Blackwell

[alcoblade]

He's got 1 more than Stephen Quinn

I meant he's physically got 2 feet. Nothing about ability to use them, which clealry must be something we're planning to work on.

Let's hope he's come cheap.

UTB

 

[greasychips]

So does that mean they'll both get dropped for the weekend? :cry:

More than likely. And Stephen Quinn will still be there. :thumbdown:

 

[silverfox]

So does that mean they'll both get dropped for the weekend? :cry:

Probably but I'd blame the players more than Blackwell tonight.

They should donate their wages.......to my beer fund!

 

[Rapturian]

Is it true that if Howard and Quinn don't play then parliament will take drastic action. Just something I err.... heard recently

 

[Pinchy]

Could be a blessing in disguise.
Elpiton has had more opportunities than Hughie Green. He is quite simply not good enough and should be helped on his way. Howard, sadly, has not proved the playmaker we hoped for.

Blackwell is dead right - 3 players needed urgently. Brian Stock and a goalscorer should be absolute priorities and soon. The thing is some of us knew that before tonight. It is alarming that the manager did not. Port Vale, we are in your debt!

 

[alcoblade]

maybe im been a bit to critical to be fair im just really annoyed not so much with team but blackwell for ages now we all know what part of the team we needed and nothing has been done. ...

again, I don't agree buddy. We needed wingers and he's got them. We needed a midfielder and he got one who's unluckily injured. We needed a striker (or 2) and he's got one.

He's not the messiah. In fact he's a very naughty boy (tonight), but let's have some perspective?

UTB

 

[Rapturian]

Probably but I'd blame the players more than Blackwell tonight.

They should donate their wages.......to my beer fund!

Just how much Guinness would that get you? :thumbup:

 

[Foxy]

we all know what part of the team we needed and nothing has been done. reid thinking back was the only player that made an attempt to create something and made runs forward. credit where its due, little looked to have touches of the bit of extra class but tired terribly towards the end which is expected, just hope blackwell well do something now about the midfield but somehow i doubt it...

To be fair to him, had Williamson not got injured, we could have easily seen an entirely new midfield from the one before he re-joined the club, with new options from the bench too.

We still need more and he admits we need more, but who? one of the popular cries long before we bought him was a man called Brian Howard! I think that says it all!

Just hope the scouts flag up a gem or someone we haven't thought about, problem is, we've been trying to do that for years!

 

[Silent Blade]

Bromby is still the same slow and weak CB we know of
Taylor lacks pace. He was slow on Friday and tonight
Reid is strong and fast but doesnt look up and reminded me of "blinkers on" Ndlovu on a bad day
You could tell that injuries have made Little a less effective player than he was

 

[Foxy]

Reid is strong and fast but doesnt look up and reminded me of "blinkers on" Ndlovu on a bad day

From watching him pre-season, this seemed a big positive to his game... He seemingly constantly looked up and was always looking for an early ball should it look a better idea than getting to the line.

Tonight, he did run down a few blind alleys, but its a little unfair to write him off based on a game when he was one of the only few to look half there

 

[Bladesman]

There was no point Reid looking up because most of the time no one was there.

 

[Silent Blade]

From watching him pre-season, this seemed a big positive to his game... He seemingly constantly looked up and was always looking for an early ball should it look a better idea than getting to the line.

Tonight, he did run down a few blind alleys, but its a little unfair to write him off based on a game when he was one of the only few to look half there

Hopefully next time he plays for us he will have the vision that you saw in him in pre season matches. He does have talent but it is important that he is aware of his teammates in a good position to receive a pass from him

 

[Bergen Blade]

I hope this isn't just another post match rant. He must do something about central midfield, and urgently. There are plenty of options around, this is his third season here, it's his decision that he's left with Quinn and Howard to pick from today. Time to act.

 

[jose_d_blade]

Howard was sh*t for the first 60mins then decided to try a bit with a few good shots in the last 5 minutes. Didn’t run for any thing lazy is the only thing I want to say about him.

Quinn did more for the opposition than any of there players spent more time running at our goal than any one else if he didn’t fall over or pass it to there mid field he broke down probably 20% of our attacks.

