League One at this stage last 2 seasons

[Lane Ender]

Just your comment about Saturdays display. Wondered where you were to decide It was so woeful. I have not seen it as yet - I will watch it on BP when I get chance at which I will decide what it was like. I would not describe it as woeful based on a few gunslingers on here the majority of whom were not at the match.

No way it was woeful i stayed when we went 3 down.
We were in control before Higgy went.
And when JCR came on things looked up i hope he keeps fit.
A few on here have got their knife in Higdon but with a provider like JCR he will deliver Murphy seams more alive when Higdons around also.

 

[pommpey]

It's possible to decide what Clough is thinking and the level of involvement and intention of owners based on conjecture, so who needs to see a match to know what it was like?

Okay. Does 'a 3-2 defeat' add any amplification?

It never seems to amaze me how people on here will tart up a setback ina a vague attempt to make a point. It's like that Iraqi propaganda chap going on camera telling the world that Saddam's forces will be triumphant when over his shoulder, in the middle distance, the 101st airborne were kicking the Republican Guards' arses in Baghdad.

We got beat. Our centre forward was sent off for a pointless tackle. Two of the three goals were down to a clear lack of footballing talent in the team. One of our goals was down to a rookie goalkeeper spilling the ball. The other one was scored (again) by a central defender.

If that doesn't spell out that our team is understrength with a dearth of true footballing quality - enough to allow us to gain automatic promotion this season and the fact that we are seriously looking like another season in the shitbox division because the board aren't intending making the 'Games Changing Investment', then what will?

I relish a win - a sequence of wins ... something that gradually moves us up in the league to within kicking distance of those treasured automatic spots, just to make me eat my fucking words. I truly do. But given our start this season and the widening gap already without us relying on games in hand (because we are as good with games in hand as we are with playoffs) can you honestly see it happening with the current lot?

pommpey

 

[grafikhaus]

piggies went up they lost 5-1 at stevenage and lost to chesterfield and were 12th this time of the season , just saying

Absolutely true. Now we have to hope Swindon or Bristol's star striker gets jailed...(The only reason Wendy went up).

 

[pommpey]

No way it was woeful i stayed when we went 3 down.
We were in control before Higgy went.
And when JCR came on things looked up i hope he keeps fit.
A few on here have got their knife in Higdon but with a provider like JCR he will deliver Murphy seams more alive when Higdons around also.

So, for half an hour, we were in control? Then, a few minutes after Higderson got himself sent off, the numbers were again balanced at 10 vs 10.

So what happened after that?

We went two goals further behind.

Incredible

pommpey

 

[pommpey]

Just your comment about Saturdays display. Wondered where you were to decide It was so woeful. I have not seen it as yet - I will watch it on BP when I get chance at which I will decide what it was like. I would not describe it as woeful based on a few gunslingers on here the majority of whom were not at the match.

I have seen the highlights. It's enough for me. To be honest, you can play out of your skin, hit the bar six times, have three stonewalls denied, pressurise the opposition into parking the bus, but if you fail to score one more than the opposition, then what? The game isn't marked on how you play, it's on 'more goals than them'. Now coupled with that, we put ina performance where we go one behind, our centre forward gets dismissed, the so does their keeper (and a rookie goes in their net) and we go two goals further behind, due to what is apalling defending. We score two later in the match, but one is down to said rookie keeper spilling the ball and the other one is a typical Blades set-play goal and comes off the melon of our central defender.

Call me fussy, but that is woeful. Chesterfield? Chesterfield?

pommpey

 

[awblade]

I would say we were on top all first half. It was the second half where I am pretty disgusted. Them with a rookie keeper on, we should have thrown everything at them. Instead we sat back waiting for them to cross half way with the ball before even attempting to pressure, when they knew 'we are two goals up, let's just pass it around defence'. Then for both our goals to come so late and be due to the keeper messing it up was even worse!

