Cotterill about Blackwell

[The Who Blade]

Cotterill seems to not rate Blackwell too highly in this article (I think the feeling was mutual)
Once again though Blackwells man management is called into question.

http://www.planetswans.co.uk/article.aspx?ArticleID=10083

David Cotterill has had a final swipe at Sheffield United insisting he never got a chance


Cotterill joined Swansea City this week and was on hand to make his debut at Newcastle yesterday with an encouraging performance despite the 3-0 final scoreline.

And he revealed his final thoughts on Sheffield United and their manager Kevin Blackwell when he said "He didn't give me a fair crack of the whip. If he'd given me a run in the side I'm confident I would have done the business for him.

"I had a good run at the back end of last season when I played 15 or 16 games. I produced some of the best football of my career and we got to the play off final.

"This season was different. I was starting once in a blue moon and it's difficult to find any form when you're in that situation.

"I needed a decent run of games but the manager was judging me on one game. Other players would have two or three bad games yet were still getting picked. I was playing with zero confidence because I felt I was going to be dragged off if I made one mistake.

"It was obvious to me I wasn't one of Kevin Blackwell's favourites and it was time to move on.

"I came off the bench at Reading, scored and we won 3-1.. A week later I came off the bench against West Brom and scored a penalty near the end that got us a 2-2 draw. After that I thought I was going to start the next game at Derby but I was on the bench again. That's when I realised I wasn't in the managers plans.

"After I scored against West Brom he pulled me to one side and said I was doing really well and should be playing for Wales. He wasn't picking me for his team yet he was saying I shoudl be playing for my country - that didn't make sense to me.

"Another time in training he said I was on fire and doing really well. Then a few days before I joined up with Wales for the Scotland game he called me into his office and said I wasn't doing it this season. I seemed to be in a no-win situation.

"A lot of Wales players - and some of them have played in the Premier League - couldn't believe I wasn't playing for Sheffield United.

"I need to settle down at one club now. I'm 21 and Swansea is my fourth club - that's not good.

"I need to get my career back on track and that's why I joined Swansea. I don't expect to walk straight into the team because they've had a great run and it would be unfair to drop anyone. I've got to bide my time and take my chance when it comes."

 

[Sensiblade]

When you ignore instructions being shouted (screamed, yelled, whatever) at you from 3 yards away you don't tend to get many second chances.

 

[Muttley]

Blackwell has no idea on man management and comes accross just as he is. A self righteous arrogant bully. I questioned a good friend of mine who works at the Lane, and my feelings were confirmed.

 

[Bladesway]

Can't understand why he signed him. Right from day one he never got a look in and you have to wonder why we paid £1m+ for a player who Blackwell never really saw as what he wanted.

Bad decision to sign him compounded by losing shedloads when he goes for buttons.

 

[broomhillblade]

"an encouraging performance despite the 3-0 final scoreline."

Hmmm... I think I reserve judgment.

 

[Sensiblade]

Can't understand why he signed him. Right from day one he never got a look in and you have to wonder why we paid £1m+ for a player who Blackwell never really saw as what he wanted.

Bad decision to sign him compounded by losing shedloads when he goes for buttons.

Damned if you do damned if you don't.
Nearly every United fan i knew at the time were shouting for us to sign Cott's.
and ever since we did most of them have been of the opinion that he is lightweight, nesh, can't attack consistantly, can't defend, doesn't fit in to the team and many other things.
Now he's gone it's as if we have sold our best most consistant player who everyone loved more than their mother.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Damned if you do damned if you don't.
Nearly every United fan i knew at the time were shouting for us to sign Cott's.
and ever since we did most of them have been of the opinion that he is lightweight, nesh, can't attack consistantly, can't defend, doesn't fit in to the team and many other things.
Now he's gone it's as if we have sold our best most consistant player who everyone loved more than their mother.

I'm gutted that he's gone, and extremely pissed off that we've sold one of our most dangerous players to a rival for nowhere near what he's worth.

Cotterill was a quality player no doubt about that, and instead of shaping the team so our most dangerous players are free to do the damage that they can do, Blackwell instead nullifies their natural talent by asking them to do stuff that patently isn't their natural game.

 

[Sensiblade]

I'm gutted that he's gone, and extremely pissed off that we've sold one of our most dangerous players to a rival for nowhere near what he's worth.

Cotterill was a quality player no doubt about that, and instead of shaping the team so our most dangerous players are free to do the damage that they can do, Blackwell instead nullifies their natural talent by asking them to do stuff that patently isn't their natural game.

