will WE be the top team in yorkshire?

[Come from away]

Staying the top team is not the problem, putting together a promotion squad is the challenge. Keep the guys we've got and find some talent and we have a shot - find more journeymen and we're fighting for top ten again.

 

[bladesman1889]

Poor team, poor manager. We've been gradually in decline under Blackwell: 3rd to 8th, if we drop another 5 places then that takes us bottom half. We currently have 9 contracted players and there is talk of 3 contacted players going out of the door. The team that finished 8th and is on the decline is cutting the wage bill for next year too. We have very few quality players in the actual squad.

On top of this my friend the ginger statistical warrior (do you remember that thread) did the ratings in January and rated Sheffield United as 13th best in the league.

Oh come off it! Did you expect an improvement on 3rd then? An 8th place finish with all the problems we had is hardly disastrous, completely unrealistic expectations.

9 contracted players? I count Kenny, Taylor, Stewart, Morgan, France, Lowton, Henderson, Evans, Quinn, Reid, Yeates, Williamson, Ward, Cresswell, Sharp & Aksalu. That's 16 contracted but never mind- it's more fun twisting it isn't it? Not to mention we're in discussions with Monty, Naysmith and Bogdanovic.

On your final point surely that suggests we overachieved last season then!?

 

[Come from away]

A good basis for a squad but we need another couple of Williamsons and no more Frances or Stewarts.

 

[bladesman1889]

We need 3 centre backs and a right back- then depending on who leaves possibly a new centre mid and left back.

 

[Ollessendro]

Oh come off it! Did you expect an improvement on 3rd then? An 8th place finish with all the problems we had is hardly disastrous, completely unrealistic expectations.

9 contracted players? I count Kenny, Taylor, Stewart, Morgan, France, Lowton, Henderson, Evans, Quinn, Reid, Yeates, Williamson, Ward, Cresswell, Sharp & Aksalu. That's 16 contracted but never mind- it's more fun twisting it isn't it? Not to mention we're in discussions with Monty, Naysmith and Bogdanovic.

On your final point surely that suggests we overachieved last season then!?

I didn't expect an improvement on 3rd because of the stranght of the relegated teams. However I epxected a top 6 finish. I rated Newcastle and West brom better than us and probably Boro. Forrest, Blackpool, Cardiff etc I rated slightly less. To me an 8th position finish was a massive disappointment. However after watching the Blades several times before xmas I quickly adjusted my epxectations.

Of those 16 only 9 (possibly 10) are good enough for a top half finish. Of those (and funnily 2 of the best of the 9) 3 have a poor injury record (Ward, Williamson and Hendo) and 2 will definately leave (Shapr and Reid), another 2 or 3 may leave (Paddy, S Quinn and Henderson). The we have the rif raf/deadwood that wouldn't get into a struggling side, such as France, Taylor and Stewart. Loughton plays 1 game and suddenly he is an extra option. Are you seriosuly telling me that that debacle will finish in the top half.

Acquiring Boggy and resigning Monty and particularly Naysmith would be a boost and a step in the right direction. However it still leaves us way, way short. And I haven't even talked about the inept manager that we have.

Your last statement is incorrect because he did his ratings in February or March. If he'd have done them at the beginning of the season then they would have been different.

 

[bladesman1889]

So we finish 2 places off the play-offs with ridiculous injury problems, poor performances particularly away from home...and that's a massive disappointment to you? Wake up! Why do we have a divine right to finish in the play-offs every season? Completely stupid expectations.

Look- we have 16 contracted players at the moment, simple as. You tried to twist it by saying 9 and you're still wriggling. Reid and Sharp aren't definitely going at all.

By 'way, way short' do you mean a few centre backs short?

 

[Micalijo]

So we finish 2 places off the play-offs with ridiculous injury problems, poor performances particularly away from home...and that's a massive disappointment to you? Wake up! Why do we have a divine right to finish in the play-offs every season? Completely stupid expectations.

Look- we have 16 contracted players at the moment, simple as. You tried to twist it by saying 9 and you're still wriggling. Reid and Sharp aren't definitely going at all.

By 'way, way short' do you mean a few centre backs short?

This post has me in stitches - great stuff.

'Completely stupid expectations'. Oh dear.

 

[Grecian2000]

So we finish 2 places off the play-offs with ridiculous injury problems, poor performances particularly away from home...and that's a massive disappointment to you? Wake up! Why do we have a divine right to finish in the play-offs every season? Completely stupid expectations.

