CONFIRMED Neil Collins leaves the club

[sitwell]

I've never felt this kind of relief over a player leaving. He's come to symbolise everything I hate about my club and its current predicament. There was one time when he showed a bit of passion in a post match interview and I questioned whether I'd been wrong about him. But I wasn't. You amassed an extraordinary amount of appearances, most of which you gave sub 4/10 displays. You've been a huge factor in our demise, whilst berating all around you and never once taking any responsibility. Good riddance, Collins.

Brilliant ,that's how I will remember him ,not 'That cunt Collins' not 'Crocodile teared wanker Collins' not 'towering defender come attacker when we desperately need a big daft twat up front in the last 5 minutes' simply ..

Neill Collins 4/10.

 

[Barney]

Weren't you calling for a mass paying off of contracts at the start of the season, when I pointed out that your suggestion that we cull the squad was far easier than it sounded?

UTB

Yes, I've already addressed this point. We had an entire season to go, promotion wasn't as just about impossible as it is now, which is why that was the time to do it. Being a few months away from the end of an ultimate failure of a season when the player is out of contract any way is certainly not.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Yes they are

But Baptiste will be Adkins's Collins, but on a few grand more next Season

Not so sure, the Baptiste loan is what the loan market is there for, competitive games for players coming back from injury to see if they can hack it.
He'll not be here next season.

 

[alcoblade]

In my heart I agree with this sentiment but if you think it's even worth bothering anymore you're mistaken.

Football ain't a community sport anymore. The history and traditions of clubs don't mean squat. People and particularly professional footballers don't care about things like that. If you've got the money to bring in good players you'll do well, if you haven't you won't. That's all there is to it. Anything else about our club's identity doesn't drive those with the power to change things. They know nothing about the values of the club and its fans and they will never bother to learn about it.
.

Very true.

With every call for Currie, Deane and Warnock I feel like our club is more stuck in the past and not seeing the attitude and outlook required to move forward. We can be good ol' Shefful Yooonitid and stay where we are or we can become another franchise in a different kit and try to join the elite. Our club has an old fashioned attitude and it doesn't help matters.

But in reality, how many people are calling for that? I spend half my life discussing Sheffield United, with lots of people. I can't remember anyone calling for this?

Of course, it's impossible to ignore the fact that half the fans were glad to see the back of Warnock, and were spectacularly proved wrong. But that's not a call for his reinstatement.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Yes, I've already addressed this point. We had an entire season to go, promotion wasn't as just about impossible as it is now, which is why that was the time to do it. Being a few months away from the end of an ultimate failure of a season when the player is out of contract any way is certainly not.

So, it makes sense to keep them, just in case, with a few months to go when you argue (and I agree) that the season is over and there's nothing to play for.

But at the start of the season, when it's all to play for, you should pay them all off, lose all the money, and not keep them just in case.

Strange.

UTB

 

[Sprite]

Not so sure, the Baptiste loan is what the loan market is there for, competitive games for players coming back from injury to see if they can hack it.
He'll not be here next season.

He doesn't want to be here next week let alone next season

 

[sitwell]

In my heart I agree with this sentiment but if you think it's even worth bothering anymore you're mistaken.

Football ain't a community sport anymore. The history and traditions of clubs don't mean squat. People and particularly professional footballers don't care about things like that. If you've got the money to bring in good players you'll do well, if you haven't you won't. That's all there is to it. Anything else about our club's identity doesn't drive those with the power to change things. They know nothing about the values of the club and its fans and they will never bother to learn about it.

With every call for Currie, Deane and Warnock I feel like our club is more stuck in the past and not seeing the attitude and outlook required to move forward. We can be good ol' Shefful Yooonitid and stay where we are or we can become another franchise in a different kit and try to join the elite. Our club has an old fashioned attitude and it doesn't help matters.

What a fucking sad state of affairs ,that is though. I have bought a house in Buffalo a few years ago and completely studied everything about the place ,been on the local tours and exhibitions ,been to see all the sports teams and gone into the city meeting people ,that's what normal people do. Never mind footballers ,why doesn't everybody do that when they move into an area. Gets my back up big time.

 

[s4-blade]

professional footballers don't care about things like that

Not necessarily true of all.

 

[Balham]

Yes, I think there are ways around that like training separately or simply giving it the Clough treatment and completely isolating him from the club until needed in the squad. That way it's like he isn't playing for us but he's there to be called upon if needs be.

Right...because that player whose contract runs out in three weeks with no chance of renewal is really going to give his all when called upon if he's been "isolated" and made to train on his own. There's a reason Cough didn't recall Collins for the second leg of the playoff last season.

