We are going nowhere....who's at fault?

[Woodwardfan]

I reckon there's some budget left yet. And it is only 10 games. Round about 20 games a lot of teams start to run on empty with depleted squads due to injuries and suspensions. There is a long, long way to go yet.

We will still be spending in January when others can't.

It is natural for much abused Blades fans to be pessimistic. Natural but so counterproductive. We have new owners, let's judge them by what they do, not by our own history.

Within all I say which encourages positivity, I must say that anything less than automatic promotion is failure for Clough and he has given himself a weak start. That is little surprise though with all the necessary changes to the squad.

 

[The Bohemian]

Plenty of frustration on display - including from people who did not go to yesterday's match but make various assumptions based on yesterday's performance.

I was there, sitting quietly in the East Stand, along with my wife and many other similarly well behaved Blades who went along simply to watch their team play football.

The game I saw had the Blades generally in control and coping comfortably with Chesterfield prior to Higdon being sent-off. A decent Chesterfield team never looked like getting behind the Blades defence prior to their goal, which was a well struck 25 yarder. Even at 1-0 down I was confident we would not lose the game. McCarthy, who had won every header and looked comfortable on the ball, then inexplicably passed the ball to Roberts who had a straight passage to goal and slotted in their second.

Cloughie's dismay at the ref's decision not send the Chezzie defender off when Murphy was through on goal was justified.

The 10 v 10 second half was disappointing. Morsy, who looks a very good player, ran the show in the middle of the park, aided by Wallace departing after 51 minutes and Doyle' worst game of the season. At 2-0 down we were forced to chase the game and always risked getting caught on the break, which is precisely what happened for Chezzie's third.

I'm as disappointed as the next supporter at being mid-table after 10 games. However, based on what I've seen so far, I see a top 6 finish at worst, with the squad we've currently got, and automatic promotion as a distinct possibility. Of course we'd rather be 8 points clear at the top, but Cloughie has been in the job for less than 12 months, during which he has transformed a basket case of a team looking nailed on for relegation into a good League One outfit. In doing so he has taken us to an FA Cup Semi-Final and won 54% of his matches (more than Bristol's Cotterill and Swindon's Cooper who have been in charge for a similar period and have won 45%).

He faced a massive challenge in maintaining momentum having lost Maguire, Brayford and Coady (the only one of these he realistically could and should have kept). Some of his pre-season signings have yet to prove their worth but it's too early to write any of them off (Higdon, incidentally, played well and looked sharper prior to his sending off yesterday).

The charge of mismanagement against the board since relegation from the Premier League is a no-brainer - we would clearly not be in Div 3 having spent tens of millions getting there if this were not the case. But it's surely unfair to lambast the current owners and execs, based on what we've experienced to date! I can't help but feel sympathy for Jim Phipps who has communicated more openly than any Blades Director in my lifetime and for his efforts gets written off as a "spin-doctor."

Money has been invested in the team by the new owners - according to Phipps, up to the limit of FFP rules last season and likely to be very close to the limit again this time round (that limit presumably being higher this season given transfer and cup income). So the only inference that can be drawn from those who say more should be spent, is the club should ignore FFP rules and/or Phipps is telling lies. Where there is evidence of Phipps, or anyone else on the club's payroll for that matter, lying to supporters, I will be on their case as strongly as anyone, but choosing to constantly assume the worst and then pillorying people based on those assumptions is not constructive and does not move us forward.

Having said all of the above, I am an unashamed optimist where the mighty Blades are concerned and this outlook has provided emotional sanctuary down the years.

UTB

 

[The Jackal]

If the snot sniffers around here think we are bad this season, those window lickers shoulda seen us last season at this stage. Dogshit doesn't even come close and we still had some of these fools, lurkin on tinternet sayin the manager would get us up. More and more these days I'm of the opinion that some long hard looks are in order...For the record, this season is definitely a step up from last and I for one am enjoyin the extra drama, long may it continue!! *Lights blue touch paper, retires to safe distance*

 

[Bladesman]

 

[metalblade]

Don't you just love how this team is still gelling after 10 games hold on a minute are we the only team to bring in a lot of new players why aren't those teams struggling too ?
We hardly spent a fortune in the summer I am struggling to see why January will be any different. It would also seem that others don't have to spend in January to find better players than we can.
Frankly it is laughable to suggest criticism is counter productive and that if all fans were positive that the team would somehow play better .............. get a grip !