Sharp got the ball stuck under his feet too many times but was the busiest player on the pitch. had a great shot saved in the first half before equalising and had a pearler of a shot just tipped on to the bar in last minute. Bit harsh to over look that so I’ll speak up for him.

Read was good little was good.

As for keeping we best sign bunn now!

killer wasn’t as bad as the rest of the defence who was terrible.

We best sign up two central midfielders a good striker that’s striker not target man.

and at least 3 defenders

sh*t sh*t sh*t Was what I thought of that it was almost surreal watching it.

 

[1973_Blade]

I agree Quinn has be poor for a long time I have also thought he is too small to be a central midfielder and not quick or skillful enough for the wing. Tonight also showed that any team with a big strong central midfielder (ie everyone) can out muscle us in. It did sound like Blackwell is going to shift some players out though.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

It did sound like Blackwell is going to shift some players out though.

It's the old saying though isn't it? You can only sell em if someone wants to buy, and you don't many rumours of people sniffing around after Quinn, Howard, Bromby.

 

[1973_Blade]

True but he was adamant that some of those who played tonight showed they weren't good enough. They have managed to play a number of others into the team for Sat. I can see Evans, Cotts, Bunn, Morgs and Walker straight back in with Monty starting too. What are the chances of one or two new faces as well?

 

[Bergen Blade]

It's the old saying though isn't it? You can only sell em if someone wants to buy, and you don't many rumours of people sniffing around after Quinn, Howard, Bromby.

True, but Quinn got a new contract last season right after we'd said nobody got new deals, and Howard and Bromby were cash signings by Blackwell. I can't help thinking we could have had a different squad if we really wanted to.

(Having said that - I am pleased with some of the changes made to our squad lately)

 

[jose_d_blade]

blackwell should take a look at him self too.
i mean who picks the bloody team?
he has a very strange way of picking teams, some times wonder if its more to do with who he likes than who can play.

 

[Currie on Radio]

I heard Blackwell on Radio Sheffield around 10.20 pm. As the commentator poointed out these are Blackwell's players mostly.

Ryan France was constantly made to look a poor player by a second rate winger. This was Blackwell's player. ("I only buy players who will strengthen the side") He wasn't good enough for Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday - what qualities did he show that persuaded Blackie to give him a contract? For sure he was not good enough tonight.

For a supposedly physically strong team, we were knocked off the ball all over the park. Even Killa had a poor game.

We did not play well but we also seemed poorly organised. We still run away from the ball once we have it. We still hoof the ball downfield with little prospect of getting it.

I remain to be convinced that Blackwell believes in passing football.

 

[Toronto Blade]

That's tough on Hendo he isn't fit yet but played hard at Boro,Quinn on the other hand had a full preseason and is just not good enough.

 

[1973_Blade]

It was interesting when he said that he picked a team good enough to win tonight so he had done his job. On paper they were good enough and in fairness Port Vale only had 4 attempts on goal all night but we still looked poor after we went 2-1 down. As was mentioned earlier Sharp may have played his last game.

 

[Bubbleburp]

Well !! That was a strange experience tonight.... and I have to agree with most on here that our midfield was almost totally defunct. (I reckon those gnomes in the superstore widow might have done a better job).
Reid and Little were the workhorses tonight and Treacy scored points with me simply because he's the first of our players over the last few seasons to actually have a shot at goal from outside the box.

 

[Bladesman]

blackwell should take a look at him self too.
i mean who picks the bloody team?
he has a very strange way of picking teams, some times wonder if its more to do with who he likes than who can play.

Well Robbo picked his drinking mates perhaps Blackie is doing the same.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

I think I was watching a different game to a lot of you. Apparently some of you paid £400 per ticket for a nailed on champions league final win. Personally I paid a few quid (+ drink + food) for a mickey mouse cup first round reserve tie against lower league opposition. What exactly were you expecting?

"refund"? have a word with yourself.

Reid was head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch tonight. If Cotterill can find his form and keep fit and Reid progresses I think we've finally found the tricky pacey pair of wingers we've been screaming for!