Look- we have 16 contracted players at the moment, simple as. You tried to twist it by saying 9 and you're still wriggling. Reid and Sharp aren't definitely going at all.

By 'way, way short' do you mean a few centre backs short?

I agree with the "completely stupid expectations" thing. Anyone who watched us bore and scrape our way into the play-offs the previous season must have known we'd be found out.

We have a poor, negative, one dimensional manager who seems to fall out with players, plays other players out of position even when he has better alternatives and, quite simply, makes a team far LESS than the sum of its parts. Quite an acheivement.

I have no idea what the team will look like come August but just looking at the gurning fools in the technical area mean I can't see top 6. That might be good enough for Yorkshires Top Team but I don't think you get owt for that.

 

[bladesman1889]

This post has me in stitches - great stuff.

'Completely stupid expectations'. Oh dear.

We didn't have a great squad last season, slashed the wage budget pre-season and continued to cut it throughout the season. Yet it's a massive disappointment not finishing 6th? Again, I'll say WAKE UP and get a grip. But of course, massive clubs like us have a divine right to finish in the play-offs regardless of squad. You're more deluded than the pigs!

 

[bladesman1889]

Blackwell has done well without having the best players to pick from. I would agree that if he doesn't get off to a good start this season he should probably go but it doesn't detract from the fact he's done a decent job here.

Under him we broke the club record for longest unbeaten away run, came within inches of automatic promotion, got to a play-off final and finished in the top 10 three seasons in a row. But people seem to forget these things and concentrate on poor performances. I don't know what more you expect with a weak/disjointed squad.

When he goes we'll get somebody else in and the new manager will be getting just as much stick 12 months down the line, some of you will never be happy. I can almost guarantee the ones who want Blackwell out will also be the first to want the next guy out, it's a bit sad really but that's how it will be.

 

[raul]

Was it the second or third highest wage bill according to the top brass last season? And given we had third best average crowds, would'nt you expect some sort of correlation to our league position?

 

[lenners]

So we finish 2 places off the play-offs with ridiculous injury problems, poor performances particularly away from home...and that's a massive disappointment to you? Wake up! Why do we have a divine right to finish in the play-offs every season? Completely stupid expectations.

Look- we have 16 contracted players at the moment, simple as. You tried to twist it by saying 9 and you're still wriggling. Reid and Sharp aren't definitely going at all.

By 'way, way short' do you mean a few centre backs short?

Has anyone, in the history of time, ever said United have a divine right to finish in the play-offs?

 

[Ollessendro]

So we finish 2 places off the play-offs with ridiculous injury problems, poor performances particularly away from home...and that's a massive disappointment to you? Wake up! Why do we have a divine right to finish in the play-offs every season? Completely stupid expectations.

Look- we have 16 contracted players at the moment, simple as. You tried to twist it by saying 9 and you're still wriggling. Reid and Sharp aren't definitely going at all.

By 'way, way short' do you mean a few centre backs short?

So I missed a few contracted players out. The majority of them were not worth mentioning. France, Stewart and Taylor are complete time wasters. Lowton is a kind and our best players are injury prone. Sharp and Reid won't leave? Ha, ha, you winding me up? Put your money where your mouth is: £50 to the charity of our choices says that they both leave.

It was a complete fluke that we even finished 8th. Our wage bill was the 3rd or 4th highest in the division, we finished 3rd the season before, wy on earth would I be happy with 8th? Fucking 8th. Notts Forrest, Blackpool, Swansea, Cardiff and Leicester (all average teams) finished above us.

Me wake up?! We have one of highest average attendnces in the league, high wage bill, decent squad (or at least at the start of the year), financial stability, been in the premiership a few years ago (hence had players from there and had the benefit of parachute payments) and still we shouldn't expect to get in the play offs. You wake up! Are you seriously telliong me that you are happy we finished in 8th position???

All this malarly about bad luck and injuries is just nonsense. Injuries merely highlighted our lack of planning, lack of strenght in depth and no plan B. Your defence of the debacle that was Sheffield United in 2009/2010 (and finishing in 8th place) is absolutely pathetic.

 

[Ollessendro]

Blackwell has done well without having the best players to pick from.

Mwah ha ha ha, ha ha. Best laugh I've had all day. I can't believe that people actually believe this. I could not disagree with you more.

