Reflecting on Today's Result and Recent Weeks

[Micalijo]

'Things are possibly going a bit stale.'

Yes, I think you could just about say I agree with you on that Santos.

 

[lenners]

Says it all.

Indeed it does. The majority of United fans know exactly what that means.
Keep it tight, aim long, sometimes try and get down the flanks, pressure possession.
That's it. Week in, week out.
Skill and ability on the ball, passing and moving, the importance of retaining possession are never on the agenda.
If you manage to grind out enough wins, it's bearable. When you no longer have the personnel to do it effectively, you've had it and it ain't a pretty sight.

 

[Micalijo]

When you say 'get down the flanks' I think you forgot to add that our only attacking plan is to somehow get it to Walker and hope he can waltz round half of the opposition team before crossing it in the vain hope that Evans has bothered to move into the box. In fairness he's done it a good few times and it is the only excitement to be had watching United this season.

People then castigate him for losing the ball.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Following on from my original post, I’m just relieved that I am not the only one that feels like this and that many others are in consideration over their long term investment as fans. It was suggested by one post that ‘I would be back’ regardless of what happens, due to the suggestion that as fans we can’t live without the Blades. Normally I would agree as in the past I have been disenchanted with the end of a season but have still renewed for the next season.

It may come as a shock to the ever optimistic minority but there is a genuine high possibility that I won’t bother come the spring time when those bullshit letters come through the letter-box. I am as die hard as any Blade and have followed them everywhere (home and away) whenever I have been able to afford it. I attend a minimum of 30+ games a season. Not a chance anymore! I’m a young man living with my missus and trying to get onto the property ladder and I pay ALL the bills. I am not investing in a poor product that offers no end result anymore! We wouldn’t do it with anything else so why a football club? Most of us have been mugs for long enough.

What Mr McCabe and the board need to realise is that the football club is not the only entity that has to tighten its belt. Times are hard and the normal working people like ourselves can’t show constant blind devotion and hand it over before the start of every season. If they can’t invest in the team and the backroom staff, then neither can I!!! Simple as that!

So what if we beat Watford on Tuesday?! They’re shite! We lost to a decent side on Saturday and one that isn’t good enough to stay in the Premier League so what fucking chance have we got?! The team is getting by in one of the poorest leagues ive seen in the second tier for many a year. Its utter dross.

Thanks to everyone who posted on here with some insightful views. Even those who disagree – it has been a good read so far. I’m glad I hit a chord with the majority. I feel a bit down about the club at the moment as you can see.

:thumbdown:

 

[Foxy]

What Mr McCabe and the board need to realise is that the football club is not the only entity that has to tighten its belt. Times are hard and the normal working people like ourselves can’t show constant blind devotion and hand it over before the start of every season. If they can’t invest in the team and the backroom staff, then neither can I!!! Simple as that!

That is exactly what McCabe himself keeps attempting to tell people. This was also one of the reasons he stated in trying to keep the price down and introducing the monthly payments.

He knows full well that everyone has taken a hit, that'll be part of the reason we aren't investing as heavily as some would like, he knows it's not going to be so easy to make money.

So what if we beat Watford on Tuesday?! They’re shite! We lost to a decent side on Saturday and one that isn’t good enough to stay in the Premier League so what fucking chance have we got?! The team is getting by in one of the poorest leagues ive seen in the second tier for many a year. Its utter dross.

I'm looking forward to Tuesday, it's another trip to crappy Watford, but it's also another chance to see the Blades, crap or otherwise. I know full well that by any sensible form of thought I should be staying at home and saving the money towards a house deposit and getting on the property ladder, but it's the Blades, so I've chosen to take a day off work, put myself through another shit drive and spend a couple of hours in the shit hole that is Watford.

I wouldn't have it any other way, nor would I entertain not renewing my season ticket next year.

