Bladexit & Reasons To Be Cheerful

Monday the 4th of July and almost five months have past since I last put my fingers to keys with regard to United, with any real purpose that is anyway.  Last season was truly a forgettable one.  I couldn't write about the football as it honestly got me too irate and angry.  Thankfully, I sit here at the cusp of summer once again full of hope about our chances this season.

So we have a new manager who has gone about his own revolutionary change, which pardon the pun could be described as ‘Bladexit’ if you will.  Rightly or wrongly people have demanded a change to the playing staff at United and when Chris Wilder drew up his retained list, along with those who he was placing on the transfer list, nobody whatsoever was complaining.  This sadly is where the parallel with the euro-sceptics ends, as it was almost as if we as supporters voted for ‘Bladexit’ were fully aware of what we were voting for, that being anything other than last season.

Despite it being no article 50, it's fair to say Wilder hasn't been able to simply invoke the change we all, himself included, wants to see to the playing staff.  Unfortunately, some commodities are simply too costly to entertain parting with no matter how much he wants to.  At least he has managed to come to some sort of arrangement with Dean Hammond.  The mass flood of immigration if you will that hardworking Britain’s have no say on signing a contract extension for a reported 18,000 pounds a week.  What that arrangement is however remains to be seen.

Blame seems to be commonplace at the moment and personally I feel this is no more apparent than with regard to Mr Hammond's contract.  It's almost as if the issue of immigration, Hammond, has taken the headlines with him being called everything from a dog to a pig.  When the real cause of the problem, if you believe it be a problem that is, was the former manager (the EU) and the board (the previous Prime Ministers of this country).

Blast Hammond all you want but it is the fact somebody suggested he should be given the option for a deal when signing his loan and the fact that nobody argued against this to make sure it was best for all parties concerned.  Ineptitude at its finest.  Very similar to the perceived relationship Britain has had with Europe leading to last Thursday’s outcome.  Is this a pro ‘Brexit’ article?  No.  But it does illustrate a point perfectly that without any clarity about what is occurring in any institution there will be potential problems.

So why be cheerful?  Well since the national team displayed the same characteristics of a Nigel Adkins team recently it’s been easy to focus back to the Blades and how we will line up at the Macron in early August.  Despite the revolutionary calls for change and the unveiling of a superbly smart new kit for this new era at the lane, very little has happen in the way of transfer activity in or out.  The two that have signed are in my opinion quality additions.  Unfortunately, we need more than those two to get where we want to be come early May.

Wilder and Knill have laid down their cards on the table.  Pace, positivity, aggression, commitment and a feeling of pride when wearing the shirt.  Wilder talks like he watched enough of us last season and will know the extent of his task.  Unfortunately, his hands are somewhat tied financially but that's not to say that when the ‘Bladexit’ is complete we won’t be in a much better position despite a rocky start.

If you read twitter you would think we are starting the season with about 6 players and have no chance whatsoever.  I strongly believe that good things come to those who wait and given the time Wilder will deliver his promises and steer us through these uncertain times.  Despite his inevitable frustration, unlike Boris and Farage, Wilder has initiated change and is the man to steer us through it.  Maybe this is a real case of short term pain for long term gain?  Who knows.  Roll on August. 

UTB

The Disappointment Of Monday Night

But that joke isn't funny anymore 

It's too close to home, 
And it's too near the bone, 
It's too close to home, 
And it's too near the bone, 
More than you'll ever know ...

Well it isn’t is it?

For the past ten years we have watched our beloved Sheffield United fall deeper and deeper into oblivion.  Time and time again we are promised by those in charge or even encourage by the successes on the field of play that the times they are a changing.  I could riddle this piece with other reference to my musical heroes but if you pardon me one last time.  I no longer hear the music…

If you refreshed #twitterblades last night you would have seen some extreme views from all sections of our support.  Sarcasm which is something I often use to deal with the football which debits my bank account so readily each month was commonplace.  Sadly, this was imbedded within unnecessary aggression and hysteria.