On to the topic of the thread though. It makes me laugh when the clappers are moaning at the slashers for saying we need a high scoring striker, as this is a brand new season. Then the clapper tries to be positive by using results from previous seasons to show we can still make it. This is still a brand new season!

 

[Ted Danson]

I relish a win - a sequence of wins ... something that gradually moves us up in the league to within kicking distance of those treasured automatic spots, just to make me eat my fucking words. I truly do. But given our start this season and the widening gap already without us relying on games in hand (because we are as good with games in hand as we are with playoffs) can you honestly see it happening with the current lot?

pommpey

Whats kicking distance? If we win our game in hand we're 6 opints of the top and 2 opints of auto.

We're going to win the league!

 

[pommpey]

Whats kicking distance? If we win our game in hand we're 6 opints of the top and 2 opints of auto.

We're going to win the league!

Six points off the top isn't 'top side has played all their games and we have two to play'. If we win two games, and they win two games, we are still 'six points off the top'.

No offence me old, but generally I am amazed at people's blind, daft optimism. Were we second with a game in hand and won eight, drawn one and lost one (or whatever) then I could imagine people being upbeat. But even the performances don't beget the optimism in a win.

pommpey

 

[Ted Danson]

Six points off the top isn't 'top side has played all their games and we have two to play'. If we win two games, and they win two games, we are still 'six points off the top'.

No offence me old, but generally I am amazed at people's blind, daft optimism. Were we second with a game in hand and won eight, drawn one and lost one (or whatever) then I could imagine people being upbeat. But even the performances don't beget the optimism in a win.

pommpey

No point getting down beat about the Blades, I learned that years ago but come on theres no need to panic, if we win that game in hand we're 1 win of auto. If we can be in this position when we're not playing that great we can easily be up there when it clicks and we go on a little run

 

[blade too long]

Absolutely true. Now we have to hope Swindon or Bristol's star striker gets jailed...(The only reason Wendy went up).

PERHAPS THE FACT THEY STILL GOT 93 POINTS HELPED , I,D TAKE 90

 

[blade too long]

No one else has lost 4 of them.

Preston have qualified for 9 play offs , not won one , blinds ours

huddersfield took 7, so dont go labelling us as the worst ,,theres others too with similar records

Brentfords been in 7 league one play offs had to go up automatic

our perception of being the only club to fail is way off the mark

 

[Revolution]

Preston have qualified for 9 play offs , not won one , blinds ours

huddersfield took 7, so dont go labelling us as the worst ,,theres others too with similar records

Brentfords been in 7 league one play offs had to go up automatic

our perception of being the only club to fail is way off the mark

Huddersfield have won 3 out of 8 playoff tournaments they've been in.

Yes, there is one club with as bad a record (Brentford) and one with a worse record (Preston). No one else though.

And we are the only club to lose 4 finals. We've also been pathetic in each one. We didn't have a shot on target in 3 of those games.

 

[Lane Ender]

So, for half an hour, we were in control? Then, a few minutes after Higderson got himself sent off, the numbers were again balanced at 10 vs 10.

So what happened after that?

We went two goals further behind.

Incredible

pommpey

Orret pal this is what happened after Higdon walked instead of instantly replacing him with Mcnulty he goes deep inviting them on.
Why at 10v10 he didnt go like for like was beyond me when we did get forward nobody there.
This went on till JCR came on things then started to happen.
Im not getting at Flynn but their full back had him in his pocket JCR came on he didnt know what day it was with a bit of luck we could have knicked it.
Dont like to say but Clough made some bad decisions Saturday

 

[metalblade]

