Conference trucks::football;1

    Anyone got a Blades fixture list ??

>          <<< Note 42.1 by CURRNT::PAGED "I came, I saw, I wobbled" >>>
>                         -< Live near the Leadmill !! >-
    
    That must be a long commute - what do you use? the Master Cutler??
    
    Anyway - here's the list

	August 17	Norwich - A
	August 20	WEST HAM - H
	August 24	SOUTHAMPTON - H
	August 28	Coventry - A
	August 31	Crystal Pal - A

	September  3	CHELSEA - H
	September  7	Oldham - A
	September 14	EVERTON - H
	September 17	NOTTS COUNTY - H
	September 21	Arsenal - A
	September 28	WIMBLEDON - H

	October	 5	Leeds - A
	October 19	NOTT'M FOREST - H
	October 26	Man City - A

	November  2	Man Utd - A
	November 17	SHEFF. WED - H
	November 23	Tottenham - A
	November 30	LUTON - H

	December  7	QPR - A
	December 14	ASTON VILLA - H
	December 21	West Ham - A
	December 26	COVENTRY - H
	December 28	CRYSTAL PALACE - H

	January  1	Liverpool - A
	January 11 	Southampton - A
	January 18	NORWICH - H

	February  1	Nott'm Forest - A
	February  8	MAN CITY - H
	February 15	SPURS - H
	February 22	Luton - A
	February 29	QPR - H

	March  7	Aston Villa - A
	March 11	Sheff Wed - A
	March 14	MAN UTD - H
	March 21	Chelsea - A
	March 28	LIVERPOOL - H

	April  4	OLDHAM - H
	April 11	Everton - A
	April 18	ARSENAL - H
	April 20	Notts Co - A
	April 25	LEEDS - H

	May 2		Wimbledon - A
    
    
    

    Thanks for that. If I lived up in Sheff' and worked in the dubiously
    Beautiful South I'd need a matter-transporter. I'm therefore condemned
    to cheer from afar !!

Well the new season kicks off tomorrow at Carrow Road against the team that it
ended against on an optimistic note last season.

Last season was summed up as:

First Half - Equal worst start ever by a first Div team

Second Half - Boardering Championship contesting form (included a run of eight
straight wins).

I expect this season to be a little more balanced.

The only close season signing of note has been Tommy Cowan from Rangers for 300K
but I expect there may be one or two more once we get underway with season 
ticket sales going well and Derbies against the P**s in prospect.

The general mood is more optimistic than last year with all the players having
had at least a year in the top flight and knowing better what to expect.

The injury situation is also much better, John Gannon is recovering well from
his Summer operation and will be ready in a few weeks, and Carl Bradshaw has
fully recovered from his clash at QPR and is "straining at the leash"  I expect
that he will come on a graet deal this season.

I think that the whole squad has a great attitude at the moment and a win at 
Norwich would be a great start.

Hoping for a good season

Dave

PS Dave (P) I was only joking about the Master Cutler 

    The prospects for the coming season look good Dave. I was up in
    Sheff' last week and the locals seem very optimistic. Are you
    going to any of the London games ?? I wouldn't mind doing a few !
    
    Come on you Blades !!!
    
    Dave (P)

    2 up with 10 minutes to go and blew it !!

Re.-1

My sentiments entirely.  Harry must hav beed furious afterwards.

Still the goals looked good on telly, and by all accounts United should
have had three or four.  Agarna did everything execept put the ball in the 
net.

Dave,  The first London game I'm going to is Palace on the 31st August (if
the paint's dry that is).  I'll speak to you nearer the time if you're
interested.  We intend to get in early to avoid the "behind the pylon" spot
which comprises half the away end.

Dave

    Sorry Dave but I'm not in town that weekend. However, they are at
    Arsenal on Sept 21st. Whaddya reckon ?

    Looks like half the notes in here has gone "walkabout". Meaning, we
    are probably top of the league by now.
    
    Tommorrow we THRASH Everton.
    

    Re:-1
    
    No dave tomorrow YOU get thrashed by Everton.
    
    Nige

    Yeeeeeeesssss !!!! A glorious victory for the best team in England !
    We'll be in the top 5 come the easter after next !!
    
    Bring on Notts County !!

Well it was starting to feel a little like last year already, after a good
start at Norwich where we threw away a 2 goal lead in the last 10 mins, it was 
downhill all the way, until last Saturday that is. 

I managed to get to the Palace match away at the "Mecca" (sic) where for the 
second time in the season we let in 2 goals in the last 10 mins.  It wasn't 
the best of performances I have to say, the first half was a little scrappy 
with neither side looking like scoring.  Glynn Hodges put us ahead on the hour 
with a great curling shot from the edge if the box.  We then decided to sit 
back and let them come at us with some stupid time wasting tactics (still 30 
minutes to play!!).  Thomas got the inevitable equaliser, and just when we had 
settled for a draw Mark Wright bungled the winner over the line.  Served us
right. 

The team looked shakey, the defence was often at sixes and sevens but played
the offside trap quite well though.  The only players to do well were hodges
and maybe Bryson.  The attacks were usually based on Bryson going round the
outside of a defender and lobbing in a cross, but with no Dean or Agana these
were easily handled by the Palace defence.

So pretty dire really:  as for Palace, they didn't look up to much either, and 
were only a shadow of the team I saw last year, unless they were on an off day 
they will struggle to achieve third place again (he says with 20:20 hindsight 
of their Arsenal game).

We then lost to Chelsea at home (the offside trap failing to let them score 
the only goal), and Oldham away.

It was starting to look like the loose spiral we found ourselves in last year.

When we finally found our first win last Saturday aginst the ginormous megga
club who are now one point ahead of us in the league. By all accounts we 
deserved the win.  Quasimodo put the Toffees ahead and both teams had chances 
in the first half, however Everton seemed to lack ambition and allowed us to 
come at them with Agana causing lots of problems.  Hoyland and Byson got the 
goals, Quasi missed an open goal and we hit the woodwork three times in the 
remaining time.

After the match there was a demonstration by the fans which resulted in Dave
Bassett addressing the crowd stating that he had no plans to leave, that
appears to be what they wanted to hear and they letf quietly.

Another three points can be hoped for tonight when we play Notts County at 
home (as I write), but the Arse away on Saturday will be tough.  Oh well at 
least we've got out first win three months ahead of last season!!

Dave are you still planning on going on Saturday ????


    

  Re -1
    
    >> Another three points can be hoped for tonight when we play Notts County 
    >> at home (as I write), but the Arse away on Saturday will be tough.  
    
    Dave,
    
    Famous last words - looks like your boys stopped playing for the last 15
    minutes again.
    
    Rob :-) 

    re:-1
    
    Are you trying to get another note deleted Dave?
    
    Nige

    
    Looks like he succeeded........

    Not my intention Nige. I'm obviously a marked man after yesterday.
    

Blades 1   'U Pies 3

After a good show against Everton, we have now entered the "Jeckyl and Hyde" 
phase with a poor performance against Notts County thus failing to capitalise
on the impetus gained by Saturday's win.

Again the defence looked shaky despite the inclusion of new signing Brian
Gayle who apparently made mistakes on two of the goals!!  Lets hope its just 
settling in problems.

Despite the lack lustre performance, we ought to have been able to impose
ourselves on the game after going ahead just after half time thanks to a Tony
Agana header, instead we let in three goals during a fatal six minute spell and
that was that.

Other rumours:  Bassett has been approached by  Blackburn Rovers and has made
mutterings about being fed up of running the team on a shoe-string.

The delay in Brian Gale playing stemmed from delaying in paying Ipswich half 
the fee (�350000).

Maybe this is where the "dire financial state" stories originate.

Anyway off the Arsenal on Saturday (McCabe has even offerd to buy me a 
consolation drink *before* the match)!!

What a game !!! 