The board and management choose to be active on twitter but that is the very reason tweeting them saying “get out of my club you spineless cunts” is so far removed from reality and the point it’s not even funny.  You’re not much of a fan in my opinion if your passion extends to verbally abusing the board and manager merely because we haven’t signed anyone.

If you wish to boycott the game on Saturday and go to the car park then so be it.  I really wish you all the luck in the world in what you are trying to achieve because I to want change.  Oh do I want it so bad.  So bad that to even write it down on paper is quite distressing.  But rather than #BoycottTheLane or whatever other nonsense people are going to do which will really show the board what they have done wrong, I am going to the pub.  Pub with my blades mates like I do every Saturday, probably to whinge about the board, but also to enjoy a day at the football.

Don’t let the football spoil a good day at the football.

Although the corny line from the nation’s leading sports radio station could appear contrived.  I have enough stress at work; to get so angry about the match that I will not go doesn’t come into my thoughts. 

I have seen all but two games this year in all competitions.  What do I deserve for that?  Nothing.  I choose to go.  Does that mean I know more, or care more or am entitled to more than anyone else?  No.

I simply love football and Sheffield United more than I care to mention.

This is not to say that it isn't bad.  It’s atrocious.  Like most people my love of football is almost hereditary and came from my old man.  As cynical a blade as you would meet, but someone who supported the club home and away before raising a family which then allowed him to return to the lane with me and our kid.

Dad due to circumstances beyond his control, mainly illness in the family and sending us to University kitted out with everything we could possibly ever want neglected to renew his season ticket after our relegation to league 1.  I think this was done with heavy heart but I think Kevin Blackwell’s phone message banging on about the blades way the previous pre season combined with the signing of Marcus Bent probably suggested his decision was an informed one.

Dad still loves the blades and has been loads over the last few years if at a bit of an intermittent rate than even he would like.  So it was much to my surprise that when I offered him my mates season ticket for the Swindon game the other week his answers was as blunt as a Sammon shot.  “No I don’t want to, were fucking shit.”  Dad likes to swear but not usually when being offered something for free.  In those simple words he managed to sum up what many of us have rejected for so long.  We aren't very good.

Over  9 days past and as I found myself reading all the massive blades getting angry on twitter before the windows slams shut.  Not one fan summed it up quite as well as a 62 year old who has a short temper, thinks a hash tag is a haircut and has a strong appetite for Guinness.  He also has a ferocious love of Sheffield United but ultimately feels that the emotion the club evokes in him now is not one he needs in his life.

Enough of the mushy family stuff.  Let’s talk facts and clear a few things up about the transfer window.

Deadline day is a load of capitalist Murdoch bullshit which was only funny when someone shoved a dildo in someone’s face unexpectedly.  There have been some interesting signings and departures at Bramall Lane over the years to boot.  But it is crap and something like most bad things in football they used to manage just fine without before.

If you like Harry Redknapp leaning out of a car and a news reporter in a yellow tie you are more than entitled to but the sheer notion of the thing was the sole reason for people getting in such a strop in first place.  “It’s the same every year” they typed.

Well it isn't is it?  Last January we signed John Brayford, Paul Coutts, Matt Done and Kieron Freeman.  Three of those are amongst our best players by a country mile and the other according to the #twitterblades was like losing a leg when he departed last week ON LOAN.

The same unambitious board who broke the wage structure to sign Billy Sharp who people desperately wanted.  The same with Dean Hammond who was craved by the same folk who week in week out take to their smart phones to type 140 characteristics about how they can’t believe he is a premiership player.  Yes a premiership player  that unambitious Sheffield United have signed.

Why have we not got Dan Burn?  Well I don’t know.  But I do know those who are craving he arrival at the lane are the same who craved Hammond and previously Sharp.  How many games have they all seen him play?  Where are these players we should be signing?  Who are they?

