Reflections this morning

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Having rested and reflected on it last night, I'm still incredibly proud of the lads. Look how well we've done to reach this point. This was beyond our wildest dreams a few years ago.

I fully trust Wilder, he's provided us with the best of times over the past few years. He deserves all the time he needs at this club.

UTB

(Thanks SteveBlade)

 

[corner_flag]

Got to give them credit for the way they came out and started the game: bottom with 1 point and receiving pelters on social media
But they came out looking relaxed and confident and had WH on the back door most of first half.

That's the work of a good manager. That's a team of mentally tough professionals

 

[SK10Blade]

Having rested and reflected on it last night, I'm still incredibly proud of the lads. Look how well we've done to reach this point. This was beyond our wildest dreams a few years ago.

I fully trust Wilder, he's provided us with the best of times over the past few years. He deserves all the time he needs at this club.

UTB

(Thanks SteveBlade)

Could have written that myself.

 

[SteveBlade]

Could have written that myself.

Same.

 

[raul]

Only 8 at the time of replying. Some way to go yet. Whats his forfeit if you dont get the full 80?

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Having rested and reflected on it last night, I'm still incredibly proud of the lads. Look how well we've done to reach this point. This was beyond our wildest dreams a few years ago.

I fully trust Wilder, he's provided us with the best of times over the past few years. He deserves all the time he needs at this club.

UTB

(Thanks SteveBlade)

You are exactly the sort of person we need in the trenches. I can only assume you were there in the 4th division days too. Anyone who says anything remotely negative about Sir Chris of Wilder should fck off to Hillsborough.

The season starts against WBA!! (or the game after if we lose).

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Only 8 at the time of replying. Some way to go yet. Whats his forfeit if you dont get the full 80?

JonnyRed(WCFC) puts on his policeman's play suit and gets his truncheon out.

 

[Brownieblade]

Everyone of us would have have took this situation if offered under Adkins

Is it painful to watch right now yes, did we over achieve last year and now reality is setting in yes

But we still have a strong footing if and when the inevitable sets in

We are far better off than most clubs including self professed massive clubs

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Only 8 at the time of replying. Some way to go yet. Whats his forfeit if you dont get the full 80?

A shift at LWB or LCB, based on how things are going.

 

[TJB.]

I'm resigned to relegation, personally. One of my mantras in life is expect the worse and hope for the best, so I'm prepared for going down and it'll be that much sweeter if we do pull it off somehow and manage to stay up. I don't recall ever seeing us doing a 'great escape' in my lifetime. It'd be something else to tell the grandchildren!

Make no mistake, though. We are in a right old funk and it'll take summet pretty momentous to get us out of it.

As I've said before, a Sheffield United side for me is a side that gives 100% for the shirt, and is we see that out on the pitch then we accept whatever result that brings. At the moment, we're not seeing us at 100% and that gets people upset. I put the majority of that down to Covid situations, but time waits for no man and we simply have to find a way to play whilst this shit is going on. My fear is that, for the most part, results post-restart have indicated it's quite simply not an environment we do very well in.

Put simply, we need 30,000 behind us at the Lane and packed out away ends. Without that, we lose a huge home advantage and that X-factor which helps us dig deep when we're away. We wouldn't look like going down if things were normal. I'd bet my house on that.

Another version of me could quite easily tell you that we were pretty useless yesterday, players looked utterly lost, play was slow and turgid and we had no ideas. But it's a lovely bright morning. Just had a fresh coffee and I'm about to take a much-needed dump, so I can't let a little thing like relegation get me down.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Immensely proud of the achievements since Wilder came in.

It doesn't mean that I'm wrong when I say we will struggle to get to 20 points this season.

I'm not going to name players as it will just be seen as an attack on them personally, but we need 11 players to be willing to throw their body in the way of shots, get to the 2nd ball first and make lung-busting forward runs on a regular basis. At the moment I see 6/7 players in the 11 willing to do that.

I said last season that every game where we don't have every single member of the first 11 plus subs when called upon playing at 7/10 or above we will lose, I don't think we've had many above a 6/10 for most of this season with the odd exceptional performance from individuals.

