The fan's fault.

[Chali 2na]

It's a subject as legendary Sam Morsy or Diego's private plate, I am of course talking about whether the negativity from the fans adversely affects the players.

I for one think it does.

Reason I thought I'd bring it up is because I've seen a few comments all loosely saying the same thing; that the fans were behind the players until we started conceding on Tuesday.
This is not true: I could hear ironic cheers for Long cathing the ball before the first goal.

It's a self fulfilling prophecy at times: we go in thinking/knowing they're going to be shit, make our feelings known, and unsurprisingly, they're shit.

To be clear, I don't think it's the biggest factor in our demise. I think board incompetence, manager incompetence and most of all player incompetence have played a much bigger part. But I still think as fans we should be shouldering some of the blame.

Is anyone proud of the atmosphere at the lane? It's library-esqe unless we have the chance to boo someone a far cry away from the "glory days"

I made a point on another thread that it will be extremely hard to bring young players through or get talented young loans in while the atmosphere remains toxic. It also plays a factor in games: how many times have you heard the opposition say "we knew we had to keep it tight, and the fans would eventually get on their backs"? (Or words to that effect.)

And before someone says it, the fact we still have ~18000 fans showing up after 6 years in league one doesn't absolve us. I'd sooner play in front of 500 fans than 18000 critics.

So let's try (as hard as it is at times), to get behind the players. I'm not saying you can't boo, I'm just saying it doesn't help. UTB

 

[zablade]

I apologise unreservedly for my disgraceful performances over the last 10 years.

I will now write out 100 times

"Must do better"


















For fucks sake !

 

[Caseh]

It's a subject as legendary Sam Morsy or Diego's private plate, I am of course talking about whether the negativity from the fans adversely affects the players.

I for one think it does.

Reason I thought I'd bring it up is because I've seen a few comments all loosely saying the same thing; that the fans were behind the players until we started conceding on Tuesday.
This is not true: I could hear ironic cheers for Long cathing the ball before the first goal.

It's a self fulfilling prophecy at times: we go in thinking/knowing they're going to be shit, make our feelings known, and unsurprisingly, they're shit.

To be clear, I don't think it's the biggest factor in our demise. I think board incompetence, manager incompetence and most of all player incompetence have played a much bigger part. But I still think as fans we should be shouldering some of the blame.

Is anyone proud of the atmosphere at the lane? It's library-esqe unless we have the chance to boo someone a far cry away from the "glory days"

I made a point on another thread that it will be extremely hard to bring young players through or get talented young loans in while the atmosphere remains toxic. It also plays a factor in games: how many times have you heard the opposition say "we knew we had to keep it tight, and the fans would eventually get on their backs"? (Or words to that effect.)

And before someone says it, the fact we still have ~18000 fans showing up after 6 years in league one doesn't absolve us. I'd sooner play in front of 500 fans than 18000 critics.

So let's try (as hard as it is at times), to get behind the players. I'm not saying you can't boo, I'm just saying it doesn't help. UTB

You're in for it here, the precious little butter cups on this forum don't like it when you insinuate they may not be perfect.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Good post, and bang on. Though I would say you can't boo....it does nothing at all productive for the team.

The fans from a few years back would support them, sing the names of the players etc etc. It could be said that the fan base have nobody to sing about....but in truth bar Deane and Agana we hardly had a decent player amongst the rest back then. But the team worked, the fans loved them and they gave their all.

Perhaps, and this may be controversial, if the fans got behind the players and onto the backs of opponents to make it a hostile environment for them, we might see our players perform better and become confident and win more often at home!

Imagine that!!

I think the club need to try something to generate an atmosphere and get it going. Safe standing on the Kop would do it. Get it so cheap that it is filled, set criterion so that little uns aren't in there...say over 15s only. Make it members/season ticket holders only. We need something of our own to get the noise going, and drown out the gobshites. Not necessarily a drummer/band but something. Flares, and controlled fireworks....huge flags...make it obsessive and try to bring a bit of the atmosphere they get in Eastern Europe on there!
Hell....why not rent a crowd! Get Sela to hire a few hundred of the fener lot....stick em in the middle of the Kop and tell em to get on with it. Over time loads will join in....we want them in the ground, an hour early drinking cheap beer and making a noise.

 

[Treeton Blade]

I can`t believe its ever questioned.

Of course the fans affect the players.

Have we ever played well in a bitter, vitriolic atomsphere?

Remember Spurs?, once Adams scored the first, the electric atmosphere drove us on and put Spurs on the back foot.
Same with Charlton, the first goal lead to the second.

Up to the players to get the crowd going though, can`t expect the ground to be bouncing when you concede 3 early goals to Southend

 

[Harry's Game]

It's a subject as legendary Sam Morsy or Diego's private plate, I am of course talking about whether the negativity from the fans adversely affects the players.

