Reality check.

[Brownieblade]

A squad that's largely remained intact?
We haven't committed to anything, just created a complete mess.

We already have replaced Vini and it wasn’t ridiculous to think a midfield of peck/Hamer and Blaster would be ok for a season

My point is given what we had there was no reason to automatically go to the we doomed card after 2 games

 

[Older Blade]

It's been a disappointing start to the season with a loss at home and a first game exit of the EFL Cup. This was always going to spark a reaction from those who didn't want Wilder to leave and those who wanted something new.

Sheffield United is going down the course of something new and no amount of hysteria or moaning is going to change that. The new owners have already forewarned things may take time which has been said to a fan base who in majority expect wins, autos or playoffs. This start has not gone down well in addition to the sale of Souza, Anel and the very different recruitmemt stratergy of players with future prospects.

Reality check. Souza wanted out and Anel wasn't going to sign an extension so anywhere close to 25m for the pair is sensible business. The opening match showed some very good attacking ability which was something fans were crying out for, but it was not without risk given the poor defense. Lastly, we're not good enough to be bothered about the EFL Cup, that was nothing more than a training/learning match for fringe players. Nowadays these early rounds are either for clubs who have no hope of promotion in their league or for the big boys to see if they get far enough to give it a proper go. We're in the middle along with most of the football league clubs who need to focus more on their respective leagues. Yes we brought on some first team talent but aside from Hamer, they can't do it on their own and require chemistry, team work and more coaching on a new style of play.

Everyone knows we have a glaring issue in defense. We need at least 2 proven CBs for the first team and a RB. We know it needs to happen, the press know it needs to happen, the manager hopefully knows it needs to happen and I genuinely suspect the owners will make it happen.

It's been a poor start and the timing hasn't been great with valued first team players leaving without replacement. Fans will be fearing a similar start as when Sander and Ndiaye left, but I will reserve judgement until the end of the window. We have 18 days left and whilst we need players urgently, they clearly have a certain way of recruiting players and I won't begrudge them for it until we have a better idea on how that will work out for us in a season that isn't just two games.

A big few weeks coming up but I'm going to be patient and quietly enjoy how things take shape. You don't have to, but it's not as bad as you think. UTB.

Great sensible post, well done, I'm with you on all of the above statements, I just hope C.O.H are as well.....UTB

 

[Brownieblade]

We have done something to change it and we'll be in League 1 because of it.

We have brought in a referencing midfielder and CB

To go too we will be league 1 next season after 2 games is an amazing jump

 

[CPB]

I can appreciate things taking time for a brand new strategy.
Although I would think given we are in the year 2 parachute payments this year it's unwise timing. For me it makes more sense to go for it this year with a bit more of a tried and tested nature and look to transition to a new strategy beyond this.
Unless they have some financial/income idea for beyond this in case we don't manage promotion. Just seems like we are being a bit daft. Please prove me wrong.

I think alot of the hysteria is not only how fragile defensively we looked last Saturday. But the severe lack of movement in transfers in for key roles and positions. If the owners don't want to particularly address us fans. Perhaps they could do it via Mr Bettis. Although I'd like to think he's really busy sorting out transfers in for us right now. (I really hope so!)
We used to always have targets lined up for if players left. I can't think that this has changed. (As it would be frankly really stupid)

So given how short we are on numbers in some areas, and that for instance Anel left about 10 days ago. How is the progress so, so, so, so very slow?

Hopefully we see at least one come in before Saturday.... isn't looking likely mind you.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Wilder has gone, no going back.

In all likelihood yes. But last time we course corrected we went from Wilder to slav to hecky who with a few tweaks used the Wilder model. That's still a option that we could use a lesser version of Wilder ( although I would rather Wilder myself). I don't think it will be triggered for months yet but should be on the table.

 

[Pedro's Winger]

We already have replaced Vini and it wasn’t ridiculous to think a midfield of peck/Hamer and Blaster would be ok for a season

My point is given what we had there was no reason to automatically go to the we doomed card after 2 games

Already replaced Vini? Blaster isn't even fit and won't be for weeks.
This is our last season with a semblance of financial advantage and we're throwing it away.
Remarkable that the lot over the other side of the city actually have more momentum and fire about them and may even accidentally become a hotbed of youth development eclipsing us.
Total absence of leadership here which could have very significant long term consequences.

 

[programmechap]

I really don't understand this "it will.take time attitude". We were easily the third best team in the league last season and only a dodgy VAR call stopped us going up. We have one more year of parachute payments, so.im really not understanding why we are not behaving like Leeds when they lost the play off final in 2024: going all out for automatic promotion.

