Reasons for optimism

[Dkc]

1) Done will be back soon, and given his recent tweet, Brayford too

2) We have a decent keeper in Howard if Long is dropped

3) We'll certainly be signing at least one, probably two CB's before the transfer window closes

4)We have an extremely well-qualified manager who's gambled his entire reputation and future career on getting the Blades up. Failure isn't an option for him

5)Errr....well that's four at least

 

[BeatleBlade]

Yeah, I'm not too worried just yet. Don't get me wrong, I'm gutted and it ruined my day to be honest but there are many reasons to be positive. We've had a lot of injuries to a lot of our important players and once the defence is strengthened I reckon we'll be competitive.
5) The team we deemed to be our 'main rivals' (at least until today) also lost so it's not like we've lost points to them.

 

[robbiez666]

1a - We also have Flynn and Coutts to come back (who may be a different player) and the vague possibility of Kennedy and J Wallace being fit.

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

"Decent keeper" thought we just signed a new goalie, then you said "Howard". HE'S SHIT TOOOOOOO if you can't start above Long then you are far from "decent"

 

[raul]

You're going to have to accept that "decent" players don't sign on for third division mainstays like Sheffield United.

 

[Jehovah]

Today is a fucking disaster. I'll tell you something else, I bet he doesn't drop Long which is an even bigger disaster.

 

[Foxy]

We've only played (probably not the best word) a single game.

There were more optimistic folk than any time in recent memory before kick off, after kick off, everyone knew we were shit, hadn't done enough in summer and that our season is over.

Win one or two and everyone will be back to pre-kick off - It's the modern way, black or white, shit or bust, hero or twat.

 

[FTPE]

He'll drop long. 100%.
For Tuesday at the very least.
I don't buy into all this "we" bollocks he was spouting on the radio after, he won't put his neck on the line for long ever again I don't think.
Harris, Brayford, and a new centre half will definitely come back in, the only scary part is that he probably won't drop his captain

 

[Deadbat]

We've only played (probably not the best word) a single game.

There were more optimistic folk than any time in recent memory before kick off, after kick off, everyone knew we were shit, hadn't done enough in summer and that our season is over.

Win one or two and everyone will be back to pre-kick off - It's the modern way, black or white, shit or bust, hero or twat.

It is one game but it is a disastrous start. To be the bookies favourites (merited or not) and completely lamped at a side that will be nowhere near the top in Gillingham is beyond poor. This side needs to wake up and fast. As you say it is only one game but if you go back to the last game Swindon we were making the same mistakes. We have conceded 9 goals in 2 games and goals that you would be disappointed to concede at Sunday League level. That suggests that we have not done enough in the summer. Our season is far from over of course but annoying that Adkins in affect will now have to get in the 3 or 4 players he needs (2 cbs, 1 gk and 1 def midfielder that can win tackles) to even give us a chance. Seems like we have wasted 2 or 3 months.

 

[Foxy]

It is one game but it is a disastrous start.

It is indeed, I'm as disappointed as anyone having driven 400 miles to see us dicked over without any real fight... But it's very early days to be making any kind of major reaction/prediction as to the season.

I wasn't in for the level of pre-match optimism, nor am I in for the level of post-match pessimism.

 

[Blade59]

No hiding away from the fact today was a complete disaster. I think NA got tactics, formation and selection all wrong. I also think that he has over estimated the ability of some of the the players selected. Unlike his predecessor however I think he will recognise all of this and act on it. His track record shows he is capable of achieving what we need him to so I not going to panic just yet.

 

[FTPE]

I suppose we could all be overreacting, but I want to us win the league, and I can't remember anyone ever doing that having got humiliated in the first game of the season.

 

[Deadbat]

It is indeed, I'm as disappointed as anyone having driven 400 miles to see us dicked over without any real fight... But it's very early days to be making any kind of major reaction/prediction as to the season.

I wasn't in for the level of pre-match optimism, nor am I in for the level of post-match pessimism.

Where do you think we will finish then Foxy? Genuinely interested from someone who sees a lot more of them than I do and would respect your opinion. Give us a prediction and don't say you are not sure. You must have a gut feeling where we will end up?

