Thank You Blades

[fishpie]

A disappointing end to the season.
Weeks ago I said, I've really enjoyed this season, at least for more than for a fair few years. I also said that if either us or them did the unexpected and went unbeaten until the end, whoever it was deserved to go up.
It was easy(ish) to say: we'd got a good cushion and have been quality (at least for enough times for me to believe it!).
Something went wrong. But something has made me feel not quite so bitter and twisted as I usually do. I know anyone who supports a club can cite reasons causing them to fail. I know we haven't been good enough, at times. This season there have been two exceptional reasons. One occurred in a courtroom in Wales (I hope nobody takes my referrence to it here in a football post as trivialising) and the other occurred in S6. I refuse to give them any credit for what has been an astounding end to their season, after all we all had to endure the national day of mourning for the departure of the ginger pig. Thanks Radio Sheffield.
But thanks Blades too. You've just given me a top weekend. Admittedly I was, for a while, a bit embarrassed that I was going. It was supposed to be our promotion party, and I hated the fact that the pigs were sniggering.
Then I got over myself. I realised that my enjoyment was in my own hands. It was a eureka moment, trust me. Avoided R Sheff and The Star for starters, perhaps foolishly I've never done that before.
Left for Exeter Friday morning with 9 mates (wouldn't have known 8 of them had it not been for the Blades). Proper good night out Friday and Saturday. I take my football a bit too seriously at times but I can, hand on heart, say that I enjoyed every single moment up to 4.50pm just because we weren't going up. If we had still been in with a shout I know full well I would have been too nervous to enjoy it. After 4.50pm it was more of a case of enjoying it despite us not going up.
I'm not sure whether the right word is real or surreal. I haven't a clue who was being serious or who was being ironic, but it was like being in the middle of the four Yorkshiremen sketch with competitive tales of misery supporting the Blades!
If only we hadn't thrown away a 2 goal lead against Oldham, If only we hadn't conceded a stupid penalty at Stevenage. If only a legitimate goal hadn't been disallowed at Charlton. If only Quinny had 2 feet. If only the footballing gods weren't against us (seriously- I genuinely believed that we would get more favourable decisions once Neil Warnock left us). If only I'd been born a Wednesday fan (I'd be a happy person right now - deluded, a bit arrogant, and probably not a particularly pleasant person - I've come round to your way of thinking Pinchy, if you happen to be reading [still be a happy pig, though])
Well...Up yours We******y. And, up yours "what ifs".
In one weekend, my own lifetime of misery makes total sense. I've decided to embrace The Blades Way. I just hadn't realised I had the power to do so.
Will we get to the Play Off Final? Possibly
Will we score in the final? Doubt it.
Will we win the final? No. Of course not, It's not The Blades Way. I just don't feel the need to apologise for it anymore.
I will apologise though to anyone who's read this. It is heartfelt, just wasn't intended to be such a ramble.

 

[2ndtenorblade]

Thanks fishpie just about sums it up for me, top post.

 

[Studge]

I was originally not going to this game as I didn't have a ticket, however following last saturdays match i managed to acquire one for myself and persuaded my other half a weeked in the South West would be a nice way to spend a bank holiday. I even managed to acquire an additional ticket for her on thursday. So following a pleasant night in Gloucester on friday night we managed to meet up with friends in the Well House in Exeter Saturady lunchtime and after a few more finished off in the Bowling Green and on to the game. The game itself was an anti climax due to events outside our control. although I would say the 10 men appeared to cope reasonably well for the best part of an hour and could have finished the game of. Back to the Bowling Green post game and then in to town and despite the circumstances had a great night with the lads and also bumping into old mates from over 30 years ago. and reminiscing. Finished with the best Indian in a long time in a place called Real India as recommended by a lady in the Well House

 

[TarquinDelouche]

Will we win the final? No. Of course not, It's not The Blades Way. I just don't feel the need to apologise for it anymore.

