The truth about being a Blade

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SteelCity Blade

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Now that we’ve sunk almost as low as I think we can, I want to acknowledge the supporters as someone who has just about had enough of the shit we’ve had to endure. My message is that as supporters, you have nothing to feel bad about. You’ve paid your money; you’ve backed the team vocally and generally done your bit whilst getting fuck all in return. The team that went out on that pitch last night don’t deserve the kind of following they get and I don’t think they fully realise just how much it hurts the average Blade to see where we are. Perhaps they don’t even care.....

Footballers are paid handsomely for what they do and it isn’t a hard job. The pressure of having to beat piss poor sides after a long winless run is the least they should have to cope with and I feel no sympathy for any criticism they get. We’re told we need to get behind them and not be negative (it’s all about their feelings) when Joe Sheffield on the Kop has to work a 40+ hour week in a physically or mentally draining job to earn just enough disposable income to go and watch them. Such sentiments of supporters having a responsibility to player confidence are way off the mark IMO. What we actually need is for the players to man up and fucking grow a pair.....

It’s difficult when you’re losing games; anyone who has played the game knows that. But it gets to a point where professional pride has to kick in. Not just amongst the players but at the club, both of whom have seemingly left it far too late to rally and to recruit. Now that they’ve reached this point they don’t know what to do and all that is left is the Blades faithful, contemplating life in the third division. It may have been unthinkable a year or so ago but it is now almost inevitable as we stare it in the face. When we eventually bottom out (and I don’t think we have yet) many of the current crop will have moved on in some shape or form and the supporters will be left with the heartache. That’s football all over for you but I won’t go into that now.....

Sadly there is little we can do as supporters other than hope for a miraculous turnaround which quite frankly isn’t going to come – that’s quite apparent. I find the blame being levelled at Micky Adams fairly preposterous when you consider that the club has gone from one calamity to another since relegation from the PL. A lot of parties are to blame here and the only thing Micky is accountable for (IMO) is an inability to conjure a win from a lacklustre, apathetic group of players and as the paid manager of the football club he must take inevitable responsibility for results under his tenure. That is not to say I feel it is his fault, or that he should move on because I don’t, but it’s his job in part to do something about it. At the moment he is up that famous old creek without a paddle.....

In spite of all that Sheffield United is our club, it belongs to the supporters and always will. If ever there was a big club that’s life blood was its supporters it’s this one. Whatever problems there are on the pitch or at boardroom level just remember, YOU are Sheffield United not them. The people playing for and running it are largely overpaid mercenaries that will move on whilst you’re still there supporting. Do yourselves a favour, don’t turn on each other and don’t ever forget the good times you’ve had simply following the Blades in your own way because when it boils down to it the most fun we have is when we sing together, win together and even at times when we suffer together.....

As the song goes “We are the Blades” and unlike those we turn out to watch, we are fit to wear the shirt.

UTB!
 

Make your mind up Steel. Either Blackie 2 is responsible for results or he isn't.

I don't get this professional pride stuff either. You make it sound oh so easy - my opinion is the players tried their nuts off last night but just are not very good and led by an inept manager the result was what it was. No lack of effort, no lack of pride. Yes a lack of organisation but nowt else imo.
 
Make your mind up Steel. Either Blackie 2 is responsible for results or he isn't.

I don't get this professional pride stuff either. You make it sound oh so easy - my opinion is the players tried their nuts off last night but just are not very good and led by an inept manager the result was what it was. No lack of effort, no lack of pride. Yes a lack of organisation but nowt else imo.

Did you go Mic? I didn't but I see alot of people here who went saying there were a few players not pulling their weight last night and not busting a gut or running their nuts off as you say.
 
Did you go Mic? I didn't but I see alot of people here who went saying there were a few players not pulling their weight last night and not busting a gut or running their nuts off as you say.

I did yes, and I disagree totally with Brownie's post for example.
 
It's a mix of some players appearing to not care and others not being good enough. Crucially, the main defensive unit (the two centre halves and two central midfielders) just are not good enough.

I don't understand the signing of Collins permanently. He's not an improvement on Bartley and heaven help us if we paid any money for his registration.

I don't understand the signing of Doyle AT ALL. He's like Monty only without the mobility, tenacity or ball winning skills. We strengthened the one position that we really didn't need to - we already had Ertl as back-up.

The players have a job to do when they step onto the pitch and the fact that we couldn't hold onto (or even extend!) a 2-0 lead says volumes. However, a proportion of the blame has to go to the manager, who picked the side and also was responsible for bringing two of the biggest culprits to the club.
 
Even though you stated with such certainty that Micky Mouse was the man, I won;t hold it against you if you even remotely admit that you just maybe have got it totally wrong.

Maybe he'll keep us up and I'll look daft but I don't get how you can ignore the fact that he has had plenty of games against some poor opposition and has brought in a number of players who range from useless to ineffective at best. Who's fault is that. Couldn't care less what the budget is, he;s had his chances to to change it and blown it - other clubs gets results with far less recources.