I find it utterly amazing that certain sections of our support still fanatically defend every defeat and failure, always a bad luck story or a refereeing decision to dress it up, always positives to be taken to sugar coat the shit that is turned out week after week, always far too ready to accept a mullering at places like Swindon and Chesterfield or conceding 11 goals in our last three away games. Maybe it is the fact that we have been shit for so long (one season in the top division in the last 20 years), in fact a lifetime for some fans under 30 year old that has conditioned not only those that run the club but also a lot of it's fanbase into thinking it is OK to be second best. Don't get me started on the fans who after another defeat state it doesn't matter it is more about having a few beers with my pals or state Ooooo great Fleetwood this season another ground I can tick off the list to show I'm a bigger Blade. Sorry and all that but at nearly 60 year old it spoils my week when we lose just as much now as when I was a young school kid, even more so now, back then we never even contemplated being in the lower leagues, such a disgrace was unthinkable. Some of the people running the club past and present have no shame and no fucking heart otherwise we wouldn't be 4 years and counting in division three. I must agree with some who blame the fans for our demise but not in the way they mean, complaining didn't get us where we are now .................................................. we give those in the boardroom such an easy ride and let them get away with any old crap.

 

[Lane Ender]

I find it utterly amazing that certain sections of our support still fanatically defend every defeat and failure, always a bad luck story or a refereeing decision to dress it up, always positives to be taken to sugar coat the shit that is turned out week after week, always far too ready to accept a mullering at places like Swindon and Chesterfield or conceding 11 goals in our last three away games. Maybe it is the fact that we have been shit for so long (one season in the top division in the last 20 years), in fact a lifetime for some fans under 30 year old that has conditioned not only those that run the club but also a lot of it's fanbase into thinking it is OK to be second best. Don't get me started on the fans who after another defeat state it doesn't matter it is more about having a few beers with my pals or state Ooooo great Fleetwood this season another ground I can tick off the list to show I'm a bigger Blade. Sorry and all that but at nearly 60 year old it spoils my week when we lose just as much now as when I was a young school kid, even more so now, back then we never even contemplated being in the lower leagues, such a disgrace was unthinkable. Some of the people running the club past and present have no shame and no fucking heart otherwise we wouldn't be 4 years and counting in division three. I must agree with some who blame the fans for our demise but not in the way they mean, complaining didn't get us where we are now .................................................. we give those in the boardroom such an easy ride and let them get away with any old crap.

What the fuck shall we do then, car park protests, poison pen letters to Mcabe and co,or hire a fucking hit man for em but for FFS stop bleating on about the same old negatives.

 

[metalblade]

What the fuck shall we do then, car park protests, poison pen letters to Mcabe and co,or hire a fucking hit man for em but for FFS stop bleating on about the same old negatives.

Ok matey, let's all have a group hug sing Kum Ba Yah my Lord and convince ourselves everything in the gardens rosy, our league positions steady decline over the last six or seven years suggest otherwise

 

[Ted Danson]

Ok matey, let's all have a group hug sing Kum Ba Yah my Lord and convince ourselves everything in the gardens rosy, our league positions steady decline over the last six or seven years suggest otherwise

Well what do you want to do about it? I know, why dont you earn millions of pounds and then piss it away buying SUFC and then have every fickle git complain about you not doing enough. And to say he gets an easy ride is laughable, protesting in the carpark when we get a new manager who hasnt even had 1 game to show what he can do is a fucking disgrace and is certainly not giving the chairman an easy ride.

 

[MobileBlade]

I have seen the highlights. It's enough for me. To be honest, you can play out of your skin, hit the bar six times, have three stonewalls denied, pressurise the opposition into parking the bus, but if you fail to score one more than the opposition, then what? The game isn't marked on how you play, it's on 'more goals than them'. Now coupled with that, we put ina performance where we go one behind, our centre forward gets dismissed, the so does their keeper (and a rookie goes in their net) and we go two goals further behind, due to what is apalling defending. We score two later in the match, but one is down to said rookie keeper spilling the ball and the other one is a typical Blades set-play goal and comes off the melon of our central defender.

Call me fussy, but that is woeful. Chesterfield? Chesterfield?

pommpey

So you feel fit to comment on 1 minute 48 seconds worth of action, part of which was the players entering the field, and another part being unable to decide whether a goal that would have put us 1-0 up (and thus a totally different game) was offside or no. A woeful performance based on one minute 48 seconds. Pommpey, mate, you're talking crap.

