Reflecting on Wembley

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I will add my two penneth, I thought first half we started very well and pressed Sunderland high up the pitch forcing them back.

I thought Moore had scored inside two minutes with a towering header only for Patterson to make a great save.

We carried on playing on the front foot and asking serious questions of the Sunderland defence and having plenty of the ball in the first 35 mins especially.

The assist for the first goal from Hamer and the exquisite finish by Campbell was top class play it was a richly deserved first goal.

We should have been two up thanks to a cracking strike from Burrows into the bottom right corner only to be ruled about by the corrupt VAR.

I don't care what anyone says Patterson wasn't getting anywhere near it in a month of Sundays we were robbed.

Up until then we had been pretty dominant but after that moment you sensed the mood chsnge and it galvanized the Sunderland faithful and gave them a much needed lift.

They began to get into the game more without ever really causing us that many problems in the first 45.

Overall first half i thought we should have been at least 2-0 up and comfortable.

Second Half i am sad to say were unrecognisable the energy of our players seemed to disappear and within the first 5 minutes you could clearly see we were on the back foot.

Wilder clearly set us up defensively in the second half we sat back allowing Sunderland to press us and target us with pace down the sides.

It was predictable as we knew how Sunderland played from previous meetings which is why i found it baffling that we sat back against a young Sunderland team that has bags of energy that will keep pushing right to the final whistle.

The introduction of Patrick Roberts seemed to galvanize them them further and gave them extra creativity in the final third.

The big chance that we created with Brooksy summed up our day he should have finished that off and killed the game off.

Brooks is a quality young player don't get me wrong and has all attributes to become a top player but he needs to work on his composure infront of goal hr has missed a few this season.

The real turning point came when we lost Hamer to injury and that was what killed the game for us soon as Hamer went off we lost that creative spark.

We were the architects of our own downfall in the end their first goal was preventable we just stood ball watching kind of reminded of me Lucas Joao's goal for the pigs against us at Hillsborough.

Instead of seeing the game through to extra time and getting the ball as far up the pitch as possible Moore comitted the cardinal sin of trying to play Tika Taka in a dangerous area giving the ball away.

This allowed Tommy Watson to surge forward and bend low curling shot into the bottom right hand corner it was a brilliant finish from Watson and hammer blow to the Blades that had travelled to Wembley in the hope that our curse at Wembley would br finally over.

But no it wasn't to be another opportunity missed i am sad to say.

I left the ground feeling more angry from that t game than I did against Burnley and Huddersfield because i felt we actually threw the game away and completely bottled it instead of Sunderland being quality and running away with the game.

It was horrible feeling walking up Wembley way wondering to myself will i ever live to experience the feeling of elation that comes with your side winning promotion at Wembley and experiencing that roar when the final whistle goes knowing you have reached the Premier League and financially secured your club for years to come and knowing you are going to have the chance to build a brighter future.

I fully lay the blame at the management teams door for that loss and had we carried on as we started i believe we would have ended up scoring 2 or 3 but for some reason Chris Wilder elected to go for a defensive approach at 1-0 up in the second half rather than go for the jugular.

Which is the prime reason why Leeds and Burnley got over the finish line ahead of us because Leeds especially played to win it was all or nothing for them which made them an exciting team to watch.

Where as watching us play this season has been pretty lacklustre, It is the kindest way i can describe our teams performances on the whole this season because i personally think we have been pretty poor on the whole which is quite a statement to make given our points total of 92 at the end of the season.

But i just feel personally our individual bit's of brilliance from our key players papered over a lot of cracks.

We were second best in a lot of games this season and looked poor in the majority of games that we scraped through.

And for me Wilder held our team back massively this season especially when we had Hamer the best midfielder/player in the championship.

We had O Hare who i believe is a quality player that had been criminally mismanaged this season and when he wss on the pitch with Hamer we looked far better.

Jes Rak Sakyi i think he was mismanaged too and Wilders obsession with keeping things tight completely stifled his game i think he would have terroristled the Sunderland defence given half a chance.

Brooks same with Brooks i an baffled by Wilders management of him this season he has been in an out more than a game of twister and not given much of a chance this season.

Moving forward if Wilder is to stay the shackles have to come off we need to go with two up top and play to win if Wilder wants the fans on side give the fans something to cheer about get them off their seats.

For next season i believe we need a couple of centre backs and at least 2 wingers with pace and two new strikers with pace to burn because i feel that is where we need to invest UTB ⚔️
 

Right, I'll add my bit then it's off my chest.

