Blackwell OUT/IN IN/OUT Shake it all about.

[Mad Mick]

OK it's getting close to decision time. I said I would give him until Christmas meaning of course until the end of the Christmas programme.
You cannot disagree with the stats. He brought us from near relegation, to the fringe of the play-offs in his first half season, and within one match of the premiership last year. I can't say I have been impressed with the football we have played, apart from the odd game it aint been pretty. No one can deny of course that it has been very effective. He has now had nearly 2 years, and has done nearly as much as Warnock did in 7. This season has been a mare, we have lost one of our best players and are likely to lose another one in the next few weeks. The quality of his purchase's have varied from the good to the downright awful. But then most commentators said we had one of the best squads in the division.
The injury crisis must have been a nightmare for selection, and the loans along with the purchasers have been patchy. There is no question that Blackie's tactics and team selection, sometimes make Warnock's look world class. But last year we had a fabulous away record, because of Blackie's tactics. Lets be frank Blackie is an enigma, there is only one, and his record speaks for itself.
I'm on the fence at the moment, whether I should be in the back him or sack him camp. One thing for certain though imho, is that he would not last long in the Premiership, he just doesn't have the nous. But then will he ever get us there. I await today's game with interest.
If we win handsomely I'll probably back him, if we lose I'll go for sack him.
My arse is aching from sitting on the fence.

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

I'm not happy with his tactical selection at Leicester but I still maintain he deserves till the end of the season if we are to be fair. He saved us after Robbo and nearly took us to the Play Offs; he challenged for automatic promotion last season and made the Play Off Final which was a damn good effort. He deserves to be judged on a full season unless it is going horribly wrong a la Robson the other season.

If we don't make the Play Offs, I think it is time for a change.

If we get close to end of season and the Play Offs are out of reach, it is time for a change a little earlier.

If he makes the Play Offs, he probably deserves another season if we're honest. I don't rate the fella but you have to judge him on results at the end of the day.

 

[Pragmatic Blade]

I completely agree with Wombwell. Yes, the football hasn't been great to watch at times, but this is more noticeable this season when we haven't got the results we achieved last season.

Our fantastic away record last season was based on a solid defence and our ability to hit teams on the break. No one was moaning when we were unbeaten for about 6 months in the middle of last season.

I think we should stick with him until the end of the season and see where we are. We're still in the hunt this season, and with a good run we will be thereabouts come May.

 

[alcoblade]

Our fantastic away record last season was based on a solid defence and our ability to hit teams on the break. No one was moaning when we were unbeaten for about 6 months in the middle of last season.
.

It's good point, but I think times have changed because of player sales and Kenny's loss. We've been nothing like as solid, and this exposes Blackwell's limitations. He doesn't know how to play it any other way, his teams can't attack very well.

I'd get rid now, but I'm near enough the fence to not be disappointed if we keep him until the end of the season. I'd be gutted if we go into next season with him in charge.

He's done a decent job under difficult circumstances and credit to him. Personally, I'm bored of his style of football and I also think the new look Sheffield United (the cheap tack version) that we're shaping can't simply rely on tight defence, so it will be boring and ineffective.

UTB

 

[DazBlade88]

It's good point, but I think times have changed because of player sales and Kenny's loss. We've been nothing like as solid, and this exposes Blackwell's limitations. He doesn't know how to play it any other way, his teams can't attack very well.

That's the key point in my opinion. You need to be able to adapt your tactics for the players at your disposal (players that he himself has brought in), but we're not doing it.

Last year, we had a settled back five with an abundance of quality. This year, we have an unsettled back five with three of the real quality missing. It's still a decent defence, don't get me wrong, but nothing compared to what we had last year.

It's time to re-think the way we approach the games, and make teams worry about us instead of worrying about how we can stop the opposition. It gives them the upper hand straight away.

 

[kop_blade9]

I'm not happy with his tactical selection at Leicester end quote]

Blackwell cannot win here.
People were berating him because he did not change it at QPR and played out a draw.
The Leicester game he changed formation in the 1st half then added strikers in the 2nd half!
What else could his tactics have been??
If you question the 4-5-1 formation to start of with it has worked away from home so there was no reason to change that.
Give the man a break

 

[LouTheBlade]

All interesting points but speculating about whether United should/will get a new manager is utterly pointless. That decision lies with the board and Mr. McCabe so just wait and see.

Our opinions mean nothing to them, not until a car park protest appears. I don't like those either, never been to one and never will.

 

[ken shabby]

Blackwell`s footballing methods are dire, but while he is costing Mccabe very little as opposed to a proper manager he will remain in charge.