 

[Jehovah]

I do not profess to speak for the majority. I speak for what I think. I have an opinion as do others. Don't expect others to agree and it would be dull if they did.

I just have more respect for those that balance any argument for or against with some rational thoughts or evidence.

The bastard blades.

 

[Tezza1889]

op is perfectly summing up where we are at the minute, we are all frustrated and the expectations of the fans and media for that point do not match what's manifesting on the pitch right now, i was rubbing my head as to how cloughs brother was installed as chief scout on the day clough came, but he's been two seasons trying to sign a striker, why not give him the no 9 shirt, he cant be worse than higdon.

did cloughs brother scout scougall if so this would spell hope that he isnt that bad a scout, but lets not kid ourselves, stefan will be sold in January if we don't start to get the results we need to keep players like him and Baxter at the club, I dont see many other players pushing for a career at a higher level, it looks like they are happy with the package at Sheffield United and are going through the motions, picking up a wage at a big club as Basset/ Warnock used to say.

Nigel Clough is slowly putting his mark on the team, we look frightened, over cautious and devoid of any threat in front of goal, the opposition have spotted it and are taking full advantage of this, they must walk into the changing room and say have a go at them cause there'll be keeping it tight for the first half and instead of teams bricking it because they have to play us we are setting up to counter their threat and its a joke, there's no fear factor for the opposition when playing against us cause we set up not to lose and that gets their tails up,

was last season the John Brayford show, or did Clough finally have some quality to play with and could finally show his managerial class, or because Brayford lifted the gloom and installed belief in the players and made them realise you can go from burton to the premiership if you just put the effort in, who knows, but we need somebody like that in the first team this season, a spark if you will.

Finally, Nigel Clough should never be compared to his dad and probably never will be unless a journo with writers block and the need to pad out a few column inches makes that comparison, you see, Brian would bang the door down every day to get what he wanted and a major case in point for Brian was the signing of Trevor Francis, knowing full well that trevor might be a tad expensive but he could see the quality and potential in the lad, and would take the risk, knowing that in most likelihood he would have a great player and should he be sold, turn a tidy profit because he's a very young player with a lot of miles left on the clock.

Exactly the opposite with Nigel, Connor Coady showed us that Nigel won't gamble on a young lad with a great football education who was only going to improve and become more valuable as our player, or an asset should we sell on like we normally do, at the end of last season offsides apart he could have scored every week, and was desperate to sign for us in the summer, so why didn't he?

Clough's an old school shopkeeper looking for a bargain that sadly isn't out there anymore, £375.000 was the sale of the century, maybe he didnt push hard enough, or maybe we lost another potentially brilliant player due to personality issues, who knows maybe we don't have the money, and if we don't have 350k for coady then clough should come out and say it, something needs to give, and sooner rather than later for me, we could be dealing with two more seasons down here should we not raise our game...

playtime is over for the Board and Clough.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Don't you just love how this team is still gelling after 10 games hold on a minute are we the only team to bring in a lot of new players why aren't those teams struggling too ?
We hardly spent a fortune in the summer I am struggling to see why January will be any different. It would also seem that others don't have to spend in January to find better players than we can.
Frankly it is laughable to suggest criticism is counter productive and that if all fans were positive that the team would somehow play better .............. get a grip !

Never said criticism was counterproductive. I said the natural pessimism was. Big difference.

All criticism is worthy as long as it's thought through and sensible.

Dare I say "Get a grip and read things properly" and good debate will prosper.

 

[Grappler]

As a relative newbie to the forum, I don't expect anyone to be hanging on to my every word, but as a life long Blade, after first attending a match with my Grandad around 1969/1970, I wanted to chip in with a few comments. First, and most obvious of all, we have, over recent years, let good players go and replaced them with people of lesser quality, and then in turn let those people go and replace them in the same manner. Hence we were a team that briefly flirted with the Premiership, under Warnock, and then we were always solid fixtures around the top 8 of the Championship. The rest is (recent) history.
When we pushed the boat out and bought James Beattie, we had a front man who ignited the crowd and who was on an impressive goals tally when we decided to sell him.
When we signed an ageing Gary Speed (RIP) we brought in a player of fantastic experience who had played at the highest level and who still had a touch of class about him, a model player.
Ched Evans was a player with potential (and despite all the press stories, we did not pay 3 million pounds for him, just like Hull did not pay us 2.5 million for Harry) who only found his scoring boots once we entered league one, but when he did, he could not stop scoring.

