There‘s me an my two sons. I’m a realist, eldest is an optimist and t’other is a pessimist when it comes to football, more specifically Sheffield United (we have different outlooks away from football).
I’ve nearly seen it all on and off the pitch from 5 years old on the John Street lower terracing up to last match against Middlesbrough.
Given our outlooks now consider there are three teams in a mini league for promotion to the PL and three managers.
Two of those managers are ex vastly experienced players that have performed under pressure at the highest echelons of world, European and club football winning damn near everything in sight. Ergo two of those managers have killer instincts with a capital K.
We’ve got Mr nice guy cool as a cucumber play it straight fair and steady, don’t take risks, get your nose in front and it’s just the result that matters. Don’t get me wrong he’s done a great job on and off the pitch and it’s admirable how he steadied the ship that Wilder rocked. He’s coped brilliantly through the injury crisis but so have other clubs. I sense he’s built a good bonded dressing room and the players like him. But, (here it comes) we don’t need a steady Eddy approach or a well liked Mr Nice guy. We need someone with a killer instinct to finish this season off.
We witnessed us being unplayable for 10-15 minutes against Boro, taking the lead, spurning 2 golden chances and then letting them drift back in to the game and score yet again with their first attack. That was it, their confidence rocketed and we looked like losers from there on in.
So, back to your point
Bell4 it’s not like me to be down, I am the clown my Avatar depicts in all things but football. Remember I’m the realist and my instincts tell me notwithstanding the off field ongoing farcical events Hecky will cock this up by being over cautious. Come Satdi night ask me again, because I’m would not be surprised if our recent 14 point lead and huge goal difference that made us all feel very comfortable will have dwindled to 4 points and a few goals.
Yes we have a game in hand but when I witness Osbourne being brought on to salvage a game that Berge, Norwood, Ndiaye and McBurnie were nullified from by Heckys tactics and substitutions my sphincter is tighter than a ducks @rse.
Watch their goals. Archer and Akpom as well as Giles were allowed to run through our midfield time after time unchallenged (where was Berge?) and all three of their goals came from that. Hecky seems to think our defence is so good we can play the game in our last third and rely on hoof ball, long runs from Mctee (who’s nowhere near ready) and Ndiaye (who’s now got 2/3 markers each game) or playing on the side chalk line.
At this point I’m wondering if I should be on the mental health thread cause it’s really got me down watching a golden opportunity evaporate yet again, it’s the Blades way.
Anyhoo, theres optimist, a pessimist and a realist walks into a bar, one of ‘em is right and two of ‘em are wrong. But who will it be?