 

[blade too long]

lets look at it another way .

we got to 4 finals
wednesdays been out of the championship 14 years not got close to top 6 yet we let them goad us about losing in finals , after on occasions finishing 3rd were if there were no play offs wed have gone up

to lose in a final you have to be decent enougfh to get there but lets not remember that bit eh lets just pander to wednmesday fans and saY HOW SHIT WE ARE , GOOD PLAN AND THEY GET AWAY WITH TELLING US HOW SHIT WE ARE DESPITE THEM BEING UTTER DOG SHIT SINCE LERAVCING THE PREM

and the blades fans that believe the owls fans propaganda play straight into their hands

its 5500 days plus since the pigs plied their trade at the top , lets make sure they know

 

[pommpey]

So you feel fit to comment on 1 minute 48 seconds worth of action, part of which was the players entering the field, and another part being unable to decide whether a goal that would have put us 1-0 up (and thus a totally different game) was offside or no. A woeful performance based on one minute 48 seconds. Pommpey, mate, you're talking crap.

3-2.

To Chesterfield.

Or do you see it that the league is structured in a manner that 'we played really well' gains us three points? Or even one point?

At one stage, we were three down. Did I need to see much more of the game to judge how well we were playing against one of last season's division two promoted sides?

Other bits of that 1 min 48 seconds included a daft red card and us shipping three goals. The two we scored were irrelevant. We lost. End of.

pommpey

 

[MobileBlade]

3-2.

To Chesterfield.

Or do you see it that the league is structured in a manner that 'we played really well' gains us three points? Or even one point?

At one stage, we were three down. Did I need to see much more of the game to judge how well we were playing against one of last season's division two promoted sides?

Other bits of that 1 min 48 seconds included a daft red card and us shipping three goals. The two we scored were irrelevant. We lost. End of.

pommpey

No. I see comments stating that the performance was woeful when you have not even seen the game. You have now clarified that whether a performance is woeful or not is totally dependant upon the result. I would say the result was not a good one. I have not seen the performance so I would not like to judge as to whether it was woeful or not. However, I stand testament to yourself who obviously knows a woeful performance based on 1 minute 48 seconds.

 

[pommpey]

No. I see comments stating that the performance was woeful when you have not even seen the game. You have now clarified that whether a performance is woeful or not is totally dependant upon the result. I would say the result was not a good one. I have not seen the performance so I would not like to judge as to whether it was woeful or not. However, I stand testament to yourself who obviously knows a woeful performance based on 1 minute 48 seconds.

Hang on.

You haven't seen the game?

You feel that us shipping three avoidable goals, losing a game and having a player sent off is no measure of a performance, in a game you haven't yet seen?

You finally agree, the result isn't a good one? I mean, I feel blessed about this because I am moved now to ask you what you thought the Swindon game result was as well?

I know a woeful performance. It is 3-2 shaped against Chesterfield. A great performance is 3-2 vs Norwich in the FA Cup in 1989.

pommpey

 

[MobileBlade]

Hang on.

You haven't seen the game?

You feel that us shipping three avoidable goals, losing a game and having a player sent off is no measure of a performance, in a game you haven't yet seen?

You finally agree, the result isn't a good one? I mean, I feel blessed about this because I am moved now to ask you what you thought the Swindon game result was as well?

I know a woeful performance. It is 3-2 shaped against Chesterfield. A great performance is 3-2 vs Norwich in the FA Cup in 1989.

pommpey

I said at the start I had not seen the game but I would watch at first opportunity on BP and then decide if the performance was woeful or not. But I've no need to watch it now because I know from the 1 min 48 secs highlights that it was. I understand, it's the result and the opposition that decide. So what is the criteria for deciding a woeful or fantastic opposition?

37 minutes so far tonight and what a fantastic performance. I know that because we are winning. Right?