Last season. we had the cup run and missed the play-offs by the skin of our teeth.

Where is the "James Beattie" or "Gary Speed" like player in our line up? The player who has played at the highest (or a higher) level than everyone else around him, who brings that quiet confidence that spreads to the rest of the team?

Where is our "Ched Evans" front man, who keeps the team belief high, because going behind (as we constantly do these days) does not mean we will lose games.

Why didn't we sign any of the "20 plus goals" strikers from other league one clubs when we had the chance this summer, is SUFC such an undesirable place to come and ply your trade.

We are shipping too many goals, without a doubt, we don't close down players on the ball quick enough, and despite often being in the final third of the pitch, we don't score enough.

Who is at fault? Well the board have to be first in the firing line, because they should know that if we carry on like this, gates will drop and so will income. Does anyone honestly think that we will be getting 18,000 a week if we are in League 1, yet again, next year? The die hards will attend of course, the more casual fan will drop off again. Money has to be spent on loan player wages and more importantly, in January. Last year we had too much ground to catch up on, but made it to 7th place. We can't do that this season, we have to be top 10 in January as a minimum.

Second, Nigel Clough, I love Nige as much as the rest of us, but sometimes he baffles me. Why wait too long to bring on JCR yesterday? Why on earth buy Chris Basham as an attacking midfielder when he has never played that role?

On what strength did he think that McGahey (who has not been too bad) should come straight in to the first team, when we have lads as good in the U21's already?

I understand that we can't rush along young players who are coming back from injury, but from what I have seen of Diego this term in the youth team, he has more skill than Murphy, Flynn and Scougall (no disrespect to those three) with his only weakness being a lack of height. I would start Diego over Scougall any day of the week, because Diego has pace AND can score.

The players have to shoulder some blame, there is no excuse for not being fit if you are a pro who gets paid to kick a ball around for 90 minutes, twice a week, and get paid handsomely for it. Baxter is great but looks like still needs to drop a few pounds, as does Higdon. Despite what the manager tells you to do, some things should be instinctive; closing someone down, getting a foot in to get the ball or slow the game down, anticpating where the opposition or your own players are about to play the ball to.

I could go on, but no doubt you are all bored or asleep after my long post above!

I will finish by saying that , as always, I will be buying two season tickets next season, as I always have, for me and the wife, another staunch Blade, I just wish I would be watching Championship football next time!

UTB.

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

I think some are guilty of letting their frustration run away with them a little bit at the moment. Understandable, yesterday's loss was a sickener but it looks justifiable to say that it was one of those games where refereeing decisions had a huge say on the game. We didn't do ourselves any favours but there you go.

I might be in a minority here, but I would say that the players we have are capable of a top two challenge. Currently, I question whether Clough is making the most of what is at his disposal.

 

[JJBlade]

I did not go to Chesterfield today and I am going to be a bit hypocritical to offer my thoughts considering my non attendance. I did not go to Rotherham either last year. A few years ago not going down the road (I could be at Proact in 15 minutes) was unheard of but this is how this club has got me. I did not even know the tickets were on sale and then by the time I thought about going they had gone (due to incredible loyalty and still passion despite so many let downs). I did not feel sad not to be going today. I sadly expected a loss to a hungry, young and well drilled side. It went as I expected it.

The season is now 10 games in. We have lost 4 of them and are chucking goals away most away games and showing little chance of ever going on a run. We do ok (at best) one week and then the next week its another step backwards. On what we have seen so far we will do well to get in the top 6 and look all the world a plodding mid table side.

We have a leaky defence, a midfield that does not create and don’t score goals with the worst collection of options up front in my United lifetime. We have enough experience and depth and some talent that occasionally sparkles but are really inconsistent (Murphy, Campbell Ryce, Baxter and Scougall). We change the side every week and we look no nearer to spending any significant funds to properly improve this team of journeyman and misfits.
So who is to blame? Well the reality is that everyone has to take a chunk apart from us lot.

