Wow, the pressure of being at a "Big Club".

[Mustela Putorius Furo]

I mentioned this when I first joined this forum as an opposition fan.

.....

Sheffield United dont have that luxury as a big club - so this expectation may be strangling your chances of completely rebuilding from scratch in a positive way.

...it's about carefully and thoughtfully building a team with skill and character and a desire to grow together and do well for a club that's given them an affinity.

Yeah, we've got used to not being a regular top division club anymore (even amongst those of us over 45 for whom the top flight was more or less normal).

We have though generally got used to being a club that is repeatedly challenging to get back into the top flight - and failing more than succeeding.

And so our current slump started out as a temporary blip and has now developed into a repeated "1-season-only" chance to get back to where we think we ought to be.... The rebuilding should have started with a longer term perspective in 2011 when we first landed where we are now. But for a real fluke run of results by the great unwashed we'd have already been back (our points total was good enough in something like 89 out of 90 years of Div3/N/S/League 1).

Notwithstanding distractions of "outside events" we changed tack - when surely simply repeating the previous seasons approach would have borne fruit - and then later the club panicked and sacked a manager while in a play-off position (it seems because other clubs had done the same).... and we've since spun off into "desperation" where every season is now-or never... and when it doesn't happen the desperation gets greater.

So a fifth season into the current slump, we've started off with a muddled squad - the manager doesn't (yet) "feel" how the fans think that this is a now-or-never season so there's a disconnect between his desire to build, take a considered look and even suffer some shite to clarify fully what he needs to do and our desire to "get the fuck out now".

So, after one game of the season we're shitting ourselves, while the gaffer is probably now thinking "fuck me, this lot are prickly bastards aren't they?".

 

[Worksop II]

the gaffer is probably now thinking "fuck me, this lot are prickly bastards aren't they?".

Them who went to Gillingham are ......

 

[Bartleby]

along with leeds hull portsmouth middlesbrough

I'd add Wolves to that list as well, similar "big club" expectations there. I remember one season, not sure when it was, they had a brilliant away record but couldn't replicate it under the pressure in front of the home crowd and it cost them promotion.

 

[Bartleby]

while the gaffer is probably now thinking "fuck me, this lot are prickly bastards aren't they?".

I'm sure he must be. He's asked fans to "see the big picture" on twitter this morning. Hopefully he can handle it though.

 

[Mustela Putorius Furo]

I'm sure he must be. He's asked fans to "see the big picture" on twitter this morning. Hopefully he can handle it though.

Hopefully. I mentioned on another thread about a month ago that I felt he'd not made the connection with the supporters in the way that other managers do when they arrive - he seemed relatively remote. (And despite being slated for my "feeling", I still think I'm right).

And it may be clear now that not only did he not connect outwardly, he maybe didn't have his antennae tuned in properly to fans connecting with him - and hence he didn't previously understand that we aren't patient anymore and we are desperate and we're responding to events accordingly.

Perhaps now he'll be a bit less aloof (personal impression, not guaranteed to be correct) and be less circumspect - and we can't "see the big picture" if it isn't put in front of us to view. The fury at the lack of strength in central defence has been because regardless of his (hidden) plans, we couldn't see the machinations of his football brain (however brilliant his plans might actually be).

 

[bladesadviser]

My argument with this is that despite there been hundreds of different opinions on this forum you would struggle to find anyone who disagreed that we needed at least 2 CBs since Christmas possibly before. Surely at some point either in the interview process or in his first couple of days at the club Adkins has asked the question" Whats the issue or problem that needs addressing first,what is needed urgently?" Even if no one at the club could tell him, which I would find incredible, local media lads or this forum would surely give him a clue. Not for one minute would I expect a manger to take huge notice of forums but surely if he read page after page of "we need CBs" type of threads you would think out of curiosity alone he may delve more.

If I started a new job as a manger of a company and 20 out of 22 people in the office said the computer system was fine apart from one program that affected them doing the job then I wouldn't think I know I will look at the filing cabinets first!

With regards to Long he looked terrified before a ball was kicked on Saturday

 

[SB_90]

I fully agree with 1980 couldn't have described it better & was what I was trying to touch upon in my part that our stature is hindering us the smaller teams will always up there game as Fleetwood perfect example thr way they approached game at bramall lane especially on twitter was like playing fa cup final at Wembley & also I doubt many fans would be happy if adkins said promotion isn't the aim were building for 2nd/3rd yr

My argument with this is that despite there been hundreds of different opinions on this forum you would struggle to find anyone who disagreed that we needed at least 2 CBs since Christmas possibly before. Surely at some point either in the interview process or in his first couple of days at the club Adkins has asked the question" Whats the issue or problem that needs addressing first,what is needed urgently?" Even if no one at the club could tell him, which I would find incredible, local media lads or this forum would surely give him a clue. Not for one minute would I expect a manger to take huge notice of forums but surely if he read page after page of "we need CBs" type of threads you would think out of curiosity alone he may delve more.