It might defy all logic, but I'll be there long after the current manager and crop of players, I support Sheffield United, not the individuals... As illogical and to the detriment of the other parts of my life that may be

For that reason, I'll always be there, as often as physically possible. Entertainment and success don't really come into it.... Fortunately

 

[Bladesway]

to kevin maccabe.. you are in an entertainment industry mate.. thing is that these people think they have us by the cajones.. it isn't a normal industry where if you get fed up with coke/persil/mcdonalds you go and buy pepsi/ariel/burger king instead

Not strictly true in many cases. I know a few who have gone to fields elsewhere to watch football. Mainly those who live further away granted but once I gave up my season ticket of the best part of 30 years last season I didn't miss it. I now watch whoever I want, whenever I want but in the main choose to keep my hand in my pocket. Reason? The game is a shambles and a far cry from the one I loved when I was a kid and even in my 20's and into my early 30's. I still love the Blades but don't find that genetic tug that used to be there. Why? Because of many reasons but mainly because what I used to love about us was the never say die attitude, the fact that even though the club was run by a crook (perhaps) and we faced transfer embargos and just about everything else thrown at us, we always kicked the critics in the nads and got on with it. Thats not the SUFC of now days, neither the management, the board or large parts of the fanbase have it.

What happened to that game we used to watch where promotion led to a greater good, playing teams like Man U and Liverpool with a hope of beating them (and we did), not how many millions you get for being there.

Money has raped our game right the way through. Thats the reason really.

 

[raul]

Good post Bladesway. Football opened itself up to market forces and we now see the same results as every other industry.

 

[NN6]

Len 'the falling crowds and reduced season ticket sales will say it all anyway'

you've said that the past 2 seasons!!!

for whatever reason our season ticket sales seems very 'sticky'. I can't explain it myself but the past few seasons tend to suggest one of two things.

firstly that the 'discontent' shown on internet boards is in no way representative of the broader fan base that has better things to do than post on here and other sites.

secondly that the cheap nature of the tickets allied with offers such as 50 quid for a kids season ticket keep people coming back.

the fact that we're averaging the third highest gates in the league suggests our fan base is more loyal than you think.

 

[lenners]

Excellent post Bladesway.
Fans are more divorced from their clubs than ever. We're customers now.
And the kind of people who get involved with football - not at SUFC currently, thankfully - are stomach-churning.
Dave Richards knackers Sheffield Wednesday and then ends up running the national game (cue gag), Scudamore with his 39th game and complicity with the West Ham farce, the people who turn up and then disappear at Portsmouth, Shinawatra at Man City, the Americans running Man U, the people who think Milton Keynes and Plymouth having 45,000 seat stadiums for a World Cup is a sensible idea, the list is endless.

 

[Bladesway]

Tis true Lenners.

I used to feel part of a community at SUFC, we were Blades and now we are consumers. It may be right for industry but Football in my opinion shouldn't be run like an industry it should be a game. A game to be loved and watched by all.

For me we have something in this country that should be protected at almost all cost. 92 clubs in a league structure. Its the envy of the world, but thanks to Premiership greed the top 20 get 90% of the money and we are left with the crumbs off the table. Its criminal that clubs like Liverpool and Man U can be that much in debt, yet still able to hold their heads up and bid £30, £40, £50 million for players. It will end in tears eventually. Problem is, how many need to go belly up lower down the league before someone actually takes action.

 

[Ollessendro]

As I sit here there are around 15 minutes left to play and United are 3-1 down - but of course we are, we're playing a decent team! I will attempt to start this thread with a clear, calm and considered reflection, staying as far away from a rant as possible. So here goes;

Ive been a season ticket holder for 20 years. Many of you who read this will have probably been going even longer than that, but what I want to know is whether any of you stop sometimes and think 'why am I such a mug? This is costing me a fortune and it always ends in tears.' Thats what im thinking at present. Considering the cost of following football nowadays and its apparent lack of affordability for the average working fan - is it too much to suggest that I am not getting value for money? At £400+ a season ticket I would expect good results, coupled with reasonably entertaining football. We might be getting the former more times than not (only against poor/average sides) but we certainly arent getting the latter.