The board

I have to say that the boards strategy and lack of ambition as always costs us any chance to move forward. We have not spent significantly in transfer fees or wages to be anywhere near good enough to be in the top two. We lost key players and after a good cup run and funds generated (Maguire) spent peanuts in comparison. As always there is excuse after excuse added to spin from our American friend as chairman. I don't buy it and neither do most fans.

My honest opinion is whether the Prince (and his associates) have money or not; they ain't spending it on this football club. If they were serious after us moving up the leagues and it being 'game changing' they would have spent the small sums in comparison to their fortune needed to get us out of the third tier. I don't think they are that bothered. I think it is a bit of a toy; a bit like his fantasy football league he always speaks of. Sadly I think in the next year or so he and the others will quietly disappear. Will it matter? On current evident it won't as there introduction as changed little with the only real significance that McCabe has allegedly wrote off his debts.

We have had lots of time to improve the squad and in reality they have not given Clough that much help to make us that dominant side that is not guaranteed promotion but one that has a very good chance. He had had to sign players that for the most part will still be on decent wages at this level and more than Chessy, Rochdale etc but not the sort of players who will get us out of this division. However......

The Manager

I would also argue other sides have managed to recruit players either loan or from the lower leagues (Peterborough, MK Dons, Bristol) spending not much more (Agard apart). The players Peterborough brought in Maddison from Gateshead and James from Hartlepool were not 'name' signings. Similarly could we have not got Freeman, Litte, Ayling, Wilbraham and some of others Bristol signed. Akobe for MK Dons? All have had big impacts.

Clough has to be honest and say the signings he did bring in overall have been really poor. Alcock has been steady until recent games and Campbell Ryce shown flashes but injury prone. McEveley started well but has gone off the boil. The Butler signing and outgoing was a fiasco. Higdon has been awful as has the abysmal Basham. McNulty looks a little out of his depth. He resigned Porter and also Davies (neither are considered starters). I feel sorry for some of lads such as Reed, Dimaio, Di Girolamo, Khan etc. Could they have done any worse?

The pre season saw the team messed around and this has continued. We have not started the same team for two successive games. We do not have any of the defensive solidity from last season and look disorganised. We also do not have the attacking fluency we had last season. Tactically and coaching wise he has been out performed many games this season. We are shipping goals all over and have been fortunate to have even got many of the results we have. The last 3 games we have let in 11 goals and other than a few late comebacks it could have ben even more embarrassing.

In short as good as Clough was last season and what a job he did; although taking over from the woeful Weir he had a free pass in some ways and could not do any worse (but still did a tremendous job to get us to the semi and cusp of the playoffs when we were staring down the barrel); he has been really poor this season. If he had not done what he had last year then many fans would be calling for a change. People may laugh at that but that is the truth. Wilson went when we were 4th. The football this season has been really poor. The performances average at best and the results a mixed bag but wholly unacceptable for a club of Uniteds standing to be scratching around in mid table for the 4th year if the third tier.

Clough has shown this season why he was in non league for 10 years and why at Derby they never realy moved forward. He has done very little in his managerial career but showed so much promise last season. I thought at last a no nonsense manager who got us playing with some style and brought some pride back. This season we have gone completely backwards. It is better than Weir but no better than the average dross Wilson served up in his second season. We look miles off a decent side and the buck has to stop with Clough for that whatever limitations he may have had. I am sure the likes of many other managers above us in the league (Alexander at Fleetwood, Hill at Rochdale, Cook at Chesterfield) would love to have his limitations. The honeymoon is over for me now and I know some may feel by criticising him that it is taking away from the board and the deserved criticism I have given above. However, he has to much better in preparing the sides (2 or 3 down every away game at the moment is pathetic) and get them sharper, tighter, better drilled and more ruthless. We look a soft touch all over the field. I can accept the lack of goals, creativity but being out worked and out thought has been a constant much of the season.

The players

Too many seem to have not got going. Murphy and Flynn have mostly reverted to type. Scougall does not look the same player and Collins and Doyle although sometimes harshly seen as in line with our recent demise are still what they are. Average. They at least wont be at the club this time next year. We have a mixed bag of journeymen players. However even these should be doing better. Some of these wont have ever played for a club like us and wont again. They should be proud to wear the red and white stripes and run through brick walls.