If I started a new job as a manger of a company and 20 out of 22 people in the office said the computer system was fine apart from one program that affected them doing the job then I wouldn't think I know I will look at the filing cabinets first!

With regards to Long he looked terrified before a ball was kicked on Saturday

Agree with that because as ive saud many times after Swindon It was obvious to me we needed 3 Cb's & surely adkins wouldve done research while our players were on holiday & shouldve watched our 2 play off semis or ask chris morgan, someone from radio Sheffield for advice beforehand

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

I mentioned this when I first joined this forum as an opposition fan.

That relegation to Division 3 usually does us (Millwall) some good from time to time.

We always use it as a springboard. Since I've been a Millwall fan we've got promotion to the top flight, finished in the Championship play-offs & got to a FA Cup final or a FA Cup Semi-Final all within a couple of seasons of getting out of the Third tier with a rebuilt side.

The thing is we have always had that luxury. Because Millwall are a big enough club at this level to attract some of the better players, but not so big that we are weighed down by expectation at the start of every season.

In fact I would guess that we are one of the few sets of fans around that dont have this 'we belong in so and so league' football view. We neither look down on playing Colchester or look up to playing Leeds.

I noticed another thread about looking at what the other clubs have down in the transfer market. For us it simply mentions Steve Morison & Jordan Archer (from Spurs, not Liverpool for the poster's information).

I assume to support the argument that we are looking at either proven quality from a higher level, or at players who must have pedigree due to being on a big clubs' books.

However, this leaves out the signings of Tony Craig from Brentford. A solid defender who knows what Millwall is all about from coming through our academy. And Romeo from Gillingham and Christian Mbua from Brentwood Town - two youngsters with raw potential. But who probably will not feature much.

Not a recent signing, but a player who I think will play an important part in our season is Lee Gregory - a striker from non league.

The point is that without the pressure of being a big club Millwall can steadily rebuild with steady players, exciting youngsters and hungry players from lower down.

Our current team should be in and around the play-offs...that's a hope, rather than expectation though. However, they will get better and when we do eventually go up (will always do) it will be with a team that's grown together and that has the talent to step up (see Sheringham, Cahill, Grabban as examples in past).

Sheffield United dont have that luxury as a big club - so this expectation may be strangling your chances of completely rebuilding from scratch in a positive way.

The poster that posted the thread about other clubs' transfers is barking up the wrong tree Imo - it's not about a scatter gun policy of only getting proven players...it's about carefully and thoughtfully building a team with skill and character and a desire to grow together and do well for a club that's given them an affinity.

Cracking post, really interesting.

Reckon your lot'll be right up there this season (depending on how Neil Harris pans out as a manager), not least because of that lack of weight of expectation & the characterful team-building process (which I suppose started last year really) that you mention.

Think I'm right in saying that you've got some very impressive youngsters too - Onyedinma, Sid Nelson, Jack Powell not least. I happened to have travelled up to Sheffield on the train last year earlier the same day that Millwall played the pigs, & Millwall fans on the train were raving about Jack Powell, who'd recently been given his debut. Didn't really get much of a look in last year, but imagine he will this time round. Reckon also Paris Cowan-Hall could prove to be a player this season.

Can see Millwall doing much better than BillyBigBolluxWigan myself.

 

[grafikhaus]

I mentioned this when I first joined this forum as an opposition fan.

That relegation to Division 3 usually does us (Millwall) some good from time to time.

etc.

Good post, that. But I'd disagree that the majority of Blades fans think we have a God-given right to be in the top echelons of the game. What about serial under-achievers like Everton or Birmingham City? Every season they see their nearest rivals get stronger, but seem unwilling/unable to do anything about it. As fans, we're not too different to most others, except that our patience (the lack of which is often cited to attack us) is incredible. 90 years since we won anything of note but 20k will still turn up on Saturday.

The appalling result at Gillingham would suggest that nothing has been learnt at board-level.

 

[1980]

Alfreton14Blade - yes, we've got a very good crop of youngsters coming through.

And like I was saying, at Millwall we have a lot more luxury than Sheffield United do in bringing these players on and moreover building a long term future around them...because we haven't got that weight of expectation.

Millwall fans are fully committed to backing Neil Harris and supporting the younger players...with play-offs or better simply being a hope, not an expectation.

It's strange, but at this level we almost have the perfect balance of having a confidence in being one of the bigger clubs, but not so big we demand anything specific like automatic promotion.

That breeds quite a healthy environment for inspiring young players and hungry, raw talent...as well as those that feel they've been dumped by other clubs and have a point to prove.

Since I started going in 1986 we have always built our best sides in Division Three, starting from scratch and bringing on a group of youngsters, mixed with a few older heads, who go on to forge a successful Millwall team for years to come.