*sigh*

It's why we've got the tats, the shirts and the ticket stubs. For all our sins, we're Blades and we were made to suffer.

 

[essexblade87]

Agree with all posts if we wanted to win stuff we'd support Man U/Chelsea/Man City. It's just what your born with don't like supporting Blades, support someone else no worries we won't shout or scream, we'll just stay and sing Annies Song

 

[Bladesway]

It's a poisoned challice being a blades fan, but its the best thing my father ever did taking me into BDTBL that evening in 1975. This season no matter what the outcome, we became a football team again and stopped being scufflers. If nowt else i thank DW for that.

 

[alcoblade]

A disappointing end to the season.
Weeks ago I said, I've really enjoyed this season, at least for more than for a fair few years. I also said that if either us or them did the unexpected and went unbeaten until the end, whoever it was deserved to go up.
It was easy(ish) to say: we'd got a good cushion and have been quality (at least for enough times for me to believe it!).
Something went wrong. But something has made me feel not quite so bitter and twisted as I usually do. I know anyone who supports a club can cite reasons causing them to fail. I know we haven't been good enough, at times. This season there have been two exceptional reasons. One occurred in a courtroom in Wales (I hope nobody takes my referrence to it here in a football post as trivialising) and the other occurred in S6. I refuse to give them any credit for what has been an astounding end to their season, after all we all had to endure the national day of mourning for the departure of the ginger pig. Thanks Radio Sheffield.
But thanks Blades too. You've just given me a top weekend. Admittedly I was, for a while, a bit embarrassed that I was going. It was supposed to be our promotion party, and I hated the fact that the pigs were sniggering.
Then I got over myself. I realised that my enjoyment was in my own hands. It was a eureka moment, trust me. Avoided R Sheff and The Star for starters, perhaps foolishly I've never done that before.
Left for Exeter Friday morning with 9 mates (wouldn't have known 8 of them had it not been for the Blades). Proper good night out Friday and Saturday. I take my football a bit too seriously at times but I can, hand on heart, say that I enjoyed every single moment up to 4.50pm just because we weren't going up. If we had still been in with a shout I know full well I would have been too nervous to enjoy it. After 4.50pm it was more of a case of enjoying it despite us not going up.
I'm not sure whether the right word is real or surreal. I haven't a clue who was being serious or who was being ironic, but it was like being in the middle of the four Yorkshiremen sketch with competitive tales of misery supporting the Blades!
If only we hadn't thrown away a 2 goal lead against Oldham, If only we hadn't conceded a stupid penalty at Stevenage. If only a legitimate goal hadn't been disallowed at Charlton. If only Quinny had 2 feet. If only the footballing gods weren't against us (seriously- I genuinely believed that we would get more favourable decisions once Neil Warnock left us). If only I'd been born a Wednesday fan (I'd be a happy person right now - deluded, a bit arrogant, and probably not a particularly pleasant person - I've come round to your way of thinking Pinchy, if you happen to be reading [still be a happy pig, though])
Well...Up yours We******y. And, up yours "what ifs".
In one weekend, my own lifetime of misery makes total sense. I've decided to embrace The Blades Way. I just hadn't realised I had the power to do so.
Will we get to the Play Off Final? Possibly
Will we score in the final? Doubt it.
Will we win the final? No. Of course not, It's not The Blades Way. I just don't feel the need to apologise for it anymore.
I will apologise though to anyone who's read this. It is heartfelt, just wasn't intended to be such a ramble.

What a fantastic post. I expect us to be in League 1 next year (sorry) though I'll do my best to drive us on, but I still can't wait for next season, either way.

Following United is about so much more than the product on show. When it becomes all about that, we might aswell all give in and support ManUre. Fuck that!

UTB

 

[fishpie]

It's a poisoned challice being a blades fan, but its the best thing my father ever did taking me into BDTBL that evening in 1975. This season no matter what the outcome, we became a football team again and stopped being scufflers. If nowt else i thank DW for that.