Few thoughts on and after Wembley and this season:

1 It's still being a really enjoyable season. The buzz you get from the wins from last season can't be taken away because at the time you have no idea on where it will end and we've had an enjoyable season regardless.
2 This will sound like the fan who after getting knocked out of the Cup says "at least we can concentrate on the league" but getting promoted with this team is only going to lead to relegation and even with reinforcement I can't see more than 20 points coming. For the fans that's an awful experience and if we do go up I want it to be more competitive and if we go up next season then likes of Peck, Seriki and Brooks will be much better prepared to step up.
3 On point 2 I think if we suffer another 15 - 20 point season the atmosphere back in the Champ the season after would be dire because we'd almost not want to go back up. There's only so many of those seasons you can take.
4 Just two days on I'm already looking forward to next season and it's almost a relief we'll not be in the top flight because as I say I just couldn't see a way to stay up. I think we're set for a cracking season next season and we'll be right up there.
5 Finally, those wanting Wilder out should consider that this is a team he's got to 92 points and personally I think he's done an amazing job. Stability is key for next season and gives us our best chance over the relegated sides who all will be with new managers and they'll want their own players etc. I'm pleased that Wilder can build this side for next season without the fans getting on his back as they would if we're in the top flight and losing. I feel he deserves our backing as fans.

That's about it from me. Up the Blades, next season will be a cracker.
 
I've waited for some of the dust to settle before trying yo put into words how I feel/felt about yesterday.

In play-off defeats gone by I've felt awful, truly awful, after the game.

This time I'd different. Only a small part of me does feel truly awful, but not for the same reasons.

Past defeats hurt because of the desperation to reach the Premier League, what it meant from a football perspective, the match itself and what we served up.

Yesterday - whilst we got a few things wrong, we turned up - failed to capitalise n a dominant first half and we lost grip of a game for 15 minutes which cost us. Talking to many neutrals they couldn't believe we'd lost after looking so in control.

The Premier League? The desperation to reach that dies more each season. I think a lot of us are scarred by last time. Watching football with VAR, for me, is awful. It is slowly killing English football.

The motivation to reach the Premier League is purely financially driven - how can that be right? Football should be about more. You get promoted and have two distinct paths - invest £200m in players to try and survive, risk the future of the club or light investment and pretty much a season of struggle. What choices hey?

So, to explain, the sole reason I feel awful today is my kids (and families all across our fan base) - and selfishly just wanting one special day to experience with them.

I feel like Rory McIlroy before he got his grand slam. Once I've seen us win at Wembley I'll be content.

So, it's very much "win, lose or draw...."

Sorry for the self indulgent long post - read, ignore, roll eyes. Just wanted to know if this was similar to others.
Good post.
 
Time will tell. Carry on sobbing your salty tears....lol
Fella no offence, but I don't think it's the time to come on here if you're a Sunderland fan. We're still very much getting over Wembley. Wish you all the best next season, top club, but don't come on here saying posts like carry on sobbing, whether our fans are salty or not, it's totally expected from the losing side and it's not the time.
 
Fella no offence, but I don't think it's the time to come on here if you're a Sunderland fan. We're still very much getting over Wembley. Wish you all the best next season, top club, but don't come on here saying posts like carry on sobbing, whether our fans are salty or not, it's totally expected from the losing side and it's not the time.
So it's all one way traffic, I've not been abusive, merely responded to a post on SOCIAL media, report it to the moderators if you're that upset about it.
 
Time will tell. Carry on sobbing your salty tears....lol
Out of all our play off or big game losses, I think this is one where I don't have any grudges or a single bad word to say about the opponents.

Nothing about our defeat or the hurt it brings is about it being Sunderland.

I think you lot can go up with the enthusiasm we did under CW the first time and give it a go, treat it as a free shot.

Any bitterness is towards the PL due to our experience last time, which in part was self inflicted by our owner. I genuinely wouldn't wish that season on any fan base (well, maybe one).

Enjoy the ride pal. Hope you pop on this forum throughout the season and give us your thoughts.
 
So it's all one way traffic, I've not been abusive, merely responded to a post on SOCIAL media, report it to the moderators if you're that upset about it.
But why on earth would any fan of another club come on here after you’ve just inflicted a completely devastating defeat on us? You
Must be sick ….bored…. ???

Sorry mate …. You are not welcome at the moment. We are still suffering .. 100 years plus no win in a final if any kind…. It is gut wrenching …. You and other clubs cannot know how bad it feels.
 
