06/03/10 - Crystal Palace v. Sheffield United

[Sothall_Blade]

Summary of Blackwell's reaction:

• Didn't start on the front foot which he wanted.
• Players have to decide what they want out of their career.
• Not worked the keeper enough despite having enough possession to do so.
• Not sure front 4/5 have enough courage away from home.
• Away - we aren't creating enough, ducking out of tackles, thats the type of player that they are.
• Mentality of some players, speak to sports psychologists - some players just don't handle it well.
• Players have to understand, have to have a better mentality away from home.
• Need players to want it more, they have to decide where they want to take their career.
• If they don't want to get in there and get hurt, we can't do much.
• It's alright having a go at staff, but players have to take responsibility.

I've only seen brief highlights of the match, so I would be interested to know from those who went which players he's probably talking about? Ward sounds like the most likely candidate and I read a report elsewhere that suggested he got kicked early on and then didn't want to know. Is that the case?

Also, would people say that Blackwell is talking more about the mental courage to want the ball, take people on, create chances, have shots on goal or is he talking about physically "neshing" out of tackles, headers etc?

It is a very bad interview on the face of it and most of these comments would and should be made behind closed doors. The only explanation I can come up with, is that he's said all this to certain players after the last 4 or 5 away games and they haven't responded. He can't simply drop the likes of Ward and Yeates because we've nobody better, so he's publically challenging them to prove him wrong.

It could have the effect of kickstarting our away form at Peterborough, or it could all go disastrously wrong and he'll lose the dressing room. A bit of a "shit or bust" gamble for him personally but maybe that's what's required at this stage?

 

[derrywan]

Ward was definitely quiet but no quieter than most. the only player who really stood out for having a real go was Bartley, along with the indefatiguable Captain Hammercock Morgan. The whole team looked like they weren't enjoying it to be honest, and with no formation to speak of I couldn't blame them. must be totally unsatisfying playing that way.