I have never known a season that should be filled with so much hope, that is actually filled with lack of enthusiasm and pride for what should be a great club and for fleeting moments has been. Again today we come up against a decent side that can play a bit......and we have our arse handed to us. I cant see the current manager getting anymore out of this group of players than he already is. Please dont argue of our league position and recent results because the vast majority of our recent fixtures have been against very average teams, the two we have lost being against better teams. Even if we make the playoffs can you honestly see us beating Cardiff, Swansea, Forest, WBA or Leicester over two legs? I cant.

The board dont want/cant invest any serious money in the team any more and KB is hitting a brick wall with the lot he has. I listened to most of the game on the radio and was embarrased at the shouts of "hoof" from the home crowd. Just shows what other teams think of us under this current regime. I had a fearsome debate with Ollesendro recently as he will remember, stating that I had come to accept where United were at the moment in terms of style of play etc. but since I have taken stock and asked myself 'No, why should I accept it?' If I accept mediocrity as a fan im just doing exactly what the club wants - un-ending patience and devotion whilst handing over large chunks of my hard earned money at the start and throughout every season.....

Not going to happen anymore. If there is no improvement in style of play or results in big/key games before the end of the season, I am going to do something I never thought I would ever consider and NOT renew my season ticket. I will pick and choose a few games from then on when I fancy something to do on a saturday. I will always love the club and my allegiance will always be there, but I have more important things to consider in life than to throw my money down a bottomless pit with no chance of a return on my investment. I would imagine many other fans will do the same. Football has been taken away from the average fan, I might just give my chunk back *spits dummy out of pram.*

Apologies it did turn into a rant in the end

Interesting post Lou. It's sparked a good debate.

I listened to the match on Radio 5 Live sports extra. Unfortunately at 15.20, when I switched the radio on, I knew the game was over.

From Wednesday on last week I was spouting away with no one listening to me (as usual) that we'd concede this weekend and hence it was important to go out and attack West Brom. I pleaded that Blackwell wouldn't try his usual 4-5-1 formation. You simply can't base your whole philosophy around defending and nicking a goal with our current back line. Simple as! so what does KB do, plays 4-5-1 and we concede after less than 20 minutes. I think everybody knew at that point the game was over. Did we ever look like coming back into the game? yes, for about 30 seconds after we scored.

It was simply pathetic. 2 shots on target. I read comments in the Observer by a West Brom fan and he said 'although United came back into it and had a lot of possession, they rarely trouble Scott Carson'. Typical. As with Bolton, i.e. slightly better opposition, it was the same old story.

You hit a good point Lou about accepting mediocrity. I am happy that I made you realise that you should not accept this, but at the same time feel a bit of a hypocrite. You know why? Becasue I knew we'd get beat on Saturday and I'd accepted it before the kck off. I knew that KB would play a 4-5-1 formation lacking in any flair, creativity or pace. That we'd get unhinged. And I found myself writing Saturday off after 20 minutes and thinking let's concentrate on Watford on Tuesday. It'sa sorry state of affaris when it comes to this.

Saturday was a reality check. That basically we are not good enough. Our manager is out of his depth and makes tactical errors all the time. When we go behind he has no idea what to do. West Brom are a decent team and saimply outclassed us. And I honestly don't think it's all down to playing personnel. I am absolutely sure that if Neil Warnock had this current Blades squad the result would have been different on Saturday. We might have lost, but we would have lost kicking and screaming.

BLACKWELL OUT!

 

[boo radley]

Sorry double post

 

[NN6]

Bladesway, Len, Raul etc agree totally re the money.

One question do you subscribe to Sky TV?

If you do you've only yourself to blame

 

[lenners]

These sentiments and frustrations are all well and good. You know however that the 92 won't be protected. Radical ideas are whats needed
There is a simple way of spreading the wealth and that would be to have a premier league split in to north and south. playoff system at the end of the season to decide the overall champions of England.
But hey i suppose thats another thread.
Back to Mr Len,
you stated about Mr Walker 'it wouldn't surprise me if he was affected like the rest of them by the continual chipping away at the quality in our team'.
Dont you think that is rather unprofessional of him?