Many are on a good wage at this level but many seem like either they cant be arsed or kind of happy to accept mediocrity. Murphy and Flynn are casing points. Two players who have enough ability to be stand outs at this level but at the moment they are looking no better than anyone else and will be stuck playing football here or lower for United or someone else unless they realise and start waking up. Many have come here and should be desperate to show almost 20,000 what they are about but have been shocking (Basham, Higdon etc). If they don’t improve they will end up at some crap hole soon on less wages and
I wonder if they regret not making the most of a golden chance to play in front of big crowds, have great training facilities and have fans wanting and hoping for them to be heroes.

Verdict

Some fans say we should have to accept where we are and realise we are League One. I am sorry but that is not acceptable to have that attitude. I know we can’t do much but does not mean we should accept such mediocrity. I hear some say United are some of worst fans that they are up one week, and down the next. I do not agree with this.

Yes all clubs have fans like this but do you know what for the dross and the position and where we are in the football pyramid, the fans support has been incredible for me. In many ways we are the most patient bunch in the land. We are comfortably the biggest underachievers for a club of our size/support in the league and yet we keep turning up most weeks. We are about the only good thing this club has (don’t give me the Academy as anyone any good is sold anyway).

The rest of this club is a bit of a mess that is plodding along with no sense of urgency and drive. James Phipps comments on twitter to me are quite patronising (unbroken etc). We deserve better. Will we get it. Probably no time soon. Up the Blades.

Nice post
Is it any wonder that our fans are like they are. This is our ninth season in this division in the last 30 odd years. Shocking state of affairs, and what's worse is that I'm not even including the season that we weren't even good enough to be in this Division or the years struggling in the Championship to stay out of this division.
To certain members of our fan base this seems to be acceptable and criticism is unhelpful. I wont accept it and I'm done now until the club change it's entire way of doing things, just winning a few games will not be enough for me anymore. Until United start signing, strong, quick, confident, powerful, fit, determined, young up and coming players with an obvious good future in the game instead of weak minded, physically inferior, confidence inferior, injury ridden nobodies I'm done with them.

 

[Grappler]

Nice post
Is it any wonder that our fans are like they are. This is our ninth season in this division in the last 30 odd years. Shocking state of affairs, and what's worse is that I'm not even including the season that we weren't even good enough to be in this Division or the years struggling in the Championship to stay out of this division.
To certain members of our fan base this seems to be acceptable and criticism is unhelpful. I wont accept it and I'm done now until the club change it's entire way of doing things, just winning a few games will not be enough for me anymore. Until United start signing, strong, quick, confident, powerful, fit, determined, young up and coming players with an obvious good future in the game instead of weak minded, physically inferior, confidence inferior, injury ridden nobodies I'm done with them.

Bit harsh mate ("I'm done with them"), but I can see where you are coming from. You pay the money, or not, to watch them so it is your choice. Unfortunately, in League One, there is a lot to be said for big, strong lads with pace, over skill. A blend of the two is needed. Despite his lack of height, I think McNulty fits the bill, and I think (hope) that Wallace can come through the middle of the field, to the box, and let a few shots off. Evans was physically strong, stocky, and hardly ever knocked off the ball, McNulty looks the same (to me).

 

[Grappler]

I think some are guilty of letting their frustration run away with them a little bit at the moment. Understandable, yesterday's loss was a sickener but it looks justifiable to say that it was one of those games where refereeing decisions had a huge say on the game. We didn't do ourselves any favours but there you go.

I might be in a minority here, but I would say that the players we have are capable of a top two challenge. Currently, I question whether Clough is making the most of what is at his disposal.

The team is not bad, but we need to stop leaking goals, urgently, and without Higdon up front for the next few games, we need to go back to passing the ball to McNulty's feet, or chest height, because he won't win in the air against some big League One defenders.

 

[FleaPitBlade]

Consistency is the issue. We have looked very good at times and bloody woeful others.

That's half down to injuries - Wallace, scougall, Baxter, JCR, Murphy, Flynn, Harris - off the top of my head have all missed a handful or more of the first 10 games - and part down to a lot of new faces. I don't disagree that an element of that needs to be apportioned to Clough for tinkering too much and the players, some of whom are playing well below what they are capable of. That's the chink of light here, we ARE capable of better.

