Time for a change

[FredZeppelin]

I always enjoy it when opening poster thinks he/she can tell everyone how they should think.

I'm glad we are grinding out wins and I still want us to win every game regardless. It's definitely a better feeling over the weekend than losing, obviously. That said, we are boring to watch most of the time and have been for the majority of the season. I've been a season ticket holder for many years so i'm showing my support for the club I love but I haven't been to the last couple of home games and haven't missed it because quite frankly, it's dull and not entertaining in the slightest. That's down to the management.

You're posting on a forum, not a bloody 'Superblades Wankathon'. People have different views and many on here didn't want Wilder back and have no love for him. He's done brilliantly but it doesn't mean that everyone has to have blind faith in him.

Accept it....or don't, I don't care.

utb

 

[alcoblade]

I've not seen today's game, or any away game this season, but I've been to most home games, and my take is that we do seem to sit back after going ahead. We've got the players to really go out and punish teams, but we do seem on occasion to be excessively cautious.

Don't get me wrong, it's (mostly) served us well, but I'd like to see us really take the brakes off and go for some big wins.

Can't be overly critical, given we're 2nd after 30 games and 17 points clear of 7th, but I would like to see us properly go for it sometimes.

I'm not sure we've really had the players to really go out and punish teams - but we've tried to address that this window, so fingers crossed.

 

[GymClassHero]

It’s time for a change of mind set and attitude of what seems to be an increasing number of suddenly self entitled Blades’ fans. It wasn’t great today, it wasn’t great against Hull or Swansea or Watford but the facts are we won today and remain second in the league and have now established a 3 point lead over third placed Burnley. 61 points after 30 games even after a 2 point deduction. All this in the context of a team that started the closed season as a virtual blank sheet of paper. On top of that, two of our key players suffered season ending injuries….and still some people are calling for Wilder’s replacement. Unbelieveable. On top of that a new set of owners, for the first time in living memory, are actually pump priming our renaissance with hard cash rather than pleading poverty (cf. Chansiri)

So you Blades who have suddenly acquired an attitude of we want to win ‘in style’ rather than ‘just win’ just get over yourselves. We are Blades and we don’t mind winning ugly when we have to. We aren’t entitled to roll over any other club in this or any other league. Leave the arrogance to the petrodollar fuelled plastics of the ‘top six’. Great win today, more great days to come as the team gells. We have some truly talented players who want to play for us and have chosen us over some tough opposition. Alternatively, stand on the wind and rain blasted terraces of Hartlepool in the old 4th division as many of us did several years ago and tell us about Wilder and his team’s ‘failures’.

Need only to look at West Ham and their treatment of David Moyes. Bet most who wanted him gone would have him back now.

 

[sportinguista]

We are 2nd in the league, despite not playing like Brazil 1970. Shoutbox going mad. Imagine being a Burnley fan. Jesus. They must be going for all kinds of dubious records. They are like a 1980s Italian Serie B team. If they have a shout box I bet it's in complete meltdown....

 

[GymClassHero]

It’s time for a change of mind set and attitude of what seems to be an increasing number of suddenly self entitled Blades’ fans. It wasn’t great today, it wasn’t great against Hull or Swansea or Watford but the facts are we won today and remain second in the league and have now established a 3 point lead over third placed Burnley. 61 points after 30 games even after a 2 point deduction. All this in the context of a team that started the closed season as a virtual blank sheet of paper. On top of that, two of our key players suffered season ending injuries….and still some people are calling for Wilder’s replacement. Unbelieveable. On top of that a new set of owners, for the first time in living memory, are actually pump priming our renaissance with hard cash rather than pleading poverty (cf. Chansiri)

So you Blades who have suddenly acquired an attitude of we want to win ‘in style’ rather than ‘just win’ just get over yourselves. We are Blades and we don’t mind winning ugly when we have to. We aren’t entitled to roll over any other club in this or any other league. Leave the arrogance to the petrodollar fuelled plastics of the ‘top six’. Great win today, more great days to come as the team gells. We have some truly talented players who want to play for us and have chosen us over some tough opposition. Alternatively, stand on the wind and rain blasted terraces of Hartlepool in the old 4th division as many of us did several years ago and tell us about Wilder and his team’s ‘failures’.