As for the 'Wilder out' nonsense, behave. If anyone can answer who would come in and do a better job with the squad we've got then I might consider their point, if not then it's a stupid suggestion. Consider that we had JOC and Stevens (plus a fully fit Fleck) in top form last season on the left, now we've got a combination of Robinson/Ampadu/Stevens plus Lowe/Osborn/Stevens with Lundstram in midfield. It doesn't even compare.

 

[ComedyClub]

You are exactly the sort of person we need in the trenches. I can only assume you were there in the 4th division days too. Anyone who says anything remotely negative about Sir Chris of Wilder should fck off to Hillsborough.

The season starts against WBA!! (or the game after if we lose).

Or the game after that, or that, or that, or that.

 

[Whiston Blade]

The season starts against WBA!! (or the game after if we lose).

Then the following Saturday against Leicester if we lose again?

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Then the following Saturday against Leicester if we lose again?

Yes. I’m expecting the season to start around February tbh but don’t tell anyone or they’ll call me a pig.

 

[Sherwoodblade]

Immensely proud of the achievements since Wilder came in.

It doesn't mean that I'm wrong when I say we will struggle to get to 20 points this season.

I'm not going to name players as it will just be seen as an attack on them personally, but we need 11 players to be willing to throw their body in the way of shots, get to the 2nd ball first and make lung-busting forward runs on a regular basis. At the moment I see 6/7 players in the 11 willing to do that.

I said last season that every game where we don't have every single member of the first 11 plus subs when called upon playing at 7/10 or above we will lose, I don't think we've had many above a 6/10 for most of this season with the odd exceptional performance from individuals.

As for the 'Wilder out' nonsense, behave. If anyone can answer who would come in and do a better job with the squad we've got then I might consider their point, if not then it's a stupid suggestion. Consider that we had JOC and Stevens (plus a fully fit Fleck) in top form last season on the left, now we've got a combination of Robinson/Ampadu/Stevens plus Lowe/Osborn/Stevens with Lundstram in midfield. It doesn't even compare.

The only other driving attacking midfielder, we loaned to Nottingham Forest. Luke Freeman should have stayed put. All that did was tell Lundstram that he is more important than he is. Consider the start of last season. It was Freeman's driving run into the box that opened up the opportunity for the goal v Palace. It was Robinson's cross that led to the 2nd goal at Chelsea. It was Lys Mouset who was on form, but it wasn't just the goals, it was the assists such as all 3 goals against Burnley. The back 3 were settled. Jack O' Connell was an integral part of that unit. Then of course there was Dean Henderson in goal. He saved us numerous points, avoiding wins becoming draws and draws becoming defeats for example the injury time flying save at Spurs.

What has gone wrong? For me the warning signs were there at the end of last season with the 3 defeats on the bounce.

Firstly all the premiership teams have strengthened, some with proven premiership players. Remember Mouset costs us 10 million which is half of what we paid for McBurnie so don't tell me that you can't get existing premier league players. You just have to look for similar in terms of price and wages. Most of the players that we have purchased are not good enough at the moment. They may be good enough in the future but that may not be enough for this season.

Secondly, in the absence of the names above we have a number of players who are too good for the championship but not good enough for the premiership.

Thirdly, odd selections. The 2 things that scare premier league defenders are technique and pace. Some players are gifted with both but they tend to be the best players in the world. Burke has pace and is an out and out striker. McGoldrick is really an old fashioned forward rather than a striker. If Wilder intended to offload Freeman, then an attacking midfielder or 2 should have been priority number one. Berger is a defensive midfielder. The only reason that he is playing in his current position is to accommodate Norwood, who falls into the category of too good for the championship but not good enough for the Premier League.

Fourthly, as the great Bill Shankly stated, you are only as good as your last game. 1 point in 12 games means something is very wrong. I certainly don't want to see the blades go down as the worst team in premier league history but that is very much on the cards. I cannot see where a win is going to happen. There was a need to kick on and improve the squad in the summer especially the midfield. We haven't done that. Hence the problems that we have.

As for the manager well that is a matter for the board and the chairman. This is a results business at the end of the day. Yes, I remember that season under Dave Bassett where we did not win a game until Christmas and stayed up easily. The chances of that happening in this league today is rather remote.