Yesterday was a disappointment but we won't be the only team to get turned over at chezzy this season and let's put that defeat Into the context of a decent run preceding it and an early sending off which we never recovered from.

It's not great, there have been some bad results but put the razor blades away because it's far from a lost cause!

 

[Deleted member 875]

I think Deadbat nailed it in one with his original post.

Last year McCunt brought in the Penniless Prince with wild promises of game changing investment, subsequently any investment the PP put in has gone straight in to McCunts back pocket. The amount we have spent on the team must be roughly equivalent to what we would have spent if we didn't have the PP and his cronies on board.

 

[Wards]

What a well thought out and edgy insult 'McCunt' is. Deary me.

 

[A19 byf]

I think the board have done everything clough as asked of them the blame lies with clough he's the one who selected the players that were brought in he's the one that selects the match day team if any of you are regular watches of the u21's it's clear to see there's some talent that should be used instead of the useless signings from this summer the likes of diego,Dimaio and reedy are ready and I believe there up for the challenge but I feel clough will keep using his signings hoping and praying they come good not good for youth development.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

We are 10 games into the season ,players are still bedding in ,and we have strength in depth that no one else in the division has. Virtually every player has been involved and this will be vital as the amount of games come thick and fast ,injuries fatigue and suspensions will take their toll on every team. There are 36 games to go more including the cups ,we are in a good position in the league ,we have played only 4 home games so far ,yet if we win our game in hand we will in the top 6. We have a good manager ,have good gates ,have cover for every position ,and we will be promoted.
We get this ridiculous reaction every time we lose a game ,usually from the same old faces (who didn't make any posts last week). Can we all have a bit of patience with virtually a new team ,and stop acting like spoilt children everytime we lose a game.

Haven't we been trotting out this argument for the past 3/4 seasons we've been in this league ?, Bristol City have a virtually new team surely, I would think that most sides have at the start of a new season.

 

[sitwell]

You forget where we were this time last year ,we have had a major rebuild ,and as someone has said ,Cloughs record over that time is better than anyones in the division. It is very early ,do you think Southampton will finish 3rd ? wait and see.

 

[Latters]

You forget where we were this time last year ,we have had a major rebuild ,and as someone has said ,Cloughs record over that time is better than anyones in the division. It is very early ,do you think Southampton will finish 3rd ? wait and see.

Nobody is forgetting where we were this time last season, but just because things are better than that now, doesn't make our current plight any more positive. We are eleventh, have a poor squad, concede too many and don't offer enough attacking threat.

It is all well and good having cover in every position, but when the majority of your first choice players are average at this level, plenty of back up isn't much use.

I said as the season was beginning that I would rather we had signed fewer but better players to give us a really strong starting eleven. We didn't. We signed players that looked like back up (Alcock, Davies, Campbell-Ryce, McNulty, McCeverley etc.) unfortunately, these players have been starters. We do not have a good squad and we do not have a strong first eleven. People were sat there stating "just wait until the end of the window, we're saving the final pieces of the jigsaw until then". I think our jigsaw must have been from the charity shop, it is missing that many pieces.

We need better players. It really is that simple. Having a good starting line-up is more useful than a large, average squad at this level.

 

[Deadbat]

Haven't we been trotting out this argument for the past 3/4 seasons we've been in this league ?, Bristol City have a virtually new team surely, I would think that most sides have at the start of a new season.

Charlton were the same the other year. Had more than 12 newcomers and walked the league. There are teams that have made many more changes than us and started better. We also had a pre season which was a disaster with players unfit, moved around different positions and a series of games lost against poor opponents. We played 4 or 5 games in a week but before than had no game for a week. It was ridiculous.

We brought many of the players in early so had time to be try and bed down our first eleven. We have played 10 games and Clough had not got a clue what his best team is.

You could say we have strength in depth and I will agree we have a deeper squad than most. It may help when the winter months come. Sadly out strength is that many of the players in reserve or even worse than the ordinary players starting (calling likes of Porter and McGinn as strength in depth is a stretch!)

I do agree that we may be better than most that at least we do have first team players to bring in.

I cannot agree that we are in a good position. 11th in League One and a long way off leaders Bristol City. If people are happy with that then I will do doubt their ambition.