Also there are no easy games at this level, leagues one and two there are some teams which are a noticeably lower level than the top teams. We are getting results and last I checked a brilliant performance coupled with a 3-1 loss doesn't yield any points.

I don't disagree that we sit off after going ahead, but if it means taking 3 points and not picking up more injuries to an already depleted squad, so be it.

I think we would do well to remember that we were having to field fit but unwell players. More risk than it's worth. There's a difference between clinging on to a lead, and maintaining composure to see a win through.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Here’s the point for me.

If we are promoted having barely put together more than half a dozen comfortable wins (ie torn opponents apart at will for 90 mins and scored at least 3), and for the most part been saying “we won but we were poor” then it’s not a concern that we did it, but what’s most likely to come following it!

We’ve had two promotions recently, one we went up with a very good team that did often tear teams apart, a team that was fluent and had an attacking system where we always looked like scoring- the following season we finished 9th in the prem! What seemed crucial to that success was the unique system.

The other, we looked a bit naff at times but relied heavily on one or two players to get us up- namely Ndiaye and Berge. The following season was frankly dreadful.

So my frustrations are not just born through some disjointed and poor football where we are a Difficult watch, but more looking at what might be coming if we don’t start putting some performances together.
Let’s be realistic, this team currently would be smashed pretty much every week….i didn’t think that with the first promotion with Wilder.

So what’s likely to happen if promoted?

Well we’d need to add more than a few to the squad, particularly at the back. Midfield I reckon we may look to manage with what we have now.
Another keeper to back up Cooper.
Up front we’d need to sort the wide right position, and may be some question marks on whether COH will be effective against the pace and athletes.

So it would be another season of change, how big will depend on how much the new owners are prepared to take on as debt. But if we were at least going into next season in the top flight on a bit of a high and playing well we’d stand a far better chance of being competitive than we do now.

 

[Barnette]

I have put more on ignore this week than the previous 12 years added up. Something's got in the water. Must have.

So is this forum about 100% support or you're a traitor? That seems to take away the point of the place.

Yesterday's performance wasn't great and if we play like that in the Prem we will be next seasons whipping boys....AGAIN.

We have to look to improve, rather than just allowing yesterday's standards to become the norm. We already know what lies ahead.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

For me it's not arrogance or entitlement. I like to see us win, obviously, but I also like to be entertained, and whilst the effectiveness of this team isn't in question, most games, home or away, are boring to watch.

An earlier poster said we suffocate teams, and that's spot on.

When we are ahead, we never go for the throat, which is why we've only scored more than 2 goals in one game this season.

Effective but quite boring would be my take on this team. Suffocating with no swagger.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

Here’s the point for me.

If we are promoted having barely put together more than half a dozen comfortable wins (ie torn opponents apart at will for 90 mins and scored at least 3), and for the most part been saying “we won but we were poor” then it’s not a concern that we did it, but what’s most likely to come following it!

We’ve had two promotions recently, one we went up with a very good team that did often tear teams apart, a team that was fluent and had an attacking system where we always looked like scoring- the following season we finished 9th in the prem! What seemed crucial to that success was the unique system.

The other, we looked a bit naff at times but relied heavily on one or two players to get us up- namely Ndiaye and Berge. The following season was frankly dreadful.

So my frustrations are not just born through some disjointed and poor football where we are a Difficult watch, but more looking at what might be coming if we don’t start putting some performances together.
Let’s be realistic, this team currently would be smashed pretty much every week….i didn’t think that with the first promotion with Wilder.

So what’s likely to happen if promoted?

Well we’d need to add more than a few to the squad, particularly at the back. Midfield I reckon we may look to manage with what we have now.
Another keeper to back up Cooper.
Up front we’d need to sort the wide right position, and may be some question marks on whether COH will be effective against the pace and athletes.

So it would be another season of change, how big will depend on how much the new owners are prepared to take on as debt. But if we were at least going into next season in the top flight on a bit of a high and playing well we’d stand a far better chance of being competitive than we do now.

