Surprised and disappointed

[Davie Blade]

In the interests of fairness, can you name a better one?

Andrew Taylor

 

[BushBlade]

Simple. We were all really positive and confident last season and look what happened.

That ^^^^^

I always try to be optimistic before the season starts but it just feels like whatever we do, something kicks us in the teeth. Bad luck, poor decisions by the board, poor decisions by the manager; between now and the end of the season, a combination of those three will probably return to ensure we just miss out on the autos and fail again in the playoffs.

Rationally, there's nothing to say that this season will be like the others and surely we'll go up at some point in time but emotionally, I just can't commit to genuinely believing it's going to be this season. If we signed Ronaldo and Messi I'd feel deep down inside that's it's only a matter of time before a training ground collision puts them both out for the season.
Probably the best way to put it is that I'm pleased so far with the new manager and his signings, I'm just not excited.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

If we signed Ronaldo and Messi I'd feel deep down inside that's it's only a matter of time before a training ground collision puts them both out for the season.

Genius

I'd like to see anyone who considers themselves a pessimist come up with a better/worse scenario than that.

 

[Guesty]

I am actually a bit surprised that everyone is *so* delighted with the signings. Conor Sammon has scored what, about 15 league goals in England?

His signing is a bit of a come-down after the giddy days of Gary Hooper (although a quick perusal of the relevant threads will show I never believed that one for a minute). I think Sammon will have a part to play and I've seen him run defences ragged in the past but so much joy at getting a non-scoring striker does surprise me a bit.

That said, I think signings always seem more exciting when they come in pairs.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Genius

I'd like to see anyone who considers themselves a pessimist come up with a better/worse scenario than that.

Having scored 35 goals and got us within an ace of automatic promotion, our star striker gets convicted of rape and gets sent down, we then miss out on auto to the one team you wouldn't want to and then we agonisingly fail again at the final play off hurdle by sudden death penalties.....

But that's ridiculous, that could never happen!

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

While you can argue over many things in detail (and we have) I am a little surprised at the lack of fanfare with the arrival of Sammon and Sharp. In fact some people are bemoaning being overloaded in the striking department!!

We have just signed players who are and have played a significant part of their careers at a higher level. They have dropped down to join us. This suggests quality wise they are in the Brayford envelope. This also suggests to me the club is showing its ambition by signing these players.

Add to that the most significant upgrade in a manager in some time and you would think it was cause for optimism. Appears not, we still need several new players according to our on site team of experts and "we can all see" positions need filling. And whats more they need filling now!

I'm quite happy with the business we are doing, I am happy with the Manager we have. I am happy with the commitment of the board to strengthening the squad. What more to say really?

Totally agree. We have a half-decent squad and Nigel III will bring the best out of the squad we already have. We may not even need the 2 X CBs we apparently need

 

[Slim Man]

Totally agree. We have a half-decent squad and Nigel III will bring the best out of the squad we already have. We may not even need the 2 X CBs we apparently need

Oh, we definitely do.

 

[Bladebri]

In my view for the coming season, Freddie Mercury sang it well "We will be champions"

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Totally agree. We have a half-decent squad and Nigel III will bring the best out of the squad we already have. We may not even need the 2 X CBs we apparently need

We have a half-decent squad - tick
Nigel III will bring the best out of the squad we already have - tick
We may not even need the 2 X CBs we apparently need - Check yer medication levels.

 

[I should coco]

We have a half-decent squad and Nigel III will bring the best out of the squad we already have.

I've only been away a couple of hours but Nigel III?

I know we sacked Clough but I didn't realise Adkins had gone.

Who is Nigel III?

Worthington?
Gulp - Pearson??????

 

[BushBlade]

Genius

I'd like to see anyone who considers themselves a pessimist come up with a better/worse scenario than that.

That's what being a Blade does to you.

 

[BushBlade]

I've only been away a couple of hours but Nigel III?

I know we sacked Clough but I didn't realise Adkins had gone.

Who is Nigel III?

Worthington?
Gulp - Pearson??????

It's Pearson. Can't believe you didn't know that. Are you an ostrich?