 

[blade too long]

QPR were utter dog shit in play off final but won it , theres no rhyme or reason in a lot of football

 

[The Bohemian]

I find it utterly amazing that certain sections of our support still fanatically defend every defeat and failure, always a bad luck story or a refereeing decision to dress it up, always positives to be taken to sugar coat the shit that is turned out week after week, always far too ready to accept a mullering at places like Swindon and Chesterfield or conceding 11 goals in our last three away games. Maybe it is the fact that we have been shit for so long (one season in the top division in the last 20 years), in fact a lifetime for some fans under 30 year old that has conditioned not only those that run the club but also a lot of it's fanbase into thinking it is OK to be second best. Don't get me started on the fans who after another defeat state it doesn't matter it is more about having a few beers with my pals or state Ooooo great Fleetwood this season another ground I can tick off the list to show I'm a bigger Blade. Sorry and all that but at nearly 60 year old it spoils my week when we lose just as much now as when I was a young school kid, even more so now, back then we never even contemplated being in the lower leagues, such a disgrace was unthinkable. Some of the people running the club past and present have no shame and no fucking heart otherwise we wouldn't be 4 years and counting in division three. I must agree with some who blame the fans for our demise but not in the way they mean, complaining didn't get us where we are now .................................................. we give those in the boardroom such an easy ride and let them get away with any old crap.

I understand your frustration - I really do. I can't think of any comparably supported club who have enjoyed so little time in the top flight in the past 40 years (if you're nearly 60, at least you were old enough to really enjoy the John Harris years). So I can't argue against your wider point regarding stewardship of the club over much of that period.

But complaining alone does not take us forward. There is surely a responsibility to propose workable solutions, beyond simply, "spend more money" or "show more ambition." Whatever you may think about McCabe, he did spend an awful lot of money (he says £80m-£90m). If amount spent = ambition shown, he and therefore the club showed ambition. It didn't work! Just as it didn't work for countless others who have blown tens of millions chasing the dream (I accept we're the only one of those, currently, stuck in Div 3).

The new owners have spent money and pledged to spend more, within the limits of FFP. I see absolutely no reason for the current owners to buy into a club in Div 3 unless they believe they can win promotion to the Premier League within 5 years, as stated by the Prince. Without a Premier League 'asset' they will never recover their investment.

"Some of the people running the club past and present have no shame and no fucking heart....." I agree with your "past" assessment - pre-McCabe; McCabe, despite his failures, cares deeply about Sheffield United and it's too early to judge the new owners as heartless and shameless.

Whilst I don't always like to read or hear what I perceive to be unfounded negativity about my team, I do accept it is important for owners to be regularly held to account, so I have no problem with your stance. But I would like to hear more about your solutions.

 

[pommpey]

what he said ...

Unfortunately Boho, the solution only involves one thing, and that is spending cash on more able players.

I take your point about McCabe and his investment in the club, although £80-90m is a trifle rich when you consider what it has brought him in assets now owned by his company (which can be liquidated pretty quickly) and the amount that fans have shoved through the turnstiles, players sold, merchandise shifted and television income recouped. And then there is Tevez ...

McCabe has thrown the dice badly just over a year ago in bringing a co-'investor' into the club and making a glib statement to fend off the 'who the fucking hell is this Prince, bloke?' and 'what the fucking hell does this Prince bloke want?' comments. Now he either comes clean and admits the cookie jar is empty (and that includes the two and half for Maguire) or he will continue to be treat with suspicion by the fans. The results are the acid test. Clough is just a bit part player here.

pommpey

 

[The Bohemian]

Unfortunately Boho, the solution only involves one thing, and that is spending cash on more able players.

I take your point about McCabe and his investment in the club, although £80-90m is a trifle rich when you consider what it has brought him in assets now owned by his company (which can be liquidated pretty quickly) and the amount that fans have shoved through the turnstiles, players sold, merchandise shifted and television income recouped. And then there is Tevez ...

