Time for a change

[Bladeulike]

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’.

 

[Dkc]

Some of the comments on today's match thread are hard to believe. Some could be deliberate wind ups but not all. It's like winning away isn't enough any more.

 

[ekke287]

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.

 

[finlaytheblade]

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’.

I like your post ! Penning what the Blades are historically.Just that! Hartlepool a few years ago! That was 1981/82 ! I was a youngish man then! I'm an old bugger now ! Still just as enthusiastic though.

 

[metalblade]

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.

 

[mattbianco1]

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.

Horrible watch wasn't it.

 

[Bladezz]

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.

So let’s say your correct, if we were in control and looking convincing how many more points would you expect us to have?

We would be beating championship records if we greatly improved.

 

[N20 Blade]

Horrible watch wasn't it.

I expect it was at Fratton Park. Burnley ''0'' FC.

 

[jim2007]

Some of the comments on today's match thread are hard to believe. Some could be deliberate wind ups but not all. It's like winning away isn't enough any more.

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

 

[loyalblade95]

It's just this mindset of we're Sheffield United and we must batter teams like Derby County 3 or 4-0 every week, or we'll moan if we don't.

Plymouth (who might have the worst away form in English football) have picked up 4 points from their last 2 games against Sunderland and WBA, two teams that on recent form, should have battered them.

Portsmouth held Burnley to a 0-0 draw at home, the same thing they did to us earlier in the season, they also drew 3-3 with Leeds.

Anyone can beat anyone in the championship, and teams down near the bottom (especially at home) will fight for points in every game between now and the end of the season.

We've just got to make sure we find ways to beat these sides, like we did today, and like we did against Swansea last week.

 

[N20 Blade]

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

Yep. Delusions of grandeur. When the new signings settle in, we will be a force. Point being, we're currently 2nd. What's not to like?

 

[mattbianco1]

I expect it was at Fratton Park. Burnley ''0'' FC.

Wasn't slagging us. It was just a horrible, bitty game.
Apparently this is how Derby are known to play and today the game was brought down to their level

 

[Bladeulike]

I like your post ! Penning what the Blades are historically.Just that! Hartlepool a few years ago! That was 1981/82 ! I was a youngish man then! I'm an old bugger now ! Still just as enthusiastic though.

100%. At that Hartlepool game I remember thinking ‘have we really come to this’ but then thinking ‘whatever it is it’s still my team so let’s get behind them!’ Now I’m hearing ‘we are better than this’ when, to be fair, we aren’t, we are batting above our average and what is needed is support not condemnation

 

[gordoncharles]

The OP calls it self-entitlement, there may be a few like loyalblade95 mentions who think we should batter teams. I don't it's that if it's just realism

We have a few players who are better (some much better) than their equivalents in most other teams, but we don't impress much as a team.

If anyone was being honest Leeds and Sunderland play better football than we do, and Burnley are better organised. We lean towards the latter but our results have been outshining our performances for most of the season, mainly because we have better players.

I don't think it's too much to expect more cohesive play than we generally have been producing in the last couple of months or so. If we can't do that now it doesn't bode at all well for next season if the intention is to get promoted and improve upon the lamentable showings we put up the last couple of times we were there.

Getting a good result when not playing well is a good thing but it shouldn't be the bloody default position.

 

[Nick Jansky]

It's just this mindset of we're Sheffield United and we must batter teams like Derby County 3 or 4-0 every week, or we'll moan if we don't.

Plymouth (who might have the worst away form in English football) have picked up 4 points from their last 2 games against Sunderland and WBA, two teams that on recent form, should have battered them.

Portsmouth held Burnley to a 0-0 draw at home, the same thing they did to us earlier in the season, they also drew 3-3 with Leeds.

Anyone can beat anyone in the championship, and teams down near the bottom (especially at home) will fight for points in every game between now and the end of the season.

We've just got to make sure we find ways to beat these sides, like we did today, and like we did against Swansea last week.

Success in this division is about picking up results consistently and bouncing back quickly from the inevitable dips in form. We’re doing both of those things. The resilience in this squad is brilliant. I wish we had more fans with similar backbone.

 

[ekke287]

So let’s say your correct, if we were in control and looking convincing how many more points would you expect us to have?

We would be beating championship records if we greatly improved.

I said “the worry for some” not “the worry for me”.

I was in the derby end today with a derby fan and he said it was boring, I agreed but stated it’s how we play and suffocate teams. Sometimes for me it’s a difficult watch because I feel it’s a risky tactic digging in. It’s worked a lot though so I get it, but I can see why people would be concerned, especially when Leeds are consistently putting other teams to the sword.

You’re right though, it’s the points that matter, but it wouldn’t take much for the slim victories to become draws or losses.

 

[loyalblade95]

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.

Fair enough, I wonder if that's more nervousness that we're seeing games out like that, which probably turns to frustration post match (even after we've won) that we haven't put a team to the sword.

I think some of our fans seem the likes of Leeds beating Cardiff 7-0 and Burnley beating Plymouth 5-0, and then wonder why we can't do that to anyone this season.

Burnley beating Plymouth 5-0 is the only time they've scored more than 2 goals in a single game this season (I think) and even though Leeds lost 3 of their best players last summer (Rutter, Summerville and Grey), their squad is basically a championship super team, bar their goalkeeper.