 

[Foxy]

Where do you think we will finish then Foxy? Genuinely interested from someone who sees a lot more of them than I do and would respect your opinion. Give us a prediction and don't say you are not sure. You must have a gut feeling where we will end up?

From pre-season and the 90 minutes so far, it's anyone's guess.

We'll not finish outside of the top 6, where we finish within that depends very much on the next couple of incomings and settling down without panic/implosion.

 

[Deadbat]

From pre-season and the 90 minutes so far, it's anyone's guess.

We'll not finish outside of the top 6, where we finish within that depends very much on the next couple of incomings and settling down without panic/implosion.

Fair dos. I went 3rd but that was with the feeling he will sign 2 or 3 more key men before end of August. If we don't then sadly I think it will be 4th-8th. I do think he has been around enough to do the former though.

 

[JohnDenver]

I suppose we could all be overreacting, but I want to us win the league, and I can't remember anyone ever doing that having got humiliated in the first game of the season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8186227.stm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009–10_Football_League_One

 

[Barney]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8186227.stm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009–10_Football_League_One

Compare that with the amount of teams that didn't get promoted after losing by 4 goals on the first day.

 

[pommpey]

Seems like we have wasted 2 or 3 months.

Mate, taking away the failure that past season was and the predicted sacking of Cluff, We have spent the time since Adkins signed saying things like:

" ... he's an experienced manager at this level ... "

" ... he's got previous for getting clubs out of this division ... "

" ... he will motivate the payers in a different way ... "

" ... his contacts in the game ... "

" ... Nigel will fix it ... "

" ... we'll sign players ... you'll see ... "

And yet, as the new season loomed ever closer, the optimists built their case that the saviour had arrived and the touchpaper was lit.

What happened today?

I'll tell you what happened today. Sheffield fucking Wednesday beat a team on the first day of the new season at Swills, whereby Sheffield United couldn't beat them on the first day of last season at BDTBL. Instead we got goosefatted by a pretty average side with out team containing pretty much the same players as last time we went to Priestfield and put in an abject performance last season.

I want people now to understand what the fuck I mean when I bang on about what a fucking charlatan and shyster McCabe is. He needs to apologise to ALL Sheffield United fans about his real intent about bringing the apparently wealthy Saudi prince on board and go public about what other individuals actually do with and for the club, and open his honesty out as to how much he really wants the team playing Premiership football within five years. The clock is ticking since that last statement. The Championship and Premiership still have a fucktonne of released players and transfer listed players who can ably replace the Div 2 and Conference level cloggers we have, and they cost money. We are not going to be promoted with even Mourinho in charge with the players we have, so any fantasies and illusions supporters have with regard Adkins being the solution need to stop taking the drugs they are on and face the reality.

Tell you what though. we'll have the best fucking playing surface outside the top three divisions next season if this shit continues.

pommpey

 

[JohnDenver]

Compare that with the amount of teams that didn't get promoted after losing by 4 goals on the first day.

Well he did ask.

I suspect the difficulty we'll face in replicating Norwich is that we're a bit crap.

 

[FTPE]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8186227.stm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009–10_Football_League_One

So they got hammered, Theoklitos never played for them again, they won 4-0 in the cup on the Tuesday,then sacked their manager later in the week.
So even if we win Tuesday it looks ominous for Nigel and Long.

 

[Guesty]

The pre-Season optimism was based almost entirely on Adkins track record rather than the activity in the transfer market. Yes people were confident overall but bar the usual 'everything is awesome ' clowns No-one stopped saying that we needed to buy defenders. To suggest that everyone was happy with the team until five past three yesterday is very disingenuous.

I said at the end of last season that the entire spine was weak. In the Summer, only the centre forward position has been addressed. The midfield remains very lightweight, the Middle of the defence is very poor and neither 'Keeper is up to snuff. Those were concerns all throughout pre-Season and they remain so now, whatever Adkins achieved with Southampton and Scunthorpe.