Don’t get me wrong the lack of signings and recruitment decisions are not fantastic over the last however many years but the comments towards the club yesterday were nothing short of disgusting.  What could people possibly be so angry about?

Then it came…a tweet from our chairman.  Followed by a poll which could only be compared to something a teenager would have written for a blog.  A series of statements laying the blame at our previous managerial team and referring to the current period as the JTW16.  Dear me.

Mr Phipps strikes me as a very nice man who wants the best by Sheffield United and us as fans.  Unfortunately through his actions, remarks and the way he carries himself do not sit very well with me.

When I was a young chap I wanted an air rifle.  I really wanted one.  If I got one I said I would behave really well and try really hard at school.  I wanted one so bad.  I also wanted a quad bike.  I also wanted to stay out past 7 on school nights.  It would have been amazing.  Riding around the hills of Birley shooting at windows on my quad bike well into the early evening.  However, someone in my life had a responsibility to say NO.  Where has that got me?  Well everywhere really.

This abstract example serves a simple purpose.  If Mr Clough comes and asks for something he shouldn't necessarily get it.  You might fall out like me and my parents did, but in the end a resolution about why it is the right thing to do is achieved and you all move forward.  United together in your decision if you will.

This man did take us to two semi-finals and two top 7 finishes.  We tasted the big time and had a sniff of success.  So why shouldn’t he get what he wished for?  The answers simple – he doesn’t run the football club.  As manager why shouldn’t he strive for the best players available?  Why wouldn’t he want Brayford, O’Grady and any other ambitious target he requested and often got.

The entire statement cluttered with stupid rhetoric such as keeping top talent, inward transfers, right sizing, promotion imperative and a claim that it will take 3 transfer windows to address is bizarre.

Sadly we don’t have much in the wave of top talent to keep.  The shift to a rigid formation due to the obvious lack of funds for a quality addition to defence and to replace the midfield gap left by our departing captain has meant players such as Adams and Reed have been sacrificed.  The other ‘talent’ we have will not earn the money they do with us to even be tempted to move away.  That in itself is a total load of management speak and would happily argue to any member of the boards face that is the case.

Don’t call a signing an inward transfer.  Its weird.

Right sizing.  Getting rid of deadwood.  Deadwood the board allowed the previous manager to sign.  Allowed him to offer certain contracts to.  Allowed him to retain certain players before sacking him.  You don’t have to offer league 1 players long term deals because in theory if we are a sleeping giant we can have the pick of those available when clubs on vastly smaller budgets who operate on the year to year model haven’t tied their assets down.

Why should it take 3 transfer windows to do anything?  If in 12 months we are not in the division above or top of this league the whole appointment of Adkins has been a complete joke.  The goal posts have changed from “automatic promotion” to “achieving something.”

I don’t want to make this about the specifics of what’s going right or wrong on the pitch but this must be said.  There is no point in sacking Adkins as the poor sod who gets the job next will end up with have to wait until JTW19 before he can be judged.  The change in style due to our defensive frailties has improved us and is necessary but I thought it was leading to a defender coming in on January the 1^st.  If you found a lump on your privates you wouldn’t wait until the last doctors in Sheffield closed for 5 months before going and getting it sorted would you?

On the whole Adkins has recruited poorly but judging by the confused messages form the boardroom and this apparent 18 months correction project he has undertaken its hard to point the finger.  The money Clough received in compensation ironically would have paid for someone such as Sharp and more besides.  Who knows the development of Reed, Socugall etc. may not of stagnated in such a manner.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing though.

The disappointment of yesterday will not go away.  The atmosphere on Saturday could turn poisonous.  But despite being in a circus of fools.  We need to stand together as fans.

Look at how Villa responded in their recent cup game with Wycombe.  Get behind the team during the game and air your grievances afterwards.

If you don’t want to pay into an unambitious club then don’t.  But please don’t spoil other Blades days out at the football.  Because before too long we could all be like my Dad and who could blame us.