Last one out, please turn out the lights

[John Bond]

I haven't posted for a while, what with family life and business, I rarely find the time to make a coherent post these days!

I am a bit apprehensive about our chances for the forthcoming season. It's clear to me that the re-structuring of the clubs finances (taking from Peter to pay Kevin) hasn't finished and the blatant assett stripping is set to continue into the new season. I thought everything of real value had been sold, but it would appear that is not the case as we look to move on the better players in the first team that are left.

McCabe is apparently ready to sell and another rumour circulating is that a consortium is being put together to invest in the club. I don't know if either are in any way factual and us Blades are more than used to the odd false dawn!!

The club is being systematically run down and any potential buyer will need to make serious investment or find a very astute manager with good connections in order to rebuild the first team squad.

If the above rumour of investment is true, it would make the appointment of DW very tenuous. If true, he may only be here to fire fight until the takeover is underwritten and the new regime will probably have an idea of who they want in charge.

I can't feel that positive about the club at the moment and our only chance lies with the FA Youth Cup Final side and 5-6 of the players in that side making the step up to the first team. It's pretty clear that the first team is up for sale and any offers will be considered if there's a fee and a package with the players can be agreed.

We're clearing the decks, which I think needed doing, but we aren't really bringing in the desired experience to mount a realistic challenge for promotion next term. I hate to say this and it pains me to do so, but if things stay as they are, we are heading for another relegation. I fear Wilson, although unpopular, will not be given the tools to do the job e.g. money to rebuild the side. The strategy of assett stripping can only serve to the deteriment of the club and the supporters who pay to watch. I suspect attendances will struggle to reach 13k-14k next season and could be even lower if we start badly.

The one major concern for me is that the Lane becomes a theatre of hate for Danny Wilson. DW has got an amazingly difficult job to do to win over the supporters and the only way he can do that is to get results. Given the minimal work that's been done to rebuild the first team, I fear he has made his job 10x harder before a ball has been kicked. The PR stunt regarding the re-signing of James Beattie got a few people excited, but as with the Roberto Di-Matteo rumours, we all knew that it wasn't to be!

I don't hold any hopes for our chances next season of getting promoted and whilst this might sound defeatist, I am looking at the facts and not trying to dress it up in any way, shape or form. We've got a poor first team (when all the high earners are sold on) and we'll be pretty inexperienced. I hope I've got this badly wrong and there's nothing I'd like more than for DW and the first team to prove me wrong. My concern is that Wilson will probably do a great job of getting us out of the division, but in my opinion, it may be via another relegation to L2.


SOC

[DoyleDo1]

Trifle harsh there John if I do say so.

I think regardless of what division we were playing in next season, we would have liked to have seen the current first team moved on - it isnt just a sign of the times, its a sign of when you are shit - you get moved on! It happens in every job around the world.

I wouldnt read to much into theis 'Takeover' - Its meant to be fronted by Sean Bean - whats he going to do? Come in on horseback wearing a red coat armed with a sword??

There are some exciting players down there. Slew looks like he will sign a new contract at the time of writing, im liking the sound of this 21 year old left winger from Scotland. David McCallister has been captain in both games thus far and Matty Duke is a better keeper than Simmo - having said that so am I!

Matty Lowton is here, Maguire, even if we lose Williamson, lets pop that Eliot Whitehouse in or Harriot/ Herriot (No not that bloke from All Creatures Great and Small!!) I agree if we start well it will be like opening a shop with the goods on sale though.

[fred emney]

The mismanagement of our club has been worse than poor over the last few years. The removal of Blackhoof after the play off final & a footballing manager appointed would have had us sat pretty, top of the Yorkshire fold.