 

[Grecian2000]

Blackwell has done well without having the best players to pick from. I would agree that if he doesn't get off to a good start this season he should probably go but it doesn't detract from the fact he's done a decent job here.

Under him we broke the club record for longest unbeaten away run, came within inches of automatic promotion, got to a play-off final and finished in the top 10 three seasons in a row. But people seem to forget these things and concentrate on poor performances. I don't know what more you expect with a weak/disjointed squad.

When he goes we'll get somebody else in and the new manager will be getting just as much stick 12 months down the line, some of you will never be happy. I can almost guarantee the ones who want Blackwell out will also be the first to want the next guy out, it's a bit sad really but that's how it will be.

1. He's had HIS players to pick from. If he brought them in and they're shit then whose fault is that? He has played players out of position even when they haven't been forced on him through injury (especially out wide where he prefers back trackers to creators).

2. I expect FOOTBALL. A philosophy where you set out to WIN games and not just avoid defeat. Three points for a win was brought in to do away with the negative bastards. Sadly Hoof has brought it back in spades.

3. When he goes those of us who will be dancing in the streets will give the next bloke the time he deserves. If this is a few months, like Robson, or a few years, like Warnock, then they will earn their own time. By being negative and dull the time should have been called on Hoofy right after Wembley. Sadly we are still stuck with him.

 

[Come from away]

It's kinda hard to take some of these posts too seriously when you see the little boys game of calling the other posters names or trying to put down their posts. Suppose if it works, it's the way to stimulate debate. Not sure I'd take it, or expect it over a beer at the Lion. Guess I'm just an innocent. UTB!!!

 

[Grecian2000]

Has anyone, in the history of time, ever said United have a divine right to finish in the play-offs?

No.

Only those who seek to explain why we have underperformed like to use it as an imaginary stick to beat people who are less than pleased with things.

 

[bladesman1889]

So I missed a few contracted players out. The majority of them were not worth mentioning. France, Stewart and Taylor are complete time wasters. Lowton is a kind and our best players are injury prone. Sharp and Reid won't leave? Ha, ha, you winding me up? Put your money where your mouth is: £50 to the charity of our choices says that they both leave.

It was a complete fluke that we even finished 8th. Our wage bill was the 3rd or 4th highest in the division, we finished 3rd the season before, wy on earth would I be happy with 8th? Fucking 8th. Notts Forrest, Blackpool, Swansea, Cardiff and Leicester (all average teams) finished above us.

Me wake up?! We have one of highest average attendnces in the league, high wage bill, decent squad (or at least at the start of the year), financial stability, been in the premiership a few years ago (hence had players from there and had the benefit of parachute payments) and still we shouldn't expect to get in the play offs. You wake up! Are you seriously telliong me that you are happy we finished in 8th position???

All this malarly about bad luck and injuries is just nonsense. Injuries merely highlighted our lack of planning, lack of strenght in depth and no plan B. Your defence of the debacle that was Sheffield United in 2009/2010 (and finishing in 8th place) is absolutely pathetic.

Or more likely you were hoping nobody would pick you up on it. Also I said I don't think it's DEFINITE that Sharp and Reid will go- they probably will but it's hardly nailed on.

The league table doesn't lie...just like it didn't the last season when we finished 3rd. We may have had a high wage bill at the start of the season but it soon shrunk when you minus the wages of Howard, Cotterill, Kilgallon, Bromby and Hendrie who all left after the last accounts were published.

Why does having high attendances mean we should be finishing higher? Look at Derby! Look at Wednesday, they averaged about 8th best in the league yet...? It's not a decent squad at all, we don't have much to spend, parachute payments gone, wage bill being cut, injuries all season...But again you seem incapable of reading my posts, I didn't say I was happy with 8th did I? Bloody hell, I wasn't jumping for joy with it but we did alright in the circumstances.

I think you're the pathetic one. I'm not the one twisting words, lying and instantly trying to be very belittling when you don't agree with somebody else.

 

[bladesman1889]

No.

Only those who seek to explain why we have underperformed like to use it as an imaginary stick to beat people who are less than pleased with things.

well the other poster seems to think the fact we get high crowds and we were in the prem a few years ago means we should be in the play-offs....

 

[bladesman1889]

Was it the second or third highest wage bill according to the top brass last season? And given we had third best average crowds, would'nt you expect some sort of correlation to our league position?