Like run at the opposition full back in preparation of our full back passing to him (Blackwell did this on many occasions and Cott's just stood by the halfway line waiting for our fullback to catch him up before setting off)

I'm not saying I didn't like Cott's BTW, I did, i thought he was (and is) a very good player, but if you don't follow your managers instructions you won't last long in your job.
and Cott's didn't follow Blackwells instructions very well from what I saw.

 

[SwissBlade]

Disgruntled former players are always going to make comments to be taken with a pinch of salt, but to summarise:

- Some players were having 2 or 3 bad games and were still getting a start ahead of him - Can't be Quinny as he's a about a dozen bad games

- He had 2 decent games from the bench and expected a start.

Where was his fight? He wants first team football, fair enough but from his point of view a couple of games from the bench are enough to make a start.

Wasn't it clear that if he worked his way into a starting place then he could potentially have 2 or 3 bad games and still keep his place.

My frustration is that not just Cotterill, but many players throughout this bad run just haven't shown the balls to stand up and fight.

Of course we can say that Blackie bullied him, but other than the touchline shouting we don't have any other comments about Blackie being a bully... do we?

 

[Stafford Blade]

Disgruntled former players are always going to make comments to be taken with a pinch of salt, but to summarise:

- Some players were having 2 or 3 bad games and were still getting a start ahead of him - Can't be Quinny as he's a about a dozen bad games

- He had 2 decent games from the bench and expected a start.

Where was his fight? He wants first team football, fair enough but from his point of view a couple of games from the bench are enough to make a start.

Wasn't it clear that if he worked his way into a starting place then he could potentially have 2 or 3 bad games and still keep his place.

My frustration is that not just Cotterill, but many players throughout this bad run just haven't shown the balls to stand up and fight.

Of course we can say that Blackie bullied him, but other than the touchline shouting we don't have any other comments about Blackie being a bully... do we?

cotterill wasn't very good. but blackwell has a reputation for bullying the young ones ( why do you think sharp left? ) i have been told by more than one person with connections to the club that kb is an arrogant bully with the young un's

 

[alcoblade]

For me, the fact that Cotterill hasn't flourished at United says it all about us and what we can expect. Sadly, it's not what I want.

It's evident Cotterill is a confidence player yet he's dead right to point out that he was punished for every dip in form, whilst players like Quinn have managed long spells of complete shiteness. Cotterill's regular introduction last season turned us around.

We've sold a winger because he can't defend, and it says it all about our manager and his style, IMHO.

UTB

 

[Bladesman]

For me, the fact that Cotterill hasn't flourished at United says it all about us and what we can expect. Sadly, it's not what I want.

It's evident Cotterill is a confidence player yet he's dead right to point out that he was punished for every dip in form, whilst players like Quinn have managed long spells of complete shiteness. Cotterill's regular introduction last season turned us around.

We've sold a winger because he can't defend, and it says it all about our manager and his style, IMHO.

UTB

Exactly.

Although if coming on scoring goals and causing the other teams defensive problems is not in Blackwells plans then what is? He is 21 he is not a complete winger that can do everything and the same with Reid but clearly if your not the complete package then expect to frozen out of the 1st team it seems.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Exactly.

Although if coming on scoring goals and causing the other teams defensive problems is not in Blackwells plans then what is? He is 21 he is not a complete winger that can do everything and the same with Reid but clearly if your not the complete package then expect to frozen out of the 1st team it seems.

I really hope he flourishes under Sousa. The guy has genuine talent, and i feel could have been a match-winning player for us.

I should be used to us selling our best players by now.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

It's evident Cotterill is a confidence player yet he's dead right to point out that he was punished for every dip in form, whilst players like Quinn have managed long spells of complete shiteness. Cotterill's regular introduction last season turned us around.

This has sort of confirmed how many of us viewed the situation, which is a concern certainly. That said, I don't like it when any player comes out with this in public. He's going to be given chances at Swansea, so why the need to come out and say all of this? It undermines SUFC and those that were very recently his team-mates, and none of this helps the club. Cotterill may well feel justifiably agrieved by the treatment he got from Blackwell, but a bigger man would have just left it at that and moved on now that he's got the move he wanted.

 

[Trevor Hockey]

Cotterill seems to not rate Blackwell too highly in this article (I think the feeling was mutual)
Once again though Blackwells man management is called into question.

http://www.planetswans.co.uk/article.aspx?ArticleID=10083

David Cotterill has had a final swipe at Sheffield United insisting he never got a chance


Cotterill joined Swansea City this week and was on hand to make his debut at Newcastle yesterday with an encouraging performance despite the 3-0 final scoreline.

And he revealed his final thoughts on Sheffield United and their manager Kevin Blackwell when he said "He didn't give me a fair crack of the whip. If he'd given me a run in the side I'm confident I would have done the business for him.