The Blades game out all guns blazing and put Aresnal under severe pressure from
the start. The Arsenal defence always looked shaky and then up pops Agana and
whacks in a brilliant shot from the accutest of angles. Unfortunately our
glorious boys went to sleep a little after that and let in a stupid goal; that
levelled it.

Undaunted the Blades fought and fought... They were finally rewarded a minute
from time when Seaman proved to the entire country why he is Englands number 2
keeper !! For a moment I thought that he thought that the game was over. That
was the only reason I could think of to explain why he started walking towards
the tunnel. Anyroad, that left the goal wide open and allowed us to go 2-1 up !!

Ok... Now for the first half.

For 16 minutes the Blades played with skill and poise. Then they scored. For a
few minutes more the Blades played with skill and poise. Then they got a highly
dubious penalty. For a further few minutes the Blades played with skill and
poise until they got their third. Following that the Blades played with skill
and poise and were completely stunned when, against the run of play, Aresenal
got their fourth just before half time !!

In summary... We wuz crap !!!

But what the hell, it was a great day out. Many thanks to Mike McCabe for
signing  me into the Aresenal supporters club and to Mr Swanson who suffered
with me on the terraces. Roll on the Spurs game in November !!

Quote of the day from a Yorkshireman standing behind me. On the subject of
Brian Gayle he was heard to scream hysterically:

Seven 'undred b****d grand fer that piece o' s***te !!

This remark went uncontested.

Dave...

>>Quote of the day from a Yorkshireman standing behind me. On the subject of
>>Brian Gayle he was heard to scream hysterically:

>>Seven 'undred b****d grand fer that piece o' s***te !!

Some other classics were:

"Oh great touch - quality ball"  as a United defender lofts the ball into the
back row of the stands.

and

"Oh well left Wilder - You stupid p***t."

Also, now I'm not taking anything away from Aresnal's performance, they deserved
to win, they outplayed us in all departments etc. etc.  BUT.. was Lee Dixon's
penalty his first forward kick of the match?? - I think we should be told.


PS.  We had to stay behind at the end to hear the Luton score of course, which, 
despite everything, seemed to make Dave's day.

Dave (S)

    Indeed it did Dave !! 
    
    Another (similar) quote was:
    
    "Well left Tracey".... Now that one went up at least 5 times 8-)
    
    Or (and its all coming back to me now) "We're going down, we're
    going down, you're not"
    
    Ooooohh, more fun than anyone should be allowed to have.
    
    Dave
    
    PS Dave if yer up in Sheff for the Forrest game on October 19th then
       I'll see yez fer a pint.

    Another glorious point on Saturday !!! Well done Blades, keep it up 8-)

    Several people were admitted to hospital with neck problems after the
    Sheff U vs Wombles game, the ball also suffered frostbite. The people
    sitting nearest the half way line suffered most. The score went
    15-love, 15-all, 30-15, 30-all, advantage Sheff U, deuce, advantage
    Wombles, deuce ......
    
    jb.

    
    	...must have been a real feast of football! Sheesh.....
    
    
    	Andy.

    We're going down, we're going down, you're not !!!!
    
    Here's hoping we take Luton with us !!

    On the strength of the 2nd half performance on Sat, then the Blades
    should stay up. 3 Yorkshire sides in Div 1 is good for football in this
    part of the world, let's face it, it's time the London - Merseyside
    Axis was broken.
    
    jb.
    
    (just what is a Chipfathead ?)
    

Spoke to a colleague who went to Ellend Rd on Saturday, they said it was a 
great match dispite loosing in the end.

Dave Bassett was winging on about the handball decision on Phil Kite (goalie,
Simon Tracey being injured at the moment), aparently the video clearly shows
that he released the ball inside the box.  Often goalies do appear to cary the
ball out of the box on the follow through to a drop kick, but as long as they 
release the ball inside the area (which they do) there's no problem.  That will
probably be the only foul given in the first division for such an offence, just
ou luck it has to be us.  After the incident, I'm told the linesman paid no 
attention to either Kite or Lukich (sp?) for the remainder of the match.

So Leeds scored from the free kick, which is the real problem, this season we
have been hopeless at defending, particularly from free kicks and throw ins.

I see Carl Bradshaw scored, which I assume means his injury is over so thats
good news.

The other night we scored a glorious victory at home to Wigan 1-0.

Forrest on Saturday at home, a win, coupled with the second half performance
against Leeds, as reported by jb (good to see you before your Palace game the
other night by the way) might see a recovery from our usual dire start.

    Forrest next Saturday Dave... Div 1 clubs have this weekend free. 

Sorry Dave, meant the next home game - the 19th You're going aren't you??

    I think I'll be there Dave, but a few complications have arisen.

    btw Dave... Are you going ?
    
    Or anyone else in here for that matter ?

    I read two separate match reports yesterday in which Blades players
    featured. Bearing in mind the Blades didn't play can anyone tell
    me if these players have been sold, or are on loan ?
    
    I'm not too concerned though as one of them was Bob Booker 8-)
    
    Dave (Up t'Sheff on Saturday for the Forrest game)

    Dave,
       I'll join you for a brief moment. Whats gone wrong with the Blades
    this year. Very dodgy to start with last year yes but the latter part
    of the season was championship form. Is that their plan this year. Or
    do they believe in giving Man U a 25 point start.
    
    Mind you with a bloke called Bassett in charge it's no wonder the your
    able to come up with 'Allsorts' of excuses.
    
    Barry.

    Hi Barry,
    
    The answer is quite simple... We're crap !! But we have loads more
    points than we had at this stage last season 8-) But who cares ?
    As long as Luton go down this season NOTHING ELSE MATTERS !!!!
    Even if we join you !!
    
    Anyone going to Brammel lane this Saturday ? If so, let me know.
    The person I'm visting has started making noises about staying
    home...
    
    To watch RUGBY !!!

    Dave,  I hope it *IS* Sheffield following Luton....perhaps the
    *crunch* game is Upton Park Dec 21st??..
    
    Tony  still_ere_and_blowing_bubbles..

    Oh no, its the return of Nosey Tony !!!! Howya dooin' !!!
    
    Are you on for the West 'am game then Tone ??
    
    Dave (off to Sheff at lunchtime)

		        Blades 4 - 2 Forrest

The question we all have to ask ourselves this morning is quite simple. Are
Sheffield United the best team in football ?? I think the answer to this,boys
and girls,must be YES !!

But it wasn't so much that the Blades played out of their skins, the margin and
ease of victory had a lot to do with the fact that Forrest were pathetic. They
were completely outclassed and showed about as much fight up front as the Iraqi
army !! I've no idea why Clough paid 2 million for Teddy Sherringham, he's
absolute crap !! And that Tiler is a cynical b****d.

Anyroad, the Blades went ahead in about the 15th minute and soon were 2 up
following a great solo effort by Agana !! Then the Blades made the classic
mistake of not paying attention. As they were walking back, talking amongst
themselves, smoking, having a beer etc, Forrest scored straight from the
kick-off. Must admit this was the best goal of the game. A rocket of a shot from
Parker into the top corner.

Half time came with the Blades again going forward and about a minute into the
second half it was 3-1. Couldn't see exactly what happened but he keeper was
nowhere to be seen when Bryson got the ball and put it in from the narrowest (or
so it looked from my end of the ground) of angles.

At that stage I thought Forrest would come storming back but it just didn't
happen. For 20 minutes or so play got very scrappy (loadsa Blades back passes
etc) but the Forrest attack were just nowhere. No ideas, no skill, no speed,
nothing. Just like the Blades this season really 8-)

But when I was almost asleep they did actually get a goal and for a while looked
like they may just get a draw. An inspired substitution by the Blades near the 
end brought on Mike Lake, who's first time cross (and maybe first touch of the
ball?) allowed Hoyland to whack it past Eeyore in the Forrest goal. Then
it was all over.

