Bryan Robson Is Our new manager

[Foxy]

Just to balance out a bit of the negativity... here's an honest post from a WBA fan -

Sadly you'll get a lot of vitriol about Robson and the other argument from those with tinted glasses. Let me give you an insight into my take on Robson, which i hope is removed from the abuse you;l have read about him.
Robson's plus points included getting a poor megson side playing to its strengths, two inspired signings in the jan 05 transfer window (richardson and Campbell) and some decent form going into our final months which kept us up, albeit on low points.
In fairness was never going to win over some fans for 2 reasons. One being 1981 when he had the nerve to leave us for a bigger and better paid job (because of course no one else would ever do that) and secondly because the man he replaced had already won promotion twice.
There has been rubbish about him falling out wiht players. Not strictly true. I know Jason Koumas quite well from a company I do PR for and have spoken to him away from the 'sanitised media' speak. The discussion we had was frank. He didnt particularly like Bryan but then he hated Gary Megson. Truth is he NEVER fell out with Robson and had a great deal of respect for him. Truth is they had professional differences. Robson wanted him to do more in midfield and by his own admission Jason couldn't be bothered. He now regrets this. Not once did they have any bust-ups. Robson simply didn't want him in his team because he didn't rate him enough.
Earnshaw was a different matter. Yes he fell out with him but the robson-is-evil circle fail to inform you that Earnshaw was as prolific with his bad time-keeping as he was in front of the goal. He was late most mornings and usually the first to leave. He's not a team player and wasnt popular at the club. Furthermore all Robson was trying to do was instil some discipline - show me a manager who wouldn't?
Other plus points were the signings of Phillips, McShane, Davies, Kamara, Richardson.

On the minus side he failed to get Koumas playing to his strengths and never seemed to have a plan B. When we missed out on Richardson there was NO replacement. He spent a lot of money in summer 05 but many of those signings weren't his first choice. The 'next best' choice simply weren't good enough. He also invested too much in the 'senior pros'. Someone I know once told me that Bryan was a fairly good judge player but sadly he bought restrospectively - too often he'd buy players 1/2/3 years past their sell-by date (Watson, Hartson, Quashie). Other signigns likes Zubi or Campbell simply didn't work out over the longer term. In his last season for us he became negative (unlike the great escape year when we HAD to win every game). He made too many changes (never picked the same team successive matches, despite often doing so in Great Escape season)
Robson unforgivably, but udnerstandably, also gave up on us last Jan when Peace (our chairman) told him the players he wanted (ugo and Hasslebaink) wouldn't be joining. In truth Bryan was a dead man walking since that period.

Robson isn't a great manager but he's not as bad as some Albion fans will paint him as. For every good signing he made a bad one. For one decent season (or 2/3rds of a season) we had a poor one. Tactically he made mistakes last year and disasterously he brought players back too late for pre season last summer (2 weeks after all other championship teams).

Robson may get you up, especially with a decent coach like Kidd alongside him. He will need backing from your chairman and he will need focus on and off the pitch. If he does that you may be okay. If he slips into the ways of his second season for us then you'll be in trouble.

Good luck. I have a lot of time for Bryan having met him through my work on several occasions. He's a good, honest bloke who got unforgivable personal abuse from some fans but also made some strange decisions which did him no favours along the way. I hope he turns you round and gets you up.

 

[silverfox]

Deano backs him too........

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sheffield-utd?articleid=2893910

 

[dingledog]

And we will as well once he is officially 'our man'

 

[Simmo]

Hello, another Baggies fan here with an opinion of Robson.

Yes, there has been a lot of negativity about Robson both during his reign at WBA and afterwards. Points have been made about "crazy" team selections, playing people out of position, a drink culture and bust-ups with some players. However, I seem to remember it was Robson who showed us that Neil Clement was a better centre back than a left back, and that was originally seen by the faithful as Robson "not having a clue". He also saw Earnshaw for what he was, a selfish little sod who wouldn't take advice from Bryan Robson, a guy who has been there, got the T-shirt and then some.

He also made some clever signings just when we needed some direction and a bit of ability. Kevin Campbell made a huge impact on team morale and Kieran Richardson on loan from Utd gave us the edge we had been lacking due to Koumas going walkabout. Those two were instrumental in keeping us up that year. He also signed Curtis Davies, Super Kevin Phillips, McShane, Kamara.

I think he did a decent job at WBA, but some fans just wanted to give him a hard time pretty much from the off. Chants of "you don't know what you're doing" were out of order and I really felt for the bloke when that happened. There are always thousands of people in the terraces who know how to do the manager's job better, but at the end of the day the fans should be behind the manager and team regardless. I firmly believe that Robson was on a hiding to nothing before he even managed his first match the the Baggies, as some fans had an agenda and weren't happy until he had gone.