McCabe has thrown the dice badly just over a year ago in bringing a co-'investor' into the club and making a glib statement to fend off the 'who the fucking hell is this Prince, bloke?' and 'what the fucking hell does this Prince bloke want?' comments. Now he either comes clean and admits the cookie jar is empty (and that includes the two and half for Maguire) or he will continue to be treat with suspicion by the fans. The results are the acid test. Clough is just a bit part player here.

pommpey

"Now he either comes clean and admits the cookie jar is empty (and that includes the two and half for Maguire) or he will continue to be treat with suspicion by the fans." Or significant money is reinvested in the team this season as promised.

"The results are the acid test." Always!

 

[metalblade]

I understand your frustration - I really do. I can't think of any comparably supported club who have enjoyed so little time in the top flight in the past 40 years (if you're nearly 60, at least you were old enough to really enjoy the John Harris years). So I can't argue against your wider point regarding stewardship of the club over much of that period.

But complaining alone does not take us forward. There is surely a responsibility to propose workable solutions, beyond simply, "spend more money" or "show more ambition." Whatever you may think about McCabe, he did spend an awful lot of money (he says £80m-£90m). If amount spent = ambition shown, he and therefore the club showed ambition. It didn't work! Just as it didn't work for countless others who have blown tens of millions chasing the dream (I accept we're the only one of those, currently, stuck in Div 3).

The new owners have spent money and pledged to spend more, within the limits of FFP. I see absolutely no reason for the current owners to buy into a club in Div 3 unless they believe they can win promotion to the Premier League within 5 years, as stated by the Prince. Without a Premier League 'asset' they will never recover their investment.

"Some of the people running the club past and present have no shame and no fucking heart....." I agree with your "past" assessment - pre-McCabe; McCabe, despite his failures, cares deeply about Sheffield United and it's too early to judge the new owners as heartless and shameless.

Whilst I don't always like to read or hear what I perceive to be unfounded negativity about my team, I do accept it is important for owners to be regularly held to account, so I have no problem with your stance. But I would like to hear more about your solutions.

The difference here is I see the present board as no different to what we have had in the past, I certainly don't buy into £80m-90m put in by McCabe you can cut that figure down by the Tevez money, the £1 hotel and all the interest we have paid him over and above the bank lending rate plus he now owns the Academy and Stadium which he rents to us.
1. he could start to put things right by not selling our best players when allegedly we don't need to.
2. he could put young talent on contracts till they are 21 as they don't count to the FFP rules, this would free up wages for more experienced players with enough quality to step up to higher levels
3 stop bringing in average journey men like they said they were going to when the Prince arrived, what changed this summer Clough has brought in kept or re-signed players who are getting close to the end of their careers, Davis Collins, Doyle, Porter, Butler, Higdon even JCR the only one who looks like an improvement.
4. stop bringing in players who are coming back from serious injury, stop taking chances to do it on the cheap.
5 stop the spin and bullshit we don't want to hear money will be spent in the championship one step at a time spend a moderate amount to make sure we get there first and have a decent chance of staying there, I don't think anyone wants u to go out and spend multi millions it isn't needed to get out of league one, Just look at Rotherham and Doncaster they do it on much smaller crowds and have backers with nowhere near the wealth of McCabe and the Prince.

Just a few things that could make a start on getting this club moving forward, just my opinion of course.

 

[Adiroy]

i think its a very poor league and clough and co realise this thats why they arent throwing money about, can see a few additions in January if we are struggling!

 

[pommpey]

i think its a very poor league and clough and co realise this thats why they arent throwing money about, can see a few additions in January if we are struggling!

Why not now?

Question for everyone.

If we were chasing 'targets' which we didn't achieve in the STW, then obviously Clough has some weak areas in the squad he intended augmenting with these 'targets'.

My question is this - where are the loan aspirations to reinforce these areas? Okay - we've seen the bloke from Palace. What about the rest? A striker, maybe?

pommpey