This idea that not going up this season is all part of long term plan seems to me bonkers. We will be substantially financially worst off next season and most likely end up, at best, like WBA or Norwich: mid table championship team with an outside chance of the play offs.

 

[jt64]

Hope you're right mate, and I agree about Souza and Anel.

My main worry is the complete lack of preparation in identifying their replacements when it was known some time ago that both were likely to leave.

That something is not being leaked to the press does not mean it isn't happening

 

[jt64]

I really don't understand this "it will.take time attitude". We were easily the third best team in the league last season and only a dodgy VAR call stopped us going up.

I do wonder if the game was played without VAR and it is just flagged for offside immediately whether people would still be going on about a "dodgy offside decision" months after the event

 

[wadblade]

Agree with all of that.

A good team starts with a solid defence. Unfortunately we don't have any top end championship centre backs, and we have literally no full backs at all. Burrows, Mccallum, Seriki and Curtis are wing backs who are all poor defensively. I'd rather see Burrows and Seriki playing left and right mid as they are decent going forwards and they would offer a lot more defensive support for the full backs. Throw in Hamer and Soumare in centre mid and we have a lot more balance between attack and defence.

I thought McCallum had a good game last night he could start Saturday for me
Curtis while making mistakes showed he is a season from the first team
Thought Davies did all that was asked of him
And March coped with mens football compared to last seasons friendlies but held onto the ball to much
Swansea here we come
UTB

 

[Houston_Blade]

You have no argument to back up the claim we haven’t committed to it properly, it’s been less than one window and none of us know the plan

I appreciate that that may come across as arrogant, it’s not and it’s not meant too

But we have a squad that’s largely remained intact, yes we have lost a couple of players but there is no reason why a lot of Pitt support have instantly gone to they are all shit and we are in very real trouble

I don’t agree it’s arrogance to believe that let’s wait and see it play out is a good position to take

We have no choice but to wait and see, however the lack of intent around permanent signings thus far and the lack of change in structure (Bettis running the show badly still) is a worrying sign.

My comments could all be bollocks if we pull some good signings the next couple of weeks, but we need 4 or 5 and some of them need to be good and permanent, not Bulgarian and loans.

 

[71Blade]

It's been a disappointing start to the season with a loss at home and a first game exit of the EFL Cup. This was always going to spark a reaction from those who didn't want Wilder to leave and those who wanted something new.

Sheffield United is going down the course of something new and no amount of hysteria or moaning is going to change that. The new owners have already forewarned things may take time which has been said to a fan base who in majority expect wins, autos or playoffs. This start has not gone down well in addition to the sale of Souza, Anel and the very different recruitmemt stratergy of players with future prospects.

Reality check. Souza wanted out and Anel wasn't going to sign an extension so anywhere close to 25m for the pair is sensible business. The opening match showed some very good attacking ability which was something fans were crying out for, but it was not without risk given the poor defense. Lastly, we're not good enough to be bothered about the EFL Cup, that was nothing more than a training/learning match for fringe players. Nowadays these early rounds are either for clubs who have no hope of promotion in their league or for the big boys to see if they get far enough to give it a proper go. We're in the middle along with most of the football league clubs who need to focus more on their respective leagues. Yes we brought on some first team talent but aside from Hamer, they can't do it on their own and require chemistry, team work and more coaching on a new style of play.

Everyone knows we have a glaring issue in defense. We need at least 2 proven CBs for the first team and a RB. We know it needs to happen, the press know it needs to happen, the manager hopefully knows it needs to happen and I genuinely suspect the owners will make it happen.

It's been a poor start and the timing hasn't been great with valued first team players leaving without replacement. Fans will be fearing a similar start as when Sander and Ndiaye left, but I will reserve judgement until the end of the window. We have 18 days left and whilst we need players urgently, they clearly have a certain way of recruiting players and I won't begrudge them for it until we have a better idea on how that will work out for us in a season that isn't just two games.

A big few weeks coming up but I'm going to be patient and quietly enjoy how things take shape. You don't have to, but it's not as bad as you think. UTB.

Good read agree with most the only disappointing thing is player's leaving with no replacements lined up looks very unprofessional. What does Daniel Craig say at the start of Layer Cake ..have a plan .. stick to it

 

[KMC-1889]

This idea that not going up this season is all part of long term plan seems to me bonkers. We will be substantially financially worst off next season and most likely end up, at best, like WBA or Norwich: mid table championship team with an outside chance of the play offs.

What exactly is wrong with being like WBA/Norwich? Why do we need to get promoted?