I'm usually the first on here to slag of Howard but I think he put himself about tonight, not an outstanding performance but not as bad as usual. I'm not sure he can play alongside Monty but today was a step in the right direction.

Bennett was awful (given that Bunn has already been given the nod ahead of him, it's surely the last time we'll see him in a United shirt?). Quinn equally awful, how long can Quinn continue to turn in these type of nothing performances?

 

[Bladesman]

I think I was watching a different game to a lot of you. Apparently some of you paid £400 per ticket for a nailed on champions league final win. Personally I paid a few quid (+ drink + food) for a mickey mouse cup first round reserve tie against lower league opposition. What exactly were you expecting?

"refund"? have a word with yourself.

Reid was head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch tonight. If Cotterill can find his form and keep fit and Reid progresses I think we've finally found the tricky pacey pair of wingers we've been screaming for!

I'm usually the first on here to slag of Howard but I think he put himself about tonight, not an outstanding performance but not as bad as usual. I'm not sure he can play alongside Monty but today was a step in the right direction.

Bennett was awful (given that Bunn has already been given the nod ahead of him, it's surely the last time we'll see him in a United shirt?). Quinn equally awful, how long can Quinn continue to turn in these type of nothing performances?

Well I sas expecting our supposidly strong team aiming to be playing Premiership football next year atleast attempt to beat a piss poor League 1 team that could only muster about 4 shots on target.

You were definatly watching a different game if you thought Howard put in a performance today that was a step in the right direction.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

I sas expecting our supposidly strong team aiming to be playing Premiership football next year

I know what you're saying, I ALWAYS want my team to win. Everytime I go I want a victory and I always leave disappointed when we don't get one, but I think it's par for the course now that if you think you have a shot at the league (regardless of which league that is) you play a reserve squad in the league cup. It's the thing all teams do now.

The manager has to weigh up the odds before taking the risk. I'm pretty sure the board would want the manager to play his first team and I'm sure as hell sure the fans want him to beat whatever team is infront of him. If the manager chooses to play a second string 11 for a meaningless cup in hope of a league win then fair play to him. Let's judge him on the league performance. Let's be honest, if it doesn't work in the league for him this year he's probably not going to last the year, so he really has to go full throttle on the league, whatever the cost.

Like I said, I knew before I went tonight that we wouldn't be putting out a first team. I'm not particularly surprised or even that upset that we lost. If we lose on Saturday or Tuesday it will be a different story.

 

[Samantha]

i hope we come up much better on saturday or there'll be more nails in blackwells coffin. tonight was truly awful. second string team or not we should have slaughtered them!

 

[MobileBlade]

Port Vale, we are in your debt!

Again.....

 

[Linz]

He's got 1 more than Stephen Quinn

Stephen Quinn might as well have no feet and no eyes for all the use he's been.

Hopefully next time he plays for us he will have the vision that you saw in him in pre season matches. He does have talent but it is important that he is aware of his teammates in a good position to receive a pass from him

The problem is the latter bit... his teammates need to get in those positions. The lad can't cross the ball for himself Although arguably, last night it would've been more effective.

I hope this isn't just another post match rant. He must do something about central midfield, and urgently. There are plenty of options around, this is his third season here, it's his decision that he's left with Quinn and Howard to pick from today. Time to act.

I hope the positive everyone can take from this is that Stephen Quinn and Brian Howard are never paired together in midfield ever again.

We still hoof the ball downfield with little prospect of getting it.

I remain to be convinced that Blackwell believes in passing football.

See, I didn't even notice much hoofball tonight either. The ball was mainly lost in midfield with 10 yard passes sold short. The only long balls were from Bromby at the end and usually, they found Reid loitering on the wing.

I'd rather a good and effective hoofball team than a team that tries to pass and just can't

i hope we come up much better on saturday or there'll be more nails in blackwells coffin. tonight was truly awful. second string team or not we should have slaughtered them!

I can see the atmosphere being hostile on Saturday if we go a goal down. It might not be a very pleasant season.