I for one think it does.

Reason I thought I'd bring it up is because I've seen a few comments all loosely saying the same thing; that the fans were behind the players until we started conceding on Tuesday.
This is not true: I could hear ironic cheers for Long cathing the ball before the first goal.

It's a self fulfilling prophecy at times: we go in thinking/knowing they're going to be shit, make our feelings known, and unsurprisingly, they're shit.

To be clear, I don't think it's the biggest factor in our demise. I think board incompetence, manager incompetence and most of all player incompetence have played a much bigger part. But I still think as fans we should be shouldering some of the blame.

Is anyone proud of the atmosphere at the lane? It's library-esqe unless we have the chance to boo someone a far cry away from the "glory days"

I made a point on another thread that it will be extremely hard to bring young players through or get talented young loans in while the atmosphere remains toxic. It also plays a factor in games: how many times have you heard the opposition say "we knew we had to keep it tight, and the fans would eventually get on their backs"? (Or words to that effect.)

And before someone says it, the fact we still have ~18000 fans showing up after 6 years in league one doesn't absolve us. I'd sooner play in front of 500 fans than 18000 critics.

So let's try (as hard as it is at times), to get behind the players. I'm not saying you can't boo, I'm just saying it doesn't help. UTB

Interesting points.

Here's my take on it...

The fans bear no responsibility for our predicament.

Think that's sorted.

 

[Drunk blade]

Agree 110% best post of the season. Also I have to apologise. ... just before the last game I got changed into a Southend kit and managed to sneak onto the pitch completely unmarked in the 6 yard box to tap in 2 of their goals

 

[mattbianco1]

Its a horrible poisonous atmosphere at the lane at the minute. I hate it.

Unfortunately the only thing that will turn it around is results.

Many fans are extremely arrogant and think that Sheffield United are too big and too good to be in this league. Big maybe, but good? No. The quicker they change their mindset to realise that we now have a bog standard League 1 squad the better.
When players make a mistake, we need to get back to encouraging applause and cheers as opposed to boos and jeers. Its been the latter since Danny Wilson's second season, which just happens to coincide with the time that we actually were no longer "too good" for this league.

Fans can influence games. Positively or negatively. Think of the cup run in 2003, the Liverpool game, Sunderland, Palace games, our stadium rocked on those nights and I bet if you asked a player who played (including the opposition), they'd agree that the crowd carried them through.. That's without mentioning the Forest game.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

What a load of fucking bollocks if the players matched the fans enthusiasm we'd be In the premier league.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Over the past few years we've often changed managers and players with the same results.
The only constant is the board and the fans.

The board are sanctioning sales for players that have been good at their previous clubs
But when they come here they quickly go down hill.

Remember Higden and Sammon?
Their debuts were probably their best performance in a Blades shirt.

Our failure in semi finals and playoffs finals goes back to before McCabe.

Maybe part of the problem within club is some of the fans.
We must have the most negative (with good reason) around.
When I was a kid in the 70's I was constantly told "United...always the bridesmaid never the bride"
And "United will never have a good team because they always sell their best players".

I used to play at a decent level in a sport and I'm fully aware that mental attitude, confidence and positivity plays a massive role in performance. Maybe Chali's post does have some merit?
But I guess some of our fans are too narrow minded to be open to other possible theories.
However as some Blades will mention it's up to the players to create positivity hence we need players with character, some need to be able to stand up and be counted.

 

[shrubbery]

Can't agree with this criticism.

When the players have shown desire and commitment then the fans have created a fantastic atmosphere at the Lane. That statement is true for last season and beyond and will be true this season if the players can actually demonstrate these qualities.

Are you seriously suggesting that fans should celebrate after conceding 3 goals in the first 15 minutes against Southend? Are you seriously expecting or hoping that the atmosphere would be anything apart from pissed off and frustrated?

The players don't have to perform like Barcelona to get the Lane rocking but they have to show some positive signs and I'm afraid that even that is seemingly too much at the moment. Hopefully the next home game will be different.

 

[Grizzly blade]

What a load of fucking bollocks if the players matched the fans enthusiasm we'd be In the premier league.

Enthusiasm you say? Define that for me, because all that means to me looking at the stands is we get a fair few turn up. Enthusiastic isn't a word I would use.
Loyal....consistent...angry.....three words that more accurately describe the fans of our club.

This is part of the problem. The players are matching exactly the attitude of the fans. They turn up. That's it!
Running around a lot, getting stuck in...it seems all that is n ended is for the players to do that more! FFS....