We’re sustainable and competitive at this level, I couldn’t be arsed about promotion it’s just another season of misery. With all the rule changes 19/20 isn’t possible ever again.

 

[programmechap]

Th

What exactly is wrong with being like WBA/Norwich? Why do we need to get promoted?

We’re sustainable and competitive at this level, I couldn’t be arsed about promotion it’s just another season of misery. With all the rule changes 19/20 isn’t possible ever again.

That would be fine if the message was "forget the Premier League, our aim is to make SUFC a solid mid table championship team".

But it's not. The stated aim is make SUFC a sustainable PL team. What's bonkers is that writing off this season as a promotion season when it's our best chance to go up any time soon.

 

[HillStreet Blade]

What exactly is wrong with being like WBA/Norwich? Why do we need to get promoted?

We’re sustainable and competitive at this level, I couldn’t be arsed about promotion it’s just another season of misery. With all the rule changes 19/20 isn’t possible ever again.

Because promotion means millions of £

 

[Blade58]

Good post. I would have played a strong side last night, just to get a win on the board. If the next game is a loss, I fear it could affect players. Once they hear the groans from the fans, their heads will go down and it just goes from bad to worse.

Not sure about that?
Travelling down to Swansea tomorrow. Wednesday Satdi is quite tight when travelling on the Friday. Selles’s alluded to this

Don’t know your thoughts but Swansea is far more important than last night

 

[Brownieblade]

We have no choice but to wait and see, however the lack of intent around permanent signings thus far and the lack of change in structure (Bettis running the show badly still) is a worrying sign.

My comments could all be bollocks if we pull some good signings the next couple of weeks, but we need 4 or 5 and some of them need to be good and permanent, not Bulgarian and loans.

I can understand the worry with Bettis still being here but I’m not sure right now very little action equals we aren’t doing anything

I personally won’t worry as much if little else arrives in next few weeks, that’s mostly because I’m bought in to belief that it’s still way to early with regards to overall plan

For example if we finish 13th this season I won’t buy into notion that the plan has failed, I will just expect them to start showing the year after some positive results consistently

But that’s just how I’m choosing to view it, I personally don’t really get the reactions I’m seeing so far but also I can’t expect everyone to think same as me

 

[Brownieblade]

Th
That would be fine if the message was "forget the Premier League, our aim is to make SUFC a solid mid table championship team".

But it's not. The stated aim is make SUFC a sustainable PL team. What's bonkers is that writing off this season as a promotion season when it's our best chance to go up any time soon.

Why is it our best chance ??

Not having a pop just wondering is it because we have parachute money ??

 

[KMC-1889]

Because promotion means millions of £

We’re a football club, not a bank.

How much did our 18/19 promotion teams cost? It definitely wasn’t £millions.

Even Hecky got promoted after only spending money on ahmedhodzic.

 

[KMC-1889]

Why is it our best chance ??

Not having a pop just wondering is it because we have parachute money ??

All of our promotions have come on a budget. We’ve been spectacularly bad at spending money, the one exception was Berge, and even then I could probably find enough idiots on Twitter that think he wasn’t a good player.

We do need signings, we don’t need millions.

 

[Blademan89]

We’re a football club, not a bank.

How much did our 18/19 promotion teams cost? It definitely wasn’t £millions.

Even Hecky got promoted after only spending money on ahmedhodzic.

Heckys team was a really good strong sqaud, so he didnt need to spend millions, so that ien is irrelevant.

18/19 was in a shoestring but also a system/ tactics that teams struggled to deal with along with confidence and swagger

 

[HillStreet Blade]

We’re a football club, not a bank.

How much did our 18/19 promotion teams cost? It definitely wasn’t £millions.

Even Hecky got promoted after only spending money on ahmedhodzic.

What did we get the points deduction for. Because we didn't have the money to pay our bills on time. Do you want that to happen again. Do you want the Dore site to be developed because that will cost alot of money. So yes we need the Premier League millions to progress.

 

[BlairBlade]

It's been a disappointing start to the season with a loss at home and a first game exit of the EFL Cup. This was always going to spark a reaction from those who didn't want Wilder to leave and those who wanted something new.

Sheffield United is going down the course of something new and no amount of hysteria or moaning is going to change that. The new owners have already forewarned things may take time which has been said to a fan base who in majority expect wins, autos or playoffs. This start has not gone down well in addition to the sale of Souza, Anel and the very different recruitmemt stratergy of players with future prospects.