"I had a good run at the back end of last season when I played 15 or 16 games. I produced some of the best football of my career and we got to the play off final.

"This season was different. I was starting once in a blue moon and it's difficult to find any form when you're in that situation.

"I needed a decent run of games but the manager was judging me on one game. Other players would have two or three bad games yet were still getting picked. I was playing with zero confidence because I felt I was going to be dragged off if I made one mistake.

"It was obvious to me I wasn't one of Kevin Blackwell's favourites and it was time to move on.

"I came off the bench at Reading, scored and we won 3-1.. A week later I came off the bench against West Brom and scored a penalty near the end that got us a 2-2 draw. After that I thought I was going to start the next game at Derby but I was on the bench again. That's when I realised I wasn't in the managers plans.

"After I scored against West Brom he pulled me to one side and said I was doing really well and should be playing for Wales. He wasn't picking me for his team yet he was saying I shoudl be playing for my country - that didn't make sense to me.

"Another time in training he said I was on fire and doing really well. Then a few days before I joined up with Wales for the Scotland game he called me into his office and said I wasn't doing it this season. I seemed to be in a no-win situation.

"A lot of Wales players - and some of them have played in the Premier League - couldn't believe I wasn't playing for Sheffield United.

"I need to settle down at one club now. I'm 21 and Swansea is my fourth club - that's not good.

"I need to get my career back on track and that's why I joined Swansea. I don't expect to walk straight into the team because they've had a great run and it would be unfair to drop anyone. I've got to bide my time and take my chance when it comes."

Naughty Naughty Who Blade !!

I've just gone on the Swams link you put up and noticed you missed this bit of the interview out:

"I need to settle down at one club now. I'm 21 and Swansea is my fourth club - that's not good."

So was it Blackwell that made the decision to move him on at the other 3 clubs - I think not.

Sorry Cotts - you've got ability lad but in modern football you need courage, determination to succeed and bollocks to admit personal responsibility rather than blaming others.

UTB

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Naughty Naughty Who Blade !!

I've just gone on the Swams link you put up and noticed you missed this bit of the interview out:

"I need to settle down at one club now. I'm 21 and Swansea is my fourth club - that's not good."

So was it Blackwell that made the decision to move him on at the other 3 clubs - I think not.

Sorry Cotts - you've got ability lad but in modern football you need courage, determination to succeed and bollocks to admit personal responsibility rather than blaming others.

UTB

i think you need to read the post again.

and one of those three clubs you mention is us.

 

[Santos]

Cotterill seems to not rate Blackwell too highly in this article (I think the feeling was mutual)
Once again though Blackwells man management is called into question.

http://www.planetswans.co.uk/article.aspx?ArticleID=10083

David Cotterill has had a final swipe at Sheffield United insisting he never got a chance


Cotterill joined Swansea City this week and was on hand to make his debut at Newcastle yesterday with an encouraging performance despite the 3-0 final scoreline.

And he revealed his final thoughts on Sheffield United and their manager Kevin Blackwell when he said "He didn't give me a fair crack of the whip. If he'd given me a run in the side I'm confident I would have done the business for him.

"I had a good run at the back end of last season when I played 15 or 16 games. I produced some of the best football of my career and we got to the play off final.

"This season was different. I was starting once in a blue moon and it's difficult to find any form when you're in that situation.

"I needed a decent run of games but the manager was judging me on one game. Other players would have two or three bad games yet were still getting picked. I was playing with zero confidence because I felt I was going to be dragged off if I made one mistake.

"It was obvious to me I wasn't one of Kevin Blackwell's favourites and it was time to move on.

"I came off the bench at Reading, scored and we won 3-1.. A week later I came off the bench against West Brom and scored a penalty near the end that got us a 2-2 draw. After that I thought I was going to start the next game at Derby but I was on the bench again. That's when I realised I wasn't in the managers plans.

"After I scored against West Brom he pulled me to one side and said I was doing really well and should be playing for Wales. He wasn't picking me for his team yet he was saying I shoudl be playing for my country - that didn't make sense to me.

"Another time in training he said I was on fire and doing really well. Then a few days before I joined up with Wales for the Scotland game he called me into his office and said I wasn't doing it this season. I seemed to be in a no-win situation.

"A lot of Wales players - and some of them have played in the Premier League - couldn't believe I wasn't playing for Sheffield United.

"I need to settle down at one club now. I'm 21 and Swansea is my fourth club - that's not good.

"I need to get my career back on track and that's why I joined Swansea. I don't expect to walk straight into the team because they've had a great run and it would be unfair to drop anyone. I've got to bide my time and take my chance when it comes."

