The view through very large binoculars

By Hamburg Blade
October 18 2002

bladesfc.co.uk has got in touch with a Sheffield United fan who lives in Hamburg, Germany. Hamburg Blade expresses his views to us on how difficult it is to watch the Blades outside United Kingdom.

Following the Blades from abroad isn't always the easiest of tasks. Following the Blades from abroad and having an opinion is even harder. It involves a lot of reading, a lot of reading, and an attempt at balancing the different views that are expressed.

During my first year in Germany I didn't have Internet access, and since going on-line I have to say that it's made a world of difference. Those fans who feel a need to put their opinions in black and white for all the world to see, and there seems to be a lot of them, have the perfect forum in the various message boards and chat rooms dedicated to Blades fans.

There is no substitute for viewing the performance of the team first hand, but when that becomes impossible it is good to be able to read the opinions of those that have. It never ceases to amaze me how totally different opinions can be formed over the same player, or the performance of the team at a single game.

We have the case at the moment, with a divided opinion on the capabilities of the current team and manager. It is possible to read a scathing report on the ineptitude of the players and the tactical naivety of our manager at the same game somebody else is singing the praises of a great performance.

The current run of form has had the effect of silencing the critics (a little), but they are there and have not yet been won over. And how do I judge all of this without watching the team myself? Well it's a little bit boring to constantly balance the one against the other and simply sit in the middle.

I listen to the substance of the arguments. Comments like "Warnock's doing well considering we haven't got any money" are positive enough, but don't make it sound like we have a team that will be consistent enough to win promotion. Whereas the criticism of tactics and signings more often than not ring true.

It's easier to be negative than positive, especially over a team that has its heritage in the top flight and has languished far too long in the first division, and I try to remember that. Even so I find it difficult to believe we will mount a prolonged promotion challenge this season. I hope I'm wrong.

I'm looking forward to the New Year when I will be back in ole Blighty and can take in my first two games of the season. No doubt I won't be able to recognise a single player, but it will be interesting to see if what I've heard is true. After which I will be able to talk a little more confidently on the matter, and not feel like a typical Manchester United fan.

Hamburg Blade