Laws of Blackwell?

[Plan B]

I love United - let me say that from the start. I've followed the team through the depths of Martin Peters, Division 4, Harry Bassett, Neil Warnock through to current times. I wouldn't support any other team and truly hope that today's team can win promotion back to the Premiership.

BUT hand on heart I'd rather be watching the brand of football served up by Wednesday at the moment. I'm fed up with Blackwell's insistence on us clogging the ball as far upfield as possible & looking for a lucky ricochet off Henderson, Evans or whoever. The recent derby game was a euphoric affair but I wonder how many Unitedites, despite the excitement of winning were secretly in admiration of the pass & move, two-touch stuff served up by the visitors?

Think back to the away game vs Preston in the play-off semi. I stood there astonished that we COULD play neat, passing football with the same players I'd seen play kick and rush for the rest of the season. It was attractive stuff and we won comfortably. So why can't we do it now? Why do we have to resort to the most brainless tactice you can have in football? We have skilful, good players who CAN play good stuff. There is no way that they would resort to hoofing the ball without the specific instructions from their manager.

So, in answer to the question in the title - it's Laws for me. I grudgingly admire the way his team plays and he has nothing like the budget that Blackwell has. I just hope that Blackwell soon realises that he won't be able to bludgeon his way to promotion and reverts to a better kind of football. If he doesn't then maybe Gary Speed will once he takes over.

 

[Currie on Radio]

There are other managers that would play decent football. Martinez was always nailed on for Wigan - but there is O' Driscoll of Doncaster. (Incdeintally I see Billy Sharpe scored a header yesterday).

Every time someone points this out people point to Blackwell's track record. And in fairness he also managed to do well with teams that didn't have much money.

And that is the heart of the problem - his record is good - but we haven't achieved.

I happen to think there is absolutely not future in the style of football we play. And having spent all that money on a team (we have £5,600,000 of forwards and a midfield that cost nothing) I feel we have the priorities wrong.

And I agree about the Preston game, we played football on the floor and absolutely hammered a team that was pretty invincible at home.

I can remember one point in the Derby game when Morgan got the ball in acres of space and simply kicked the ball up in the air.

It's horlicks and there is no future in it.

I first started watching United in 1959, and I am not about to go anywhere else. But I would prefer us to play on the floor, pass and run football. And I believe it is more likely to win us games.

 

[Currie on Radio]

Sorry that was the "derby" game. And that last sentence should have ended more likely to win us games .....in the long run.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Well said both of you!
I agree with your sentiments Totally

 

[raul]

Think part of the difference that the two players in the squad who could bring the ball down with one touch and move it on with the second have both departed (not Howard btw!).For me part of the problem is that although they pay lip service to the idea of passing and moving (partly i suspect due to fan pressure) the management are much more comfortable with high-energy pressing direct set-piece type stuff.

We might be better served actually going for it and dispensing with the idea of mixing it up and ending up falling between the two styles. I'd prefer to be able to do both when the circs dictate, but if the wages of that quality of personnel are out of pour reach now, might as well get used to cricks in the neck and get on with it. If it succeeds a la Stoke - mission accomplished. If it fails then new management will be the result.

 

[mickle-blade]

There are other managers that would play decent football. Martinez was always nailed on for Wigan - but there is O' Driscoll of Doncaster. (Incdeintally I see Billy Sharpe scored a header yesterday).

And I agree about the Preston game, we played football on the floor and absolutely hammered a team that was pretty invincible at home.

I can remember one point in the Derby game when Morgan got the ball in acres of space and simply kicked the ball up in the air.

It's horlicks and there is no future in it.

I first started watching United in 1959, and I am not about to go anywhere else. But I would prefer us to play on the floor, pass and run football. And I believe it is more likely to win us games.

Every time someone points this out people point to Blackwell's track record. And in fairness he also managed to do well with teams that didn't have much money.

And that is the heart of the problem - his record is good - but we haven't achieved.

