A message from the Boys

[Rodley]

I'm disappointed we've gone off topic on this thread. After a false start it became very, very funny.

 

[JJ Sefton]

I'm disappointed we've gone off topic on this thread. After a false start it became very, very funny.

[video=youtube;vYE0LOhkHh0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYE0LOhkHh0[/video]

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNnktZTSgNo

 

[alcoblade]

I find it hard to fathom the animus some people have against him.

I think lack of likeability and managing during a period of disappointment over the premier league are the reasons. He did have a big budget, but was constantly managing it downwards. That can be spun both ways.

I agree he was a decent manager in terms of results. When they weren't going our way, his style was very difficult to stomach.

UTB

 

[Darren]

I think lack of likeability and managing during a period of disappointment over the premier league are the reasons. He did have a big budget, but was constantly managing it downwards. That can be spun both ways.

I agree he was a decent manager in terms of results. When they weren't going our way, his style was very difficult to stomach.

UTB

Fair enough, but of the 4 post Warnock pre Wilson managers, he was by far the best. So why does he get it in the neck more than Robson, Speed and Adams?

 

[JJ Sefton]

[video=youtube;Nm61yavCp-o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm61yavCp-o[/video]

 

[alcoblade]

Fair enough, but of the 4 post Warnock pre Wilson managers, he was by far the best. So why does he get it in the neck more than Robson, Speed and Adams?

More than Robson? Because some people are totally insane?

UTB

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

[video=youtube;p3HUoAvzWk4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3HUoAvzWk4[/video]

 

[Houso]

What the piss has happened to this thread? An insult to Olle the way people have sabotaged it. Back on topic...

[video=youtube;zmS4LYKRHY4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmS4LYKRHY4[/video]

 

[Ollessendro]

Blackwell was a reasonable manager for us. His record shows that. Since we were relegated from the PL in 1994, his record is better than that of Bassett, Thompson, Bruce, Heath, Robson, Speed and Adams and similar to that of Kendall and Spackman. Only Warnock did better in the sense that he got us promoted (though it took him over 6 years to do that, whilst Blackwell only had 2 years).

I find it hard to fathom the animus some people have against him.

Come on Darren. You are smart enough to know that there is much more to it than that. Spackman had a team of similar talent to one that Blackwell took over, but Warnock, Basset and Kendall did just as well (or better) if much inferior squads. Speed and Adams (though he was spectacularly) awful had very little to work with. Blackwell took over a team with a brilliant defence and got lucky that his negative hoofball worked because the defence bailed him out. The stats are completely distorted when looking at the overall picture. If you look at Blackwell's win to games ratio when he started to stamp his authority on the team (particularly when Naughton left, Naysmith was injured and Kilgallon injured and then left) his record starts to look very average.

Mic pointed out that anybody could achieve success with the players and money he had at his disposal. As already stated, Robson totally failed with the same, therefore Blackwell was far more successful than the previous manager. Had Robson stayed I have no doubt we would have been relegated, Blackwell turned that round and then the next season got us to the play-off final.

Just because Robson was an absolute failure does not mean that Blackwell was super man. As already suggested Blackwell had a fantastic squad at his disposal and he achieved bugger all with them. That 2nd season 9when we reached the play off final) the 2nd place was there for the taking and his negative, no plan B hoofball cost us. Birmingham limped over the finish line and any competent manager would have taken United to 2nd that year. Then as he started to mould his squad we got worse and worse. His negative hoofball stopped working when the back four was ripped apart, yet he still persisted serving up crap negative hoof sessions, in which we got convincingly beat rather than undeservedly nicking the game.

What Darren says. The bile and vitriol that people like you throw at the guy is to a large extent undeserved. Ive seen better managers at the Lane than Blackwell, but Ive also seen worse.