Given the fact we have an ageing team, I'd have thought the greater onus would be on the old timers but to be honest I forgive them all.
They're probably fed up with the loss of players and beyond that Harper's interview basically announced he doesn't believe in how the team is supposed to play. Maybe he's not the only one.

 

[boo radley]

Excellent post Bladesway.
Fans are more divorced from their clubs than ever. We're customers now.
And the kind of people who get involved with football - not at SUFC currently, thankfully - are stomach-churning.
Dave Richards knackers Sheffield Wednesday and then ends up running the national game (cue gag), Scudamore with his 39th game and complicity with the West Ham farce, the people who turn up and then disappear at Portsmouth, Shinawatra at Man City, the Americans running Man U, the people who think Milton Keynes and Plymouth having 45,000 seat stadiums for a World Cup is a sensible idea, the list is endless.

Tis true Lenners.

I used to feel part of a community at SUFC, we were Blades and now we are consumers. It may be right for industry but Football in my opinion shouldn't be run like an industry it should be a game. A game to be loved and watched by all.

For me we have something in this country that should be protected at almost all cost. 92 clubs in a league structure. Its the envy of the world, but thanks to Premiership greed the top 20 get 90% of the money and we are left with the crumbs off the table. Its criminal that clubs like Liverpool and Man U can be that much in debt, yet still able to hold their heads up and bid £30, £40, £50 million for players. It will end in tears eventually. Problem is, how many need to go belly up lower down the league before someone actually takes action.

Bladesway, Len, Raul etc agree totally re the money.

One question do you subscribe to Sky TV?

If you do you've only yourself to blame

Great point NN6

These sentiments and frustrations are all well and good. You know however that the 92 won't be protected. Radical ideas are whats needed
There is a simple way of spreading the wealth and that would be to have a premier league split in to north and south. playoff system at the end of the season to decide the overall champions of England.
But hey i suppose thats another thread.
Back to Mr Len,
you stated about Mr Walker 'it wouldn't surprise me if he was affected like the rest of them by the continual chipping away at the quality in our team'.
Dont you think that is rather unprofessional of him?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Tis true Lenners.

I used to feel part of a community at SUFC, we were Blades and now we are consumers. It may be right for industry but Football in my opinion shouldn't be run like an industry it should be a game. A game to be loved and watched by all.

For me we have something in this country that should be protected at almost all cost. 92 clubs in a league structure. Its the envy of the world, but thanks to Premiership greed the top 20 get 90% of the money and we are left with the crumbs off the table. Its criminal that clubs like Liverpool and Man U can be that much in debt, yet still able to hold their heads up and bid £30, £40, £50 million for players. It will end in tears eventually. Problem is, how many need to go belly up lower down the league before someone actually takes action.

But surely the Premiership gets most of the money because people don't want to watch the lower leagues. If people actually wanted to watch lower league football you would have a point but obviously they don't.

If football clubs actually ran themselves properly and didn't bow to fan pressure to spend more than they have it wouldn't be an issue.
The fact that you only get a 10 point penalty for going into administration shows that authorities actually seem to like clubs pushing themselves beyond their means. You should be out of business in my opinion and not able to simple dump your debt and start again in the league below. Maybe then people wouldn't overspend as it wouldn't be a risk worth taking.

 

[boo radley]

Given the fact we have an ageing team, I'd have thought the greater onus would be on the old timers but to be honest I forgive them all.
They're probably fed up with the loss of players and beyond that Harper's interview basically announced he doesn't believe in how the team is supposed to play. Maybe he's not the only one.

So thats your perception of Harpers interview. Could others read that another way?
Also you at great pains to point out how Blackwell saw Tuesdays performance, yet you still want to get rid of him. He has expressed his frustation about the limits placed on him during this TW yet you choose to blame him for the signing of Fortune and say he should do better. Now you know of his frustration at this situation, Perhaps you would give him the benefit of the doubts on signing?
Please dont extend this to other situations concentrate on the TW.