Shame Luton managed to get a draw to keep us at the bottom but this could
be the beggining of the fight back 8-) But we've got Man City and Man Utd
in the next two league games, who I doubt will play as badly as Forrest.

From Brammel Lane this is DP Network News...

Thanks for the report Dave it sounded a good match.

How was the injury situation is Dean better, is he still out with
Glandular Fever, it can be a tricky one that judging by what has happened
to other players after getting it.

Tonight we play U'Pies in in the ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZDS cup, here's hoping
to make two in a row against Nottingham, and avenge out most embarrassing
defeat of the season so far.  (County beat us 3-1 at home a few weeks
back).

Then we have both Manc teams away in consecutive weeks, 26th (City) and
2nd (United), followed by Wednesday at home on the 17th. (The first
Sheffield Division One Derby since 1968 (No match on the 9th).  Lets hope
for a few points from that lot.

    It was a good match Dave.
    
    As for Deane, he didn't play. I think it was Hoyland up front with
    Agana.
    
    I also realised yesterday that another reason why Forrest were crap
    was probably due to the fact that Kingsley Black was in their team.
    Remember him ?
    
    
    Ex Luton... No doubt planted by the FA to get revenge on that gobshite
    Clough !!
    
    Oh yeah.... Another interesting fact about Black.
    
    He's white.

    I'm so glad we managed to avoid European competition this season 8-)

    Yes we lost but we don't care !!! 

    Dave,
    
    Perhaps you could explain to footbal fans everywhere how you have
    scored almost 3 times as many goals as Luton 'Down in 91' Town
    yet you continue to deprive them of their rightful place in the
    league table.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    Yes Dave,
    
    How do you explain that one then? 
    Its high time that team of yours stopped hogging the bottom spot, which
    (I thought we'd all agreed) has been reserved for Luton Town.
    
    Al.

Gentlemen,

The answer is quite simple. Luton are crap. There is absolutely no dispute about
this. Their team is lousy and their style is, well - its crap ! They don't score
goals and they never look like they will score any.

The Blades, on the other hand,are value for money. They are crowd pleasers who
give as much as they get (Leeds & Man City  games for example), always
entertaining even when being slaughtered !! More often than not they have come
off second best this season which is a shame. However, all it will take is a
string of good fortune,like last seasons post-christmas win holocaust and we'll
be out of trouble. 

I hope it happens soon. November is an "easier" month for us so we may not have
to wait long.

But even if we go down it'll be fighting. Unlike Luton who will probably just
slip away without trying 8-)

Do I care ? To an extent, but remember gents Luton will come with us. 
And IMHO - NOTHING ELSE MATTERS !!

Dave

We're just lulling them into a false sense of security.

When we blast off later in the season, Luton will be left for dead (or as 
Dave says, even if we don't, at least we'll take them with us).

 

    Gentlemen,
    
    We'd still feel better if you get an extra point - the league table
    looks much better with Luton at the bottom!!
    
    Please have a word with Harry Bassett for us and the good of football.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    Is it possible to try harder ?? Ho hum...
    
    Anyroad I think we'll have to wait a bit for the recovery. Next 3
    games are Man Utd, Wednesday and Spurs.
    
    Then we've got Luton !!! 
    
    After that December looks "easier" (sorry I said November yesterday).

    Great news just in lads. We've sold Tony "loadsagoals" Agana to 
    Notts County. What a wise man the Dave Basset is !!
    
    Ah well, at least the season tickets will be cheaper next season.

	re .48

>    Ah well, at least the season tickets will be cheaper next season.

	I suppose you have to be an incurable optimist to follow
	Sheffield United :-)

	Tony

    Thank god its official...We are now undoubtedly the best team in
    
    Sheffield
    
    The league title is now a mere formality !!
    
    What a larf that second goal was !!! Hands up whose going to Spurs
    on Saturday ??

    Sheffield Wednesday are obviously the ONLY team in the first division
    with a sense of responsibility. At long last Luton are languishing at
    the bottom, and with no thanks to the Blades. It saddens me to see
    that The Owls are the only team sacrificing themselves.
    The Blades have had more than a few opportunities to put Luton where they 
    belong, but constantly insisted on staying bottom. 

    Well yes the Town are now bottom. But no thanks to the blades Pagie,
    unless of course it was you who bribed the electrician at White Hart
    Lane. I thought it was too good to be true 1-0 up - well no - to score
    away from home is one thing to do it before the home team have got 2 or
    3 is frankly astounding. There I was hoping, the radio said Spurs were
    crap, as if we needed telling and Luton were unlucky not to have a few
    more. Then the lights went out and with them the points. Never mind.
    Last year Spurs resorted to assault and battery to get the points, be
    honest lads have you ever seen a worse tackle than that on Dowie by Van
    Den Hauwe, then you switch the lights off this year. What next I wonder
    a sleeping draught in the away teams tea.
    
    
    Regards,
    
    
    Barry.
     

Sounded a great match,  I'll put in a report when I've rung my mate up who
went.  With Deane back on form also maybe we have turned the corner (again).

More news later in the week.

re .50
>     a larf that second goal was !!! Hands up whose going to Spurs
>    on Saturday ??

Dave, see you at Piaf's half an hour late again!!

Dave

    Get out of our note Baz ya whinger !! Luton lost because they were
    crap, not because the lights failed.
    
    But we'll really see who is the worst team in the country on November
    30th, right kids !!
    
    
    Dave.... Ok, see you Saturday. I'll mail you "details" later.

A glorious display from the leaders of division 2 (North) saw off the challenge
of the (sometimes) mighty Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday !! Yes, those fabulous
Blades did it again and when we beat Luton next weekend we will be well on the
way to mid-table supremacy !! Forget yer Leeds and yer Man Utds, Sheffield
United are now officially the jammiest team in Ingerlund !! Arf arf.

Basically Brian it was a game of two players - against eleven. Brian Deane and
Simon Tracey against everything Spurs threw at us. The game wasn't won because
Sheffield were absolutely brilliant (as is normally the case) but rather by the
fact that Spurs were absolute shite !!

For most of the game the Blades appeared to have 9 (non-Dutch) donkeys in  the
team but Tottenham were not without a few equine problems of their own. Nayim in
particular was appaling. I really have no idea why he is in the first team. He
missed an absolute "sitter" during the second half and constantly chose the
wrong option when other players were in better positions to exploit the leaky
Sheffield mid-field. Samways (or "sideways" as they were calling him on the
shelf) was almost as bad !!

Anyroad, Spurs started strongly and had plenty of chances early on; both Durie
and the Highlander (Walsh) coming close. They kept up the steady pressure but
after a while it became clear that they were not going to score. Lineker wasn't
functioning and Spurs' best efforts were constantly thwarted by Tracey in the
Blades goal. In between all this Deane always looked dangerous.

Half time.

Spurs kept chipping away again and so did "whos that number 10?" Deane. Once
more Tracey kept making good saves from stray Spurs' efforts. Then it happened!
Against all the run of play there was an almighty scramble in the Spurs box.
This died down after a while and the ball went out left. I didn't see much of
what happened next from where I was but Brian Deane (man among Donkeys) slid the
ball in from a short cross and that was it.  I was the only one celebrating on
the shelf and really had to  bite my tongue when I realised that celebration was
certainly not on most other peoples list of things to do at that point. All
credit to ARRODS::SWANSON, who managed to keep quite - thus increasing his
chances of a prolonged and happy life !!

After that Tottenham just didn't respond. I kept on thinking that we would be
massacred like Luton were last week; but it just didn't happen !!  A few goodish
efforts were blocked by Tracey; but nowt serious. In fact, Deane almost got a
second with ten minutes left !! Spurs got their act together in the last five
minutes (incidentally, the longest of my life) but all credit to the Blades who
defended like dervishes through a holocaust of corners and penalty area
scambles.