I merley state was he was. A semi pro ex goalkeeper with no tactical nousse, no plan B, a terrible man manager, negative hoofball merchant. Come on Walthy, you know I only deal in 'FACTS'

 

[Darren]

Come on Darren. You are smart enough to know that there is much more to it than that. Spackman had a team of similar talent to one that Blackwell took over, but Warnock, Basset and Kendall did just as well (or better) if much inferior squads. Speed and Adams (though he was spectacularly) awful had very little to work with. Blackwell took over a team with a brilliant defence and got lucky that his negative hoofball worked because the defence bailed him out. The stats are completely distorted when looking at the overall picture. If you look at Blackwell's win to games ratio when he started to stamp his authority on the team (particularly when Naughton left, Naysmith was injured and Kilgallon injured and then left) his record starts to look very average.



Just because Robson was an absolute failure does not mean that Blackwell was super man. As already suggested Blackwell had a fantastic squad at his disposal and he achieved bugger all with them. That 2nd season 9when we reached the play off final) the 2nd place was there for the taking and his negative, no plan B hoofball cost us. Birmingham limped over the finish line and any competent manager would have taken United to 2nd that year. Then as he started to mould his squad we got worse and worse. His negative hoofball stopped working when the back four was ripped apart, yet he still persisted serving up crap negative hoof sessions, in which we got convincingly beat rather than undeservedly nicking the game.



I merley state was he was. A semi pro ex goalkeeper with no tactical nousse, no plan B, a terrible man manager, negative hoofball merchant. Come on Walthy, you know I only deal in 'FACTS'

The facts are these:

1. Blackwell inherited Robson's squad. He did far better with it.
2. Speed and Adams inherited Blackwell's squad. They did far worse with it.
3. Kendall had loads of money to throw around (Hutchison, Walker, Taylor, Vonk, Fjortoft, Ebbrell, Tiler, Holdsworth etc) The best he could manage was 5th place and we didn't get anywhere as near to automatic promotion as KB did.
4. Spackman also had loads of money (Deane, McGrath, Stuart, Saunders, Marcelo etc. When he walked out we were in the play off places and had never looked like getting automatic promotion
5. Bassett also managed a team narrowly relegated from the PL. He failed to get us in the play offs in the first season after relegation and we look certs for a further relegation when he left in his 2nd season.

It seems to me that KB did better than all the above named managers. But then , it must have been all down to luck....

 

[Rustyblade]

Fair enough, but of the 4 post Warnock pre Wilson managers, he was by far the best. So why does he get it in the neck more than Robson, Speed and Adams?

Robson was such a stunning appointment that most of us just gave up. Although some of us were stirred to at least pity the bloke.

Speed was a good guy, tried his best, took it on the chin.

Adams was at least a Blade and we could see he was hurting.

Why did we give Blackwell so much in the neckery? Easy. The Twat Factor. I have no idea what he is like in private life but pitchside and in interviews, he was absolutely impossible to like.

 

[Ecco_Blade]

Fair enough, but of the 4 post Warnock pre Wilson managers, he was by far the best. So why does he get it in the neck more than Robson, Speed and Adams?

For me it was the abysmal style of play he brought in. I've never been as bored (in over 30 years) watching The Blades as I was when he was in charge and its the nearest I've come to stopping going to the games - even when we won it was a mind numbing experience most of the time.

Some people say results are all that counts, but when it gets to the stage that you wake up on a Saturday morning and think damn we're at home today, then something is wrong.

Yes, of course with the four managers you mentioned results wise he was the best, but entertainment wise he was a dead loss for me.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Just because Robson was an absolute failure does not mean that Blackwell was super man.

Er, has anyone on here said Blackwell was? No. Theyve simply pointed out that he wasnt deserving of the bile and vitriol you and other throw at him. Its actually a very moderate, sensible position.

[video=youtube;ou6JNQwPWE0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou6JNQwPWE0[/video]

 

[Pinchy]

Ecco Blade has it absolutely spot-on. We want to be entertained. We want a team that fans (and neutrals) would actually get out of bed to watch. We want a manager who takes a team to the most important game in the football calendar with a view to winning it, not shamefully playing for a penalty lottery.

In short we want proper football. The former semi-pro, non-league, reserve goalie often spoke of his admiration for Arsenal but on the pitch he was copper-bottom, grade A Wimbledon.