It is a bold statement to say we will be promoted. What have you seen to suggest that on the performances so far when we have never, Gills apart, controlled a game all season against some awful sides? We will agree to disagree. I don't think anything I have seen suggest this side will go up unless they massively improve or we can improve the side. We do not look capable of beating any side by more than 1 goal (haven't yet) and whilst others seem like they can beat teams 2 or 3 nil and give teams a hammering; we do not. Our best hope is to sneak games (that was case last year with better players). That approach is not enough and shows we simply do not have good enough players or a positive enough manager (allied to the limited attacking options) to actually go at teams. The fact we play 1 up top and seem to worry more about opponents than ourselves says it all. Last seasons approach and tactics worked but this season it is not working but Clough is not interested in changing it. He changes the players as often as his socks but does not even try anything different tactically or in terms of approach.

I think to call many United fans spoilt children who dare to criticise the club/side when they are getting turned over by tin pot clubs (may be an insult to teams at our level but we should expect better and be embarrassed to lose to sides with such resources) weekly and seem set to stay at this level for a 5th season; is quite insulting. We don't expect to win every week; nor do we expect we must even go up or should definitely be in the league above. We just expect better than what we are seeing at the moment and have had over recent times and this season. The new investment was supposed to be the start of a new dawn and game changing. In reality we are as I said originally, 'going nowhere.'

 

[LSF]

Sitwell has a point when he levels the 'where were you last week' question at the critics.
Indeed, 'suffer in silence, rejoice loudly is not the style of some of our brethren on here.
I'll be frank, I'm disappointed at losing yesterday, disappointed at our league position after the magical 10 games.
Oh yes, ten games, less than a quarter of the season gone and we are fuckin doomed, doomed I say!
Really, it's silly isn't it, writing off a season after ten games? Did we all expect to be top with maximum points after last seasons second half flourish? Well we plainly aren't and will lose more games this season, but hopefully win many more, enough to get us out of this depressing position.
I refuse to join in the wrist slash so early and if we fail to make it out this season then serious questions will be asked at every level of involvement of SUFC.
Meanwhile I'll treat every game and player I see on the merit of the day, not with the history or baggage that some seem to do regularly.
52 seasons watching United have taught me to take each game as it comes, enjoy the day as life is way too short, and don't let it spoil your weekend, weekday or life in general if we fuck up (again).
Oh, and as for who to pick, what tactics to play, I'll leave that to those who get paid for it and sink or swim on its outcome.

 

[Deadbat]

We need better players. It really is that simple. Having a good starting line-up is more useful than a large, average squad at this level.

Nail on the head. Bristol's starting eleven has barely changed since the start of the season (Agard for Baldock - look how they replaced star man unlike us with Maguire).

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Charlton were the same the other year. Had more than 12 newcomers and walked the league. There are teams that have made many more changes than us and started better. We also had a pre season which was a disaster with players unfit, moved around different positions and a series of games lost against poor opponents. We played 4 or 5 games in a week but before than had no game for a week. It was ridiculous.

We brought many of the players in early so had time to be try and bed down our first eleven. We have played 10 games and Clough had not got a clue what his best team is.

You could say we have strength in depth and I will agree we have a deeper squad than most. It may help when the winter months come. Sadly out strength is that many of the players in reserve or even worse than the ordinary players starting (calling likes of Porter and McGinn as strength in depth is a stretch!)

I do agree that we may be better than most that at least we do have first team players to bring in.

I cannot agree that we are in a good position. 11th in League One and a long way off leaders Bristol City. If people are happy with that then I will do doubt their ambition.

It is a bold statement to say we will be promoted. What have you seen to suggest that on the performances so far when we have never, Gills apart, controlled a game all season against some awful sides? We will agree to disagree. I don't think anything I have seen suggest this side will go up unless they massively improve or we can improve the side. We do not look capable of beating any side by more than 1 goal (haven't yet) and whilst others seem like they can beat teams 2 or 3 nil and give teams a hammering; we do not. Our best hope is to sneak games (that was case last year with better players). That approach is not enough and shows we simply do not have good enough players or a positive enough manager (allied to the limited attacking options) to actually go at teams. The fact we play 1 up top and seem to worry more about opponents than ourselves says it all. Last seasons approach and tactics worked but this season it is not working but Clough is not interested in changing it. He changes the players as often as his socks but does not even try anything different tactically or in terms of approach.