I happen to think there is absolutely not future in the style of football we play. And having spent all that money on a team (we have £5,600,000 of forwards and a midfield that cost nothing) I feel we have the priorities wrong.

I have been going for roughly the same time as you and the way we play at the moment is the most one dimentional I have ever seen.
To say it's poor is an understatement.
Blackwell says he is trying to change it but when he does we leak goals.
I fed up with the amount of fouls Henderson gives away. He has got to change the way he plays.
Evans has been here long enough to start and show some of the class he is supposed to have.
We are not a side that looks like candidates for promotion.
Under Bassett we were often criticised for playing 'longball' tactics but at least it was effective and it was also exciting.
Under the current manager this is neither.
Blackwell has got to realise that the games moved on.

 

[judge]

the rise in crowds would suggest that winning ugly is the way to go
the pigs got 18000 yesterday even though they need crowds of 24700 to break even

we average around 26000 ,so who is right and who is wrong? the stats tend to back blackwell

 

[mall]

We are still basking in the Premier season ticket sales, plus the promise of Premier return by McCabe, and season ticket reductions.
After that effect the crowds I feel are on the dip.
Ever so slightly perhaps but they are, and they will reduce further the longer we stay down and this hoofball element of our game becomes entrenched.

 

[judge]

We are still basking in the Premier season ticket sales, plus the promise of Premier return by McCabe, and season ticket reductions.
After that effect the crowds I feel are on the dip.
Ever so slightly perhaps but they are, and they will reduce further the longer we stay down and this hoofball element of our game becomes entrenched.

been hearing this kind of talk for years, never seems to happen though

 

[kop_blade9]

Would you like Robbo back?
He tried to change it to the beautiful passing game.

IT DID NOT WORK

I prefer us challenging for promotion than preparing for relegation.
Give me a scrappy win and three points every time.
You have to admit that this style works in this division.
Maybe it will change in the premiership when we get a little more space to splay the ball around but the Championship is all about the battle.
Look at Donny and the Swans last year, everyone agreed what pretty football they played but were they anywhere near the play offs??

 

[judge]

dont really understand why every defeat has to turn into a message board battle between united fans but its always been the way hasnt it ?

 

[Robbie]

Would you like Robbo back?
He tried to change it to the beautiful passing game.

IT DID NOT WORK

Just because it didn't work with Robbo doesn't mean it wouldn't under another manager.

 

[Ollessendro]

I think the problem is that in the last 3 games we have lost twice to soft opposition. Most Unitedites wouldn't care (too much) if we are hoofing it up to Henderson and winning games. If the football is not pretty and we are winning games, there'll be afew monaners but, most will be happy.

However it is a different story when we play poorly and lose. This style of football is effective at getting out of the division. However when you do it and do it badly then it is going to bring criticism.

 

[judge]

well ,ive just seen the goals and i think quinns goal is a thing of rare beauty and im thinking of buying a shirt with his name on it and hanging it above the fireplace in a gold frame

 

[raul]

Why is your fireplace in a gold frame?

 

[judge]

keeps the pigeons out

 

[raul]

There are no pigeons in Hell.

 

[judge]

thats what you think

 

[raul]

You scare me.*

















*No, you don't. There are at least 5 Sparrowhawks in there

 

[judge]

You scare me.*

















*No, you don't. There are at least 5 Sparrowhawks in there

EAT THIS !!!

 

[GameBlade]

WBA show you can play attractive football and be very effective in the Championship - even if their season following promotion was not successful.

How depressing is it - Wednesday are by no means the silkiest football team and we are all agreeing how much better it is to watch them than us. I think it really indicates the low level to which we have sunk in recent performances.

Longball, physical tactics can be okay to watch but I reckon you need quality in the type of players you are asking to play this way. You look at Stoke, their midfielders may be big and burly but they have skill and as for Fuller - he has a really nice touch and can turn (unlike Hendo in my opinion). I'd love to have someone like Kevin Nolan adding a bit of quality to our side.

