Cotterill has gone

[DuncDisorderly]

Look at Nathan Dyer, he had stacks of ability but we didn’t play to his strengths and off he went. He’s now in the form of his life, ironically at Swansea.

Just as a point of interest, is he really in the form of his life? According to the stats he's played 15 times this season with one goal and one assist, in a team who have managedto score 14 times so far. Did we really let a jewel go, or did we have a small and pacey player who could do the job anyway, in Jamie Ward? Perhaps the real jewel was Craig Beattie, who has scored 4 in 7 for them. Or did we all agree that he was just plain shit..?

 

[Stafford Blade]

Just as a point of interest, is he really in the form of his life? According to the stats he's played 15 times this season with one goal and one assist, in a team who have managedto score 14 times so far. Did we really let a jewel go, or did we have a small and pacey player who could do the job anyway, in Jamie Ward? Perhaps the real jewel was Craig Beattie, who has scored 4 in 7 for them. Or did we all agree that he was just plain shit..?

we actually let a low - life thief go

It's the typical united syndrome that players suddenly are thought of as world beaters when they are sold. I'm surprised no one has said Justin Haber could be the next Gordon Banks when he was loaned out

 

[Kev Gee]

Dyer on the left & cotts on the right for Swansea. Good players if you ask me.

Nice one Blackwell.

 

[oldblade]

Just as a point of interest, is he really in the form of his life? According to the stats he's played 15 times this season with one goal and one assist, in a team who have managedto score 14 times so far. Did we really let a jewel go, or did we have a small and pacey player who could do the job anyway, in Jamie Ward? Perhaps the real jewel was Craig Beattie, who has scored 4 in 7 for them. Or did we all agree that he was just plain shit..?

What worries me more is how on earth we managed to concede two goals against Swansesa if they've only scored 14 all season!! Makes me even more concerned at the disorganised rabble masquerading as our defence.

 

[shorehamview]

When we signed Cotterill permanently after his initial loan period I wasn't really convinced. Since then he's not had a chance to sway any fence-sitters one way or another. It's hard to form any kind of an opinion on a player when the most you see of his silky skills are half-time dickarounds with the other subs or a ten minute cameo here and there, and not a decent run in the side to speak of.

 

[Micalijo]

What worries me more is how on earth we managed to concede two goals against Swansesa if they've only scored 14 all season!! Makes me even more concerned at the disorganised rabble masquerading as our defence.

Very simple answer Old - Mark Bunn.

 

[oldblade]

Very simple answer Old - Mark Bunn.

Bunn played in the first 6 games of the season when we conceded only 4 goals and kept 3 clean sheets. He has dropped one or two clangers but is not the explanation for conceding 24 goals in the last 10 games.

Bennett played in the only game in which we've conceded four goals this season, but wasn't at fault for any of them.

And why do we keep conceding in the 15 minute period after half time? The count is now 13 goals conceded in that part of the game - almost half of all goals conceded this season.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

Not happy over here that Cotts is going. His number of assists shows for itself what he gave the team and what we won't be getting in the future. I thought that he was also improving on tracking back. Not a Blackie favourite though and makes you wonder why he signed him. Seems that Blackie likes his workhorses and if you don't concede you don't lose, unfortunately if you don't score you don't win and our defence is hardly keeping the goals out to give us a chance to nab a goal from a set piece or hoof.
Faith in KB on a scale of 1-10 lies at about 2 at the moment and that is being generous.

 

[mickle-blade]

Ahhhh I forgot that any thread is now deemed open season on Blackwell bashing.

So was Blackwell also responsible for Cotterill reviving our season last season or does Blackie not deserve credit for that? I guess not.

Ok reasons and conspiracies aside... (I know it'll be hard for some) But answer one question.

Has Cotterill been consistent enough to be playing every week?

And by consistent I mean doing the entire job that is expected of him week in week out in this league. Not what you'd expect if he was playing for Barca

Seems odd to me that Cotts was doing OK until he succumbed to 'The Blackwell Coaching and Tactical Book of Knowledge'

 

[alcoblade]

Not happy over here that Cotts is going. His number of assists shows for itself what he gave the team and what we won't be getting in the future. I thought that he was also improving on tracking back. Not a Blackie favourite though and makes you wonder why he signed him. Seems that Blackie likes his workhorses and if you don't concede you don't lose, unfortunately if you don't score you don't win and our defence is hardly keeping the goals out to give us a chance to nab a goal from a set piece or hoof.
Faith in KB on a scale of 1-10 lies at about 2 at the moment and that is being generous.