Can you define what you are getting with this professional pride? Is it a tablet they can take before the game and we are just missing a trick and will stay up? Sorry to be silly but it's these bland generalisations about players not trying etc which reallyw ind me up. You know they are rubbish, I know they are rubbish but I'm sure they tried for us last night - no complaints from me.
 
Did you go Mic? I didn't but I see alot of people here who went saying there were a few players not pulling their weight last night and not busting a gut or running their nuts off as you say.

I went. I didn't see lack of effort to be honest. I just saw a bunch of players who are crap. Forget the analysis, it's that simple.

UTB
 
Cheers, but would you say the manager got it right by picking a team that scored quickly not once twice?

He obvisouly set the team out to attack the game, whether by hoof or by sweet little passing moves. Who then is at fault for the 2 goals before half time, did you see him issue any instructions out for the team to change the formation or shapee in anyway?
 
I don't understand the signing of Doyle AT ALL. He's like Monty only without the mobility, tenacity or ball winning skills. We strengthened the one position that we really didn't need to - we already had Ertl as back-up.

He does a similar job for a fifth of the salary. I'd assume Monty will be offloaded, if possible, in the summer - making Doyle's signing seem appropriate. It's not Doyle's signing that concerns me. Collins looks totally inept. As did Mattock before his fortunate (sorry) injury.

UTB
 
It's a mix of some players appearing to not care and others not being good enough. Crucially, the main defensive unit (the two centre halves and two central midfielders) just are not good enough.

I don't understand the signing of Collins permanently. He's not an improvement on Bartley and heaven help us if we paid any money for his registration.

I don't understand the signing of Doyle AT ALL. He's like Monty only without the mobility, tenacity or ball winning skills. We strengthened the one position that we really didn't need to - we already had Ertl as back-up.

The players have a job to do when they step onto the pitch and the fact that we couldn't hold onto (or even extend!) a 2-0 lead says volumes. However, a proportion of the blame has to go to the manager, who picked the side and also was responsible for bringing two of the biggest culprits to the club.

It says that like plenty of sides before we chucked a 2 goal lead away - unfortunately it has probably sealed our fate but it happens and more so I assume when you have awful players. But for me the players did their job of turning up and playing football to the best of their ability on the given night imo. It wasn't good enough and we lost. Plenty clapped em off at the end amidst the booing.
 
I went. I didn't see lack of effort to be honest. I just saw a bunch of players who are crap. Forget the analysis, it's that simple.

UTB

Cheers Alco.

Running around is one thing but not being able to do the and think about doing the basics is another thing entirely.
 
Cheers, but would you say the manager got it right by picking a team that scored quickly not once twice?

He obvisouly set the team out to attack the game, whether by hoof or by sweet little passing moves. Who then is at fault for the 2 goals, did you see him issue any instructions out for the team to change the formation or shapee in anyway?

No problem with the tactics. It's the quality that let us down. In so much as he's brought in several of the players, Adams has to share some blame. As I've said elsewhere, we're now a bottom feeding club. It's back to the days of playing the percentages - signing 10 players in the hope 3 pay off. I can'tr decide how much blame to lay at Adams feet for this. What's clear is that the cancer set in the club long before he came. Until McCabe clears off, or becomes a leader again, we're in deep shit.

UTB
 

He does a similar job for a fifth of the salary. I'd assume Monty will be offloaded, if possible, in the summer - making Doyle's signing seem appropriate. It's not Doyle's signing that concerns me. Collins looks totally inept. As did Mattock before his fortunate (sorry) injury.

UTB

What worries me is that Coventry fans seems sure he was one of their higher earning players. If you're right, then it makes sense but then wouldn't that also suggest that we were actively looking to move Monty on in January?
 
Even though you stated with such certainty that Micky Mouse was the man, I won;t hold it against you if you even remotely admit that you just maybe have got it totally wrong.

Maybe he'll keep us up and I'll look daft but I don't get how you can ignore the fact that he has had plenty of games against some poor opposition and has brought in a number of players who range from useless to ineffective at best. Who's fault is that. Couldn't care less what the budget is, he;s had his chances to to change it and blown it - other clubs gets results with far less recources.

Can you define what you are getting with this professional pride? Is it a tablet they can take before the game and we are just missing a trick and will stay up? Sorry to be silly but it's these bland generalisations about players not trying etc which reallyw ind me up. You know they are rubbish, I know they are rubbish but I'm sure they tried for us last night - no complaints from me.

Have you ever played the game mic? There is a difference between trying and caring - physical effort v mental effort. Running alone does not consitute effort on a football pitch. The act of making a simple decision (that any intelligent person can make) is what constitutes focus and effort in a football match. Running up and down constantly for 90 minutes might show physical exertion, but can you honestly tell me that all of those players are - stretching to make that vital challenge, straining every sinew to get on the end of a loose ball or to put their head on a cross? These are the difference makers and they are the things our players arent doing. Effort and passion can be disguised in lots of ways.
 
Brunsmeer U10s and that is it - not good enough! Played plenty of team sport though and I know exactly what you are saying. 11 individuals can run around and 'put a shift in' but will they cover a teammate, challenge for a header when it is likely you will get crunched.