Cheers for that, always two sides to every story but I do have to feel sorry for Cotts after reading that, seems like he's been getting conflicting messages from Mr B! Probably best for all parties that he's moved on. I wish him well, seems like a nice lad.

 

[Bramley]

Cotterill seems to not rate Blackwell too highly in this article (I think the feeling was mutual)
Once again though Blackwells man management is called into question.

http://www.planetswans.co.uk/article.aspx?ArticleID=10083

David Cotterill has had a final swipe at Sheffield United insisting he never got a chance


Cotterill joined Swansea City this week and was on hand to make his debut at Newcastle yesterday with an encouraging performance despite the 3-0 final scoreline.

And he revealed his final thoughts on Sheffield United and their manager Kevin Blackwell when he said "He didn't give me a fair crack of the whip. If he'd given me a run in the side I'm confident I would have done the business for him.

"I had a good run at the back end of last season when I played 15 or 16 games. I produced some of the best football of my career and we got to the play off final.

"This season was different. I was starting once in a blue moon and it's difficult to find any form when you're in that situation.

"I needed a decent run of games but the manager was judging me on one game. Other players would have two or three bad games yet were still getting picked. I was playing with zero confidence because I felt I was going to be dragged off if I made one mistake.

"It was obvious to me I wasn't one of Kevin Blackwell's favourites and it was time to move on.

"I came off the bench at Reading, scored and we won 3-1.. A week later I came off the bench against West Brom and scored a penalty near the end that got us a 2-2 draw. After that I thought I was going to start the next game at Derby but I was on the bench again. That's when I realised I wasn't in the managers plans.

"After I scored against West Brom he pulled me to one side and said I was doing really well and should be playing for Wales. He wasn't picking me for his team yet he was saying I shoudl be playing for my country - that didn't make sense to me.

"Another time in training he said I was on fire and doing really well. Then a few days before I joined up with Wales for the Scotland game he called me into his office and said I wasn't doing it this season. I seemed to be in a no-win situation.

"A lot of Wales players - and some of them have played in the Premier League - couldn't believe I wasn't playing for Sheffield United.

"I need to settle down at one club now. I'm 21 and Swansea is my fourth club - that's not good.

"I need to get my career back on track and that's why I joined Swansea. I don't expect to walk straight into the team because they've had a great run and it would be unfair to drop anyone. I've got to bide my time and take my chance when it comes."

Touch of class that, glad we got rid of him.

""A lot of Wales players - and some of them have played in the Premier League - couldn't believe I wasn't playing for Sheffield United."

The kid can **** off for me with statements like that.

 

[Robbie]

So was it Blackwell that made the decision to move him on at the other 3 clubs - I think not.

I think what you have to look at is - Wigan chased the player to sign him, I don't think Bristol wished to 'move him on'.

We chased to sign him, Wigan weren't eager to sell.

It seems though that we were eager to offload.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Touch of class that, glad we got rid of him.

""A lot of Wales players - and some of them have played in the Premier League - couldn't believe I wasn't playing for Sheffield United."

The kid can **** off for me with statements like that.

That line doesn't sit well with me either, although it does make me think what our reputation in the game is like.

The squad is weaker without him though, and it's one less option from the bench.

 

[Fiery Blade]

I believe Blackwell has a major problem with players who are say less than model professionals Hendrie, Carney, Cotterill come to mind as probably players in this mould.
It appears from the outside that Blackwell is a bully and does have his favourites and his man management does leave a lot to desire.
Cotterill had his faults but in essence you don't represent your country unless you are a bloody good player and he did show that last season.
He hasn't had much opportunioty this season probably down to Wardy making that right wing berth his own but I am sure Cotterill is good enough to hold a place in a mid table Championship side!

 

[davidpinder]

I believe Blackwell has a major problem with players who are say less than model professionals Hendrie, Carney, Cotterill come to mind as probably players in this mould.
It appears from the outside that Blackwell is a bully and does have his favourites and his man management does leave a lot to desire.
Cotterill had his faults but in essence you don't represent your country unless you are a bloody good player and he did show that last season.
He hasn't had much opportunioty this season probably down to Wardy making that right wing berth his own but I am sure Cotterill is good enough to hold a place in a mid table Championship side!

We are a mid table championship side?? or were you being sarcastic? I still think he could of fit in with ward because i believe ward wants to be up top. I think its blackwell again i,ve made it clear i am not a fan of his tactics or his man management. I think it is like be back at school if your not friends with the manager you don't get in unless we are short.