Agree with every word Bladesway. Perhaps it's an age thing?! Just so happens my dad took me to BDTBL for the first time in '75 too!

 

[Hartley Hare]

Decent post mate. Agree with your sentiments and thoughts.

I have also enjoyed this season. It has been nice to be a big fish in a little pond. Not sure we are really good enough to be competitive in championship without a decent striker.

HH

 

[Kev Gee]

Great post mate top stuff!!
Let Weds have the limelight back. They obviously feel that the world owes them it.
Lets hope we have a bit of joy to the end of the season this year, as its been fairly miserable since Blackwells first season & the Play Off defeat to Burnley.

 

[Selly]

What a fantastic post. I expect us to be in League 1 next year (sorry) though I'll do my best to drive us on, but I still can't wait for next season, either way.

Following United is about so much more than the product on show. When it becomes all about that, we might aswell all give in and support ManUre. Fuck that!

UTB

Bloody good job isn`t it????

 

[mattbianco1]

Season is over yet. Hopefully we've got 3 more games.

Just look at Essex Blades signature.. That sums up the blades and why we love em

 

[mattbianco1]

Also, have we thrown it away? Really? Really really?

I don't think so. Did Southampton throw the Championship title away or did Reading win it?

I think any team that takes 29 pts from a possible 33 deserves to go up. We all knew we would drop points because nobody can win all their games can they? Wednesday did. Well done to them as much as it pains me to say.

 

[JohnDenver]

Well done to them as much as it pains me to say.

Wednesday did astoundingly well to overhaul us. But bollox to them all the same.

 

[SwissBlade]

Also, have we thrown it away? Really? Really really?

I don't think so. Did Southampton throw the Championship title away or did Reading win it?

I think any team that takes 29 pts from a possible 33 deserves to go up. We all knew we would drop points because nobody can win all their games can they? Wednesday did. Well done to them as much as it pains me to say.

Well seeing as though we were clear in 2nd place for much of the time since Christmas, we hit some dodgy form in patches and just couldn't keep pace, then yes i'd say we threw it away

Not taking anything away from Wednesday, they pipped us to the line with two games to go.

All we had to do was win the last two games... Just like they did.... and we didn't

When we really, really had to win against Stevenage, we could only manage a draw at home.

 

[mattbianco1]

All we had to do was win the last two games... Just like they did.... and we didn't

When we really, really had to win against Stevenage, we could only manage a draw at home.

In other season we would've been fine. Nobody expected Wednesday to go on the run the had after losing to Chesterfield but full marks to them.

Another unwanted stat for Blades.... Highest ever points total to miss out on promotion

 

[SwissBlade]

In other season we would've been fine. Nobody expected Wednesday to go on the run the had after losing to Chesterfield but full marks to them.

Another unwanted stat for Blades.... Highest ever points total to miss out on promotion

I think the point is that you can't set a target of say 90 points and expect promotion its too much of a dynamic situation and you have to adapt (react) or set the standard to follow.

In many ways we set the standard for Huddersfield and Pigs to follow (once Charlton were realistically out of sight). We rarely heard talk of catching Charlton, it was always about staying ahead of the pigs.

What we should've done is looked ahead, looked at the title and chased that. Instead we kept looking over our shoulder to see how close Wednesday were

 

[alcoblade]

I think the point is that you can't set a target of say 90 points and expect promotion its too much of a dynamic situation and you have to adapt (react) or set the standard to follow.

In many ways we set the standard for Huddersfield and Pigs to follow (once Charlton were realistically out of sight). We rarely heard talk of catching Charlton, it was always about staying ahead of the pigs.

What we should've done is looked ahead, looked at the title and chased that. Instead we kept looking over our shoulder to see how close Wednesday were

Really? Do you really think the players would have gone out and done anything differently? The line has always been to take every games as it comes. I can't see how setting bigger targets means anything at all during the 90 minutes.

We lost our main man at the death, Wendy had a superb run. There's nothing more to it than that, IMHO.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

dp....................

