Topic: Sheffield United Thread: Can they avoid relegation? Hopefully not.

[J_Kopite]

Argh the good old British tactic of running faster, longer further than your opponents rather than pesky old tactical systems those foreigners use.

That's exactly what I'd expect Hodgson or Allardyce to come out with.

That is a very uncharitable interpretation of what he said.

[Statto Red]

They aren't, they play West Ham in the league next Friday. They play AFC Fylde in the cup on sunday I think.

They play Fylde in the cup on Sunday

Yes of course, my error, looking at the BBC site & they had Sheffield United v West Ham Friday, but didn't look at the date & comp.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

Argh the good old British tactic of running faster, longer further than your opponents rather than pesky old tactical systems those foreigners use.

That's exactly what I'd expect Hodgson or Allardyce to come out with.

no its not you need to work hard if you want to achieve and he’s acknowledging that, put the best tactical system in place and if the players are half arsed it will fail

[afc tukrish]

I thought he was talking more about how the prominent philosophy among a lot of younger academy coaches is that you can rely purely on your technical game to win things, and that technique and playing out from the back and playing through the thirds, and creativity, etc., are all you need. And what Wilder is pointing out is that the best team in the world HAS all that, but they are still competing for every first ball, every second ball, and getting overloads in both penalty areas before any of the other stuff happens. In other words, the fundamentals of hard work, pressing and defending, overloading the other team, putting the graft in and treating each opponent as if they are the best opponent you will ever face, is good enough for Liverpool, and should be good enough for everyone else as well.

Perhaps an indictment of the emphases in English coaching education, then...

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

Really? I was a fan of how they play and their tactics but I thought his interview after the game was quite poor.

"People talk about academy coaches and all this nonsense about tactics and technical stuff"

And he said it such a disrespectful and disparaging way, almost Hodgson or Allardycesq, like it was nothing to do with tactics but because they didn’t run more. Yes he gave us some nice praise but it was difficult not to.

Not sure about your interpretation mate. What he meant was that, tactics and all other stuff are secondary, and fight, hunger, focus, hard work and determination are primary. And he's not wrong though. On paper and on TV, football looks fancy, but on the pitch you smell sweat, blood and grass, and in order to perform in those conditions, you have to be brave. Red nose couple of weeks ago praised us for being brave to attack. And his teams were always like that too.

[No666]

What he was trying to express was that he not only admires us technically and tactically, but that our players have the humility to put in the work rate that's needed, as well. That's how I interpreted his not wholly coherent but definitely admiring ramblings afterwards.

[Jm55]

Argh the good old British tactic of running faster, longer further than your opponents rather than pesky old tactical systems those foreigners use.

That's exactly what I'd expect Hodgson or Allardyce to come out with.

How can you listen to an interview where an opposition manager, having lost 2-0, is saying he admires everything about the team that just beat him, and somehow interpret it to be akin to the likes of Allardyce and Hodgson?

Have you ever listened to either of those two when they've lost to us? Because you can count on one hand the number of times they haven't blamed it on officiating or some other ridiculous excuse.

The level of snobbery is ridiculous at times.

[Snail]

Their fans actually do seem a decent bunch.

https://twitter.com/andrewrobertso5/status/1212882517902188544

[Ziltoid]

It sounded to me like he was belittling academy coaches and all this ‘nonsense’ about tactics and technique and simplifying the game into who was prepared to run more and do the hard stuff.

I may be wrong but that’s how it came across to me.

I hope not as I know the Sheffield United academy manager

[Lone Star Red]

It sounded to me like he was belittling academy coaches and all this ‘nonsense’ about tactics and technique and simplifying the game into who was prepared to run more and do the hard stuff.

I may be wrong but that’s how it came across to me.

You are.

[Lone Star Red]

Their fans actually do seem a decent bunch.

https://twitter.com/andrewrobertso5/status/1212882517902188544

That's excellent. 

[red vinyl]

You are.

It came across like that to me also,the game itself is quite simple but you have to have the desire to do the graft,to earn the right to play i think he meant.

[Jm55]

It came across like that to me also,the game itself is quite simple but you have to have the desire to do the graft,to earn the right to play i think he meant.

That’s exactly what he meant.

Owen made the point after the game that the days of relying on ‘maverick’ style players who are excellent in possession but stroll around off it (to me it sounded like was describing Berbatov) are over, and to be honest he’s bang on the money.

One of the reasons why that prick Ibrahimovic has never won anything in Europe.

[kloppagetime]

Once again proving his class with that interview what a guy.

You had all these vacancies lately at top clubs and yet the fact he wasn't considered for any of them boggles the mind.