 

[boo radley]

Given the fact we have an ageing team, I'd have thought the greater onus would be on the old timers but to be honest I forgive them all.
They're probably fed up with the loss of players and beyond that Harper's interview basically announced he doesn't believe in how the team is supposed to play. Maybe he's not the only one.

It is very gracious of you to forgive them all for a point you formulated/Theorized that no one else seemed to agree with you on.

 

[lenners]

It is very gracious of you to forgive them all for a point you formulated/Theorized that no one else seemed to agree with you on.

If I was in our team lining up at the best footballing side in the division and noticed we had Fortune instead of Kilgallon alongside Morgan, I'd have feared the worst.
Only natural.

 

[lenners]

So thats your perception of Harpers interview. Could others read that another way?
Also you at great pains to point out how Blackwell saw Tuesdays performance, yet you still want to get rid of him. He has expressed his frustation about the limits placed on him during this TW yet you choose to blame him for the signing of Fortune and say he should do better. Now you know of his frustration at this situation, Perhaps you would give him the benefit of the doubts on signing?
Please dont extend this to other situations concentrate on the TW.

He said the transfer policy depended on Killa. He's gone and so far we've only signed Fortune in his position.
Either that wasn't true or someone is coming in shortly.
If it wasn't true, that might not be Blackie's fault but he's allowing himself to look stupid.

 

[boo radley]

If I was in our team lining up at the best footballing side in the division and noticed we had Fortune instead of Kilgallon alongside Walker, I'd have feared the worst.
Only natural.

So you blame Fortune for the poor performance on Saturday? In that case our experienced side is very unprofessional.

 

[lenners]

So you blame Fortune for the poor performance on Saturday? In that case our experienced side is very unprofessional.

Yes, it's all Fortune's fault. Everything. Global warming, the lot.

 

[boo radley]

He said the transfer policy depended on Killa. He's gone and so far we've only signed Fortune in his position.
Either that wasn't true or someone is coming in shortly.
If it wasn't true, that might not be Blackie's fault but he's allowing himself to look stupid.

Do you actually realise what you are saying.
Now forgive me for assuming but it looks like you are saying,
'throughout the game our players froze and didnt compete in lots of situations because they were worried about a Fortune'.

 

[boo radley]

Yes, it's all Fortune's fault. Everything. Global warming, the lot.

There we go with the ducking again.

 

[boo radley]

Yes, it's all Fortune's fault. Everything. Global warming, the lot.

That also goes to prove Foxys point that you cannot concentrate and debate a single point without trying to divert attention from that point.

 

[boo radley]

He said the transfer policy depended on Killa. He's gone and so far we've only signed Fortune in his position.
Either that wasn't true or someone is coming in shortly.
If it wasn't true, that might not be Blackie's fault but he's allowing himself to look stupid.

Do you understand Blackwell's frustration?

 

[ghandi]

Has he hell. It's his own opinion, and did you not know the word of lenners is enough? If he said it was dark outside at mid-day you would be ridiculed for doubting him.

Aye and remember he also said we would not sell all our tickets for the play-off final.

 

[BarcaBlade]

Aye and remember he also said we would not sell all our tickets for the play-off final.

But he was right with that one.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

But he was right with that one.

Was he though?

The club ensured that loyalty was rewarded by limiting the tickets per purchase.
If we had gone down the Burnley route of "you can have as many as you like" the fact we sold out apart from a few singles I think proves we would of sold out.

I also thought we got an additional allocation so we did sell out our original allocation.

 

[boo radley]

Aye and remember he also said we would not sell all our tickets for the play-off final.

But he was right with that one.

Was he though?

The club ensured that loyalty was rewarded by limiting the tickets per purchase.
If we had gone down the Burnley route of "you can have as many as you like" the fact we sold out apart from a few singles I think proves we would of sold out.

I also thought we got an additional allocation so we did sell out our original allocation.

You are all falling in to his distraction technique.
Please let him answer 1 straghtforward question without giving him the distraction or allowing him to answer with another question.