Reality check. Souza wanted out and Anel wasn't going to sign an extension so anywhere close to 25m for the pair is sensible business. The opening match showed some very good attacking ability which was something fans were crying out for, but it was not without risk given the poor defense. Lastly, we're not good enough to be bothered about the EFL Cup, that was nothing more than a training/learning match for fringe players. Nowadays these early rounds are either for clubs who have no hope of promotion in their league or for the big boys to see if they get far enough to give it a proper go. We're in the middle along with most of the football league clubs who need to focus more on their respective leagues. Yes we brought on some first team talent but aside from Hamer, they can't do it on their own and require chemistry, team work and more coaching on a new style of play.

Everyone knows we have a glaring issue in defense. We need at least 2 proven CBs for the first team and a RB. We know it needs to happen, the press know it needs to happen, the manager hopefully knows it needs to happen and I genuinely suspect the owners will make it happen.

It's been a poor start and the timing hasn't been great with valued first team players leaving without replacement. Fans will be fearing a similar start as when Sander and Ndiaye left, but I will reserve judgement until the end of the window. We have 18 days left and whilst we need players urgently, they clearly have a certain way of recruiting players and I won't begrudge them for it until we have a better idea on how that will work out for us in a season that isn't just two games.

A big few weeks coming up but I'm going to be patient and quietly enjoy how things take shape. You don't have to, but it's not as bad as you think. UTB.

Well said.

 

[BladeByChoice]

There’s an arrogance around a section of our support where they think we’ll be fine.

We’ve sold good players and not replaced them (still time I know), we also decided to change the way we play and the way the club is run without committing to it properly (we’d need a DoF and proper structure in place).

We’ve also got rid of a manager who was a bit marmite but liked by a lot of fans (I’m ambivalent to the change but would like to see us progress as a club).

We’ve put in 2 really spineless performances against average teams. Fair enough the cup game was our reserves but we were absolutely dire.

If we’re not careful the arrogance that the club and fans are showing will bite us in the arse.

Get some proper signings made, not just cheap punts at Bulgarians or loans of unproven players or we’ll not be troubling the top 15 of the table this season.

I agree with all of that, I’m also reserving judgement of the team until after the window closes.

My worry is the number of fans we have who seem to think that the owners don’t know what they are doing, the owners are multi millionaire business men who know exactly what they are doing, the question is, what are they doing? Because they don’t look like their building a Championship squad strong enough to challenge for promotion.

The conspiracy theorist in me can’t stop thinking ulterior motive, can’t wait for the window to close and prove me wrong.

 

[Youngand70]

You have no argument to back up the claim we haven’t committed to it properly, it’s been less than one window and none of us know the plan

I appreciate that that may come across as arrogant, it’s not and it’s not meant too

But we have a squad that’s largely remained intact, yes we have lost a couple of players but there is no reason why a lot of Pitt support have instantly gone to they are all shit and we are in very real trouble

I don’t agree it’s arrogance to believe that let’s wait and see it play out is a good position to take

Getting away from the transfer window I personally will not comment on how successful or not it's been until it's closed. The situation presently is a wider picture than just the transfer window. As the previous poster said the new owners are supposed to be changing the way the club is run. During COH's 8 month tenure so far they have given a manager a new contract, then sacked him a few months later. Promoted the "man from Del Monte" Bettis to the board. Hired a new "coach" and have yet to prove their backing for him, even he is getting frustrated. There are several, I would say small, infrastructure items have taken place at BDTBL, lovely tarmac on Cherry Street. But what remains is no club strategy regarding the overall management structure (including a Director of Football) of the club, an overall plan regarding any major infrastructure improvements, how the commercial side of things is going to be developed to provide more money for club (especially when parachute payments cease). Is there ever to be communication with the fan base or media?

Please don't say "name me any other clubs that have fan or media engagement regarding owners plans" as 3 occasions in the last week people on here have said that, I have named 3 clubs that do, and there are more, to which I received no reply or acknowledgement. Head in the sand I think, arrogance call it what you will. What we do continue to be is a big city football club with a small town mentality.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Not sure about that?
Travelling down to Swansea tomorrow. Wednesday Satdi is quite tight when travelling on the Friday. Selles’s alluded to this

Don’t know your thoughts but Swansea is far more important than last night

Oh definitely! Just my thoughts.

 

[Brownieblade]

Getting away from the transfer window I personally will not comment on how successful or not it's been until it's closed. The situation presently is a wider picture than just the transfer window. As the previous poster said the new owners are supposed to be changing the way the club is run. During COH's 8 month tenure so far they have given a manager a new contract, then sacked him a few months later. Promoted the "man from Del Monte" Bettis to the board. Hired a new "coach" and have yet to prove their backing for him, even he is getting frustrated. There are several, I would say small, infrastructure items have taken place at BDTBL, lovely tarmac on Cherry Street. But what remains is no club strategy regarding the overall management structure (including a Director of Football) of the club, an overall plan regarding any major infrastructure improvements, how the commercial side of things is going to be developed to provide more money for club (especially when parachute payments cease). Is there ever to be communication with the fan base or media?