Robson is no mug. He also has good connections when it comes to getting players in. I really hope he does a good job for you. Just get behind him and give him the best support you can. He deserves that much.

 

[silverfox]

Thanks for that Simmo.

As you say, everyone thinks they are managers but at least they know what's going on inside the club.

Good luck for the Baggies.

 

[MAQ]

i'll back him too. I trust McCabe, and if there is someting there that has convinced him then so be it.

The honeymoon period i fear will be short, so he better start making the right noises, if not then the blades fans will be on him quickly

 

[Foxy]

cheers for that Simmo, welcome to the site!

Good luck in the playoffs , you've looked a strong side when i've seen you recently, playing some good stuff. Therefore i'd prefer you out of the league

 

[silverfox]

Looks like the players may like the new management team too........

http://www.mysporttoday.co.uk/ViewA...de=sheffuntd&SectionID=4853&ArticleID=2894028

 

[Simmo]

cheers for that Simmo, welcome to the site!

Good luck in the playoffs , you've looked a strong side when i've seen you recently, playing some good stuff. Therefore i'd prefer you out of the league

Thanks Foxy, it'll be a tough game but I'm pleased that Melton Mowbray has stuck to his guns and has continued to have us playing attacking football. Fingers crossed that we win, and good luck to the Blades next season

 

[Foxy]

Andy Gray joins the few coming out with support this morning...

BRYAN Robson will have a huge impact at Bramall Lane according to former Sheffield United striker Andy Gray.
The 50-year-old was set to be unveiled as Neil Warnock's successor at a press conference this morning after agreeing terms with the South Yorkshire club on Sunday evening.

Gray played under Robson at Bradford City in 2003/04 and believes the England and Manchester United legend will prove a success with players and supporters alike.

"Bryan really impressed me when he came to Valley Parade," Gray told The Star. "The lads at United are definitely going to enjoy working with him.

"Because of what he achieved in his career, he instantly commands the respect of the dressing room.

"Bryan was one of the greatest players this country has had. He was one of my heroes when he was younger, and so when he speaks you listen.

"Bryan doesn't say much, but when he does speak it really hits home and carries weight because of who it's coming from.

"His hands were really tied at Bradford because of what was going on off the pitch at the time, but he has strong ideas about how he likes his teams to go about things and that they should play football as it should be played.

"Training with him is really enjoyable. It's always intense and at a high tempo, which is good because you carry that into the game. At Bradford he joined in with us quite a few times as well and he's definitely not lost his touch. No-one put a tackle in on him because no-one could get near him."

Robson's efforts at Valley Parade were hampered by the crippling finances which eventually prompted Gray's move to United. But the marksman, now with Burnley, says his attention to detail will aid his old teammates' bid to win promotion back to the Premiership at the first attempt. "Bryan makes sure everyone knows what their job is when they step out on to the pitch," Gray added.

"He's very hands-on and has a good eye for detail.

"He puts his message across well and, although he doesn't rant and rave, he has no qualms about letting you know when something is wrong.

 

[dj_uk_1234]

Thanks Foxy, it'll be a tough game but I'm pleased that Melton Mowbray has stuck to his guns and has continued to have us playing attacking football. Fingers crossed that we win, and good luck to the Blades next season

Good luck in the playoff's mate.

Oh and thanks for the double

Only joking

 

[WBA]

Hello Blades, another Baggie fan here.

Unfortunately, I cannot speak highly of Bryan Robson. I have very good inside information through 2 current Albion players, and 2 Board Members, and this has often been proven on our own Baggies Messageboard on numerous occasions.

First of all, I have no doubt that the one message you have quoted on here from a Baggies fan is none other than "KickOff3pm". I presume I'm right, and the fact I can tell that from his post says enough about his opinions on Robson.

Robson joined our club, and irrespective of what KickOff3pm says, he was initially backed by the fans, and got a great reception on his 1st game in charge. However, he failed to make any impact whatsoever, as we saw our team plummet from 17th to 20th, losing games heavily like our 4-0 loss to our local rivals Birmingham. 8 losses, 2 draws in 10 games naturally made Albion fans doubt Robson's ability as a Football Manager. 2 points out of a possible 30 is quite simply unacceptable. Then came the January transfer window where Bryan Robson brought in Kieran Richardson from Manchester United on loan. I think it was quite evident his link with Man U is what got this transfer put through. Richardson single handedly turned us around. He was phenomenal, he could do everything. Ask any Albion fan, and majority will say it was Kieran Richardson and luck that kept us up. We eventually stayed up in the Premiership on the lowest ever total for 17th place, and we relied on 3 other teams to lose in order to survive. So I guess you can praise Robson, however there was a huge element of luck!!