I'm very disappointed, but given the lack of use we may as well sell.

I think it says a lot when a team that continually sets up with the most workmanlike midfield (Quinn, Monty, Harper) can't accommodate flair on the wings because of their defensive deficiencies.

In fact, I think it says it's time for a new manager.

UTB

 

[Bergen Blade]

Just as a point of interest, is he really in the form of his life? According to the stats he's played 15 times this season with one goal and one assist, in a team who have managedto score 14 times so far. Did we really let a jewel go, or did we have a small and pacey player who could do the job anyway, in Jamie Ward?

We wanted to keep Dyer, but he chose to go to Swansea instead.

 

[happyhippy]

A few things to say about this:

1. I was on the fence about getting rid of Blackwell, not because I particularly rate him, but because I couldn't see that anyone better would want the job. But the sale of Cotterill is presumably at least partially his fault because he won't play him. I have no truck with people who cast aside our most skilful players. Get him out.

Pretty much my view, though I did originally say wait until the injuries clear up. Assuming he goes, and certainly if it also involves him going on loan before January, then that would seal my vote.

2. With the squad in the state it is at the moment, it is lunacy. Mind you, it frees up money for Cresswell or some other no mark for the future from Oldham or some other backwater who will no doubt be as impressive as the likes of Taylor has been.

Well, quite. Granted, we don't know what has been going off behind the scenes, but whichever way we look more dangerous when using width.

3. In my opinion, Swissblade's opinion of Cotterill could not be more wrong if he tried.

I'm hoping he was exaggerating to illustrate his point.

4. Here is my theory of why we improved last season after the Beattie sale:

After we sold Beattie, we won a couple against the Norwiches and Southamptons of this world, and then fell out of the playoff places after losing to the Pigs and Doncaster.

then Blackwell dropped Sharp for a cast of thousands/4-5-1 and restored Cotterill to the side.

As if by magic, removing the striker who hadn't scored in 5 months and bringing in the only player at the club who can cross a ball resulted in an immediate improvement. Our best defensive record since 1969 also helped massively.

The same goes for the season before as far as Cotterill is concerned, of course. But some people think Cotterill is awful and we got better because we sold Beattie. You can't educate dripping, as a friend of mine is fond of saying.

5. Of course, none of this is remotely surprising given the way the club has been run for the last 18 months or so.

The club is being run as a business, and financially a successful one. I haven't got a problem with that. I also don't see Cotts as the Messiah. I do see him as someone who I'd prefer to have as an integral part of the first team.

Again, assuming he is to go, then with our squad being as thin as a fag paper, I have to agree it's madness. I just don't want us to rush into a decision, and for us to take a measured look at who may replace Blackie. For that reason alone, I ain't getting on his back.

The other point is whether there are real and realistic other options? Realistically, I only really see Coleman from Coventry, but backing may well be an issue. To be honest, I hadn't really thought about it too much until this potential transfer.

 

[happyhippy]

We wanted to keep Dyer, but he chose to go to Swansea instead.

Then playing him would have helped.

 

[alcoblade]

We wanted to keep Dyer, but he chose to go to Swansea instead.

I don't think offering him 30 minutes of fooball in a month convinced him he was really wanted. And what was he like in defence anyway?

UTB

 

[bladeinlondon]

he does lack confidence but I was there at leyton in the cup last season when he came on and nailed it. After that he was instrumental in our good run he has pace and scores good goals from distance. My heart always rises when he comes on. Hes a welsh international for f**s sake. Big mistake to sell him but dont blame him for leaving -he needs a start every game. The wheels are off in my opinion

 

[Muttley]

Just another backwards step for us, and another piece of gross incompetance from Blackwell. Mr McCabe. I presume you are satisfied with all this bollox? ....oooops, sorry I forgot you are always in another country and never actually see the drivel that we have to endure.

 

[Dog Blade]

Never the messiah that many thought he would be - however wouldn't surprise if he turns out decent for Swansea.