 

[mattbianco1]

I've had word from somebody close to the club (a friend of a friends friend) that half the team are playing on injections at the minute. They're all f@cked, we know Cresswell is but apparently 3 or 4 are playing through the pain barrier. Maybe that is another reason behind it. Paper thin squad, losing 3 strikers in as many weeks

 

[SwissBlade]

alcoblade
I can only speak about what I’ve heard in the media from the club and from fans, but yeah I think we perhaps took our eye off 1st a while ago.

Remember 2006, we went toe to toe with Reading it was only in the last few weeks when we seemingly got dragged into the play offs that we almost got distracted by Leeds.

 

[Kenilworth]

I've had word from somebody close to the club (a friend of a friends friend) that half the team are playing on injections at the minute. They're all f@cked, we know Cresswell is but apparently 3 or 4 are playing through the pain barrier.

Collins is a cert on this with Cresswell.
Suspect Willo is much the same
Not sure who else - Quinn? or is it just poor form?

I am sure that Stevenage will have a similar problem at this stage of the season and we are not saying their squad is bigger than ours are we?

 

[metalblade]

Well I heard from a mate who's got a mate in Australia on Facebook who knows a mate of the former United player Shaun Murphy who still keeps in touch with people at the lane who told him the real reason for missing 2nd spot was the fact that half the team are shite.

 

[alcoblade]

alcoblade
I can only speak about what I’ve heard in the media from the club and from fans, but yeah I think we perhaps took our eye off 1st a while ago.

Remember 2006, we went toe to toe with Reading it was only in the last few weeks when we seemingly got dragged into the play offs that we almost got distracted by Leeds.

Perhaps yes, perhaps no. I can't see it myself, but there's no doubt that losing our prolific striker coincided with us not winning a game since. Let's be honest, all the rest is fluff.

UTB

 

[BusheyBlade]

But something has made me feel not quite so bitter and twisted as I usually do.

In the past when we've missed out on promotion or lost Semi finals I've been really gutted. This time it feels different (yes, I know we still have the play offs to come but I really don't expect us to win those) and I can' t quite figure out why. Perhaps it's because it's not promotion to the Premiership this time, maybe not going up to the Championship isn't quite as gutting. Perhaps it's because I've really enjoyed this season and deep down the thought of a potential struggle to stay up in the Championship isn't quite so appealing after all.

 

[Selly]

In the past when we've missed out on promotion or lost Semi finals I've been really gutted. This time it feels different (yes, I know we still have the play offs to come but I really don't expect us to win those) and I can' t quite figure out why. Perhaps it's because it's not promotion to the Premiership this time, maybe not going up to the Championship isn't quite as gutting. Perhaps it's because I've really enjoyed this season and deep down the thought of a potential struggle to stay up in the Championship isn't quite so appealing after all.

I'm the same.

I wonder if, deep down, its because for once we haven`t really thrown it away, but rather had it snatched from us by an amazing set of results from Wendy.

We really can`t point at too many things we could have done differently in the run-in, considering everything else that went on. Had we finished 3rd with 84 points there would be a lot more scope for that...

 

[Kenilworth]

Maybe we have found our level?

 

[JohnDenver]

Remember 2006, we went toe to toe with Reading it was only in the last few weeks when we seemingly got dragged into the play offs that we almost got distracted by Leeds.

I remember Reading being plenty of points ahead throughout. Their toe was in our eyeline.

 

[SwissBlade]

Perhaps yes, perhaps no. I can't see it myself, but there's no doubt that losing our prolific striker coincided with us not winning a game since. Let's be honest, all the rest is fluff.

UTB

Agreed to an extent, but the momentum had been with them for a while, ask Micalijo

 

[VespaBlade]

Well I heard from a mate who's got a mate in Australia on Facebook who knows a mate of the former United player Shaun Murphy who still keeps in touch with people at the lane who told him the real reason for missing 2nd spot was the fact that half the team are shite.

You coulda saved some trouble and got the same opinion on here from some people