Men of the match: Deane and Tracey for the Blades.
                  Durie, the Highlander (Walsh) and Houghton for Spurs.

Durie and Walsh are brilliant players !! Houghton replaced Nayim after Shreeves
eventually saw the light and made a notable contribution.

Blades next match in the Beautiful South - QPR on December 7th.

Dave

    Dave,
       Well done me old son. You were not massacred, but then I told you to
    take some change for the leccy meter.
    
    
    Barry.
    

    I put a few quid in before kickoff Baz !! 3 points for the price of
    a pint seemed like a good idea at the time.

    Great report Dave. Is it true Sheefield United are interested in buying
    Klaus Augenthaler?
    
    
    		Steve

    We've got him already but he's out on loan.
    
    To the Weymouth and district council beach entertainment section
    (quadruped division)

Well, this weekend the glorious leaders of Division Two (North) take on the
handily placed (for the big drop) Kenilworth Arms all-star 11  in what promises
to be the most insignificant fixture of the day !

At stake... The much coveted mantle of (near) mid-table supremacists  and all
the rewards that obscurity brings !!

Fresh from their breathtaking victories over  the "Francis Follies" and "the
best team in N17" can the fabulous Blades ease clear of the bottomless pit that
is the relegation zone ?

Unbeaten now in 14 whole days are the Hatters on a roll ? Is this roll ham,or
cheese ?

Do we care ? Of course we bloody well don't !!!

But FWIW, if the Blades lose I'll eat my terminal...

Pass the Ketchup please Mr Walker !

    Yes indeed Dave, good luck to the 'Sheffield Wednesday second 11' against
    the all-stars on Saturday.
    I'll be very suprised if this battle of the giants is not televised,
    but just in case, will you be joining the other 22 people down at the
    Kenilworth Arms to spur the Blades to a glorious victory? 

Hi Dave,

Apologies for the silence sine out glorious victory against Tottering
Hopeless.  I pretty much agree with your analysis, Spurs seemed to lack
polish, and as a consequence we showed up OK against them.

Its fair to say if any of Spurs chances had fallen to Lineker the story
might have been different.  For Spurs Nayim and Vinny Sideways were
awful, but Durie looked.  I also thought Houghton looked good when he
came on, we were considering buying him a year of so ago, and right now
he is probably the sort of player we need.

Tracey, despite out "goals against" statistic for this season is turning
into a great keeper, but I thought other players apart from him and Deane
turned in good performances.  Hill covered well at the back and Bryson
and Gannon played one or two good moves.  Still plenty of hoofs into
nowhere though as well though!!

As for Luton, I think it will be close but we should edge it at home to
pull us further towards the "Liverpool Zone" ie mid table mediocrity.

I'm off on holls for a week now, see you at QPR  maybe - I'll contact you.

Dave

Well at about 4:40 on Saturday I was beginning to think what a VT330 would taste
like for todays breakfast. Luckily I was spared by an 88th minute goal that
salvaged us a point.

"Salvaged a point", what a poxy thing to have to say when discussing a game
against Luton. By all accounts we were all over then and if it wasn't for that
"new" goalie they have on loan from Forrest we would have buried them !
Mutter, mutter.

All credit to Luton though, they weathered the storm like we did last week and
almost pulled it off. And by dropping Chamberlain it looks like the kerb crawler
is actually doing his job properly at last.

But wipe that grin off yer face Barry, you've got Leeds next weekend !! We have
to go to QPR !

    Dave,
       I am sitting here smiling away. I thought after hearing the first
    half reports that we would be buried in the second. But as you say the
    "New" goalie earned his bread. Three points would obviously have been
    better but a point is, a point is, well a point given our away form is
    like three.
    
    Stuff the Rangers for us Saturday. Roll on Leeds.
    
    
    Regards,
    
    Barry.

    I hope we will Baz but I reckon Leeds will be rolling on you !
    
    Anyroad, hands up who's going to QPR on Saturday ??

    A good win for the Blades on Saturday. One more performance like
    that and we'll be up there in the Spurs zone. A relatively "easy"
    spell coming up now. West Ham on Saturday, followed by Coventry,
    Liverpool and Palace.
    
    I'm hoping to be at West Ham and the two home games @xmas. Anyone
    interested ? Dave, Tony R ???
    
    Dave
    

    Dave,
    I understand that billy has kept the best in his players for this
    Saturdays bottom of the table clash.....I see Sheffield have won
    a few recently...should be a good game, predict 3-2 to the hammers
    
    I'll be going, anyone else? 

Well as a old fellow once told me in Sheffield  in the early 70's

"The toruble with United is that they'll beat Leeds and beat Liverpool, but
then loose to Norton Woodseats"   (NW-A local Sheffield side).

So its been over the last few matches, beating Wednesday, Spurs, Everton and 
Aston Villa, but loosing to QPR and drawing at home (with a last minute 
equaliser) to Luton.

Against QPR we played c*ap and if anything QPR should have won by more, but last
week against "Villa we thoroughly deserved to win" according to the press
reports.

Lets hope for a good display against West Ham tomorrow and not as Harry Bassett
say "play like a bunch of wimps".

See you there Dave "last day in DEC" Page.

Over the Christmas period we have Coventry and the Fab Ones at home on the 
26th and 28th resp.  - fancy a meet Mr. Panes???

Well its now official, we ARE worse than Luton !! At this rate we'll be playing
in Division 2 next season - and deservedly so !!

A quick xmas summary of the games I saw:

Vs West Ham - We played ok. Nothing special. But a couple of refereeing
              decisions went against us that were absolutely f*****
	      outrageous !! We wuz robbed by a penalty at the end which
	      must rank as the most ridiculous decision I've ever seen
	      in a football match. Its about time the league employed
	      professional full-time refs to ensure higher standards.
	      Its the 20th century now and about time we got shot of
	      those poxy gas-fitters and PE teachers.

Vs Coventry - No comment. We were thrashed out of sight by an average
	      team who we made look like world club champions !!

Vs Palace   - Played our guts out for 20 minutes, got a beaut of a goal
	      and then stopped. No guts, no fight, no motivation, no nuffink.
	      Pathetic ! Bassett even had the cheek to call it "one of
	      those days" after the match. Get a life David !!

	      It makes me sick to think that the gate money goes to pay
	      for the expensive lifestyles of "professional" dickheads 
	      like the Blades playing staff.

    I'd agree with most of .-1
    
    I thought we were starting to get on top until the other crap decision 
    (sending off Brian Gayle for swearing at one of his own players!!)
    allowed West Ham to dominate from then on.  We got a break and scorred,
    que second referee gaff - West Ham equalise.
    
    Coventry - Boxing Day.
    
    No comment, no committment at all from the players.
    
    Palace on the 28th - Game of two halves Brian,  we should have settled
    it by the interval, but with only a one goal lead Plaace could easily
    have snatched it.  Draw was fair enough.  When we took the lead, it was
    almost predictable what would happen, ie we would begin to sit back.
    
    Finally FA CUP 
    
    Blades 4      Luton 0
    
    Hodges 44
    Dean 75
    Lake 86
    Whitehouse 89     
    
    Two up with five minutes to go, but for once we scorred two instead of
    letting them in!! Good result against Luton who were a form side over
    Christmas and New Year.   Charlton away in the next round to be played
    on the Sunday.
    
    In the Luton match slight injuries were picked up by Tracey (groin)and Dean
    (ankle), but both are expected fit for the away match at Southampton on
    Saturday.
    
    I'm off to Reading for three days today on the Technology Seminar,
    maybe I'll bump into one or two of you in the bar.
    
    HNY
    
    Dave 

    Can't make Soton this week Dave...

    Cor blimey am I thrilled. To be referred to as the form side in the
    Shef Utd note must mean things are looking up.
    
    See Shef Utd must have put their ball in the oven and Luton's in the
    fridge Pagie for the cup draw. And told those idiots at Lancaster Gate
    to pull out the hot ball for the home team and the cold one for the
    away. Is that the only way you could progress to the next round by
    drawing Luton.
    