[Morgana]

Loving the banter between their fans and us, replying to 'We're champions of the world' with 'Champions of League One, You'll never sing that.' Hilarious. Nice shot of this at the end of the latest 'Inside...' episode on LFC TV, but it's not out free on YouTube yet.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

Once again proving his class with that interview what a guy.

You had all these vacancies lately at top clubs and yet the fact he wasn't considered for any of them boggles the mind.

hes probably not interested in going right now to be honest

[Clayton Bigsby]

Heard the interview. I'm astounded that anyone can see that that is anything less than a compliment to team.

[Guz-kop]

thats the point he’s making, instead of obsessing over different tactical systems to 7 year olds success in the game fundamentally comes down to effort and work rate

Except those skills are the absolute basics. Everyone doing well does them. You can't succeed without it. Maybe we do them a little more because our style puts those demands on us, especially the midfield. But we're the best in the world because we're the best coached side in the world and tactically absolutely phenomenal. His comments don't bother me and were no doubt 100% complimentary. He comes across as a proper sound bloke and interviews really well. but given how good Sheffield United are and the way they are also tactically well drilled I was really surprised by how disparaging to an element of coaching he was. He probably didn't mean it the way it came out and was just in awe of how physically strong we are in addition to everything else

[Lush is the best medicine...]

Except those skills are the absolute basics. Everyone doing well does them. You can't succeed without it. Maybe we do them a little more because our style puts those demands on us, especially the midfield. But we're the best in the world because we're the best coached side in the world and tactically absolutely phenomenal. His comments don't bother me and were no doubt 100% complimentary. He comes across as a proper sound bloke and interviews really well. but given how good Sheffield United are and the way they are also tactically well drilled I was really surprised by how disparaging to an element of coaching he was. He probably didn't mean it the way it came out and was just in awe of how physically strong we are in addition to everything else

i guess another way he could have said it was ‘youth coaches are obsessed with how good a seven year old is at rondos not the actual effort in becoming a player!’

[kennedy81]

I thought he was talking more about how the prominent philosophy among a lot of younger academy coaches is that you can rely purely on your technical game to win things, and that technique and playing out from the back and playing through the thirds, and creativity, etc., are all you need. And what Wilder is pointing out is that the best team in the world HAS all that, but they are still competing for every first ball, every second ball, and getting overloads in both penalty areas before any of the other stuff happens. In other words, the fundamentals of hard work, pressing and defending, overloading the other team, putting the graft in and treating each opponent as if they are the best opponent you will ever face, is good enough for Liverpool, and should be good enough for everyone else as well.

That's how I read it.
It was a way to give his team a little nudge without coming across as harsh on them, as there's no shame in losing at Anfield.
But I suspect he felt his team might have worked a bit harder than they did. Praising Liverpool's work rate gets that point across.

[Elzar]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51094939

Oli McBurnie: Sheffield United striker reminded of responsibilities for gesture
By Alistair Magowan

BBC Sport

1 hour agoFrom the sectionSheff Utd
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Oli McBurnie at Swansea City's game at Cardiff
Oli McBurnie (centre in black hat) has scored four goals for Sheffield United since he joined them for £20m in August
Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie has been reminded of his responsibilities by the Football Association after appearing to make an obscene gesture while watching Swansea City.

The 23-year-old striker, who joined United for a record £20m in August, is a Swansea fan and was in the crowd for their derby at Cardiff City on Sunday.

McBurnie had Sunday off after scoring in the 1-0 win over West Ham on Friday.

Sheffield United are not commenting on the incident.

The Scotland international, who has scored four goals for the Blades since his summer move from Swansea, was also pictured watching his former team at QPR earlier in the season.

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville said - before the FA's notice was issued - that any action against the player would be "a disgrace".

Neville said on social media: "This lad has done the most normal thing I've seen from a footballer for a long time. He goes to support his team and is pictured, filmed and ends up with this."

Former Swansea forward Lee Trundle added: "Exactly mate, people moan that players are too far detached from the fans then when one has a day out as a fan they do this."

In November, McBurnie pleaded not guilty to a drink-driving charge at Leeds Magistrates' Court. He is due to go on trial on 16 March.

He should have been charged for dressing like a tit 

[ScottishKopite]

He is a fanny!

am sure he never took part in a huddle for Swansea either last season or season before due to being a rangers fan guy is a knob end off and should be charged. He gets paid thousands a week meant to be a role model too and dressing like that also  .

A boy who played for rangers think his name is Aird done something similar at the last old firm game his current team sacked him for it.

its pathetic not smart or cool .

[BarnsleyScouser]

He is a fanny!

am sure he never took part in a huddle for Swansea either last season or season before due to being a rangers fan guy is a knob end off and should be charged. He gets paid thousands a week meant to be a role model too and dressing like that also  .