But why on earth would any fan of another club come on here after you’ve just inflicted a completely devastating defeat on us? You
Must be sick ….bored…. ???

Sorry mate …. You are not welcome at the moment. We are still suffering .. 100 years plus no win in a final if any kind…. It is gut wrenching …. You and other clubs cannot know how bad it feels.
Aren't we being a bit soft here?
 
But why on earth would any fan of another club come on here after you’ve just inflicted a completely devastating defeat on us? You
Must be sick ….bored…. ???

Sorry mate …. You are not welcome at the moment. We are still suffering .. 100 years plus no win in a final if any kind…. It is gut wrenching …. You and other clubs cannot know how bad it feels.
Not really, my posts prior to the game show my reasoning for posting on here, up to you whether or not you read them. You should try and remember we don't live in a tin pot dictatorship.

I've already expressed that it's gut wrenching, I've been through it numerous times.
 
Get ready for your arses to be handed to you every week ,you’ve only got to be better than Man Utd or spurs to stay up think about that 😂😂
Managed about 9 years the last time, Forest are the most recent to do it, absolutely no reason why we can't do the same.
 

So it's all one way traffic, I've not been abusive, merely responded to a post on SOCIAL media, report it to the moderators if you're that upset about it.
I just think it's poor taste and a bit it a nob head thing to do. I've gone on your board and congratulated Sunderland because that's the right thing to do. You saying stop sobbing is just uncalled for but carry on all you want, it's a free country.

I'll also add, I have no interest in your view right now. You're a fan of the team that won and we're the losing team. After the match is different in person shaking hands and all that but as the winner, which you are, I don't think it's necessary to express your view on the forum if the losers board.
 
That would be a bad idea at this point. Wound disrupt your summer surely?
We've already had investment from an outside party, the current owners aren't exactly short of a penny, but if they sold now they'd make huge profit on their initial outlay.
 
So it's all one way traffic, I've not been abusive, merely responded to a post on SOCIAL media, report it to the moderators if you're that upset about it.
It’s our forum you doughnut of course it’s ‘one way traffic’

I’m sure your fans are having a great time on whatever forums you have, but believe it or not I’ve never had any interest in going on them.
 
It’s our forum you doughnut of course it’s ‘one way traffic’

I’m sure your fans are having a great time on whatever forums you have, but believe it or not I’ve never had any interest in going on them.
Each to their own mate, I'm not actually bothered what fans post on our forums, I love football and I like to hear what other fans say, although this is the first time I've posted on another teams forum.
 
I've waited for some of the dust to settle before trying yo put into words how I feel/felt about yesterday.

In play-off defeats gone by I've felt awful, truly awful, after the game.

This time I'd different. Only a small part of me does feel truly awful, but not for the same reasons.

Past defeats hurt because of the desperation to reach the Premier League, what it meant from a football perspective, the match itself and what we served up.

Yesterday - whilst we got a few things wrong, we turned up - failed to capitalise n a dominant first half and we lost grip of a game for 15 minutes which cost us. Talking to many neutrals they couldn't believe we'd lost after looking so in control.

The Premier League? The desperation to reach that dies more each season. I think a lot of us are scarred by last time. Watching football with VAR, for me, is awful. It is slowly killing English football.

The motivation to reach the Premier League is purely financially driven - how can that be right? Football should be about more. You get promoted and have two distinct paths - invest £200m in players to try and survive, risk the future of the club or light investment and pretty much a season of struggle. What choices hey?

So, to explain, the sole reason I feel awful today is my kids (and families all across our fan base) - and selfishly just wanting one special day to experience with them.

I feel like Rory McIlroy before he got his grand slam. Once I've seen us win at Wembley I'll be content.

So, it's very much "win, lose or draw...."