 

[Bladesway]

Andrew Taylor

What the former Duran Duran Guitarist? Really?

 

[BushBlade]

What the former Duran Duran Guitarist? Really?

No, he's at Walsall with Simon Le Bon and Terry Hall from The Specials.

Davie means the one who played for Cardiff and is now at Wigan.

 

[Mustela Putorius Furo]

I've only been away a couple of hours but Nigel III?

I know we sacked Clough but I didn't realise Adkins had gone.

Who is Nigel III?

Worthington?
Gulp - Pearson??????

Adkins is Nigel III.

I know he wasn't around for a long time, but it was fun while he was: Nigel (the first) Spackman.

I can't believe I support a club that has had 3 Nigels as manager.... what happened to "Muck and Nettles"?

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I've only been away a couple of hours but Nigel III?

I know we sacked Clough but I didn't realise Adkins had gone.

Who is Nigel III?

Worthington?
Gulp - Pearson??????

Spackman, Clough, Adkins

Nigels I, II and III

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

We have a half-decent squad - tick
Nigel III will bring the best out of the squad we already have - tick
We may not even need the 2 X CBs we apparently need - Check yer medication levels.

Hence the winky!

Should have gone to Specsavers! <<<<<< another winky!

 

[Barney]

While you can argue over many things in detail (and we have) I am a little surprised at the lack of fanfare with the arrival of Sammon and Sharp. In fact some people are bemoaning being overloaded in the striking department!!

We have just signed players who are and have played a significant part of their careers at a higher level. They have dropped down to join us. This suggests quality wise they are in the Brayford envelope. This also suggests to me the club is showing its ambition by signing these players.

Add to that the most significant upgrade in a manager in some time and you would think it was cause for optimism. Appears not, we still need several new players according to our on site team of experts and "we can all see" positions need filling. And whats more they need filling now!

I'm quite happy with the business we are doing, I am happy with the Manager we have. I am happy with the commitment of the board to strengthening the squad. What more to say really?

Great post. I was guilty of being a tad over eager for signings but i'm delighted with the signings of Sharp and Sammon. Sharp I would class as a natural league one goal scorer and Sammon a real physical presence we were all crying out for last season. Really don't think we could have got two better strikers for this division.

 

[Woodwardfan]

While you can argue over many things in detail (and we have) I am a little surprised at the lack of fanfare with the arrival of Sammon and Sharp. In fact some people are bemoaning being overloaded in the striking department!!

We have just signed players who are and have played a significant part of their careers at a higher level. They have dropped down to join us. This suggests quality wise they are in the Brayford envelope. This also suggests to me the club is showing its ambition by signing these players.

Add to that the most significant upgrade in a manager in some time and you would think it was cause for optimism. Appears not, we still need several new players according to our on site team of experts and "we can all see" positions need filling. And whats more they need filling now!

I'm quite happy with the business we are doing, I am happy with the Manager we have. I am happy with the commitment of the board to strengthening the squad. What more to say really?

My cup runneth over. You've struck a chord Bladesway with your club/ Board clapping thread - and long may it continue!!

 

[Woodwardfan]

Even Bladesway will confide that we still can't field a satisfactory back 4. If our new manager achieves a stingey back 4 by the start of the season then we are truly in Utopia.

Personally I'm happy with Freeman, Collins, Basham, Harris.

By all means work with McFadzean who did a good job for Burton at left back. In due course Brayford and Kennedy to be added. Alcock is nobody's fool either.

A lot on here have been banging the "two new centre halves" drum - not that vital I say.

As Neil Collins said at he start of last season, just before he lost his place, "it's all well and good gaining clean sheets, but every promotion team has to have goalscorers". Boy, do I agree with that!! - especially in League 1.

 

[Slim Man]

Even Bladesway will confide that we still can't field a satisfactory back 4. If our new manager achieves a stingey back 4 by the start of the season then we are truly in Utopia.

Personally I'm happy with Freeman, Collins, Basham, Harris.

By all means work with McFadzean who did a good job for Burton at left back. In due course Brayford and Kennedy to be added. Alcock is nobody's fool either.