No, not at all. Norwich got relegated averaging 2nd highest in the league. Derby finished bottom half averaging 28k. Wednesday went down averaging more than most teams. And of course Blackpool went up averaging 8,000.

 

[bladesman1889]

1. He's had HIS players to pick from. If he brought them in and they're shit then whose fault is that? He has played players out of position even when they haven't been forced on him through injury (especially out wide where he prefers back trackers to creators).

2. I expect FOOTBALL. A philosophy where you set out to WIN games and not just avoid defeat. Three points for a win was brought in to do away with the negative bastards. Sadly Hoof has brought it back in spades.

3. When he goes those of us who will be dancing in the streets will give the next bloke the time he deserves. If this is a few months, like Robson, or a few years, like Warnock, then they will earn their own time. By being negative and dull the time should have been called on Hoofy right after Wembley. Sadly we are still stuck with him.

Most are his players yes, and he has made some poor signings, but if the likes of Evans, Williamson and Harper had been fit/performed better all season then we would've finished higher I would say. And please don't continually blame it on the tactics because Evans for one has been shocking for us, no way around it.

You won't give the new manager enough time at all, I can guarantee it.

 

[davidpinder]

Sharp doesn't want to play for united while blackwell is in charge his words no one else's, We had a disappointing season when a team who were favourite's to go down went up. First thing i said when the final whistle went saturday, this just shows how much we have underachieved this season. Injuries or no injuries we should have still made the playoff's. Our junior side should beat scunny at home not to mention Peterborough away. There was not one victory last season that impressed me at all.

 

[raul]

No, not at all. Norwich got relegated averaging 2nd highest in the league. Derby finished bottom half averaging 28k. Wednesday went down averaging more than most teams.

They didn't have the wage bill though did they? If you have a) the ability to pay well/maintain a large squad with b) crowds to fund it with then c) you should do well.

Next season we won't have a), will have slightly less of b) so c) I'm expecting top half and no more.

 

[Micalijo]

It's kinda hard to take some of these posts too seriously when you see the little boys game of calling the other posters names or trying to put down their posts. Suppose if it works, it's the way to stimulate debate. Not sure I'd take it, or expect it over a beer at the Lion. Guess I'm just an innocent. UTB!!!

Oh yes, the world famous Lion debating club. I assume Happy Hippy doesn't sup in there with you then?

Blackwell Out.

 

[Grecian2000]

You won't give the new manager enough time at all, I can guarantee it.

How you going to guarantee that then?

You are assuming that it is the same people wanting rid of Hoof that wanted rid of Robson and Warnock before him. Not so in my experience. Indeed it was the people who backed Warnock to the hilt who were the first to call for Robson (without giving him any leeway at all).
As with all clubs there are people who are happy with nothing, there are people who can see no wrong with anything and there is the majority right there in the middle who will react to events.

 

[davidpinder]

Most are his players yes, and he has made some poor signings, but if the likes of Evans, Williamson and Harper had been fit/performed better all season then we would've finished higher I would say. And please don't continually blame it on the tactics because Evans for one has been shocking for us, no way around it.

You won't give the new manager enough time at all, I can guarantee it.

The style of play does not suit Evans or Harper, Evans is under 6 foot therefore can not play hoof ball well and Harper likes to get it down and pass it. As for williamson he has been injured most of the time so can not comment. I fear most of the signings will be average and squad players like France and Reid.

 

[Ollessendro]

Or more likely you were hoping nobody would pick you up on it. Also I said I don't think it's DEFINITE that Sharp and Reid will go- they probably will but it's hardly nailed on.

The league table doesn't lie...just like it didn't the last season when we finished 3rd. We may have had a high wage bill at the start of the season but it soon shrunk when you minus the wages of Howard, Cotterill, Kilgallon, Bromby and Hendrie who all left after the last accounts were published.

Why does having high attendances mean we should be finishing higher? Look at Derby! Look at Wednesday, they averaged about 8th best in the league yet...? It's not a decent squad at all, we don't have much to spend, parachute payments gone, wage bill being cut, injuries all season...But again you seem incapable of reading my posts, I didn't say I was happy with 8th did I? Bloody hell, I wasn't jumping for joy with it but we did alright in the circumstances.

I think you're the pathetic one. I'm not the one twisting words, lying and instantly trying to be very belittling when you don't agree with somebody else.

Well someone really has got their knickers in a twist. Your defence of Sheffield United and Kevin Blackwell has got you backed up aginst a wall and now you've had to start insulting people. Game over.