Nailed it. My concern too.

 

[Jan Age]

Some very sensible responses.

I’m a blade though and through and proud.

I’m proud we are top two, proud we have a fighting spirit proud we lived defending as we do.

I would never sit in the stands and voice my concerns in the 90 mins we are playing I would always support.

But some on here just feel you can’t have an opinion that’s anything other than amazing

The truth , as others have said is this ..

If we want to move forward as a club long term our style of football has to improve instead of playing like a team in fifa 93 with a predictable pattern of passing and limited mindset towards games.

We have some fantastic individual players copper, burrows, Hamer etc. and we rely on Hamer especially to provide any sort of cohesion or entertainment.

Whilst I’m grateful for wilder stabilising us he’s not the answer long term the truth is we have better players than 23 teams in the division but we scrape wins.

In the league above we won’t and we will rely on a style of play that we can recruit to long term and build a team for

If this the style of play we are recruiting for we are quite frankly fucked

 

[YES Blade]

Yesterday's performance wasn't great and if we play like that in the Prem we will be next seasons whipping boys....AGAIN.

I don’t care who goes up this season, they’ll do unbelievably well if they stay up.

Leeds smashing 7 past Cardiff doesn’t change my mind and make be think they’ll stay up easily.

This season doesn’t make a difference to next. The promoted teams will need to keep hold of their best players, recruit well and hope for a bit of luck along the way.

 

[Isar]

If we can get over the line this season that is what really matters. Like many Blades if we can do it in style that would be great.
If we are in the Premier League next season then there is a strong possibility of a big budget to really strengthen the squad. If grinding out results is the way to get there then so be it.

 

[Jan Age]

I guess the difference amongst the fans is that some are happy with short term thinking and others are thinking 3-5 years.

 

[Frank the tank]

I always enjoy it when opening poster thinks he/she can tell everyone how they should think.

I'm glad we are grinding out wins and I still want us to win every game regardless. It's definitely a better feeling over the weekend than losing, obviously. That said, we are boring to watch most of the time and have been for the majority of the season. I've been a season ticket holder for many years so i'm showing my support for the club I love but I haven't been to the last couple of home games and haven't missed it because quite frankly, it's dull and not entertaining in the slightest. That's down to the management.

You're posting on a forum, not a bloody 'Superblades Wankathon'. People have different views and many on here didn't want Wilder back and have no love for him. He's done brilliantly but it doesn't mean that everyone has to have blind faith in him.

Accept it....or don't, I don't care.

utb

You've either not read his post properly or totally misunderstood it as not one single point you've raised is relevant to the points he has raised

Several on this page going with the not allowed to be critical whiny bullshit

And how we need to be entertained whilst conveniently forgetting our injury's and Iinyergrating new players

That's the very definition of entitled

 

[Jan Age]

You've either not read his post properly or totally misunderstood it as not one single point you've raised is relevant to the points he has raised

Several on this page going with the not allowed to be critical whiny bullshit

And how we need to be entertained whilst conveniently forgetting our injury's and Iinyergrating new players

That's the very definition of entitled

Nope you’re wrong … I don’t expect to win … expecting to win is entitled…

I expect us to earn the right to win as a minimum which I would not argue that we do …we fucking graft hard

However I also want to see us flourish and move forward as a football club and play a style of football that will bring future success and stability in the premier league … this style won’t do that and that is not being entitled

 

[YES Blade]

Nope you’re wrong … I don’t expect to win … expecting to win is entitled…

I expect us to earn the right to win as a minimum which I would not argue that we do …we fucking graft hard

However I also want to see us flourish and move forward as a football club and play a style of football that will bring future success and stability in the premier league … this style won’t do that and that is not being entitled

Do you think style of play in the Championship really makes a difference in the Premier League?

Leeds beating teams more easily doesn’t make me think they’ll have a better chance of staying up.

It’s looking likely that all 3 promoted teams could go straight down again. I’m sure those 6 teams all had different styles to get promoted, but that style of play doesn’t matter if your players aren’t good enough.