No use sighing over what may have been, but McCabe has shat on us right proper, with his poor decisions, the sooner a buyer comes in the better, this is a club with a massive asset of land, a decent fan base & a good name in football in all places other than the east end, swilsboro, the FA & barnsley. Surely someone with dosh should have a punt, i hope it is Sean Beans lot, he is a passionate Blade & wants what we all want, money put into the first team... (and not to use the club to build up his own nest of business like McCabe)

As far as this season is concerned Wilson has my support (think he bought it off ebay along with my iron lung). And what ever players he brings in, they`ll be better than the shit we had last season with notable exceptions in Lowton, Maguire & Slew. My big worry is that we`ll still be left with footballing hackers like collins, cressy, monty etc. to continue their slow murder of our clubs standing.

Surely we can`t end up with a squad as worse as last season, nigh impossible, as long as we get rid of the cart load of crap.

[Red Bladder]

I'm slightly encouraged at the moment if the players that are rumoured to come in do come in. Duke is probably better than Simmo, Flynn better than Yeates and Parkin better than Henderson. Somebody else mentioned the possibility of Kazenga Lua Lua coming too which would be amazing so I won't believe that one unless it happens. So if we do indeed keep improving on the shite that leaves great so I'll hang onto that little ray of hope for now.

[Bladenz]

I would be happy to welcome Sean Bean - as Fred says, he has the interests of the club at heart and he is a 100% Blade - says so on his arm! Like SOC I am not yet encouraged by what has happened so far, so let's give it a time then moan again! I am just worried by the clinging leeches that we cannot get shut of! How much for your iron lung Fred? I think I am in need of one.

[mclostitblade]

Couldn't agree more SOC. The policy of the current regime will take us only one way and that is down. Even with some of the talented youngsters - Slew, Lowton, McGuire, Harriott, McAllister, Philliskirk - with no decent old hands in there they'll find it tough going, especially if we have a bad start.

The only way to get out of the current plight is for regime change at the very top. Even a consortium of local businessmen with enthusiasm, drive and ambition would be an improvement on what we have at the minute. If Beany can pull a few rabbits out of the hat stateside even better.

[John Bond]

Thanks for the replies fellas, some great stuff in there and unlike other message boards, there's been no back biting or taking cheap shots at what I posted.

Nothing's really changed at United in the past 3-4 seasons and although we have a relatively good spell under McCabe's leadership, his recent decision making has been at best questionable. I was one of the "idiots" that protested when Wilson was appointed. However, I went to protest about the board and current state of the club than Wilson being the manager. Don't get me wrong, I don't want Wilson and can't possibly see how he can take the club forward if he isn't given the tools to do the job. Successive managers have had to work under the same conditions and whilst McCabe and Son are at the helm, that won't change.

There does need to be change at the very top and as I have suggested in the past, a supporters trust would be the best way forward. The problem is, in the current climate, finding local business people who are willing to put money into a football club. I do think the club needs a supporter on the board, I've been saying it for years. Judging from the comments made by McCabe in the meeting post protest, I am of the opinion that this is something he would not welcome. This in my view, is all the more reason for supporters to seek to gain access to the boardroom and to get some concrete answers to the questions we all have about our club.

The level of transparency at SUFC is shocking and we, the fans, are the last people to know about any major decisions made by the club.

The Dispatches programme "How to Buy a Football Club" did answer one question I have and that is "Is Sheffield United Football Club up for sale?". The answer from the findings of the programme are yes and the valuation is approx £25M. A £15M downpayment and a further payment of £10M to secure the freehold of the stadium.

The problem any fans group would have initially is raising that sort of money and then securing further investment for the long term future of the club. I don't doubt there are people out there who are looking to invest in a football club and I don't doubt that Sheffield United are a club that would attract attention for those sorts of people. I would prefer McCabe to lower his valuation in order to find a buyer, but I fell he'll hold the club to ransom in order to get his money back.

I feel this strategy will hinder any potential sale as any serious investor will not just need money to buy the club, they will also need significant funds to re-build the squad that has literally been sold from under our noses. McCabe has stripped the club of it's footballing assets. Any buyer would be basically buying a stadium, the good will of the supporters and a ramshackled squad of players that are vastly inexperienced and or just plain crap.