A lot on here have been banging the "two new centre halves" drum - not that vital, I agree say.

As Neil Collins said at he start of last season, just before he lost his place, "it's all well and good gaining clean sheets, but every promotion team has to have goalscorers". Boy, do I agree with that!! - especially in League 1.

Alcock is f**king w**k

 

[Woodwardfan]

Alcock is f**king w**k

In what respect? Give us a run down on his strengths and weaknesses.

 

[Slim Man]

In what respect? Give us a run down on his strengths and weaknesses.

No problem

Strengths:
Good jump
Willing runner

Weaknesses:
Can't play football
50p head
Can't read the game
Awful crosser
Awful defender
Can't play football
Can't defend
Small
Weak
Bad passer
Can't play football
Slow
Can't play football


That a good enough rundown?

 

[Woodwardfan]

No problem

Strengths:
Good jump
Willing runner

Weaknesses:
Can't play football
50p head
Can't read the game
Awful crosser
Awful defender
Can't play football
Can't defend
Small
Weak
Bad passer
Can't play football
Slow
Can't play football


That a good enough rundown?

246 league games as a pro. Posh offered him a new deal but he chose to come to us.

As I see him, Alcock is a defender rather than an attacker. Clough chose to play him often in central defence when he is actually a full back. When I say full back I mean a defensive full back who could comfortably play in a back 4 and even a back 3.

He is not an "overlapping full back" in any shape or form though. I reckon he is a totally honest player who will do exactly as his manager asks.

For League 1 he is really good value if only played in the right role.

Just my opinion. It is not his fault that his manager fell out with most of his central defenders.

 

[Slim Man]

246 league games as a pro. Posh offered him a new deal but he chose to come to us.

As I see him, Alcock is a defender rather than an attacker. Clough chose to play him often in central defence when he is actually a full back. When I say full back I mean a defensive full back who could comfortably play in a back 4 and even a back 3.

He is not an "overlapping full back" in any shape or form though. I reckon he is a totally honest player who will do exactly as his manager asks.

For League 1 he is really good value if only played in the right role.

Just my opinion. It is not his fault that his manager fell out with most of his central defenders.

Fair enough
In my opinion he's absolutely w**k

 

[Bladesway]

Alcock is f**king w**k

New season give the bloke a chance.

 

[Slim Man]

New season give the bloke a chance.

If you can't play football, you can't play football. There's a reason Peterbrough let him walk out.

 

[Bladesway]

My cup runneth over. You've struck a chord Bladesway with your club/ Board clapping thread - and long may it continue!!

But the shift in the club since we first locked horns is monumental. I'm not so bull headed that I do t admit change when I see it. We have gone from selling the family silver at every occasion to what appears to be purchasing before we sell. Let's be honest this is new to all of us Blades.

We have a manager who is a step change from what we had and I didn't mind the last bloke. We are signing players who are a step change from where we were.

I don't see anything negative apart from the division we find ourselves in. Now we have a chance to effect change. That can only be a good thing.

 

[Woodwardfan]

But the shift in the club since we first locked horns is monumental. I'm not so bull headed that I do t admit change when I see it. We have gone from selling the family silver at every occasion to what appears to be purchasing before we sell. Let's be honest this is new to all of us Blades.

We have a manager who is a step change from what we had and I didn't mind the last bloke. We are signing players who are a step change from where we were.

I don't see anything negative apart from the division we find ourselves in. Now we have a chance to effect change. That can only be a good thing.

You were a bit late to see it evolving and that was the very reason we differed, and boy did we differ; we were both so passionate from our respective viewpoints.

We are both BIG BLADES, that's what matters, but I for one do not wish to kiss and make up!!

Debate on here is so healthy and keeps our personal interest topped up even in the hard times which we will banish once and for all before too long.

 

[Bladesway]

If you can't play football, you can't play football. There's a reason Peterbrough let him walk out.

I'm sorry but your observations are that of a ten year old who has had his Nintendo DS taken from him. If you can't come up with stuff better than he is f*****g w**k then you shouldn't waste your time at the keyboard. As for 50 pence head and associated insults, I'm sorry but that's a poor show.