 

[Bobby Orkiss]

All the fans ask is put a bleeding shift in. Might be an idea to drag some of these overpaid under performing losers to a " take a player to work day " and let them see what some of us have to do day in day out to afford a ticket to watch the poor fare they are offering up. Sheffield is a city of grafters , so get bleeding grafting for the honour of pulling on that shirt ! Surley not too much to ask...... Is it ?

 

[Sheffsteel]

Are you seriously suggesting that fans should celebrate after conceding 3 goals in the first 15 minutes against Southend? Are you seriously expecting or hoping that the atmosphere would be anything apart from pissed off and frustrated? .

In general I agree with the negativity affecting players theory regards our general approach.
Eg In the Che season Wednesday were 10 points behind us and I heard loads of Blades saying we'll mess up because we always do. When Ched got sent to prison almost every Blade said that's its promotion has gone.
Without Ched we've no chance, we'll not score again and have no chance against Huddersfield in the final.

However I defend the fans against Southend.

In the 2nd half we did have the odd moment of effort and good build up play.
The crowd made some noise to encourage the players but the players still messed up.
I remember a great move....loads of encouragement then the ball was crossed into the Kop.
We won a corner.....the Kop sand United United....then the corner was crossed into the Kop.
Must admit on the night against Southen there were moments when we were laughably poor
And I can't blame any fans for booing. I felt like leaving really early and I've never done that before.

 

[Chali 2na]

Interesting points.

Here's my take on it...

The fans bear no responsibility for our predicament.

Think that's sorted.

So you're saying fans have no impacte (be that positive or negative) on the results of any given game?

What a load of fucking bollocks if the players matched the fans enthusiasm we'd be In the premier league.

That is laughable. The fact you described us as enthusiastic is the sort of thing that could get you sectioned. What makes us more enthusiastic than any other set of fans for that matter?

Can't agree with this criticism.

When the players have shown desire and commitment then the fans have created a fantastic atmosphere at the Lane. That statement is true for last season and beyond and will be true this season if the players can actually demonstrate these qualities.

Are you seriously suggesting that fans should celebrate after conceding 3 goals in the first 15 minutes against Southend? Are you seriously expecting or hoping that the atmosphere would be anything apart from pissed off and frustrated?

The players don't have to perform like Barcelona to get the Lane rocking but they have to show some positive signs and I'm afraid that even that is seemingly too much at the moment. Hopefully the next home game will be different.

I do accept that there is some responsibility form the players to get the crowd up, but we set the precedent the other night by ironically cheering Long beige the goal.

And no, obviously we shouldn't be celebrating being 3-0 to Southend (don't know where anyone said that??)

 

[mattbianco1]

What a load of fucking bollocks if the players matched the fans enthusiasm we'd be In the premier league.

You could read back through 99.9% of your posts then ask how enthusiastic you sound

 

[Grizzly blade]

I get that...,but what is putting a shift in for a footballer? Running more??
It's not the lack of running that's the problem, it's organisation, shooting and a lack of responsibility to make a difference (born out of lack of confidence)

One or two of this lot are pretty skilful. They aren't showing it.
Stick Jamie Murphy straight back in this side and we would see the Pre Clough player again.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

So you're saying fans have no impacte (be that positive or negative) on the results of any given game?



That is laughable. The fact you described us as enthusiastic is the sort of thing that could get you sectioned. What makes us more enthusiastic than any other set of fans for that matter?



I do accept that there is some responsibility form the players to get the crowd up, but we set the precedent the other night by ironically cheering Long beige the goal.

And no, obviously we shouldn't be celebrating being 3-0 to Southend (don't know where anyone said that??)

You could read back through 99.9% of your posts then ask how enthusiastic you sound

This is a forum where I express my views during a match I'm behind the team. It's surely not that hard to comprehend?

Instead of coming on here slagging off the best fans in the land who despite the bullshit have followed the club in huge numbers over 7 years why don't you concentrate on the man at the helm who is the cause of our predicament?

 

[grafikhaus]

Totally disagree with the OP. Tuesday summed up perfectly why the atmosphere is quiet/poisonous at home games.

Despite utterly disgraceful performances in the two previous home games (Crewe & Rochdale), approx. 17,000 United fans decided to turn up regardless. The atmosphere was, if anything, nervous. I certainly didn't hear any booing before the first Southend goal - which was quickly followed by two more. Then there was abuse from some - a very few - fans behind the dugouts, which was directed at Wilder and was - given the tactics, display and general shittiness of the performances so far this season - understandable. This discontent didn't last long, in fact the subdued booing as the disastrous first half ended was remarkably tolerant given what had gone on before. The second half was played out in front of stunned disbelief, especially as this spineless team didn't even try to wrest the game back.