 

[Wincobank S9 Blade]

I think in the long run it would be better to keep Wilder no other manager could improve the squad I don’t think and for our wages every signings going to be a gamble cus we can’t afford to sign quality experienced PL players I think Brewster, Lowe, Ramsdale etc will eventually be good players for the club the philosophy is there we have a sense of direction and Wilder pretty much single handedly installed that

 

[Grappler]

It's 4th from bottom or bust, as simple as that really.

Ramsdale was blindsided for the goal and didn't see the ball until it was already travelling (from what I saw on TV), and on another day, Oli McB hits the ball slightly differently and we are 1-1.

 

[Houston_Blade]

The only other driving attacking midfielder, we loaned to Nottingham Forest. Luke Freeman should have stayed put. All that did was tell Lundstram that he is more important than he is. Consider the start of last season. It was Freeman's driving run into the box that opened up the opportunity for the goal v Palace. It was Robinson's cross that led to the 2nd goal at Chelsea. It was Lys Mouset who was on form, but it wasn't just the goals, it was the assists such as all 3 goals against Burnley. The back 3 were settled. Jack O' Connell was an integral part of that unit. Then of course there was Dean Henderson in goal. He saved us numerous points, avoiding wins becoming draws and draws becoming defeats for example the injury time flying save at Spurs.

What has gone wrong? For me the warning signs were there at the end of last season with the 3 defeats on the bounce.

Firstly all the premiership teams have strengthened, some with proven premiership players. Remember Mouset costs us 10 million which is half of what we paid for McBurnie so don't tell me that you can't get existing premier league players. You just have to look for similar in terms of price and wages. Most of the players that we have purchased are not good enough at the moment. They may be good enough in the future but that may not be enough for this season.

Secondly, in the absence of the names above we have a number of players who are too good for the championship but not good enough for the premiership.

Thirdly, odd selections. The 2 things that scare premier league defenders are technique and pace. Some players are gifted with both but they tend to be the best players in the world. Burke has pace and is an out and out striker. McGoldrick is really an old fashioned forward rather than a striker. If Wilder intended to offload Freeman, then an attacking midfielder or 2 should have been priority number one. Berger is a defensive midfielder. The only reason that he is playing in his current position is to accommodate Norwood, who falls into the category of too good for the championship but not good enough for the Premier League.

Fourthly, as the great Bill Shankly stated, you are only as good as your last game. 1 point in 12 games means something is very wrong. I certainly don't want to see the blades go down as the worst team in premier league history but that is very much on the cards. I cannot see where a win is going to happen. There was a need to kick on and improve the squad in the summer especially the midfield. We haven't done that. Hence the problems that we have.

As for the manager well that is a matter for the board and the chairman. This is a results business at the end of the day. Yes, I remember that season under Dave Bassett where we did not win a game until Christmas and stayed up easily. The chances of that happening in this league today is rather remote.

Good points. Not sure on Freeman, I think that's a personality clash rather than an ability thing. Although he can't get in the Forest team so it might be ability.

Agreed on the forwards and lack of pace. If I'm a PL defender I am rubbing my hands when I see that I'm playing against McBurnie and McGoldrick. One or the other can play but not both.

 

[S6 Blade]

I think we started really well. Worked it well down the right hand side the first 15 minutes.
When West Ham grew into the game we struggled. Especially down the left hand side. Half time I was crying out for Osborn to come on for Lowe.

I’d have love to see Burke stretching the back line but for whatever reason he’s not featuring much.

I remember a quote from the prince at the start of last season saying “if we lose every game 7-0 then wilder is still the man” hopefully it wasn’t a flippant comment!

 

[Speedracer]

I think it is telling that we have started a few games recently really brightly & putting teams on the back foot. Unfortunately we have seen that if we do not score in this period then heads start to drop & confidence drains away. I honestly believe that if we can manage to get a goal in one of these periods of play you will see the "old" Blades return. We are desperately short on luck right now but if we can get a break by any means necessary our fortunes will turn & the team will play with less weight on their collective shoulders.

 

[Robboblade1889]

Having rested and reflected on it last night, I'm still incredibly proud of the lads. Look how well we've done to reach this point. This was beyond our wildest dreams a few years ago.

I fully trust Wilder, he's provided us with the best of times over the past few years. He deserves all the time he needs at this club.

UTB

(Thanks SteveBlade)

This a million times!