People talk about getting defenders in before the window shuts but I say this: it seems to be a common myth that points won at the end of the season are somehow more valuable than those won at the start. We've dropped vital points today because we were unable to put a team out even remotely able to compete. It's no good starting 'our season ' in early September.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

We've only played (probably not the best word) a single game.

There were more optimistic folk than any time in recent memory before kick off, after kick off, everyone knew we were shit, hadn't done enough in summer and that our season is over.

Win one or two and everyone will be back to pre-kick off - It's the modern way, black or white, shit or bust, hero or twat.

Foxy , yes you are right and thats the typical sterotype fans thinking in the game today. I dont think the majority of blades fans actually think like that any more , although we do go on meltdown at certain times.

Ok we lost , and it may be a blessing in disguise . Players have been given the chance in real match time and it hasnt worked . I diont mind losing , but it is how you lose that sorts the men from the boys .

We are not deluded any more , but realist now.

Adkins has to ( and will ) sort it with the backing of the board.

UTB

 

[Revolution]

We've only played (probably not the best word) a single game.

There were more optimistic folk than any time in recent memory before kick off, after kick off, everyone knew we were shit, hadn't done enough in summer and that our season is over.

Win one or two and everyone will be back to pre-kick off - It's the modern way, black or white, shit or bust, hero or twat.

You're not reading your own message board. Dozens of people on here were saying all summer that we had not done enough in the transfer market and no one could believe that we hadn't signed any defenders in particular.

The optimism was based in the fact that we have a manager with a good track record. So far, he has done nothing to suggest he's any better than Clough. Early days though.

I must say though that early indications seem to be that more energy and money seems to have been expended this summer on the pitch and other fixtures and fittings than on the first team squad. This is regrettable.

 

[him behind you]

We've only played (probably not the best word) a single game.

There were more optimistic folk than any time in recent memory before kick off, after kick off, everyone knew we were shit, hadn't done enough in summer and that our season is over.

Win one or two and everyone will be back to pre-kick off - It's the modern way, black or white, shit or bust, hero or twat.

Absolutely spot on Foxy. Whilst absolutely gutted, I'm still confident that, unlike last season, we have a manager who will react to yesterday's performance and will, hopefully, get us up. The saying is that one swallow doesn't make a summer, likewise and opening day defeat doesn't ruin a season.

 

[Jonboy60]

You're not reading your own message board. Dozens of people on here were saying all summer that we had not done enough in the transfer market and no one could believe that we hadn't signed any defenders in particular.

The optimism was based in the fact that we have a manager with a good track record. So far, he has done nothing to suggest he's any better than Clough. Early days though.

I must say though that early indications seem to be that more energy and money seems to have been expended this summer on the pitch and other fixtures and fittings than on the first team squad. This is regrettable.

The new south stand, back in the day anyone.

 

[Isiah]

The most worrying thing for me is that the manager, in spite of his past record, doesn't seem to recognise what is needed to get out of this division.

We don't have and haven't had for the last five seasons the physical and mental qualities needed and giving everyone a fresh start won't change that.

We have been sussed out - nothing to worry about in midfield lads and just keep banging high balls into their box - and without a radical new approach we are in for a very difficult season.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

We've only played (probably not the best word) a single game.

There were more optimistic folk than any time in recent memory before kick off, after kick off, everyone knew we were shit, hadn't done enough in summer and that our season is over.

Win one or two and everyone will be back to pre-kick off - It's the modern way, black or white, shit or bust, hero or twat.

The optimistic folk believed all the hype about Adkins pre-season

The sensible ones knew the problems and that these had not been acted on and if anything the "initial" team is now worse than before.

More fools them for believing the hype in the first place.

UTB

 

[him behind you]

Mate, taking away the failure that past season was and the predicted sacking of Cluff, We have spent the time since Adkins signed saying things like:

" ... he's an experienced manager at this level ... "

" ... he's got previous for getting clubs out of this division ... "

" ... he will motivate the payers in a different way ... "

" ... his contacts in the game ... "

" ... Nigel will fix it ... "

" ... we'll sign players ... you'll see ... "

And yet, as the new season loomed ever closer, the optimists built their case that the saviour had arrived and the touchpaper was lit.