I think to call many United fans spoilt children who dare to criticise the club/side when they are getting turned over by tin pot clubs (may be an insult to teams at our level but we should expect better and be embarrassed to lose to sides with such resources) weekly and seem set to stay at this level for a 5th season; is quite insulting. We don't expect to win every week; nor do we expect we must even go up or should definitely be in the league above. We just expect better than what we are seeing at the moment and have had over recent times and this season. The new investment was supposed to be the start of a new dawn and game changing. In reality we are as I said originally, 'going nowhere.'

Sorry Deadbat , were you replying to me or Sitwell ?

 

[Deadbat]

Sitwell has a point when he levels the 'where were you last week' question at the critics.
Indeed, 'suffer in silence, rejoice loudly is not the style of some of our brethren on here.
I'll be frank, I'm disappointed at losing yesterday, disappointed at our league position after the magical 10 games.
Oh yes, ten games, less than a quarter of the season gone and we are fuckin doomed, doomed I say!
Really, it's silly isn't it, writing off a season after ten games? Did we all expect to be top with maximum points after last seasons second half flourish? Well we plainly aren't and will lose more games this season, but hopefully win many more, enough to get us out of this depressing position.
I refuse to join in the wrist slash so early and if we fail to make it out this season then serious questions will be asked at every level of involvement of SUFC.
Meanwhile I'll treat every game and player I see on the merit of the day, not with the history or baggage that some seem to do regularly.
52 seasons watching United have taught me to take each game as it comes, enjoy the day as life is way too short, and don't let it spoil your weekend, weekday or life in general if we fuck up (again).
Oh, and as for who to pick, what tactics to play, I'll leave that to those who get paid for it and sink or swim on its outcome.

Some fair points LSF. I don't think we are doomed. It is not like Weir last season but we have made the board change, made the managerial change and now still seem to be nowhere further forward. I am not writing the season of but we need action and quick as the current approach from manager, players and board is going to be another season down the drain.

The questions asked at every level of SUFC that you purport should be saved till the end of the season should have been asked for the last 2 or 3 seasons. Indeed many seasons before that.

As for the who to pick and tactics and leaving it to those who get paid for. I agree. We in reality don't have a clue but then life would be boring. We would not come on such forums and may as well sit at home, shrug our shoulders and just say 'We are crap but there is nothing I can do. I'll just keep going along and accepting whatever is put in front of me.' We have to do that to a degree but there is nothing wrong with voicing opinions and coming on a vehicle such as this forum to say if we have concerns.

 

[Hodges Left Peg]

Players aren't good enough. Clough wasted the money he was given. Club always stated that the league 1 finances would be moderate. As a few have mentioned Clough should have targeted a strong spine instead of over loading our squad with decent league 1 footballers. Nobody got promotion based on squad numbers. I'd lay off the board as they've clearly made funds available of a sort. I just think Cloughs mucked up his transfers.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I think Deadbat gets just about everything spot on. 24 likes suggests many agree.

Bet 21 of those likes are from 3rd division managers?

 

[Deadbat]

Sorry Deadbat , were you replying to me or Sitwell ?

Bit of both. General agreement that the changes we have made is a poor excuse when others have made as many but seem to be doing as well or better.

 

[metalblade]

Never said criticism was counterproductive. I said the natural pessimism was. Big difference.

All criticism is worthy as long as it's thought through and sensible.

Dare I say "Get a grip and read things properly" and good debate will prosper.

Please point me to the post where I said that you said anything, I was merely alluding to the posters who as soon as they read anyone criticising the team jump in with the usual rallying cry of "get behind the team and we will do better" bollocks. Maybe you should take a leaf out of your own book and read things properly, then again maybe you are one of these fans who take any criticism of Sheffield United as a personal insult there are a few like that on this forum.

 

[LSF]

Hey DB, I'd never dispute the right of you or anyone to have their say, be it a moan, praise or point out to the manager where he's going wrong.
Its just not my style that's all, but if we were all like that, as you say, it would be boring.
I don't live in the past so the previous 2 or 3 seasons shenanigans are history and can't be changed. What interests me more is what this seasons outcome is, the next game is the most important one.
The best form of protest is don't bother giving them your money if things are that bad, that's when they sit up and take notice!