 

[judge]

if wednesday are som much better to watch than us then why are they begging fans to come to pigsborough in order to avoid player sales ?


why did we get bigger crowds than them last season ?

why are we getting bigger crowds this season ?

are the 25-6000 all seal like clappers who dont have enough inteligence to spot that we are shit and the football is rubbish ?

would really like an answer to this post because i cant get my head round it

 

[Robbie]

if wednesday are som much better to watch than us then why are they begging fans to come to pigsborough in order to avoid player sales ?

Because of the financial restraints down there/

why did we get bigger crowds than them last season ?

They have had a lot of shit in the past, this will always have an influence on future attendances.

why are we getting bigger crowds this season ?

See above.

are the 25-6000 all seal like clappers who dont have enough inteligence to spot that we are shit and the football is rubbish ?

We still have a lot of cling ons from the PL season.
Had we not had that season - you can guarantee we wouldn't have bragging rights.

 

[kop_blade9]

Because of the financial restraints down there/



They have had a lot of shit in the past, this will always have an influence on future attendances.



See above.



We still have a lot of cling ons from the PL season.
Had we not had that season - you can guarantee we wouldn't have bragging rights.

I think you are missing the point altogether.
The question was If Wendy was was better to watch where are the crowds?
Not How much shit has the wendy board given fans?

 

[Robbie]

I think you are missing the point altogether.
The question was If Wendy was was better to watch where are the crowds?
Not How much shit has the wendy board given fans?

No, - I think you're missing the point.

All the reasons given are very relevant.
It's not black and white....

 

[judge]

Because of the financial restraints down there/



They have had a lot of shit in the past, this will always have an influence on future attendances.



See above.



We still have a lot of cling ons from the PL season.
Had we not had that season - you can guarantee we wouldn't have bragging rights.

not having this ,if wednesday are so much better to watch than us then why do we continually get bigger crowds than them ?

26000 fans arent all premiership hangers on are they ?

 

[Robbie]

not having this ,if wednesday are so much better to watch than us then why do we continually get bigger crowds than them ?

26000 fans arent all premiership hangers on are they ?

Where did I state all 26,000 fans were hanger ons?

Take the 4 easy steps to show what I mean

Look at our attendance figures pre-prem season.

Look at our attendance figures post-prem season.

Compare the difference.

Come back

 

[SotonBlade]

WBA show you can play attractive football and be very effective in the Championship - even if their season following promotion was not successful.

The same WBA that got beat 3-1 by The Dingles last night. I bet their fans aren't slitting their wrists, lambasting individual players, after the managers head and criticising the chairman!

 

[Currie on Radio]

The same WBA that got beat 3-1 by The Dingles last night. I bet their fans aren't slitting their wrists, lambasting individual players, after the managers head and criticising the chairman!

Well here is a quote from a WBA fan that went to the match last night.

"I've just got back from Barnsley. I don't normally send a match report to the list, win or lose, and I don't intend to tonight. Instead I thought I'd put the performance into context by giving those who weren't there something to compare it with. Here goes: Halifax. Woking. Ipswich FA Cup replay 1970. Two of those performances resulted in the manager being sacked; this was such a performance."

He goes on:

"I'm a big fan of both Dorrans and Koren but RoKo has had a poor season so far and on tonight's showing both would be candidates for my all time worst Albion team, that's how bad it was/they were. Shocking. And if Zuiverloon is a full back then so am I. The only reason I'm not including Cox with those three is that he wasn't on for the first 45 minutes but he looks less and less like a professional footballer, never mind a Championship player, every time he takes the field. None of them were above criticism tonight; those who deserve a little less than the others were Carson, Mattock, Olsson and Jara".

Care to withdraw your remark?

 

[super_pig]

>Would you like Robbo back?
>He tried to change it to the beautiful passing game.
>IT DID NOT WORK

though that has more to do with his incompetence than an indictment of the passing game.. put it this way. the best teams in the world .. barca, manutd, arsenal, brazil, argentina, italy, holland are all passing outfits.. do you think this is a coincidence?