 

[Houston_Blade]

I think it is telling that we have started a few games recently really brightly & putting teams on the back foot. Unfortunately we have seen that if we do not score in this period then heads start to drop & confidence drains away. I honestly believe that if we can manage to get a goal in one of these periods of play you will see the "old" Blades return. We are desperately short on luck right now but if we can get a break by any means necessary our fortunes will turn & the team will play with less weight on their collective shoulders.

I think the opposite, if we score early then we'll revert to hanging onto a lead, get forced back and inevitably concede.

The tactic of keeping it tight for 30 mins and then going from there is one that worked ok for us last season. In a few games we were average in the first half and improved in the second half, we are doing the opposite at the minute and seem to have run out of ideas by the 60th minute.

 

[Robboblade1889]

Everyone of us would have have took this situation if offered under Adkins

Is it painful to watch right now yes, did we over achieve last year and now reality is setting in yes

But we still have a strong footing if and when the inevitable sets in

We are far better off than most clubs including self professed massive clubs

I think it is telling that we have started a few games recently really brightly & putting teams on the back foot. Unfortunately we have seen that if we do not score in this period then heads start to drop & confidence drains away. I honestly believe that if we can manage to get a goal in one of these periods of play you will see the "old" Blades return. We are desperately short on luck right now but if we can get a break by any means necessary our fortunes will turn & the team will play with less weight on their collective shoulders.

I go back to the crowd, think about when we were on top in games the crowd would be roaring it gives the players that extra impetus. At the moment it seems to just fade and we can’t get doing again! In my opinion not having the crowd is having a huge effect on us! I don’t think we would be anywhere near this position had the fans been in!

 

[Speedracer]

That is a perfect example of "glass half full" versus "glass half empty" Derek, but thank you for making your point courteously, nice to see opinions can be different without being confrontational, which happens all to often here recently.

 

[Houston_Blade]

That is a perfect example of "glass half full" versus "glass half empty" Derek, but thank you for making your point courteously, nice to see opinions can be different without being confrontational, which happens all to often here recently.

When it comes to the Blades I am probably overly 'half empty'. I piss myself off at times.

 

[kevreedy]

It is a pity they can,t put a massive boom box on the kop. volume full blast fans chanting. give it a try it might help the players.

 

[Whiston Blade]

It is a pity they can,t put a massive boom box on the kop. volume full blast fans chanting. give it a try it might help the players.

Agreed but you'd think they're kinda used to it now, obviously not.

 

[Snake]

Having rested and reflected on it last night, I'm still incredibly proud of the lads. Look how well we've done to reach this point. This was beyond our wildest dreams a few years ago.

I fully trust Wilder, he's provided us with the best of times over the past few years. He deserves all the time he needs at this club.

UTB

(Thanks SteveBlade)

Well I echo these sentiments. Call me a berty blade, big bollox bladey bladey, clapper extraordinaire, bigger blade than thou and I'll take that. Cos it's true. I, like many on here, would still be stood on the open terraces on a freezing cold Tuesday night in the middle of January watching the mighty Blades in Tier 8 or whatever against Alehouse FC's 2nd eleven....... Right now that's out of the way let me talk about how I felt yesterday.

I don't think I have ever been so angry and animated watching the Blades - ever! If there had been a cat in the room no doubt it would have been launched into orbit (sorry to any animal lovers here - I know cats lives matter). How people follow the Blades from their armchair I will never know. It is horrible. It's hard to describe but I feel the pain much more from the comfort of my cozy sitting room than I do sat on a freezing cold kop with all my mates. I don't think I can bear to watch the West Brom game --- kin ell, does that make me a part timer? What an interesting psychological conundrum that is..... maybe I am! Here's a thought, perhaps that's why many of our most vocal critics on here tend to be armchair supporters? Who knows.

This season Blades remind me of Norwich last season. We are not good enough to play football against the vast majority (any?) of the other Premiership teams and come out on top. Last season we had our quirky way of playing that, along with a bit of lady luck with injuries and a very settled squad, lead to us shading by the odd goal lots of very very tight games.