 

[Jan Age]

If we can get over the line this season that is what really matters. Like many Blades if we can do it in style that would be great.
If we are in the Premier League next season then there is a strong possibility of a big budget to really strengthen the squad. If grinding out results is the way to get there then so be it.

But wilder as proven is not the man to spend the money on recruiting players that will fit a style of football that will be a success in the premier league.

Do you think style of play in the Championship really makes a difference in the Premier League?

Leeds beating teams more easily doesn’t make me think they’ll have a better chance of staying up.

It’s looking likely that all 3 promoted teams could go straight down again. I’m sure those 6 teams all had different styles to get promoted, but that style of play doesn’t matter if your players aren’t good enough.

this is my point … we need to have one default style and then others we can adapt to to win games when that doesn’t work… at the moment our default style is well… you tell me … and we don’t have other styles to fall back on.

 

[McGrath]

We're grabbing a goal and seeing games out. It's effective football.

It's frustrating that we're not playing amazeball, but that's just an added bonus in my view. I think fans should just accept it.

As for whether this style is what we need IF we get promoted. The absolutely it is, being tough, battling and hard to beat is probably the most important trait we'll need. We will be in a relegation battle and odds to go down.

 

[Isar]

But wilder as proven is not the man to spend the money on recruiting players that will fit a style of football that will be a success in the premier league.

this is my point … we need to have one default style and then others we can adapt to to win games when that doesn’t work… at the moment our default style is well… you tell me … and we don’t have other styles to fall back on.

My point is we need to get promoted first. That is the immediate priority.
Getting behind the team during games would be more of a positive influence that the fans can actually make.
The other points you raise would be for the American owners to consider thereafter.

 

[finlaytheblade]

You've either not read his post properly or totally misunderstood it as not one single point you've raised is relevant to the points he has raised

Several on this page going with the not allowed to be critical whiny bullshit

And how we need to be entertained whilst conveniently forgetting our injury's and Iinyergrating new players

That's the very definition of entitled

This season is so like the Heckie promotion ! We won plenty of games like the way we did yesterday ! It's remarkably similar so far.
Plenty of injuries effecting selection and game planning very similar! The difference is now! Heckie no recruitment as the Prince was skint some how we kept going due to
Illiman and to some degree a functioning team structure with Berge playing his part in patches.
Wilder this season rumbling along the difference coming up is stark ! recruitment! A new centreback means 5 possible game changers a massive boost at this stage nothing acheaved yet.
I think Heckie never got the acclaim his achievement deserved ! Also a FAcup semi thrown in the mix.
I've said before and I will say it again ! The bear hug the Prince gave Heckie was telling ! the promotion got the Prince out of jail ! Don't like thinking what could have happened had we failed ! fire sale on top of a fire sale with the Prince trying to sell with the club in fanancial turmoil.
Didn't happen thank fuucckk.

 

[Frank the tank]

Nope you’re wrong … I don’t expect to win … expecting to win is entitled…

I expect us to earn the right to win as a minimum which I would not argue that we do …we fucking graft hard

However I also want to see us flourish and move forward as a football club and play a style of football that will bring future success and stability in the premier league … this style won’t do that and that is not being entitled

So you don't expect us to win as that's entitled, you just want us to play good football and... Be... Successful... In the division above

 

[McGrath]

I guess the difference amongst the fans is that some are happy with short term thinking and others are thinking 3-5 years.

Style of play doesn't matter. There's been some great teams win loads of trophies over the years playing pretty attritional football. So I don't see why it's a long term view and we genuinely have to be careful of what we wish for!

I also don't understand why people seem to think Wilder can't implement a great style of play either, he did in the past, there's YouTube videos out there with our gang of ragtag lower league journeymen scoring goals against Premier League teams with 20 pass moves. He also often airs frustration in post match interviews on how we're careless with the ball, so he's trying to get there, maybe some of our attackers simply aren't as good as people like to think!

 

[YES Blade]

But wilder as proven is not the man to spend the money on recruiting players that will fit a style of football that will be a success in the premier league.

this is my point … we need to have one default style and then others we can adapt to to win games when that doesn’t work… at the moment our default style is well… you tell me … and we don’t have other styles to fall back on.