    I must say how much I agree with your sentiments regarding over paid
    prima donna's. I think it is about time some of these erberts were
    bought down to earth sharpish. Some of them ought to remember that they
    earn more in a month than some of the supporters do all year. Just
    remember the Premier League will only mean that they will be getiing
    even more dosh for posing on a Saturday.
    
    
    Happy new year.
    
    Barry.

A great 4-2 win on Saturday over Southampton !! With the vermin (Luton) getting
stuffed at Liverpool and West Ham (jamily) drawing it was a pretty good weekend
for our glorious lads !!

Did anyone see Mike Lakes goal !! Without doubt a candidate for the greatest
goal in history !!

Norwich next week and another win should start to ease our relegation woes.
The vermin are at West Ham, lets hope they get a point 8-)

Dave

    Saints  2   Blades  4 
    
    I missed the match in the end also, but here's a report according to my
    mate who did make it.
    
    Southampton went ahead after two minutes thnaks to Matthew Le Tissue
    Paper before either team had settled.  United came back well and
    equalised on 12 mins.  1-1 at half time with both sides about equal.
    
    In the second half, United play some good football and take the lead 
    then, guess what, sit back allow Southampton to come back at them and
    equalise almost immediatly after that there was a great deal of end to
    end stuff with both teams having chances.  United make it 3-2 and again
    are immediatly put under pressure but eventually get a (slightly lucky)
    fourth goal which settled it.  At four two up aparently United looked
    much better on the ball, with some good passing moves (gasp) and became
    the more likely team to score.
    
    The problem seems to be confidence with United once they take the lead,
    this has been seen time and again this year.   With the security of a
    two goal lead, their confidence (and play) improved no end. 
    
    For the Blades, Lake had a good game, the goal was superb - my mate was
    still raving about it.  Whitehouse and Gannon had their usual crap
    games.
    
    Southampton also played some good stuff at times, and are obviously
    suffering from the same confidence problems as United.
    
    Lets hope we can consolidate with a home win to Norwich next week.
    
    Dave

    Nice report Dave... So the Blades fell back once they scored eh !!
    Now where have we seen that before ?
    
    I really don't know why Bassett plays Gannon week after week ! He
    really is crap !
    
    Whens the next Lundun game Dave ? Chelsea innit ?
    

    No hang on... Sorry, its Charlton in the cup.

Blades   1   Norwich  0

Bryson 75


Right result, but I haven't read any reports on it.  Could weel have been a 
scrappy affair with United edging it.

Norwich were unlucky to loose their goalkeeper injured and have a outfield
player in goal for part of the match.  The goal had the ball bouncing off
multiple defenders before falling to Bryson.

Leaves us fourth from bottom, but we have played an extra game than all the 
clubs around us through to mid table.  Luton and Southampton starting to become
detached a little as well.

Dean is being linked with Leeds (again) some recent performances have seen him
seeming to stand off somewhat as though avioding injury.  His future role or non
role needs sorting out soon rather then letting it drag on.  Either flog him,
sort out our finances and re-build, or get him committed to staying and kill
speculation.  Lets hope he stays.

Next Sunday another trip to Upton Park for Charlton on the Cup 4th round, (Dave
I'll be in touch).  Boring trivia fact - Charlton have never beaten a first
division club in any cup competition, except when they have been in the first
division themselves, lets hope the record stays in tact.  However, a tip from
this week ends match at St. James' Park, if we're 3 up after half and hour,
don't sit back!!!!!

Dave

    Hi
    
    Heard on French radio this morning that �ric Cantona, France 2nd center
    forward and naughty boy, will come out of retirement to join
    "Sheffield". They did not say which Sheffield though. Any news from
    your side?
    
    It would be a great move for him, to get away and experience new
    things. By the way, he is very good in the air and very
    spectacular/technical/clever as well as a "physical" player.
    
    Don't jump to conclusions that I am a Cunno-like admirer of Cantona's.
    However, I rate him as the most entertaining forward we've had for a
    long time.
    
    �JF?

    Must be Wednesday.... We've got no money 8-)

    Yer right dave. Reported in the paper this morning that Wednesday are
    interested at about 600,000.
    
    Nige

    Keep us informed will ya Nige
    
    Cheers,
    Al.

    I heard on radio this morning that Eric Cantona is going to play
    for Sheffield.
    
    Is that just a rumour or is it confirmed ?
    
    

    Trevor Francis is hoping to get him on extended loan. The paper
    gives a quick run down of him, saying he has a fairly awful
    disciplinary record and his nickname is "Eric Le Terrible".
    
    Eck.

    I might also add that he will end up at Sheffield Wednesday and NOT
    United.

    Brilliant result yesterday for the glorious Blades. Wemberlee here 
    we come !!

Charlton   0    Blunt Blades   0


Well what a c*ap game that was.  United hardly put any moves together at all
and were very lucky not to loose to second division oposition who dominated
the match.

Its sad to say that Charlton basically won the mid-field battle and created
far more chances that us but fortunately were not able to convert their
dominance into goals.

Nobody played well in the united team (except Treacy as usual), and there seemed
to be no conviction.  They were all down at the Gannon level!!  The best chance 
of the match fell to Charlton in the first half with a flick on from Carl 
Leaburn (their Brian Deane lookalike centre forward) only for Colin Walsh to 
shoot over.  Pity, if it had gone in we might have had a better game.

Its fair to say that this is one of the worst displays I have seen from United,
on a par with the Boxing Day fixture against Coventry, and no doubt they'll
come back in the replay and most likely win it, but yesterday they appeared
to come for a draw, and they managed to scrape one.  The large contingent of
travelling support were not ammused.

Dave

    Its all a ploy Dave... I can't wait to see Bassett leading our lads
    out at Wembley !!
    
    I hope they win the replay coz they've got Chelsea in the beautiful
    South next round !!

    FWIW... The glorious ones are at Notts Forrest this Saturday and I
    predict a sound thrashing for us !! Forrest will be out for revenge
    after we turned them over back at the start of the season. 

    
>>   FWIW... The glorious ones are at Notts Forrest this Saturday and I
                                      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    FWIW It's Nottingham (or Nottm.) Forest
                                 ^^    ^
    
    Mr. Pedantic (and tired of spelling it out at that)
    

    Up yours

    And down Yours

>    FWIW... The glorious ones are at Notts Forrest this Saturday and I
>    predict a sound thrashing for us !! Forrest will be out for revenge
>    after we turned them over back at the start of the season. 

I think we'll find it hard at the City ground a draw would be good for us.

Aparently Bassett agreed with my analysis of the game (ie only Treacy played
remotely well).  So I guess its iron rations and lots of b*ll*cking in the 
general direction of the remainder of the team this week, which may cause them
to come out with a bit more conviction - lets hope so!

Dave

Now its official !! The glorious ones are the best team in the country. 5-2 away
at Forrest and we scored as and when we felt like it !! Why the hell can't we
play like this all the time !! Two more performances like that and I reckon
we'll stay up. 

Thats the double over Notts Forrest this  season !! Ha !! I'll bet Cloughie had
his boys in yesterday for training !!

But its back to reality on Wednesday. Charlton will probably stuff us 8-)

Man City at home this Saturday.

Dave

Well the erratic performances continue, after being outplayed by Charlton
last Sunday, the boys bounce back with an apparently easy win away to Cloughie's
boys at Notts.  errhum (sorry Rob)  Nottingham Forest F.C.

More astonishing still is that Gannon scores with a brillient volley from
30 yds, which was nominated for goal for the day on ITV!!  (What's the betting
he was trying for a cross into the box but miss hit it!??)

'Zico' Lake scored another beauty and it was good to see Deane back on the
score sheet again.