 

[ForgeBlade]

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.

 

[Berkshire 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.

I think there was the run where Cooper hardly let in a goal where we looked completely in control actually. Injuries and the like have knocked us slightly from that level but I wouldn't say even then we were just hanging on not going for it.

 

[gaz kay]

Not very good but won again. Is it good or bad I don't know. It reminds me of England

 

[Stretch]

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

 

[ekke287]

I think there was the run where Cooper hardly let in a goal where we looked completely in control actually. Injuries and the like have knocked us slightly from that level but I wouldn't say even then we were just hanging on not going for it.

It’s a fair point and I think this adds to the concern.

Cooper / Anel / Souttar as a three looked beyond solid, there was confidence that were were unlikely to concede so in those games there was no nervousness and we could sit on a slim lead.

Now we’re weaker at the back we seem to have the same faith that we can do this, and whilst it often works, it’s not as sure as before and like I said above, those slim wins can easily become draws.

Hopefully Souza plus Choudury gives us back that solidity and confidence to start going at teams more often, but while we’re winning I don’t see a huge issue in the “how” of the win.

 

[dc_blade]

There’s a lot to like about this team. Wilder has done a brilliant job getting us into this position. A lot of the criticism he gets is over the top and comes from people who never seem to post except when there’s something to moan about.

But we are boring to watch. We don’t create many chances and we don’t play exciting football. We were fortunate to win today against a really poor Derby team and it’s not the first time we’ve been a bit lucky against a team down at the bottom. I think Wilder has built a team that grinds out results even when we don’t play well, which is good. It’s just not that enjoyable to watch.

He’s been backed to the hilt in this window and now has a chance to build a more exciting team that also gets results.

 

[Northernsoulblade]

Shit watch today but a win is a win and an ugly win is as good as a pretty win 3 points keep going lads u can do it

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

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’.

The number of likes for your comment shows the true feelings of the majority of fans, Vs the mouthy minority who take to social media to vent their entitlement.

 

[breeny]

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’.

Actually just saying the same thing today…

 

[Snake]

Why can't people just accept that we are a 'work in progress' at the moment, and are doing fuckin excellent. We are now 2 windows into our transformation. We are doing above and beyond what we should be doing with the complete rebuild of the squad. We are winning games of football and sit second in the league. That will do for me!

We are building and doing it really well. We now have a very young squad of players the majority of which are on long contracts, so we have a foundation to build upon - even if we don't go up this season. If we do manage to go up then we will be in an even stronger position whatever happens - ie stay up (miracle) or come back down (more than likely).

I am loving what Chris and the team are doing. The first thing I want is the 3 points, anything after that is a bonus.

 

[N20 Blade]

Wasn't slagging us. It was just a horrible, bitty game.
Apparently this is how Derby are known to play and today the game was brought down to their level

No, I didn't think you were. You play the opponents, and we did today. Burnley has no other play, wish we'd set up for a 0-0 on Boxing Day.
Today we did what we had to do, and it's a great rebound from Hull.

 

[Houston_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.

This is the internet, nuance is a foreign concept.

If you critique anything the club, management or players do, question a performance or have the audacity to strive for improvement then you’re a “pig” or “entitled”.

 

[Nedski]

The OP calls it self-entitlement, there may be a few like loyalblade95 mentions who think we should batter teams. I don't it's that if it's just realism

We have a few players who are better (some much better) than their equivalents in most other teams, but we don't impress much as a team.

If anyone was being honest Leeds and Sunderland play better football than we do, and Burnley are better organised. We lean towards the latter but our results have been outshining our performances for most of the season, mainly because we have better players.

I don't think it's too much to expect more cohesive play than we generally have been producing in the last couple of months or so. If we can't do that now it doesn't bode at all well for next season if the intention is to get promoted and improve upon the lamentable showings we put up the last couple of times we were there.

Getting a good result when not playing well is a good thing but it shouldn't be the bloody default position.

100%.

I think that last season has a lot to answer for. Ever since we stopped the overlapping centreback system, we haven't had an identifiable style of play. We've generally attempted to be "solid" while hoping our star players will come up with something (Ndiaye, Berge, MGW, Hamer, O'hare etc). This involves no risks, slow build ups, long balls down the channels, hope we get a goal and if so sit deep, let them have the ball and try and ride it out. Whether Wilder or Hecky, it's been the same. No matter the players in the team, it's been the same.

Last season was a horrible, excruciating experience. We're winning more than losing this season because we have improved a lot of individuals and we're playing much worse opposition, but our current "system" is wilder through and through and very very unlikely to change next season. It simply won't work in the premier league even if we get a few better players in. We might not get smashed as consistently as we did last season but it's hard to see it being much better. None of us want a repeat of last season and I think that is the concern. We're playing poor teams, we're putting in poor performances, but we're doing enough to win. Then Hull come along and embarrass us at home showing we're still vulnerable to it.

I'd like to see the tactics and performances improve greatly to give us some confidence that a. We will be promoted and keep our best players, and b. We won't get humiliated week in week out if we do get promoted. Surely if we get promoted it's not "the taking part that counts" and we should be able to enjoy it? If we're going to avoid embarrassment then the improvements in all areas need to start now.