That’s because we’re generally always in the game, why would we need a different style when we’re winning matches and of the defeats, they’ve mostly been close defeats?

We’re not going to start changing our formation after going 1 goal down.

 

[Not so Slim ane]

Paul Warne teams don't allow the opposition to play pretty football as witnessed today, up and at em, kick it high, kick it hard, kick it long is what they do.

Agree... The pigs put 4 past them tho and haven't spent nearly £40m on 2 strikers

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Yeah but Cannon cost 10 million, and the club only paid that much to wind me up personally!

but we signed him and these boards were red hot with fans wanting to hear news of him - equally, those fans would have gone fucking banzai if he’d gone elsewhere in the Championship….

Damned if we do or we don’t with our fans.

 

[McGrath]

So is this forum about 100% support or you're a traitor? That seems to take away the point of the place.

Yesterday's performance wasn't great and if we play like that in the Prem we will be next seasons whipping boys....AGAIN.

We have to look to improve, rather than just allowing yesterday's standards to become the norm. We already know what lies ahead.

I'm happy we're second top. At the start of the season, I thought we may be hoping to sneak in the playoffs. I think most supporters did.

I think we've done remarkably well, and we've done so well because we are tough to beat. If we'd started the season concentrating on an intricate passing game, with our hastily arranged young team then I think we wouldn't be in the league position we are now as I think we'd have dropped points by making mistakes in possession and exposing the defence.

Yes, I'd like to see us play better football, I think everyone would, the manager included. But it's not just a switch you can flick on though.

IF we go up, then it'll be a battle to stay up. If we do stay up, it's because we would be tough to beat, hard working, well organised and difficult to break down. But that debate is for another day anyway.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

This season is so like the Heckie promotion ! We won plenty of games like the way we did yesterday ! It's remarkably similar so far.
Plenty of injuries effecting selection and game planning very similar! The difference is now! Heckie no recruitment as the Prince was skint some how we kept going due to
Illiman and to some degree a functioning team structure with Berge playing his part in patches.
Wilder this season rumbling along the difference coming up is stark ! recruitment! A new centreback means 5 possible game changers a massive boost at this stage nothing acheaved yet.
I think Heckie never got the acclaim his achievement deserved ! Also a FAcup semi thrown in the mix.
I've said before and I will say it again ! The bear hug the Prince gave Heckie was telling ! the promotion got the Prince out of jail ! Don't like thinking what could have happened had we failed ! fire sale on top of a fire sale with the Prince trying to sell with the club in fanancial turmoil.
Didn't happen thank fuucckk.

Spot on.

I also think Hecky did an excellent job (he's doing it again at Preston), against a terrible backdrop. Very similar style of play, but perhaps not the dominance of the present Wilder team.

2019 was the benchmark though. Great team that one wasn't it? Although plenty of sandy vaginas on here still then.

 

[Newbury Blade]

I was at the game today, and have been at a few similar this season, and whilst I don’t feel entitled in any way, I do worry watching us basically scoring and then hoping the other team can’t break us down.

I think that’s where the worry for some comes from, that we sometimes don’t look particularly convincing and as a a by product of that, we look out of control.

We had four new players all signed this window, two of whom were making their debuts. Come on.

 

[N20 Blade]

If we can get over the line this season that is what really matters. Like many Blades if we can do it in style that would be great.
If we are in the Premier League next season then there is a strong possibility of a big budget to really strengthen the squad. If grinding out results is the way to get there then so be it.

I think the takeover is the takeaway so speak. We weren’t ready last time then sold our best player(s).

Should we get promoted this season the board might help us more than ever before. Hopefully.

Also, I think there’s a degree of nostalgia regarding the first PL season under wilder.

As the season progressed the modus operandi was to work hard, stay tight and try to score. Not unreasonably I add. So that will be the same approach next season. That’s our strategy.

 

[Groucho Blade]

Our style seems to have moved on from ‘let’s keep it tight for 80 minutes and try to nick one’ to ‘let’s try to nick one and keep it tight for 80 minutes’