A caller on Radio Pig last night (he was definitely a Blade as he didn't feel the need to intersperse every other word with "Yeah?" as those denizens of Pitsmoor and Southey Green tend to) commented on the booing. I don't know where in the ground he was but, in the second half, Long was halfway into our half and looking to play another misplaced clearance forward. Some in the crowd sarcastically shouted "Shoot!" which may have been mistaken for boos (as in "Root!" in the cricket).

Some fans in the middle of the kop managed to get a "United" chant going which was amazing given that most people - including the team - had long given up on us.

The fans are the very last reason we are so bad.

 

[Sheffsteel]

What a load of fucking bollocks if the players matched the fans enthusiasm we'd be In the premier league.

A few years ago Nick Montgomery had massive enthusiasm but he was a scapegoat up to the PL season.
He was affectionately called "Mr 50p foot", any pass longer than 5 yards always went astray.

In today's team our most enthusiastic player is probably Chris Basham.
That guy always try's hard and gives 100% but even our most enthusiastic player gets stick.
Must admit Basham does at times lack quality but he's tries.

 

[DazBlade88]

To be fair, the atmosphere is poisonous because of the amount of shit that people have had to endure over the last few years. People who know me and have been to matches with me will tell you that I don't get on players backs during a game and get behind them as much as I can, but the 'getting behind them' part is becoming a chore, especially at home.

I hate the atmosphere at the Lane these days, it's not what I grew up watching and being a part of. But the players need to grow some bollocks and give the fans something to shout about now.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Turning up in numbers does not make us the best in the land.

If it's so bad....walk out. That says plenty to the players without the boos and hatred.

 

[mattbianco1]

why don't you concentrate on the man at the helm who is the cause of our predicament?

There would be no helm without him. We would have probably folded.

 

[Blade56]

The players have got to give the fans something to cheer about. This is a results business and its brutal, little love for losers.

What have we been given to cheer about in the past 7/8 years, please list them below.

As for the poor little players, their career choice, if they want money, women, cars, adulation earn it.

 

[mattbianco1]

Turning up in numbers does not make us the best in the land.

If it's so bad....walk out. That says plenty to the players without the boos and hatred.

100% this ^^

I remember times in Championship when we'd be getting 17/18k then an offer would be on or we'd be playing Forest or something and we'd get 25k. The atmosphere changed. You could tell that the moaners and groaners who usually stayed away had slid back in and tainted the atmosphere. We usually lost those games.

 

[Harry's Game]

This is part of the problem. The players are matching exactly the attitude of the fans. They turn up. That's it

Difference...

Players are being paid for it.

Fans are paying for it

 

[Blade82]

Only one fan is to blame for our current situation. He thinks we've just been unlucky.

 

[Grizzly blade]

The players have got to give the fans something to cheer about. This is a results business and its brutal, little love for losers.

What have we been given to cheer about in the past 7/8 years, please list them below.

As for the poor little players, their career choice, if they want money, women, cars, adulation earn it.

Cup runs.....?
As for the players, they can look at us and think...nah....fans on yer backs, pressure to win every game...I'm off to Scunny or Posh where you get paid the same and will enjoy it. They don't give a toss about us or anyone else. It's a job, a well paid one but still a job.
They can earn it at any other club on our level, and in some cases above.

Fans should be saying...ok, might not be top quality but you know what? They are OUR players, and to me they are the best in the land. Support them through thick and thin..,.,but instead we have a rank and file assessment of each player and in many cases decide they are complete shite before they have even kicked a ball.
Internet....death of football supporters.

 

[Chali 2na]

This is a forum where I express my views during a match I'm behind the team. It's surely not that hard to comprehend?

Instead of coming on here slagging off the best fans in the land who despite the bullshit have followed the club in huge numbers over 7 years why don't you concentrate on the man at the helm who is the cause of our predicament?

If during a match your behind the team, them you're not the problem. Did you read my OP? I'm simply saying that a negative atmosphere caused by some fans is detrimental to performance.

If you read my post, then you would have seen that I did acknowledge board incompetence. I'm just saying it's not the only problem.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Totally disagree with the OP. Tuesday summed up perfectly why the atmosphere is quiet/poisonous at home games.

The fans are the very last reason we are so bad.

I agree with people defending the crowd this season.
We were poor against Rochdale and the only booing was at the end of the match.
We are embarrassingly diabolical against Southend and I would have expected more in game booing.

Although I still think the OP has a point.
Some people have blamed the board but to be fair they've appointed top rated mangers and players with records of succes at their previous clubs. If they've performed at previous clubs then why can't they do it here?

However there is another theory, it's not the board or the fans.

The reason for our failures and bad luck is THE CURSE.
Ever since we got rid of the cricket we've generally struggled.

I remember a few years ago someone on Bladesmad was asking for £10 donations and offered to contact SUFC and pay for a priest to exorcise Bramall Lane of any unwanted spirits.