 

[Fiery Blade]

At present we are a mid table side capable of a much higher placement given the right results over the coming months!
I am with you DP and think that perhaps Ward and Henderson may offer the best up front but Camara must not be ruled out of the combination
Whichever way you choose it appears that Evans has a lot to do to 'earn' his place back in the side.
Perhaps Cotterill was deemed expendable to ensure Wardy got into the team to allow Blackwell to pick his £3 million (£750k) superstar
Either way it highlights Blackwells inability to manage a small squad which if we ever got to the PL would have to be virtually doubled -God help us then!

 

[Micalijo]

Disgruntled former players are always going to make comments to be taken with a pinch of salt, but to summarise:

- Some players were having 2 or 3 bad games and were still getting a start ahead of him - Can't be Quinny as he's a about a dozen bad games

- He had 2 decent games from the bench and expected a start.

Where was his fight? He wants first team football, fair enough but from his point of view a couple of games from the bench are enough to make a start.

Wasn't it clear that if he worked his way into a starting place then he could potentially have 2 or 3 bad games and still keep his place.

My frustration is that not just Cotterill, but many players throughout this bad run just haven't shown the balls to stand up and fight.

Of course we can say that Blackie bullied him, but other than the touchline shouting we don't have any other comments about Blackie being a bully... do we?

Here's one for you Swiss: Blackwell is an arrogant, onbnoxious bully - and a very poor football mananger.

And I'll tell you what Swiss, there was a total lack of fight in the last 10 minutes against Newcastle. Cotterill did nothing, put no crosses in at all - useless. He virtually gave up. Same against Cardiff - we did nothing in the last few minutes. And Barnsley - zero fight. Ipswich - nothing there either, gave up at 3-1 down.

I'll accept that the players how no cohesion and haven't got a clue who is meant to do what by the looks of it but a lack of fight and effort is not one of the criticisms that can be thrown at them in my opinion.

 

[davidpinder]

At present we are a mid table side capable of a much higher placement given the right results over the coming months!
I am with you DP and think that perhaps Ward and Henderson may offer the best up front but Camara must not be ruled out of the combination
Whichever way you choose it appears that Evans has a lot to do to 'earn' his place back in the side.
Perhaps Cotterill was deemed expendable to ensure Wardy got into the team to allow Blackwell to pick his £3 million (£750k) superstar
Either way it highlights Blackwells inability to manage a small squad which if we ever got to the PL would have to be virtually doubled -God help us then!

The PL is one place we won't get to under blackwell, nearly did but that doesn't count.

 

[Fiery Blade]

The PL is one place we won't get to under blackwell, nearly did but that doesn't count.

Totally Agree DP I was just putting in a hypothetical view :fishy:
I don't see Blackwell has any Moses qualities whatsoever

 

[davidpinder]

Yeah understood what you were saying. You can see what is going to happen now, we are going to go on a steady run, nothing special so he keeps his job, then start all over again mid feb with poor results, he gets the sack then its to late.
Sorry got to slip it in BLACKWELL OUT still for me.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Here's one for you Swiss: Blackwell is an arrogant, onbnoxious bully - and a very poor football mananger.

And I'll tell you what Swiss, there was a total lack of fight in the last 10 minutes against Newcastle. Cotterill did nothing, put no crosses in at all - useless. He virtually gave up. Same against Cardiff - we did nothing in the last few minutes. And Barnsley - zero fight. Ipswich - nothing there either, gave up at 3-1 down.

I'll accept that the players how no cohesion and haven't got a clue who is meant to do what by the looks of it but a lack of fight and effort is not one of the criticisms that can be thrown at them in my opinion.

Cotterill wasn't handled very well - Blackwells Fault
Cotterill had no fight - Cotterills fault
Perhaps it was his reaction to the manager
Certainly there was no love lost between the two!
Ultimately, Blackwell carries the can, he is employed to get the best out of his assetts which are the players How you do it is down to the individual.
Obviously this is a major shortfall in Blackwells portfolio:thumbdown:

 

[The Who Blade]

Naughty Naughty Who Blade !!

I've just gone on the Swams link you put up and noticed you missed this bit of the interview out:

"I need to settle down at one club now. I'm 21 and Swansea is my fourth club - that's not good."

No Trev, I put it in there.

I would never try to deceive fellow Blades. Just posted it to let people make up their own minds.

My opinion is that Cotterill needs to grow up a bit and Blackwell should learn that all players are different and need motivating accordingly. Some respond well if they are praised, others not. The same goes for getting a bollocking.

Who knows! Maybe in the end Blackwell went for the arm around the shoulder hug kind of approach and Cotts thought, thats it I'm out of here.

 

[Muttley]

...and I can't believe he is only 21. He looks at least 41.