We did the fantastic, we stayed up, and now Robson had a chance to build and take us forward....

We made some poor signings, and simply looked poor all season. The opinion of "Robson wasn't allowed his first choice players" simply doesn't wash with me. He spent a large amount of money, money which he didn't have to spend. Why sign players who you don't think are good enough? Robson thought they were, and they weren't. I'll outline from memory his signings during his Albion reign:

Zuberbuhler (Free) - Embarrassing. Despite being warned by Chairman twice that he has heard poor feedback on this player, Robson still said he wanted him. As soon as Tony Mowbray took over, Zubi was shipped out.

Chris Kirkland (Loan) - Despite his injury plagued career, Robson thought it was wise to go for this loan deal. Surprise surprise, Kirkland's season was plagued with injuries, and Kuszczak stepped in from reserves and was proven to be a better keeper. Kuszczak ended up at Manchester United!!

Luke Steele (Part Exch.) - Terrible goalkeeper who was used in a part exchange deal with Man U for Kuszczak. He will be shipped out in the summer.

Steve Watson - Far past it, looked over-weight and slow. Shipped out as soon as new management came in

Curtis Davies (£3m) - A great signing, well done Robson on this.

Chris Perry (free) - Looked promising, and has always done well in an Albion shirt. He has unfortunately fell out with the current Manager due to punching McShane and Venus in the changing room, and is likely to leave in the Summer.

Paul McShane (Part Exch.) - Used in part exchange deal for Kuszczak. Has been a great signing, certainly 1 for the future.

Williams Martinez (Loan) – Robson never played him. Came on loan for 5 months, and made 1 or 2 sub appearances and was generally very poor. Don’t know why Robson bothered signing him if he wasn’t going to play him.

Richard Chaplow (£1.5m) – Has been very poor since signing for us. Has been shipped out on loan to Southampton to gain experience, but still looks poor. Certainly not popular amongst the fans.

Darren Carter (£1.5m) – Hasn’t proven much since signing. Shows occasional glimpses on talent, but doesn’t really look as though he has a future. Will most likely be sold in the summer.

Nigel Quashie (£1.5m) – Absolutely awful! Sent off on his home debut, and was a complete nuiscene behind the scenes. Refused to travel with the team for an Away game because he was on the bench. A real disruption to the squad, am very happy he has gone.

Jan Kozak (Loan) – Despite Robson repeatedly going on about how skilful and creative he was in training, he was nothing but a slow donkey on matchday. Absolutely shocking!

Kieran Richardson (Loan) – Along with Curtis Davies he was 1 of Robson’s best signing, albeit a loan signing, but he was the person who kept us up in the great escape year.

Kevin Campbell (Free) – Was good behind the scene’s, he united the changing room, however he was poor on the pitch, and quite an expensive player pure and simply to be the ‘motivator’.

Nathan Ellington (£3m) – Just hasn’t worked for him at West Brom. Can’t find any consistency, fans have been on his back, and he has wanted away since he signed. He fell out with Robson at the end of last season too.

Diomansey Kamara (£1.5m) – Hardly played under Bryan Robson, and when he did, he was put on the left wing. Didn’t look very good under Robson, but has flourished under Tony Mowbray. He has been converted into a centre forward, and simply looks like a completely new player.

John Hartson (£500,000) – 1 of the biggest jokes. Grossly overweight and constantly seen drunk in Swansea and Birmingham both mid-week and on weekends. Complete waste of high wages!

Kevin Phillips (£700,000) – Looked a very poor signing whilst playing under Robson, but under Mowbray he has looked the Phillips of old.

Total Signings: 18
Total Fee’s: £13.2m

Not to mention the money spent on signing on fees for the likes of Perry, Hartson, Watson, Campbell, etc. All players on high wages, so wages cannot be used as an excuse.

I’ll finish with some comments that were made by a Board Member at the WBA Supporters Q&A evening I attended. He made the following statements on Robson:

“As for the Tomasz Kuszczak transfer to Manchester United, lets just say Bryan Robson perhaps got a little too close to Sir Alex and Manchester United through the transfer, and our Chairman was not happy at all.”

“Robson told me he wanted Earnshaw out of the club. When ourselves and the Chairman said to Robson that this would only leave him with 3 recognized strikers, Robson still said he just wanted Earnshaw out the club. We weren’t happy with this, but we had to back the Manager in what he wanted to do”

So there you go, take what you will. I am reliably informed that Robson had gone and sorted the deal with Manchester United for Tomasz Kuszcak without our Chairman knowing. Understandably, our Chairman was livid, and when he saw Kuszczak and Robson shaking hands on Old Trafford pitch on Sky, Robson finally got the sack.