Only a tease with relegation will get him the boot, which is a shame because blackie & a january purse to spend is rather frightening. Even with millions to spend i`d still expect him to buy at woolies rather than selfridges

 

[Mad Mick]

Based on today's result and the first half performance, I think Blackwell should stay. Depends of course what happens in January. But we are only 1 point off the play offs despite a dismal run of injuries. COYRAWW

 

[Warnock=God]

We should give him till the end of the season and if we don't make the play-offs then I think it should be a time of a change.

Still along way to go this season, and I think he can get us the results to make the play-offs even if it isn't the greatest 'football' we play.

UTB

 

[The One]

You can't compare Blackwell with Warnock. When Warnock came in we were in some serious shit. Warnock had a much harder job to do.

 

[Foxy]

You can't compare Blackwell with Warnock. When Warnock came in we were in some serious shit. Warnock had a much harder job to do.

Where as when Blackie came in, we were brilliant and heading for the Prem

We are far more stable as a club now, but in terms of form and momentum, we were heading down.

We surely can't compare him with early Warnock anyway? as Blackie was his right hand man at the time!

 

[DazBlade88]

Where as when Blackie came in, we were brilliant and heading for the Prem

We are far more stable as a club now, but in terms of form and momentum, we were heading down.

We surely can't compare him with early Warnock anyway? as Blackie was his right hand man at the time!

Warnock never had a squad as strong as Blackwell took over when he joined to be fair.

For me, to compare Warnock's achievements with Blackwell's achievements is disrespectul to Warnock when you consider the budgets they were both given to work with.

 

[Foxy]

Warnock never had a squad as strong as Blackwell took over when he joined to be fair.

He still had to get them playing again, the strong squad had us in a crap position. He's since had to dismantle that squad somewhat.

For me, to compare Warnock's achievements with Blackwell's achievements is disrespectul to Warnock when you consider the budgets they were both given to work with.

I can't see how they can be compared really... for one they worked together for a chunk of it and two, like you said, they are totally different scenario's with different problems.

 

[DazBlade88]

He still had to get them playing again, the strong squad had us in a crap position. He's since had to dismantle that squad somewhat.

I don't think it took much work to get them playing again to be fair, if he was still asking the team to play like they did then, I don't think people would be questioning him. We went to win games, now we don't seem to. That's why there's so much frustration in my opinion.

I can't see how they can be compared really... for one they worked together for a chunk of it and two, like you said, they are totally different scenario's with different problems.

Yeah, I agree. I'll always be of the opinion that Warnock is a better manager than Blackwell, but to compare their records here would be unfair. Warnock had to deal with alot worse situations than Blackwell has had to deal with, just with less expectation.

 

[beightonblade]

Write off this season ..................cheap as chips stays.
Spend no money in January transfer window.

Hope and pray new investors/owners are confirmed, tap up new manager and appoint him as soon as we are safe in the division, have him target new signings for next season.

 

[AlienWoodward]

Write off this season ..................cheap as chips stays.
Spend no money in January transfer window.

Hope and pray new investors/owners are confirmed, tap up new manager and appoint him as soon as we are safe in the division, have him target new signings for next season.

I recall someone on here saying something big was in the pipeline so a takeover must be imminnent.
Oh and same bloke said Warnock was coming back.
Happy days

 

[alcoblade]

Write off this season ..................cheap as chips stays.
Spend no money in January transfer window.

Hope and pray new investors/owners are confirmed, tap up new manager and appoint him as soon as we are safe in the division, have him target new signings for next season.

All this talk of new "investment" makes me think - given that nobody gives you money, and that we're already £37M in debt, how much into debt do people want us to go in search of the premiership holy grail?

Personally I'm uncomfortable with our debt and think we should all accept a few years of hard graft and making do, sad though that is.

UTB

 

[beightonblade]

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I recall someone on here saying something big was in the pipeline so a takeover must be imminnent.
Oh and same bloke said Warnock was coming back.
Happy days

who wud that have been?
Mr Warnock will never join the Blades while McCabe is around, the Blades on the footballing side are financially stable, McCabe has that under control.
Word is he wants a better price from the new investors/owners and is holding out !

Makes sense really he has the spending under control and a few more players he can sell ........ Killa , Ward ......

JTW will be interesting

 

[alcoblade]

who wud that have been?
Mr Warnock will never join the Blades while McCabe is around, the Blades on the footballing side are financially stable, McCabe has that under control.
Word is he wants a better price from the new investors/owners and is holding out !

Makes sense really he has the spending under control and a few more players he can sell ........ Killa , Ward ......

JTW will be interesting

Beighton, would I be right in thinking that you have absolutley zero inside knowledge other than the use of the odd strategic ?

UTB

 

[beightonblade]

Beighton, would I be right in thinking that you have absolutley zero inside knowledge other than the use of the odd strategic ?

UTB

I know nothing !.............. just like everybody else.

 

[10 (formerly TEN)]

Most important of all:
If we do make the play off's (which we should in this topsy turvy league)but don't get promoted, he has to resign on the pitch at the final whistle!