Like I said, I went last night and saw 100% effort and a will to win. I'll give you an example last night of Quinn breaking in forst half, knew he was going to get ball first and then get totally flattened by the defender. He did and he was hurt. Evans - outstanding again for me and kept going until the bitter end. People seem to suggest that when Yeates for examples makes a hash of a chance it is because he aint bothered and I just find that astonishing.
 
No problem with the tactics. It's the quality that let us down. In so much as he's brought in several of the players, Adams has to share some blame. As I've said elsewhere, we're now a bottom feeding club. It's back to the days of playing the percentages - signing 10 players in the hope 3 pay off. I can'tr decide how much blame to lay at Adams feet for this. What's clear is that the cancer set in the club long before he came. Until McCabe clears off, or becomes a leader again, we're in deep shit.

UTB

I've said all along he has to accept some of the blame, and he does he said so last night, but he isn't the sole person to blame as others are suggesting, I'm not happy with his signings but as you said (i believe in) in another post, these signings show where we are at, skint and bottom feeding. But I also think its about time others higher than Micky and others working under Micky start to take a massive brunt of the blame.

The players have been getting off largely scott free, they are bloody professional footballers who should be able to think and who should know the game to a degree that they can think for themselves once they step onto that line, a team of this level of professional players shouldn't need constant instruction from the sidelines.

---------- Post added at 02:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------

Have you ever played the game mic? There is a difference between trying and caring - physical effort v mental effort. Running alone does not consitute effort on a football pitch. The act of making a simple decision (that any intelligent person can make) is what constitutes focus and effort in a football match. Running up and down constantly for 90 minutes might show physical exertion, but can you honestly tell me that all of those players are - stretching to make that vital challenge, straining every sinew to get on the end of a loose ball or to put their head on a cross? These are the difference makers and they are the things our players arent doing. Effort and passion can be disguised in lots of ways.


Put more eleqantly than I did cheers SCB!
 
Brunsmeer U10s and that is it - not good enough! Played plenty of team sport though and I know exactly what you are saying. 11 individuals can run around and 'put a shift in' but will they cover a teammate, challenge for a header when it is likely you will get crunched.

Like I said, I went last night and saw 100% effort and a will to win. I'll give you an example last night of Quinn breaking in forst half, knew he was going to get ball first and then get totally flattened by the defender. He did and he was hurt. Evans - outstanding again for me and kept going until the bitter end. People seem to suggest that when Yeates for examples makes a hash of a chance it is because he aint bothered and I just find that astonishing.

Fair enough, then you understand my point.

But with Yeates for example that is probably because the supporters visibly see that he could give more to the cause and its not just about him, there are several others as well. Football is played in the mind, the body will follow if you make sensible and correct decisions. Yes the ability has to be there but we're not talking about total novices here mic they're professional footballers who have been paid by other clubs to do this job before. If they're not prepared to put mind and body 100% into it and do a professional job from set pieces etc. then they should find another career.

There is an excuse for not being able to do something because the opponent is much better. There is no excuse for allowing the opposition to get the better of you because you keep making poor decisions. They're paid a fortune, it shouldn't happen that often.
 
Running around counts for absolutely naff all. All the best players (remember McGrath when he played for us) have positional sense. Yes you need an engine room but look at what we have. We have a team of triers and a team of physically fit players but there are some fundamentals that just mean they aren't good enough, be it as a team or as individuals.

For instance, our back 4. Any back four that concedes three against Scunthorpe United is in trouble. Individual errors is what I keep hearing. Well thats down to two things and two things only. Either they aren't good enough, or they are uncomfortable playing the tactics the Manager has set them. Because it happens week in, week out, Ill go for not good enough.

The Midfield. A bank of 4 triers who are fit and able most of the time. In Quinn we had someone who once had the ability to play in the Premiership but now is a shadow of what he was. They are generally outbattled and played around. This has to be a case of not good enough once more although the fact there is absolutely no balance points to poor management and no tactical awareness in my opinion.

Forwards. We don't create enough via the midfield. I have every sympathy for our forwards, because even if they run their bollocks off they won't get anything but scraps to feed off. This is down to lack of quality through the midfield. Although in the case of players like Bent, you know if he isn't getting the ball into him his head will go down sharpish.

Fact is when you look at it, you could still have BT up front and he would struggle. Our team is devoid of ideas and the quality is poor. Combine that with a series of Managers who don't really know what to do apart from their own plan A and you see why we are where we are.

Where is a play maker (when we had Andy Reid we had a chance)? I think if you feed the chances into someone like Marcus Bent he will get you goals, but you have to get round teams to create. We don't do that.

In short, were fucked.
 
Any back four that concedes three against Scunthorpe United is in trouble

So, we're improving then??
 
"I think if you feed the chances into someone like Marcus Bent he will get you goals,"

On what evidence do you base this statement?
 
"I think if you feed the chances into someone like Marcus Bent he will get you goals,"

On what evidence do you base this statement?

Ahhhh your not a fan are you?
 
Being a blade is like opening a present on xmas morning to find someone has neatly wrapped up a warm turd.
 

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