Please don't say "name me any other clubs that have fan or media engagement regarding owners plans" as 3 occasions in the last week people on here have said that, I have named 3 clubs that do, and there are more, to which I received no reply or acknowledgement. Head in the sand I think, arrogance call it what you will. What we do continue to be is a big city football club with a small town mentality.

I don’t need to name other clubs, the point is all the above is your own view on it and nothing more, nowt wrong with that but in reality is we won’t know until eventually you see the results, all we have right now is thousands of fans just guessing at what’s happening or not

Imo that’s 3-4 windows till we start seeing if a path is in place

And wilder wasn’t just sacked, he was released because he didn’t want to work within the plan

 

[Houston_Blade]

I agree with all of that, I’m also reserving judgement of the team until after the window closes.

My worry is the number of fans we have who seem to think that the owners don’t know what they are doing, the owners are multi millionaire business men who know exactly what they are doing, the question is, what are they doing? Because they don’t look like their building a Championship squad strong enough to challenge for promotion.

The conspiracy theorist in me can’t stop thinking ulterior motive, can’t wait for the window to close and prove me wrong.

I don’t think there’s an ulterior motive, I just think that in true Blades style they’ve come in and only done half a job. Apart from the name above the door and a few development signings from overseas (we’ve made these in the past just from British clubs) nothing seems to have changed. Slow transfers, Bettis seemingly steering the ship etc.

I’m hoping that the waste of £10m on Cannon has not put them off.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I can understand the worry with Bettis still being here but I’m not sure right now very little action equals we aren’t doing anything

I personally won’t worry as much if little else arrives in next few weeks, that’s mostly because I’m bought in to belief that it’s still way to early with regards to overall plan

For example if we finish 13th this season I won’t buy into notion that the plan has failed, I will just expect them to start showing the year after some positive results consistently

But that’s just how I’m choosing to view it, I personally don’t really get the reactions I’m seeing so far but also I can’t expect everyone to think same as me

I’m not arsed if we finish 13th and I can see development and potential for the future. If we finish 13th because we haven’t signed anyone decent on permanent deals then I’d worry though.

No parachute money after this season so it’s back to the days of generating our own transfer revenue via sales, without the ‘Lightning in a bottle’ season that Wilder had that doesn’t end well for anyone.

 

[I should coco]

It's been a disappointing start to the season with a loss at home and a first game exit of the EFL Cup. This was always going to spark a reaction from those who didn't want Wilder to leave and those who wanted something new.

Sheffield United is going down the course of something new and no amount of hysteria or moaning is going to change that. The new owners have already forewarned things may take time which has been said to a fan base who in majority expect wins, autos or playoffs. This start has not gone down well in addition to the sale of Souza, Anel and the very different recruitmemt stratergy of players with future prospects.

Reality check. Souza wanted out and Anel wasn't going to sign an extension so anywhere close to 25m for the pair is sensible business. The opening match showed some very good attacking ability which was something fans were crying out for, but it was not without risk given the poor defense. Lastly, we're not good enough to be bothered about the EFL Cup, that was nothing more than a training/learning match for fringe players. Nowadays these early rounds are either for clubs who have no hope of promotion in their league or for the big boys to see if they get far enough to give it a proper go. We're in the middle along with most of the football league clubs who need to focus more on their respective leagues. Yes we brought on some first team talent but aside from Hamer, they can't do it on their own and require chemistry, team work and more coaching on a new style of play.

Everyone knows we have a glaring issue in defense. We need at least 2 proven CBs for the first team and a RB. We know it needs to happen, the press know it needs to happen, the manager hopefully knows it needs to happen and I genuinely suspect the owners will make it happen.

It's been a poor start and the timing hasn't been great with valued first team players leaving without replacement. Fans will be fearing a similar start as when Sander and Ndiaye left, but I will reserve judgement until the end of the window. We have 18 days left and whilst we need players urgently, they clearly have a certain way of recruiting players and I won't begrudge them for it until we have a better idea on how that will work out for us in a season that isn't just two games.

A big few weeks coming up but I'm going to be patient and quietly enjoy how things take shape. You don't have to, but it's not as bad as you think. UTB.

So all's well with HMS Second Coming and it's just a case of steady as she goes?