A boy who played for rangers think his name is Aird done something similar at the last old firm game his current team sacked him for it.

its pathetic not smart or cool .

My opinion is he's out with his mates let him have a laugh, he's not harming anyone.

If theres anything to be outraged about its how he was caught drink driving a few month ago, now that is a proper nobhead move.

[So… Howard Philips]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51094939

He should have been charged for dressing like a tit 

It looked like something from a charity shop with a jarg Stone Island badge sewn on.

[Lone Star Red]

Fair play to McBurnie there, that's excellent to see. Need more of that.

[King Kenny 7]

Jack Robinson has signed for United from Forest.


Good luck to the lad, hope this is a good move for him. 

[kloppagetime]

Jack Robinson has signed for United from Forest.


Good luck to the lad, hope this is a good move for him. 

Wilder is up their with Naglesmaan and Klopp as one of the best in the business for improving players, so this should be great move for Robinson plus Sheff United already have a couple scousers in the team with Lundstrum, O'Connell and Rodwell so i'm sure he will bed in well within the squad.

[Scouser-Tommy]

Jack Robinson has signed for United from Forest.


Good luck to the lad, hope this is a good move for him. 

Alongside John Lundstram and Jack O'Connell.

Anyone fancy them to get something out of City tonight?

[King Kenny 7]

Anyone fancy them to get something out of City tonight?

Expecting a tough game for City and hoping for at least a draw. . . unfortunately after City dropping points against Palace we'll probably see a City win.


Will be an interesting game for both teams and the home supporters have a big part to play.   

[Elzar]

Wilder really likes signing players that had big potential as a youth player doesn't he?

[MNAA]

I like Wilder. So underrated. For the amazing work that he is doing at Sheff Utd, I am rooting for them to get 4th.

[sinnermichael]

Not going anywhere this lot. 5th in the league and only 5 points off 4th. 2nd best defence in the league still and now attracting top quality players.

Amazing story really.

[tornado]

Hope they make it to the champions league

1) They would have deserved it
2) Make for a good story
3) Good for us that traditional rivals stay in the wilderness for a bit, so the distance can be stretched in terms of revenues, recruitments, etc

[Caligula?]

It's great and all, but might playing twice a week hurt them next season? Leicester looked fucked playing in the Champions League the season after they won the Premier League and were going down until Ranieri got sacked. It'd be a real shame if Sheffield struggled similarly in the league and had to get rid of Wilder.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

Not going anywhere this lot. 5th in the league and only 5 points off 4th. 2nd best defence in the league still and now attracting top quality players.

Amazing story really.

plus they’ve played us and city twice, and Arsenal too. Does help when the opposition keeper carries one in tho

[King Kenny 7]

A big 3 points for the Wilder Boys as they hunt down Chelsea. 

[Max_powers]

Not going anywhere this lot. 5th in the league and only 5 points off 4th. 2nd best defence in the league still and now attracting top quality players.

Amazing story really.

Thier rise has been more impressive than even Wolves for me. Even by Championship standards they were one of the most frugal teams, most didn't think the would get promoted. Wolves spent more than 100 million when they came up and had been been spending a lot in Championship too.

They have come up with bunch of players from lower leagues, not spent a lot and look good enough to qualify for Europe this season. Even the football they play is quite decent given the players they got.

Wilder has done a great job. Seems like a very likable and honest manager. I think a lot of top teams could use someone like him. 

[the_red_pill]

Been absolutely brilliant! Wilder is the real deal for a top club, but hope he excels at United.
They've been consistent and they work hard for each other. He is creating a winning squad. Like Jurgen, he seems to be able to coach AND create a team.

Hope they beat Chelsea to 4th. Red mancs won't be anywhere near it so I'm leaving them out of contention.

[Cu Chulainn]

Still think Chelsea will limp over the line for 4th, but you can't help but like this lot. I do expect them to drop off a little bit and finish between 6th and 8th but that's still an incredible achievement - imagine telling a Sheffield United fan in August that they'd be in February and likely to finish above Arsenal!

[kloppagetime]

It's great and all, but might playing twice a week hurt them next season? Leicester looked fucked playing in the Champions League the season after they won the Premier League and were going down until Ranieri got sacked. It'd be a real shame if Sheffield struggled similarly in the league and had to get rid of Wilder.

Chris Wilder took that club from league one to the Premier League, if he took them to the Champions League even if it completely feel apart and they got relegated next season they still wouldn't sack him.

I actually they will be a club competiting for Europe for as long as Wilder is there and for me he's the best British manager since Alex Ferguson