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 1st. 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.