That's three in a row in the league now and with Luton and Southampton both
loosing again, there's some daylight appearing for the bottom two.

Charlton replay is on Wednesday night  for a 5th round tie at Chelsea against
Vinnie and co.

Blades  3   Charlton  1


I actually made it up on Wednesday night for the match.

First half started well with United putting then under great pressure from the
first kick.  After one move, Charlton rather unwisely left Deane unmarked
on the six yard line (not the best of tactics) and he promptly headed home.

Brian Gayle added a second after a neat corner move which looked as though
it had been procticed several times in training.  From the corner, the ball
being flicked on to Galye's head.

Charlton then put together half an hour of good football (a little like the
first match except we were two up!) with Treacy making three great saves.  Just
on half time the boys sealed it with another score from a corner move.  3-0 did
not really reflect the first half but nobody seemed to complain.

In the second, United held on comfortably enough with Charlton finally beating
Treacy with eight minites to go.

Charlton will be dissapointed having played some good stuff over both legs.

Chelsea away next round, they always find it hard against the likes of us, and
we'll no doubt turn it on a bit so it should be a good one.

Man City tomorrow in the league, hopefully continuing the good run at the
moment.

Dave

    Sounds like we did a good job on Man City n'all !! Bring on those
    Spurs !!
    
    Two more wins will see us safe I reckon.

UNITED  4   Manchester City 2

Lake
Gayle
Deane
Whitehouse

22,000 (ish)

Well UNITED now have the worst defensive record in the league.  We have
been conceding two goals per game lately, but on the other hand scoring
four or five per game to give us out seventh game in a row undefeated and
fourth straight win in the league, to take us out of the immediate
relegation zone, and to the FA Cup fifth round.

The attacking style (whenever Mike Lake is near the goal, it appears he
is likely to shoot) seems to be paying off at the moment, with teams put
under pressure early on, this happened again on Saturday with UNITED
hitting City with two goals early on from which they never really
recovered.  Treacy (England's number one according to the Bramall Lane
faithful) had another good game again denying City when they came back in
the second half.

Chelsea next week in the FA CUP fifth round, should be a good 'en (and
just up the District Line from me too).  Hands up who's going???

Dave

Away to Chelsea and Vinny tomorrow, lets hope the good run continues,  should
be a good match anyhow.

I predict a draw 1-1 in the first match.

Dave

    I am a season ticket holder at Kilamarnock F.C. we sold United a player
    a few years ago called Ian Bryson how is he playing, does he geta game
    reguarly.

    
    
    Unlucky Sheffield, you came, you lost, you went..
    
            BLUE IS THE COLOUR, FOOTBALL IS THE GAME 
            WERE ALL TOGETHER, AND WINNING IS ARE AIM
            SO CHEER US ON THROUGH THE SUN AND RAIN
            CAUSE CHELSEA, CHELSEA IS OUR NAME..
    
    
            COME ON YOU BLUES........

    I hear that Simon Tracey is about to declare for Ireland. That would
be good news as we are short on keepers.

   Martin

Martin,
	You didnt read the Tribune, where they compared today's squad
with what it would be like in 96. They had down as goalkeeper a lad from
derby.

Anybody know about him (sorry I cant remember his name)


	Mick

Chelsea 1  Blades 0

Not the greatest game, with both sides not up to much.  Overall Chelsea,
deserved the win creating far more chances particularly in the first half, 
although Deane almost equallised near the end following a neat move, his header
hitting the woodwork.

The game was aggressive to start with with several dodgey tackles and a lot of
needle,  Vinny's booking was typical, he once got booked for us after about
15 seconds for a tackle on Gazza in a game against Spurs.  Bryson was taken off
after seeming to be kicked in the back from where I stood, but no action
was taken.

The Chelsea goal was well taken but the United defence was all over the place
and the palyer just ran straight through them all.
 
There was a good crowd, I only just got in before the Police closed the gate.
The Chelsea supporters were a good bunch, really getting behind the team, we 
could take a leaf out of their book sometimes, especially at home.

Good luck Chelsea maybe we'll continue our habit of being knocked out by the
eventual winners (we lost to MUFC in the sixth round two seasons ago).

Re .99

Ian "Jock" Bryson plays most weeks when he's not injured (he had to go off
against Chelsea - see above).  I quite like him, he has his off days, but he
usually tries hard and gets stuck in even when things aren't going well.

Oh well so we lost to Luton (see Luton note for report from B Walker Esq.)

Aparently Bassett is agreeing terms with the vetran Wimbledon striker Alan
Cork, who is being granted a free transfer.

Owls  1    Blades  3

So we stuffed the Owls again...

First Double all season !!

More later

Dave the Blade

Gary,

Dave Page (now departed from DEC) may still be contactable, and he lives in
the Reading area and other noters may know how to contact him.

Back to the Derby thrashing..

We went up after only a few minutes with a Dane Whitehouse, and Bobby Davison
on his debut added a second after half an hour.

In the second half Wednesday made a strong recovery, with king pulling one back
when Davison, on load from Leeds, added a third.

We're now 15th on 37pts and some distance from the bottom four.

A couple more wins should make us feel a little safe.

No doubt the embittered Wednesday fans who had problems enough facing up to 
the 2-0 Bramall Lane result will be getting out the sacks of ashes for the
next few weeks.

I went to the home game against QPR a few weeks ago, it ended 0-0 but we were
unlucky not to come away with three points then.

I was sat behing Jack Charlton aparently looking at Simon Treacy who might
be opting for Ireland.  He was disapointed to be left out of the combined
England A and B squads for the France games.  He has an Irish grandmother.
Personally I think its a bit of a farce, he was born in SE London, he clearly
wants to play for England, and has never even been to the emerald isle.  What
do the irish noters think??

Mancs on saturday, but I'll be away for a week.

Bye till then,

Dave

UNITED 1 Manchester United 2

So we lost to the Mancs, slightly unluckily by all accounts, the only "report"
I read before I got back and read the reports in this notes conference was 
a glimpse of a newspaper headline.


Chelsea  1  The Blades 2

This disappointment was releaved by finally beating Chelsea on the third attempt
this season.  The first two goals cane from defensive mistakes with Glynn 
Hodges' free kick being headed on to Dane Whitehouse by a Chelsea defender.

By way of making up for this Carl Bradshaw flicked a Chelsea corner across
the goal for Jason Cundy to head home.  In fact most of Chelsea's chances
came from defensive mistakes, with them not making many chances themselves.

Finally Alan Cork (finally signed I presume during my holls) intercepted
a clearence from Simon Treacy and knocked the ball on the Whitehouse to score
his second.  (Shades of the "Irish one-two" there).

I guess that I'd have rather got to the FA Cup quarter finals given a choice 
of the two matches, still the three points might come in handy at the end of 
the season.

I reckon we need about two more wins to make it difficult for the bottom three
to catch us at the moment.

Alan Cork looks a shrewed transfer, although he is knocking on a bit, he can 
add some useful experience to the side, and his persistence lead to the
winning goal on Saturday.

Anyway I guess things will be quiet here from now on as I'm off (for good)
at the end of the week to sample the world outside DEC.

Thanks for listening!!

Dave

    Could anyone tell me how far Bramball Lane is from Sheffield train
    station and the best way to get there from it.
    
    Noel
    

    
    	Bramball Lane or Bramhall lane? It's actually quite close to the
    main Sheffield Railway station, short taxi ride or a longish walk. AS
    there are approximately 1,654,000 busses in Sheffield, there will be
    certainly one that goes to the ground. Finding it maybe a little
    harder. ;-)

    
    do they still have bendy-buses in sheffield?
    Ian.
    "ex-pat"
    

    
    	They have so many buses in Sheffield, they don't need bendy ones.
    They'll just glue a few together and Bob will be your Uncle.

    re .110
    
    Not wanting to be pedantic Steve... But I think its actually BRAMMALL
    lane.
    