Time to :heart: Football.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Ecco Blade has it absolutely spot-on. We want to be entertained.

You also want a team that wins.

---------- Post added at 12:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 PM ----------

We want a manager who takes a team to the most important game in the football calendar with a view to winning it, not shamefully playing for a penalty lottery.

So much for Howard Kendall then!

---------- Post added at 12:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 PM ----------

The former semi-pro, non-league, reserve goalie

Perhaps you could fill me in on the glittering top level playing career of Arsene Wenger?

 

[Pinchy]

You also want a team that wins.

---------- Post added at 12:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 PM ----------

Of course. History conclusively shows that the best football teams tend to win more than they lose.

Only at S2 do some Neanderthals see a conflict.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Of course. History conclusively shows that the best football teams tend to win more than they lose.

Did Blackwell win more games than he lost?

Yes, he did. 53 to 36.

 

[Bladesway]

Blackwell was sabotaged in getting us up by McCabe. People talk about his "style" but I don't remember there being a problem in the first season and a half of his reign. It was only when he had the rug pulled that he reverted to type. I remember being at Charlton away when we whooped them 5-2 and the style was about as good as I ever saw it. Blackwell didn't do himself a pile of favours I'll grant you but the shite spouted about him on here is a reconfiguration of the truth. He took Robsons shitty ends over and almost put them into the Premiership in spite of having the rug pulled out from under him by Mcshortarms.

His third season was where it started going wrong. He wasn't the worst we have had and he wasn't to blame for our slide backwards. Oh and the fact someone gave him an extended contract to put him in the comfort zone. We are still paying for him aren't we?

 

[JJ Sefton]

Only at S2 do some Neanderthals see a conflict.

No, they dont, you just try and make out they do to justify alot of silly 'us vs them' showing off.

[video=youtube;N4Vf9QMROCQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4Vf9QMROCQ[/video]

 

[Ollessendro]

Er, has anyone on here said Blackwell was? No. Theyve simply pointed out that he wasnt deserving of the bile and vitriol you and other throw at him. Its actually a very moderate, sensible position.

How about you come back to me on the points that I have raised rather than a throw away comment. Blackwell was completely and utterly inept. A truly shocking manager that brought some of the most dreary football to BDTBL (as Ecc points out well). I love the way that Rusty sums it up: 'the twat factor'. This undoubtably contributed towards people like mines and Micalijo's position on him. Not only did we have to put up with negative, horrendous football, no plan B and general tactical ineptness, we had to listen to Blackwell blame other people for it. It was the fault of injuries, the grass, the groundsman, the players, the fans and la de da but NEVER himself.

As for Darren's comment. I think I give ale house Micky a pretty hard time too! See my 'worst manager in the history of SUFC' thread. A pub team manager that looked like a little child that that had just shit himself and was coming to tell his parents. I don't have anything against Speed, as he tried but was not good enough. He was a decent bloke and was honest. He came in, thinking he could change things, realised he was in over his heads and jumped ship. Not something I would do personally and I felt a bit less of him. But I thought it was the best move for SUFC for him to go when he did and hence don't resent him. I did not see much of United under Robson (I was living in Dublin at the time) and he was only in charge for a short amount of time. I don't like what he did, but I blame McCabe more for appointing him. When I look at the player Robson was and the pathetic shambles of an alcoholic he is now I actually pity him more than I despise him.

Another factor with Blackwell was that he outstayed his welcome. He did a job and if he had left after the play off final defeat I would not have a strong an opinion as I do now. The fact that he went on doing the same old shit (but worse) and dismantled the team just made it unbearable.

 

[LSF]

Of course. History conclusively shows that the best football teams tend to win more than they lose.

Only at S2 do some Neanderthals see a conflict.

Only at S2 Pinchy? Are we so different from others?

