Harris = high possession and success
Bassett = low possession and success
Warnock = low possession and success
Wilder = high possession and success

Wilder and Harris are easily the top two managers we ever have had

 

[finlaytheblade]

The FA Cup tie was in 1962

I was there also. but I was thinking late fifties memory failing ,oh dear!!!,

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

I am close to retirement age and the first game that I remember attending was Burnley (If remember correctly) in the FA cup when Bramall Lane hosted Yorkshire Cricket Club and the terraces were all stand ups and iron railings separated areas of the terraces. I was 4 years of age.

'Since then, we have seen so many good players - Currie, Woody, Hodgy (I'm a keeper) - and some good United teams. The game has also changed dramatically since the 50's.

I left the city of my birth in 1981 and since then I've had to listen to games on the radio, or the odd occasion that we were on a US Sports station, or wait until technology arrived so I could watch each game.

So, for me so far away, via ESPN3 and iFollow, I can finally watch a season of games.

And what I see this year is beyond my wildest dreams as to how we would do in the Championship. Given the game has changed, we are playing some terrific football and playing a style we have not seen very often in my lifetime. We are 3rd in the league with British born only players and with a United manager. We are an attacking side that goes to the end. We have players who put football first and not players who have a clause in their contract that allows them to leave a team if it gets relegated.

So, from this Unitedite who has seen United in six decades, please know that this is one of the best United teams we have had the joy to watch and we watch a team made of British players with passion.

Thanks Chris for managing the right way and keeping our blue collar values at heart.

Toledo

Couldn’t agree more Toledo!

I’ve been mostly overseas since 1977 and am absolutely wowed by ifollow and the ESPN app this year.

I can remember struggling to even find United’s result in a US Sunday or Monday Newspaper.

In the early 80’s I remember going to the British Embassy in Quito every Wednesday when the UK Sunday papers arrived just to see the weekend results.
Then I got myself a short wave radio and could listen to Soccer Saturday in all it’s crackling glory. The 5-2 win updates at Leicester were most memorably listened to at a campsite in Menton, France.
Wasn’t that long ago I watched a 1st round FA Cup game on TV at 5:30am because I knew it might be the only time I’d get to see them that season.
The major change was getting the full match commentary over the web, but watching every match live now is a dream come true.
Just need synced commentary and replays now on ifollow..lol

 

[pommpey]

Harris = high possession and success
Bassett = low possession and success
Warnock = low possession and success
Wilder = high possession and success

Wilder and Harris are easily the top two managers we ever have had

I liked the Bassett days though. Felt like we were back on the map at last and we had Deane and Agana and a load of battling players. The Warnock days were good too. Because he's a Blade, it seemed so 'right' for us to be enjoying success.

pommpey

 

[The Crab]

I liked the Bassett days though. Felt like we were back on the map at last and we had Deane and Agana and a load of battling players. The Warnock days were good too. Because he's a Blade, it seemed so 'right' for us to be enjoying success.

pommpey

Feeling a lot like that might be coming back Pommps.

 

[cahill]

Early sixties Burnley and Ipswich were top bananas, not bad for two horse towns.

 

[cahill]

Harris = high possession and success
Bassett = low possession and success
Warnock = low possession and success
Wilder = high possession and success

Wilder and Harris are easily the top two managers we ever have had

Harris= lots of goals, Matches against Pompey always seemed to finish 5-0, one way or another, Silent ?
Wilder= lots of goals

 

[toledo]

Seems Silent Blade is neglecting his duties. March 1962, lost 1-0, played in effect with 10 men with Summers injured in the 2nd minute. Burnley were one of the top teams then, and we gave them quite a fright. The railings at the front of the terraces are significant, as there was a crush on the Kop which led to the railings collapsing, and several people were injured. 57,000 crowd.

I think (heck I was young then) it was the 1-0 loss, I remember the cricket end was jammed pack.

 

[Silent Blade]

I think (heck I was young then) it was the 1-0 loss, I remember the cricket end was jammed pack.

 

[pommpey]

Feeling a lot like that might be coming back Pommps.

It's back mate. Clarkey is the new Brian Deane. Similar stature, similar ability to make a reyt nuisance of himself.

I can't fault us this season, win, lose or draw. We've got weak areas, we've lost a key player. But 10/10 for the effort.

pommpey

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Harris = high possession and success
Bassett = low possession and success
Warnock = low possession and success
Wilder = high possession and success

Wilder and Harris are easily the top two managers we ever have had

Surely we can’t judge Wilder till his career at the Lane concludes?

 

[Fanny magnet]

Surely we can’t judge Wilder till his career at the Lane concludes?

He hasn't even got a tacky nickname yet

 

[Silent Blade]

Surely we can’t judge Wilder till his career at the Lane concludes?

Very little doubt about him!