So you are not willing to put your money where your mouth is. Ok, we'll leave it at that.

The league atble does lie. Randomness and luck paly huge factors in football and anyone who thinks that a team get exactly what they deserve after 90 minutes and it evens itself out over the season are just naive.

So where exactly do you stand? I'm confused. First you are vehemently defending KB and saying that we shouldn't be expecting to get in the play offs and then you are saying you are disappointed. I am reading your posts, but they seem to be contradicting themselves. Not sure how many more I will read if you keep getting yourself in a tiz woz and throwing insults about.

So judging by the fact that we finished 8th last year, we've lost a bunch of players, we are futher decreasing the wage bill, crowds are going down, more big names are leaving, we've less money etc why is it not ok for me to predict a lower half finish??? This is the point that I was originally pulled up on (although not by you) and you wanted to debate around.

 

[shorehamview]

It's kinda hard to take some of these posts too seriously when you see the little boys game of calling the other posters names or trying to put down their posts. Suppose if it works, it's the way to stimulate debate. Not sure I'd take it, or expect it over a beer at the Lion. Guess I'm just an innocent. UTB!!!

We'd not be calling each other childish names and trying to prove we know best outside the Lion.





We're usually far too busy slagging each other off about hats, jackets, tights, glasses, shoes, piss-bags, parking, tights again, cider, dribbles, age, falling over, lack of hair product, too much hair product, tights yet again and our sexuality to worry about who knows best about football. We do occasionally debate about who knows least though, but he doesn't come anymore.


That and knob jokes.

 

[Come from away]

Let me think. First, Blackwell has done a half decent job. Given the list of injuries it was hopeful to believe we could do a lot better last year; though I do always hope. Even then, only 5 pts off the playoffs - could have been us not Blackpool. Not a great fan of his style of play, but if you can't put out the same back four more than twice in a row it's hard to win the 1-0 games. Add to this Bunn deciding to have his bad patch with us, and yes with Kenny I do think we would have been in the play-offs and then its a crap shoot. So, all in all we are not far out of the mix and a lot depends on keeping the same team on the field. We do have to question the fitness staff. Just wonder if they spend too much time on getting fit and too little on building the strength necessary to absorb the hits. Being a distance runner is not the answer on the soccer field. As final thoughts, I do blame the hit and hurry we complain about in Quinn and Monty on the Manager pushing them to move the ball too quick. Blackpool work well cause they are prepared to put their foot on the ball, pull it back, turn etc., but do not just flick it forward. We need a replacement for Williamson, two would be better. Otherwise, I do expect a good season and hope for a better finish.

 

[bladesman1889]

Well someone really has got their knickers in a twist. Your defence of Sheffield United and Kevin Blackwell has got you backed up aginst a wall and now you've had to start insulting people. Game over.

So you are not willing to put your money where your mouth is. Ok, we'll leave it at that.

The league atble does lie. Randomness and luck paly huge factors in football and anyone who thinks that a team get exactly what they deserve after 90 minutes and it evens itself out over the season are just naive.

So where exactly do you stand? I'm confused. First you are vehemently defending KB and saying that we shouldn't be expecting to get in the play offs and then you are saying you are disappointed. I am reading your posts, but they seem to be contradicting themselves. Not sure how many more I will read if you keep getting yourself in a tiz woz and throwing insults about.

So judging by the fact that we finished 8th last year, we've lost a bunch of players, we are futher decreasing the wage bill, crowds are going down, more big names are leaving, we've less money etc why is it not ok for me to predict a lower half finish??? This is the point that I was originally pulled up on (although not by you) and you wanted to debate around.

haha! :lol: I started all this childish name calling did I? You instantly came across as quite a bitter and aggressive poster, looking to belittle others (e.g. 'best laugh I've had all day', 'your defence of Sheff United is pathetic') ! Deary me!

The only reason I got frustrated is because you seem incapable of reading my posts and responding without coming across like a little kid. And to be honest you're the first person I've heard say the league table does lie...did it lie 08/09 as well then?

My stance- KB has done a good job overall but has been let down by a poor style of play sometimes, and some poor signings. Other than that he's done plenty of good. Is that clear? I've already explained this to you but you didn't appear to read it (again )

Another thing you haven't read (this is becoming a theme)- please show me where I said you're wrong in predicting a 13th place finish? I pulled you up on your silly expectations for last season.