 

[judge]

Cant believe anyone could prefer robsons style of football over Blackwell or anyone else's if they rememberjust how bad things were under robbo
The Derbys that were just another 3 points , people staying in the pubwho had season tickets ,seeing a dhoti target and knowing that would be it even with 25 mins left to play

For me robson is the worst sheff utd manager ever destroyed the club
Blackwell just wasn't good enough to resuscitate it

 

[raul]

Ollie, who persuaded him to stay on?

 

[JJ Sefton]

Blackwell was completely and utterly inept.

More so then some and less so than others. His record shows that you are grossly overstating the case.

---------- Post added at 12:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 PM ----------

...that brought some of the most dreary football to BDTBL (as Ecc points out well).

He did ok to start with. I can only assume you never saw a United team managed by Bryan Robson.

 

[Ollessendro]

So much for Howard Kendall then!

Kendall played to win that game. Andy Walker was on the bench and was just about to come on for extra time. I am convinced he would have scored had Hopkin not. Kendall was unlucky that Hopkin hit a wonder strike. Everything just wnet wrong on the day for Kendall (Katchouro knackered, Hutchinson stretchered off after 10 mins) and although Blackwell had injuries to put up with, we never even tried to win that game.

 

[JJ Sefton]

How about you come back to me on the points that I have raised rather than a throw away comment.

Ok then.

As already suggested Blackwell had a fantastic squad at his disposal and he achieved bugger all with them.

In his first half season he took us from flirting with relegation to flirting with lay offs. Next season he took us to the play off final.

 

[LSF]

Kendall played to win that game. Andy Walker was on the bench and was just about to come on for extra time. I am convinced he would have scored had Hopkin not. Kendall was unlucky that Hopkin hit a wonder strike. Everything just wnet wrong on the day for Kendall (Katchouro knackered, Hutchinson stretchered off after 10 mins) and although Blackwell had injuries to put up with, we never even tried to win that game.

Kinnell! I was obviously at another game on that day then!

 

[Ollessendro]

Ollie, who persuaded him to stay on?

Good point Raul. The one consitent factor in all of this (Robson, Blackwell, KB staying on, Speed and Adams) is McCabe's shocking judgement and terrible decisions. This should not be hidden. McCabe is the one who put the club where it is now and has to take overall resposibility.

 

[Darren]

How about you come back to me on the points that I have raised rather than a throw away comment. Blackwell was completely and utterly inept. A truly shocking manager that brought some of the most dreary football to BDTBL (as Ecc points out well). I love the way that Rusty sums it up: 'the twat factor'. This undoubtably contributed towards people like mines and Micalijo's position on him. Not only did we have to put up with negative, horrendous football, no plan B and general tactical ineptness, we had to listen to Blackwell blame other people for it. It was the fault of injuries, the grass, the groundsman, the players, the fans and la de da but NEVER himself.

As for Darren's comment. I think I give ale house Micky a pretty hard time too! See my 'worst manager in the history of SUFC' thread. A pub team manager that looked like a little child that that had just shit himself and was coming to tell his parents. I don't have anything against Speed, as he tried but was not good enough. He was a decent bloke and was honest. He came in, thinking he could change things, realised he was in over his heads and jumped ship. Not something I would do personally and I felt a bit less of him. But I thought it was the best move for SUFC for him to go when he did and hence don't resent him. I did not see much of United under Robson (I was living in Dublin at the time) and he was only in charge for a short amount of time. I don't like what he did, but I blame McCabe more for appointing him. When I look at the player Robson was and the pathetic shambles of an alcoholic he is now I actually pity him more than I despise him.

Another factor with Blackwell was that he outstayed his welcome. He did a job and if he had left after the play off final defeat I would not have a strong an opinion as I do now. The fact that he went on doing the same old shit (but worse) and dismantled the team just made it unbearable.

You do talk a load of nonsense. Blackwell is "totally and utterly inept" is he? If thats what you think of him, how would you describe Haslam, Peters, McEwan, Bruce, Heath etc etc

The football under Blackwell wasn't attractive but he did a reasonable job at a difficult time in the club's history. The 2009-10 team was not brilliant (which apparently you agree with - see the Ipswich argument) but we still managed 8th place.

Inept? Really?