    Keith.

    BRAMALL Lane.
    
    jb.
    

    > Anyone know Dave Page who used to work for Dec
    
    	Yes.
    
    		- Robin

Re:42.118

I don't know Dave's homew number but someone who probably will is Gordon Porter 
on FORTY2::PORTER

And yes he's really Welsh, but then you should never judge a country by the
quality of its sheep.

Jamie

    Mind you.. Gordons a Scot !! So, I'm sure his costs will be more than
    directory inquiries !!!! 8-)))))))
    
    Keith.

    This is probably going to be a waste of time, judging by the lack of
    activity in this topic, but thought somebody might be interested in a
    piece by Ken Jones in 'The Independent' (Dec 10, 1992) quoting Dave Bassett
    after a 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.  He is reported as saying :
    
    "Forget this rubbish about playing good football, after this we are
    going back to humping it.  There is so much hot air talked about
    playing the ball along the ground.  No team ever won medals or picked
    up extra bonuses for playing well (!).  That's now out of the window
    with my lot.  I'm not in this fantasy world of all this pretty, pretty
    stuff.  Anything as long as we win."
    
    Ken Jones notes that he (Dave Bassett) probably sings "My Way" in the
    shower.
    
    Anybody like to comment ?
    
    Lofty.
    

    
    Hmmmmm
    
    so how many times have Wimbledon, Sheff Utd, Cambridge, Rotherham and
    all the other up & at 'em teams won the League in the last few years ?
    
    Sad, very sad....
    
    The Italian football on channel 4 shows just how far behind the
    Europeans English football has fallen - thanks to the mentality of
    people like Bassett.
        
    Paul
    
    Paul

While I am no fan of kick and run football, it does seem to work rather well.

Look at the teams that play it:

Cambridge- promoted from fourth to second (now first) in two years.
Wimbledon- consistently cause problems despite not having a hugely strong side
           won the FA Cup against all odds
Rotherham- there's an exception to every rule, but even they have been promoted
           once or twice

Aston Villa almost won the league playing kick-and-run under Graham Taylor
The Republic of Ireland play quite a bit of it,not all the time though, and you
don't need to be told how well they are doing these days.

In honesty, it's not pretty but it gets results. I think teams like Sheff Utd, 
starved of cash and skill players by the big name, big money clubs like Arsenal
and Man Utd, have every right to do whatever they can to get results.

People might complain, but I bet the supporters will be happy if it carries them
up the league table. 

Mike

    
    	What nonsense! How can you say that Aston Villa almost won the
    	league playing kick and rush?!
    
    	I remember Villa being one of the more atractive sides to watch
    	that particular season. I can't say the same about Wimbledon
    	or any of the other exponents of such tactics.
    
    	I wouldn't cross the street to watch Cambridge, or Sheffield United
    	for that matter, kicking the sh*t out of the poor ball for the 
    	sake of getting results *in the lower leagues*.
    
    	We can generalise by saying it was perhaps a more direct approach,
    	but Sheffield Wednesday and Palace in recent seasons have played
    	very attractive football by adopting more direct tactics than the
    	push-and-move of Liverpool's style. That's not to say it's wrong,
    	just different. Cambridge and others like them are something else!!
    
    	It's a bit different to the way Cambridge and Wimbledon-of-the-past
    	have booted the ball into orbit in the general direction of the 
    	opponents' half of the field....                                   
    
    	Sheesh...
    
    	Andy.

I must admit, I wasn't that convinced about including Villa myself.

I also think attempting to draw a  distinction between "direct" football and 
the space-faring ways of Cambridge United is fogging the issue to some extent.

In both cases, the emphasis is placed on smacking the ball straight towards your
opponent's goal without messing about in midfield. Personally, I don't think 
it is necessarily dull football: it depends on the extent to which you rely on
it. 

With all the pressure on managers these days, it is little wonder that they 
feel the need to resort to "win-at-all-costs" tactics.

Mike

    I went to Sheffield at the weekend with Terry the Wednesday supporter. 
    We left friday and the journey took 7 hours due to loads of accidents.  
    
    We were staying with Terry's mates and they were going to see the
    Leeds - Wednesday match.  I decided to go to Sheffield at the last
    minute - so I didn't have a ticket.  
    
    On Saturday I thought I'd go and watch the Sheffield United V Everton
    match.  The ground was about twenty minute walk from the house.
    
    I got to the ground at 2.30 and then decided to go in the United kop
    which is all-seated.  It cost me �9 to get in.  My seat was near the
    front and I have to admit the view wasn't bad.  
    
    The game started and United looked the brighter of the two.  Though
    a few people in this conference have been saying United's style is bad,
    I personally thought they were playing to there strengths.  United
    liked to get the ball to the wings and get the cross in early to Deane. 
    Everton's defence looked pretty sound and United's chances were few and
    far between.  Deane had a low shot saved by Southall and Southall again
    denied United when he made a brilliant double save.  
    
    Everton were under most pressure but Preki and Johnston were combining
    well.  I was also very impressed with Barlow.  
    
    United scored after 34 minutes when a corner created problems.  Deane
    headed the ball and an Everton's defenders clearence rebounded off
    Littlejohn's foot and into the roof of the net.
    
    A few minutes later Littlejohn had the ball near the EVerton corner flag
    and Keown kicked him in the ankle.  Littlejohn retaliated by taking a
    kick at Keown and I thought he was lucky not even to get a booking. 
    Littlejohn was like that all game and he has got to control his temper. 
    I also thought he was lazy and a lot of United fans agreed, judging by
    the amount of stick his was getting when he gave up chasing the ball.
    
    On too Everton's best move.  Barlow went through and with a one on one
    with the keeper he played the ball to Johnston who put the ball in the
    net, only to find out he was offside.  
    
    The second was more even.  United were getting frustrated at times by the
    long ball game.  Snodin was brilliant in the Everton defence.  
    
    Everton rallied more but didn't really look like scoring until Beagrie
    came on.  He was brilliant at running at the United defence and
    crossing.  Everton though are missing a forward player.  Johnston
    was most awake out of the forwards.  Beardsley didn't do much.  Everton
    best chance in the second half fell to Rideout (I think).  His header
    was tipped over the bar by Kelly.    
    
    United saw out the rest of the game and could have doubled their lead but to
    bad finishing they didn't. 
    
    United did just deserve to win in the end.
    
    
    
    Gary
    
    
    **In the match programme it had Dave Bassett explaining his comments he
    mad after the Palace game.  If I remember, I'll bring it in tomorrow**
     

Read in the paper yesterday that Sheffield United's former goalkeeper
Mel Rees lost his battle against cancer and died on Monday. He played in
goal for Sheffield the day Leeds won the title and was told he had cancer
shortly afterwards.
May he Rest in Peace.

    Brian,
    
    that is indeed sad since I think he was only in his mid/late-20s - I
    remember seeing him as a teenager playing in goal for Cardiff City
    I think he also played for Luton and Man City didn't he???
    (I might be getting him mixed up with Andy Dibble here)
    
    He may have even been capped for Wales if the great Nev didn't have a
    strangehold on that position
    
    Regards,                                                    
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

It's very sad considering that only a few months ago I could swear he was on the
subs bench, and the commentatators were saying that he'd won his fight

AL

    A contract has yet to be signed, but Norwegian national Roger Nilsen
    is supposedly joining Sheffield U.  Another Norwegian, Jostein Flo,
    is already there.
    
    henrik 

    No New Year revival of fortunes this season for the Blades. I think the
    Owls will be the only Premiership representative from Sheffield for the
    near future, at least until Utd get their act together financially.
    
    Paul.
    

    
    Have another Christmas party. That normally does the trick.
    
    Tony
    
    ps *If* you go down, will Bassetts job be jeopardy??
    