McCabe will definitely begin to feel the heat this season and that heat will intensify if the club starts sluggishly. I would love the club to progress and for it to be a success, but at the present, the outlook is not looking too healthy. Most Blades are pretty much resigned to the philosophy of "what will be, will be", but I would like to see more Blades taking an active role in the club and or showing their displeasure at the regime that is dragging the club down to it's knees. I don't personally know where this will all end, but I hope McCabe finds a buyer and quick or the dumbing down of SUFC will continue for some time to come.

SOC

[DoyleDo1]

I dont know why, I just fel strangely optimistic about the season. I think we have alot more pace in the team, we have a player that could go on and represent England at full level in a few years. Id like to see certain other players leave, some Im resigned to keeping (Cresswell).

I just think if we can get off to a good start, Danny knows his starting 11 and get a bit of consistancy, we may just do abit this season. We may have a good mix of young and old and it will be nice to see some of our own players having a game.

Over in Sow6, they are bleating on about how well they are going to do etc, despite siginging fewer players than us and we are the only ones that have spent any money

Maybe its just me, but im looking forward to the season - right now the highlight of the weekend is washing the flamin car!

[thechairman]

Sadly I don't feel confident.
Still if we got a bit of pace I'll actually see Cresswell run backwards when trying to run forwards. At least it will make me laugh.
At least on here despite the lack of members the people that do post do seem to know what they're talking about. Unlike a certain mad web page which has got even madder signing up rules.

[DoyleDo1]

The quality players;-

Jordan Slew
Matty Lowton
Harry Maguire
David MCallister
Lee Williamson
Chris Porter?
Ryan Flynn?

Ones to go (hopefully)

Ched Evans
Boggy
Squinn
Monty


Lumbered with

Cressie
Simonsen
Doyle
Collins

Neither here nor there;-

George Long
Matty Harriott
Seamus Denneeely???
Erik Tonne
Danny Philiskirk
(The youth team)
Johnny Ertl
Black guy from swindon that models our kits

Cant remember anyone else. Of course there will be additions and people leaving but thats got to be a strong team in this league. There are unknown quantities in the youth.

[fred emney]

Think you`ve got the right players in the right boxes there GS, but if we don`t get rid of those 4 overpaid jessies under "ones to go" any optimism will find its way under 'sod it" in the Oxford English.

I`m neither optimistic nor pessimistic, the apathy that Blackwell & McCabe lumped on us is still inherent. But a cull of the shite, some new midfielders with enterprise & a new owner would send the emotional swingometer to somewhere near "satisfied"

fingers & ears crossed.

[fred emney]

Actually talking of the midfield... article from the star reckons Our Micky Doyle, he of the poor hack`em down, pass it on technique, has actually shown a new side in under Wilson in Malta, apparently previously he`s been playing to instructions just to play in front of back four, no nose bleeds over half way thankyou, .

Maybe the lad can play.

I wonder if monty has been shackled by previous managers orders too?? "look lad go out there pass like a one legged tart, commit a few late challenges near our box, give away the odd pen & chase shadows until you`ve dug a trench in lane turf".... it all makes sense now.

[Bladenz]

SOC, right on the button as usual! Backbiting - moi? Heaven forbid. You are correct though, this site has been nore light-hearted and amusing, with sense thrown in - I stopped looking at the other site - it gets quite bitter. I agree with all the sentiments above - we really do need a new look from the top down, and we all agree on who should be waved goodbye to! Love your intsructions to Monty, Fred, once again you must have been listening at the keyhole!

[DoyleDo1]

Looks like Kozzy will get a deal. He gets a dal from us just by hanging round!

We still need a left back though, a right hand side player and perhaps another centre halve.

Im happy with the attacking options, just light weight at the back. Maybe the ones we want to shift will find there level?

[davidpowell]

And where's the money going to come from? The £12m the taxdodger pocketed from the hotel?