I'd imagine that Collins' pay off, such as it was, is less than the value of his remaining contract too. Win-win.

 

[Jehovah]

He not the worst player in our squad and that seriously depresses me.

 

[Lane Ender]

He not the worst player in our squad and that seriously depresses me.

We've just got to move on

 

[SB_90]

good luck to collins in USA, in 2nd tier NASL but I feel it was necessary decision because he was never going to be a 40/50 1st choice CB because as the season progress was becoming a liability wouldve been better as experienced back up for 10 games & but Collins wont be last to be leaving because that lap of honour come may & Scunthorpe for 80% of that squad will be a farewell

 

[Maidenhead]

good luck to collins in USA, in 2nd tier NASL but I feel it was necessary decision because he was never going to be a 40/50 1st choice CB because as the season progress was becoming a liability wouldve been better as experienced back up for 10 games & but Collins wont be last to be leaving because that lap of dishonour come may & Scunthorpe for 80% of that squad will be a farewell

Fixed it for you

 

[SB_90]

Ah true . if they call it a lap of honour after our worst full season since 2011. They'll be done for trading standards. but couldnt think of another word for it

 

[Bladesman]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 11, 2016)—The Tampa Bay Rowdies have boosted their defensive ranks with the addition of Neill Collins, a veteran Scottish centerback, on a two-year contract. Per club and league policy, further contract details were not disclosed.

Collins, 32, joins the Rowdies from Sheffield United, in England’s League One. Since joining in 2011, Collins has over 200 appearances for the Blades, proving one of the most reliable players at the club.

“He’s a big, strong, commanding centerback,” Tampa Bay Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said. “When you look at his background, it speaks for itself. Neill is a big signing for us. He brings a lot of experience to the dressing room and he’s at a great age for a defender.”

Collins has played for some of England’s most storied clubs in the English Championship and League One after a youth career that began in his native Scotland for Queen’s Park. Collins joined Sunderland Athletic in 2004, where he remained until 2007, and enjoyed loan spells at Hartlepool United, Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Collins made his loan spell to Wolves permanent in 2007 and would go on to make 81 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals from the back line. After appearing on loan for Preston North End, Collins joined Leeds United in 2010 before joining the Blades permanently in 2011. In over 200 appearances for Sheffield United to date, Collins has scored 14 goals.

A native of Troon, Scotland, Collins represented his country at the youth level, earning seven caps for the Under-21 national team.

http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news/2016/03/11/veteran-defender-neill-collins-joins-tampa-bay-rowdies

They are doing their best to make his career sound half decent.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news/2016/03/11/veteran-defender-neill-collins-joins-tampa-bay-rowdies

They are doing their best to make his career sound half decent.

So was WHF

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news/2016/03/11/veteran-defender-neill-collins-joins-tampa-bay-rowdies

They are doing their best to make his career sound half decent.

To be fair, a better career than 99.99% of people who post on here!

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Tampa's young goalkeeping prospect reacts to news of the Collins signing, in the knowledge that Neill will be bringing his "motivational expertise" with him -

 

[Esablade]

Just does sound right though does it?
He's going to Florida to Tampa with the kids!?!?

 

[Sean Thornton]

Tampa's young goalkeeping prospect reacts to news of the Collins signing, in the knowledge that Neill will be bringing his "motivational expertise" with him -

Meanwhile the strikers for Florida Derby opponents Fort Lauderdale Strikers give their point of view

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Not necessarily true of all.

Maybe not but few do anything to prove it isn't true.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

What a fucking sad state of affairs ,that is though. I have bought a house in Buffalo a few years ago and completely studied everything about the place ,been on the local tours and exhibitions ,been to see all the sports teams and gone into the city meeting people ,that's what normal people do. Never mind footballers ,why doesn't everybody do that when they move into an area. Gets my back up big time.

It's also what I would do but footballers don't strike me as being thoughtful enough to bother doing that.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Very true.



But in reality, how many people are calling for that? I spend half my life discussing Sheffield United, with lots of people. I can't remember anyone calling for this?

Of course, it's impossible to ignore the fact that half the fans were glad to see the back of Warnock, and were spectacularly proved wrong. But that's not a call for his reinstatement.

UTB

Fair point, probably the minority. To be fair I don't think I phrased it properly.....what I was getting at in a round about why was that we call for what we consider to be the Blades way, our ideal if you like....all relates to what we deem our identity and it's all old hat. We don't look forward enough in general.