So what's happened this season? Due to injuries and poor recruitment (it has to be said, cos for the 'here and now' needs, it is true) we are losing the very same tight games by the odd goal. We are simply not good enough (like Norwich proved last season) to out football established (or even any atm) Premier League sides. Apart from the obvious issues with injuries (JOC, Fleck, Moose) and poor recruitment/lack of quality cover for these, I feel the biggest single difference to our differing fortunes is the goalkeeper.

Ok, I don't want to bash Rammers, it's not his fault personally. But quite simply he does not pull off the worldies that Hendo did. He does little wrong (perhaps Chelsea game apart, although of course Hendo made the odd gaff too) but my point is he doesn't make the big big saves that turn draws (I wish!) into wins and defeats into draws. Take yesterday for example. Ok he made a good stop first half (but any prem keeper would be disappointed to be beaten by that) and a decent fall onto the ball in the second (same point as above) but the bit where he had to pull off a worldie, he just wasn't up to it. I dare say that Hendo would have got an extra inch of his glove onto that shot and it would have been parried wide. Then who knows, 20 mins later McBurnie is put through and his shot goes in rather than hitting the bar. Suddenly a very tight game = 3 points to the Blades.

Yes, I know I know, Hendo is on £100k a week. No way could way afford him. But my point remains, a better keeper and we are probably 6 points better off already this season. Having said all of this I will be there next season in the Prem or Championship giving the boys (inc Rammers) absolutely everything.

A Blade is for life, not just for Christmas

 

[Houston_Blade]

Well I echo these sentiments. Call me a berty blade, big bollox bladey bladey, clapper extraordinaire, bigger blade than thou and I'll take that. Cos it's true. I, like many on here, would still be stood on the open terraces on a freezing cold Tuesday night in the middle of January watching the mighty Blades in Tier 8 or whatever against Alehouse FC's 2nd eleven....... Right now that's out of the way let me talk about how I felt yesterday.

I don't think I have ever been so angry and animated watching the Blades - ever! If there had been a cat in the room no doubt it would have been launched into orbit (sorry to any animal lovers here - I know cats lives matter). How people follow the Blades from their armchair I will never know. It is horrible. It's hard to describe but I feel the pain much more from the comfort of my cozy sitting room than I do sat on a freezing cold kop with all my mates. I don't think I can bear to watch the West Brom game --- kin ell, does that make me a part timer? What an interesting psychological conundrum that is..... maybe I am! Here's a thought, perhaps that's why many of our most vocal critics on here tend to be armchair supporters? Who knows.

This season Blades remind me of Norwich last season. We are not good enough to play football against the vast majority (any?) of the other Premiership teams and come out on top. Last season we had our quirky way of playing that, along with a bit of lady luck with injuries and a very settled squad, lead to us shading by the odd goal lots of very very tight games.

So what's happened this season? Due to injuries and poor recruitment (it has to be said, cos for the 'here and now' needs, it is true) we are losing the very same tight games by the odd goal. We are simply not good enough (like Norwich proved last season) to out football established (or even any atm) Premier League sides. Apart from the obvious issues with injuries (JOC, Fleck, Moose) and poor recruitment/lack of quality cover for these, I feel the biggest single difference to our differing fortunes is the goalkeeper.

Ok, I don't want to bash Rammers, it's not his fault personally. But quite simply he does not pull off the worldies that Hendo did. He does little wrong (perhaps Chelsea game apart, although of course Hendo made the odd gaff too) but my point is he doesn't make the big big saves that turn draws (I wish!) into wins and defeats into draws. Take yesterday for example. Ok he made a good stop first half (but any prem keeper would be disappointed to be beaten by that) and a decent fall onto the ball in the second (same point as above) but the bit where he had to pull off a worldie, he just wasn't up to it. I dare say that Hendo would have got an extra inch of his glove onto that shot and it would have been parried wide. Then who knows, 20 mins later McBurnie is put through and his shot goes in rather than hitting the bar. Suddenly a very tight game = 3 points to the Blades.

Yes, I know I know, Hendo is on £100k a week. No way could way afford him. But my point remains, a better keeper and we are probably 6 points better off already this season. Having said all of this I will be there next season in the Prem or Championship giving the boys (inc Rammers) absolutely everything.

A Blade is for life, not just for Christmas

Good post, not sure I agree though. Last season someone dives in front of the shot from Haller and Hendo doesn't even have to make a save.

 

[Bladesman]