Sorry for the self indulgent long post - read, ignore, roll eyes. Just wanted to know if this was similar to others.
I agree so much with this. When Burrows 'goal' was referred to VAR I thought do I really want this next season.
I started following the Blades in 1960. At that time there was little live football on TV but the Cup Final was special. Virtually a whole day focusing on the two teams, their players, their roads to the final and then the match itself and not a pundit in sight. I was fascinated and longed to see my Sheffield United, the only United as far as I was concerned holding the trophy aloft in front of the nation.
In my thoughts a win at Wembley would happen very soon. There were good reasons for my optimism in 1960 we reached the 6th round and lost to Wednesday, in 1961 we were robbed in the semi final against Leicester when Pace had a last minute goal disallowed for a hand ball that only the referee saw (where's VAR when you need it). We lost in the second replay and then were defeated by Burnley in the 6th round in 1962 after being reduced virtually to 10 men when Summers was injured in the 3rd minute and with no subs allowed spent most of time stood on the left wing almost unable to move.
So not long until a Wembley win then!
I know it wasn't the FA cup final on Saturday but for me a win at Wembley would finally complete my Wembley dream.
In the first half I was really proud of how we were playing in front of a dare I say massive world wide audience . But the match proved a microcosm of our season. A brilliant opening goal with 2 pieces of great individual skill, total 1st half domination followed by a negative 2nd half mentality of keeping what we'd got, players failing to last the full game, a Robinson error leading to the equaliser, muddled thinking by the manager,(why wasn't Anel replaced immediately by Holding when it was obvious that we'd be reduced to ten men at a vital point in the game?) and a deciding goal we couldn't come back from.
The wait for a Blades win at Wembley goes on for all of us goes on, unfortunately I'm running out of time.
 
Time will tell. Carry on sobbing your salty tears....lol
If there is one club that doesn't do salty tears that is us.

We are used to disappointment because we have always had managers who are far too negative.

The one manager we did have that threw caution to the wind in Warnock he was given peanuts to spend.

We aren't a fan base that sit moping around yes we will have our own views on what happened but we won't be bitter towards the opposition as you cannot legislate for useless VAR officials and poor management/tactics.
 
If there is one club that doesn't do salty tears that is us.

We are used to disappointment because we have always had managers who are far too negative.

The one manager we did have that threw caution to the wind in Warnock he was given peanuts to spend.

We aren't a fan base that sit moping around yes we will have our own views on what happened but we won't be bitter towards the opposition as you cannot legislate for useless VAR officials and poor management/tactics.
Mate, read the post I responded to. I've not said your whole fanbase is crying, merely tit for tat to one individual.
 
VAR corrupt just leave football alone it changed the game completely

That perfectly good goal should have stood and at 2-0 Sunderland would have conceded more instead of being emboldened
 
I agree so much with this. When Burrows 'goal' was referred to VAR I thought do I really want this next season.
I started following the Blades in 1960. At that time there was little live football on TV but the Cup Final was special. Virtually a whole day focusing on the two teams, their players, their roads to the final and then the match itself and not a pundit in sight. I was fascinated and longed to see my Sheffield United, the only United as far as I was concerned holding the trophy aloft in front of the nation.
In my thoughts a win at Wembley would happen very soon. There were good reasons for my optimism in 1960 we reached the 6th round and lost to Wednesday, in 1961 we were robbed in the semi final against Leicester when Pace had a last minute goal disallowed for a hand ball that only the referee saw (where's VAR when you need it). We lost in the second replay and then were defeated by Burnley in the 6th round in 1962 after being reduced virtually to 10 men when Summers was injured in the 3rd minute and with no subs allowed spent most of time stood on the left wing almost unable to move.
So not long until a Wembley win then!
I know it wasn't the FA cup final on Saturday but for me a win at Wembley would finally complete my Wembley dream.
In the first half I was really proud of how we were playing in front of a dare I say massive world wide audience . But the match proved a microcosm of our season. A brilliant opening goal with 2 pieces of great individual skill, total 1st half domination followed by a negative 2nd half mentality of keeping what we'd got, players failing to last the full game, a Robinson error leading to the equaliser, muddled thinking by the manager,(why wasn't Anel replaced immediately by Holding when it was obvious that we'd be reduced to ten men at a vital point in the game?) and a deciding goal we couldn't come back from.
The wait for a Blades win at Wembley goes on for all of us goes on, unfortunately I'm running out of time.
I didn't go to any of the Premier League games last season so this was my reminder of VAR as a fan in the ground. Almost 2 mins celebrating like an idiot believing this was the year for the old fella next to me saying it's gone to VAR for offside it was the biggest turn of emotion.

Fully appreciate thst we all knew before a ball was kicked that VAR was in play but VAR isn't for the fans in the ground it's for tv watchers it's FIFA on a football pitch. The biggest reason we go to watch football is to see a goal celebrate a goal. Can't do that with VAR you just look a complete idiot.

Flip side what Villa would have given for VAR yesterday.. think that's karma .. my waych just stopped working 😀
 

Imagine pinning all your hopes of being accepted to join a club where the current members don't really want you other than to humiliate you , you can't really afford it , and your unceremoniously chucked out of 12 months later .
Weird eh.
And the existing members take it in turns to beat you up every week
 

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