Blackwell signs him - Blackwell crucifies him. Just wonder if he'll sign another little kid to bully once he does go? Roland Browning available on loan?

Sell him and then he's got some cash to go and waste. Will be difficult to get someone decent in for under £10m though...the price he said he would have paid for Billy Sharp... All the best Kevin!

 

[Kev Gee]

Is it a loan & then permanent in Jan?

Seriously, given the paper thin squad we have. Its madness.

 

[cooperblade]

Wingers in the modern game do have a defensive contribution to make

You sound like Blackwell!

Given that we don't have a playmaker-type in the squad, what's wrong with a solid central midfield pairing (any 2 of Monty, Harper and Williamson) and 2 attacking wingers given the freedom to concentrate on doing what they're on the pitch to do?

 

[Robbie]

and scores good goals from distance.

Are we talking about Cotterill here?

I think I can only recall one goal not from the spot for him.

But that was a good goal he scored from open play....

Will be difficult to get someone decent in for under £10m though...the price he said he would have paid for Billy Sharp...

He stated he would have paid £4 million... but I'd have took the million part away from that

 

[Darren]

he does lack confidence but I was there at leyton in the cup last season when he came on and nailed it. After that he was instrumental in our good run he has pace and scores good goals from distance. My heart always rises when he comes on. Hes a welsh international for f**s sake. Big mistake to sell him but dont blame him for leaving -he needs a start every game. The wheels are off in my opinion

3 points there

1. He didn't come on at Leyton. He played from the start and was woeful in the first half (which we ended 1-0 down). He vastly improved in the 2nd half as we ended up 4-1 winners

2. He has scored ONE good goal from distance. All his other goals have been pens.

3. Frankly, I can't see being a Welsh international being a selling point. if I was Welsh I would probably be pushing for a place in their team...

 

[Houso]

Says in the Star it's for 500k.

This just goes from bad to worse.

 

[Revolution]

Says in the Star it's for 500k.

Wow. Does that mean Robinson has returned to the UK already.

I bet Cotterill can't wait to leave the club after the way he's been messed about this year.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Says in the Star it's for 500k.

This just goes from bad to worse.

Unf**king-believable.

 

[Dog Blade]

He stated he would have paid £4 million... but I'd have took the million part away from that

£6m difference isn't far off when you are trying to batter Blackwell - cut me some slack

At least we can now see his plans coming through with Cotts going, getting the old men shipped out and replacing them with young promising players like Little...

 

[super_pig]

>Perhaps he doesn't like "real" wingers
ok.. so KB doesn't like wingers.. whilst we're on the subject.. what does quinn actually 'do'?

 

[SotonBlade]

>Perhaps he doesn't like "real" wingers
ok.. so KB doesn't like wingers.. whilst we're on the subject.. what does quinn actually 'do'?

Can....Worms.....Open!

 

[Bladesway]

This one worries me more than most of what has gone off previously. Cotteril has the ability to skin players and cross from the byline more than anyone else in the team. If he only does it once out of 5 or 6 runs then he is doing ok. I don't care what he does going backwards because if he has the ball we are going forwards. I saw his impact against West Brom earlier in the season when we looked devoid of any real ideas until he came on. Sure he frustrates when things don't go his way but thats wingers for you. When we are supposedly thin on the ground for players I cannot even begin to understand what we are doing selling players. Especially ones who can change matches for us.

 

[super_pig]

cotterill is a great player.. we saw this when he was originally on loan.. the cat is already out of the bag.. we've already seen it.. the reason his form has dropped must entirely down to management.

 

[Wards]

This one worries me more than most of what has gone off previously. Cotteril has the ability to skin players and cross from the byline more than anyone else in the team. If he only does it once out of 5 or 6 runs then he is doing ok. I don't care what he does going backwards because if he has the ball we are going forwards. I saw his impact against West Brom earlier in the season when we looked devoid of any real ideas until he came on. Sure he frustrates when things don't go his way but thats wingers for you. When we are supposedly thin on the ground for players I cannot even begin to understand what we are doing selling players. Especially ones who can change matches for us.

It's just depressing to think we're replacing genuine young talent with 30 odd year old has beens or never will be's.

I can't see how the likes of Cresswell and Little 'reprofile' our squad for the long-term instead of keeping a young lad that would hopefully get better.