    

    re -1
    
    >ps *If* you go down, will Bassetts job be jeopardy??
             ^^^
    
    I *must* protest. Have you heard about the enormous amounts of damages
    which are being awarded to the victims of scurulous libels recently.
    
    I'm an Owls supporter, and have been all my life.
    
    Paul.
      

    
    Lucky you!
    
    Tony
    
    

    Hey, this is great. Worra lorra activity! I too am an Owls fan but I
    watch out for United's scores too (and Rotherham's, Barnsley's, and 
    Chesterfield's even though these clubs dive deeper into the depths of 
    futility and crappness). I gather the Blades lost again last nite? Paul, re
    "Piggies" nickname, I've not come accross that. I've heard them
    referred to as the Blunts but that's about it.
    
    A great city must have two teams in the top flight, I hope they stay
    up (but I hope they get a more creative manager)
    Simon
                 

    Simon,
    
    The "Pigs", in it's less polite version, has been the nickname for
    United for about 10 years. To make things simple that's what they call
    us as well. As usual both sets of fans clain that they were first to
    give this nickname to the opposition.
    
    I hope Utd stay up as well. It's easier to be unbiased when you don't
    have to face a load of taunts on Monday morning after losing on the
    Saturday, but I think Sheffield should have two top flight teams.
    Wednesday won't gain much from United going down: I think United's core
    support is very loyal and wouldn't come over to Wednesday even if the
    club went out of existence.
     
    Paul.
    

    Any team news on either side, weather reports, celebrity forecasts and
    comments, or other ditties about the match this evening?
    
    I can't believe I'm saying this, but Good Luck to the Arse tonite.
    
    Simon

    
    Simon,
    
    	do you know something we don't?
    
    JBG

    Simon,
    
    Your nerves must be getting the better of you. You're writing in the
    Piggies note.
    
    Paul.
    

    Well, almost a month has gone by so I'd better put a note in here. Even
    more remarkable is that the Piggies have won. They beat West Ham 3-2
    (didn't catch whether it was at Bramall Lane or Upton Park - if it was
    at West Ham that would be Utd's first away victory of the season!). So
    the late surge specialists are doing it again, but have they left it a
    bit too late.
    
    Paul.
    

    Nathan Blake prods in a goal and United are back on winning ways. Three
    games left. Swindon down already, Oldham dog on with games in hand,
    Southampton will be OK with Le Tissier back, Spurs have the confidence
    now to go clear, Ipswich are dipping but are they already too high?
    Man City are just too good, but Everton might get caught.
    
    All the Blades can do is keep winning and hope Ipswich and Everton blow
    it. John Tudor and Alan Woodward would sort them out.
    
    Simon

    The game it was expected to be. United in front early on and playing
    good stuff in the first half. Backs to the wall all thru the second but
    defended resolutely and capably. Will it matter if they don't get
    anything at Stamford Bridge this Saturday?
    
    Let's hope Chelsea are thinking about the FA cup final and play their
    reserve squad, or at least give Peacock and Cascarino a rest.
    
    Simon

    Half-time they were sailing.
    87 1/2 minutes they were safe.
    And then ...
    
    It's only history but it makes you sick ...
    
    Simon

    And now they tell me Blackburn had a def penalty disallowed which
    would have seen Ipswich down instead!!!!
    
    Pass the bucket Hugh
    Simon

    You should be more upset about the blantant dive by Anders Limpar. He
    should have been booked or even sent off; instead he gave Everton hope
    and eventual escape.

    Alan Kelly has been offered 4 year contract, Leeds, Newcastle and
    Liverpool are waiting for developments....Franz Carr looks like moving
    to Sporting Lisbon for approx 200,000 quid....

    Wierd how seldom Harry Basset played Franz Carr. Don't know too much
    about it but it wasn't because of injury.
    
    Carr had problems with Cloughie at Forest but then Cloughie was mad. I
    don't think he had any problems with Harry.
    
    Simon

    
    Simon,
    
    Franz Carr was a great prospect when he was at Blackburn, it was only
    the lack of first team opportunity that led him to leave. His problems
    at Forest were money and his problem at Sheffield was probably the fact
    that his ability to run with the ball at his feet totally confused his
    teammates ;-) 
    
    cheers,
    
    Andy

    
    How mant teams has Carr played for? I remember watching him in his days
    with Derry City, also know he was with a French team for some time.
    
    Se�n

Franz Carr never played for Derry City, another winger played for Derry City
during a cup run that came from Notts Forest late 80's and not Carr.
Derry City are playing a cup final match on sun and should win by 2-0 saving
them from bankrupcy


GS

    Off th etop of my head - Forest, Wednesday, Newcastle, United.

    
    Re .153
    
    Are you possitive about that, I was almost certain it was Carr, anybody
    know who I could be thinking off if I'm wrong?
    
    Se�n

Franz Carr has been at lots of club, he's `played' for few ;-)
Probably why he keeps getting transferred.

Norman

    Sean,
    
    Forest had (have?) another winger around the same time, I think he was
    called Gary Crosby, but your eyesight must be worse than my memory if
    you got them mixed up ;-) (Franz has a better suntan!)
     
    Cheers,
    
    Andy

The winger was neither Crosby or Carr, it was another winger who looked a lot
like Carr. The name slips my mind as I am a Derry fan, I will find out on Sunday
at the cup final in ireland and get back to you on monday

gs in dublin

    
    Well, my eyesight is bad, but not quite that bad, My description of
    Franz would be, black (obviously), between 5'6 to 5'8 and an extremely
    fast winger, I thought he was a bit in the same sort of mould as Ossie
    the Spurs kangaroo. I wish there was someone out there that could
    confirm if he did/didn't play for Derry, it's really bugging me now,
    cos I believe my eyes are as razor sharp as a the studs on Cantanas
    boots.
    
    Se�n

    
    gs....look forward to your reply.
    
    Se�n

    re. last few
    was this winger called De Gama or Da Gama?...
    
    Ray....

    
    Well he has played for Derry on and off, but he's still not the guy I'm
    on about, I think De Gama is a bit lankier... 
    
    Se�n

Owen De Gama Derry city centre forward from south africa by way of belgium.
great striker scored many goals in two stints at the club now coaching in his
home town in south africa

    
    If Spurs are sent down to division 1 next season for illegal payment 
    to players, will this mean that Sheffield Utd will stay in the Premier.
           

    
    It depends.....if Milwall are runners up in the playoffs, then I guess
    SU will stay up! 8-)
    
    JBG

	Will Alan Kelly stay with Utd?? Is he still under contract?? He's good
enough for the premier, are anybody looking for him...

    
    Re:42.166
    
    I read Liverpool were watching the situation,amongst others.
    
    Davie
    

Just heard that alan kelly turned down a four year deal offered by bassett.
Afterwards kelly said "I'm hardly the best paid player in Britain at the moment
and i was hoping for a better offer", so it would seem he is going to leave
united with Liverpool and newcastle being the most interested.

GS in Dublin

    Re De Gama from a couple ago, funny how personal names and their sakes
    get around
    
    Simon

    G'day Sheffield fans
    	I have a copy of the Shef.Utd program from their tour of Australia
    this month, for what its worth.
    
    If anyone wants it send me your address and I'll post it over.
    
    See ya,
    
    Ica

    Yeah, I'll have one, Ta. Are they playing any teams in and around
    Adelaide?
    
    Simon

    G'day Simon,
    	Yeah, they were beaten 3-0 by Adelaide City, who are the current
    national champions and contain a number of socceroos. Send us your
    address and its yours.
    
    Cheers
    Ica

    And while they were in Adelaide they also signed Carl Veart (sp?) from
    Adelaide City according to the Sydney Morning Herald. I wise move, that
    guy is pretty good and must have been pretty cheap as well.
    
    

    Dodgy happenings against "an Italian team" in the Anglo-Italian
    competition. Four Blades players sent off and Harry Basset too!!
    
    What have the Americans done to the world's referees?
    
    Simon