What happened today?

I'll tell you what happened today. Sheffield fucking Wednesday beat a team on the first day of the new season at Swills, whereby Sheffield United couldn't beat them on the first day of last season at BDTBL. Instead we got goosefatted by a pretty average side with out team containing pretty much the same players as last time we went to Priestfield and put in an abject performance last season.

I want people now to understand what the fuck I mean when I bang on about what a fucking charlatan and shyster McCabe is. He needs to apologise to ALL Sheffield United fans about his real intent about bringing the apparently wealthy Saudi prince on board and go public about what other individuals actually do with and for the club, and open his honesty out as to how much he really wants the team playing Premiership football within five years. The clock is ticking since that last statement. The Championship and Premiership still have a fucktonne of released players and transfer listed players who can ably replace the Div 2 and Conference level cloggers we have, and they cost money. We are not going to be promoted with even Mourinho in charge with the players we have, so any fantasies and illusions supporters have with regard Adkins being the solution need to stop taking the drugs they are on and face the reality.

Tell you what though. we'll have the best fucking playing surface outside the top three divisions next season if this shit continues.

pommpey

You do make some god points Pompey, if only you wouldn't be so pessimistic all the time more people might take you seriously (can't honestly remember reading a post from you which wasn't some form of attack unless it was a response to someone agreeing with you).

I've already said that I take back my pre season comments about JMac and Collins BUT why should people like me not believe that a new manager might be able to improve the organisation and ability to defend set pieces of a team which didn't even seem to practice that last season? Our optimism on this may have been misplaced but there's no reason to attack it. Telling us that the touchpaper was lit leads me to believe that you were waiting (almost hoping) for yesterdays result so that you could launch one of your famous rants.

I also have to ask WTF the swine beating Bristol has to do with us and our failure to beat them last season? Bristol were clearly the best side in Div 1 last season and won their first game away to a Div 1 team (remember, that's what we are) whereas this season they've just been promoted to a higher division and lost away to team who, whether we like it or not, have been playing at that level for a few years already and have invested heavily in players in the summer. Fail to see the comparison.

Please continue to post and make your points, I enjoy reading them in the main, but I think more people would debate with you if you were a little more balanced .

 

[Rollerball]

Head above the parapet here but Wendy got rid of a decent keeper and several defenders, IMHO that were better than what we have at the club at present, most of which were also younger than our central defensive partnership played today, and as stated there are still dozens of non contracted prem n championship players looking for a club,
I still maintain a decent centre half partnership, big guys that can clear a ball is what's needed, screw the "pretty playing it out of defence" let the midfield play pretty, defence needs to get the ball away from our 18yd box asap, we don't need beckenbaur in league 1 we need morgs or Shaun Murphy someone who won't let the ball bounce in our box, old cliche of "Harry" if it's in their half, they can't score simple.
Sort out a solid defensive base and rest will click into place, I'm sure.
The only way is up (unless we play the same for next 45 league games)
UTB

 

[ilovesufc]

Head above the parapet here but Wendy got rid of a decent keeper and several defenders, IMHO that were better than what we have at the club at present, most of which were also younger than our central defensive partnership played today, and as stated there are still dozens of non contracted prem n championship players looking for a club,
I still maintain a decent centre half partnership, big guys that can clear a ball is what's needed, screw the "pretty playing it out of defence" let the midfield play pretty, defence needs to get the ball away from our 18yd box asap, we don't need beckenbaur in league 1 we need morgs or Shaun Murphy someone who won't let the ball bounce in our box, old cliche of "Harry" if it's in their half, they can't score simple.
Sort out a solid defensive base and rest will click into place, I'm sure.
The only way is up (unless we play the same for next 45 league games)
UTB

I totally agree - why on earth we weren't in for Kirkland, a quality, experienced goalkeeper is beyond me. Howard is OK, fine as second choice goalkeeper, but Long is just not good enough. A quality keeper is key & we've not had one since Paddy left. Look how many points Westwood clawed back for Wendy last season - he was probably the difference in their squad between finishing comfortably & being in a relegation battle.