In 1996 we went down & suffered administration and nearly went out of business. Yet that gave birth to the side containing Tony Warner, Lucas Neill, Paul Ifill, Steven Reid, Tim Cahill, Richard Sadlier & Neil Harris...who swept the Third Tier aside in a glorious title winning season, but more importantly nearly took the club into the PL, did get the club to a FA Cup Final and into Europe... significant achievements for a club who have to rely on 9-12,000 regulars.

If only Sheffield United could be given that luxury, you could build something really special.

And Grafikhaus I wasn't implying Blades fans have some kind of big club chip on their shoulders...i lived in Sheffield & admired their rather deadpan, down beat out look...but more that there is an expectation to be somewhere specific in the league pyramid...i think that's a fair accusation...that you would all agree you expect to be in the Championship...my point was more that Millwall are lucky in not having that.

Our main expectation is that we have players that fight for the shirt & teams have to earn a win at The Den.

And that helps us as much as your expectation (in general terms) hurts you.

You find Division Three frustrating, tedious, a distraction from your real goal as a club...which is all fair enough, but essentially unhealthy.

Whereas we find the Third Division the perfect place to bring on the next generation of youngsters who will give us a few years of success again, before the cycle starts again. This is a rebirth for us. A planting and nurturing of a seed for a brighter future.

We may bounce back, we may not, it doesn't matter in the long term...our gates and income will stay steady, our youngsters will get a year stronger & ultimately we will triumph.

It feels a lot more do or die at Sheffield United & the likes of Oldham must smell this fear. The Den, in contrast, will be a ground where a hungry , young team will receive unwavering support from a partisan & protective crowd.

 

[Sean Thornton]

But what if no club will pay them anywhere close to their existing wage. They're going to stay put aren't they?...

I don't come on here to read factual common sense replies for Gods sake. Tears tantrums and wild suppositions about player contracts ( plus other things some don't understand) are what I want to read on Blades forums.

 

[alcoblade]

I don't come on here to read factual common sense replies for Gods sake. Tears tantrums and wild suppositions about player contracts ( plus other things some don't understand) are what I want to read on Blades forums.

Make sure you follow Barny then. He's mastered the art very early .

UTB

 

[BushBlade]

Alfreton14Blade - yes, we've got a very good crop of youngsters coming through.

And like I was saying, at Millwall we have a lot more luxury than Sheffield United do in bringing these players on and moreover building a long term future around them...because we haven't got that weight of expectation.

Millwall fans are fully committed to backing Neil Harris and supporting the younger players...with play-offs or better simply being a hope, not an expectation.

It's strange, but at this level we almost have the perfect balance of having a confidence in being one of the bigger clubs, but not so big we demand anything specific like automatic promotion.

That breeds quite a healthy environment for inspiring young players and hungry, raw talent...as well as those that feel they've been dumped by other clubs and have a point to prove.

Since I started going in 1986 we have always built our best sides in Division Three, starting from scratch and bringing on a group of youngsters, mixed with a few older heads, who go on to forge a successful Millwall team for years to come.

In 1996 we went down & suffered administration and nearly went out of business. Yet that gave birth to the side containing Tony Warner, Lucas Neill, Paul Ifill, Steven Reid, Tim Cahill, Richard Sadlier & Neil Harris...who swept the Third Tier aside in a glorious title winning season, but more importantly nearly took the club into the PL, did get the club to a FA Cup Final and into Europe... significant achievements for a club who have to rely on 9-12,000 regulars.

If only Sheffield United could be given that luxury, you could build something really special.

And Grafikhaus I wasn't implying Blades fans have some kind of big club chip on their shoulders...i lived in Sheffield & admired their rather deadpan, down beat out look...but more that there is an expectation to be somewhere specific in the league pyramid...i think that's a fair accusation...that you would all agree you expect to be in the Championship...my point was more that Millwall are lucky in not having that.

Our main expectation is that we have players that fight for the shirt & teams have to earn a win at The Den.

And that helps us as much as your expectation (in general terms) hurts you.

You find Division Three frustrating, tedious, a distraction from your real goal as a club...which is all fair enough, but essentially unhealthy.

Whereas we find the Third Division the perfect place to bring on the next generation of youngsters who will give us a few years of success again, before the cycle starts again. This is a rebirth for us. A planting and nurturing of a seed for a brighter future.

We may bounce back, we may not, it doesn't matter in the long term...our gates and income will stay steady, our youngsters will get a year stronger & ultimately we will triumph.

It feels a lot more do or die at Sheffield United & the likes of Oldham must smell this fear. The Den, in contrast, will be a ground where a hungry , young team will receive unwavering support from a partisan & protective crowd.

It's true. We're absolutely desperate to get out of this league. Too desperate. One of the most successful managers at this level, Simon Grayson, took two years to get Preston promoted but there's already talk of Adkins getting sacked if he doesn't take us up this season.