Bryan Robson certainly had his favourites, and they were the first names on the team sheet every week….Kevin Campbell….John Hartson….Ronnie Wallwork….Steve Watson….Andy Johnson….etc. Robson wanted to offer all players new contracts, and was allowed to do so, apart from Kevin Campbell. The Chairman simply wouldn’t allow it. Funnily enough, not 1 of those players now makes the team under the new management.

I’m not even going to go down the personal road regarding his drinking habits. The football aspects speak for themselves as it is.

Expect negative, defensive, hoofing style football using battering rams upfront. Appointing Robson as Manager will certainly take your club backwards….

 

[Foxy]

cheers for the comments WBA, lets just hope we're all saying different to you come the new season.

 

[matth]

Zuberbuhler did manage to not concede a single goal from open play at the world cup, though.

 

[rotherhamblade]

losing games heavily like our 4-0 loss to our local rivals

Please God no.

 

[WBA]

Apart from possibly Wolverhampton Wanderers, i don't wish misfortune against any club (even after the Battle at Brammel Lane ), so i do feel sorry for you getting Robson.

I hope he may have learnt from his mistakes as a Manager, as he is gradually going from club to club getting a bad name, and such a footballing legend doesn't need that kind of status.

As long as we win on Monday, i hope you get promoted next season and replace a London club!

 

[Sensiblade]

Apart from possibly Wolverhampton Wanderers, i don't wish misfortune against any club (even after the Battle at Brammel Lane ), so i do feel sorry for you getting Robson.

I hope he may have learnt from his mistakes as a Manager, as he is gradually going from club to club getting a bad name, and such a footballing legend doesn't need that kind of status.

As long as we win on Monday, i hope you get promoted next season and replace a London club!

Cheers for your pre warning.
Hope you do well and don't get some of the crap decisions against you that we got in the Prem if you do get promoted.

P.s. It's Bramall not Brammel

 

[WBA]

Cheers for your pre warning.
Hope you do well and don't get some of the crap decisions against you that we got in the Prem if you do get promoted.

P.s. It's Bramall not Brammel

Apologies. I knew I'd have spelt it wrong, but simply couldn't be bothered to check before i posted.

 

[Bladesman]

Lets be fair there though most of those players you have mentioned have just got you to the play-off final.

I just hope Robson has learnt from his previous jobs.

 

[MAQ]

all this talk isnt filling me with confidence.

Im red and white through and through (As we all are) and i'll back the new manager 100% but i cant deny that all this negative talk is making me twitch more than a little

 

[Linz]

Im red and white through and through (As we all are) and i'll back the new manager 100% but i cant deny that all this negative talk is making me twitch more than a little

Seconded...

Anyway, thanks to all the Baggies for their reasoned input into this thread.

Even if most of them are prophesies of doom

 

[Tinoblade]

Different club so i take no notice of it he has a different group of players

i believe he can get us some good results and get us back up there!

 

[The One]

will definately back the manager. Not the most ideal guy to replace warnock but a new man, new ideas may help. I really hope, and think he will surprise everyone.

 

[WBA]

Lets be fair there though most of those players you have mentioned have just got you to the play-off final.

I just hope Robson has learnt from his previous jobs.

They haven't though. Watson has been on loan to Sheff Wednesday all year, Wallwork got stabbed and hasn't played all season, Zubi has been shipped out, Ellington has sat on the bench all year, Davies has been injured all season with a broken foot, and Campbell was released.

Our integral players to our promotion have been as follows:

Our current team is as follows:

Dean Kiely - Mowbray signing to replace Robsons pathetic goalkeeper "Zubi"

Paul McShane - Couldn't get a game under Robson
Chris Perry - Admittedly well done to Robson
Sam Sodje - Mowbray Loan Signing
Paul Robinson - Gary Megson's signing, not Robson's.

Jason Koumas - Robson wanted to sell for £1.5m to Cardiff.
Robert Koren - Mowbray free transfer signing
Jonathon Greening - Only played left wing under Robson
Zoltan Gera - Gary Megson signing

Diomansy Kamara - Hardly played under Robson, always right wing if he did.
Kevin Phillips - Admittedly well done Robson, although he struggled whilst Robson was Manager



Majority of Robson's players have already been dropped to the reserves, or shipped out.

 

[WBA]

will definately back the manager. Not the most ideal guy to replace warnock but a new man, new ideas may help. I really hope, and think he will surprise everyone.

Yes, you have to back him, as being negative from the off certainly won't get you lot anywhere.

It's just a shame your Chairman went for Robson's appointment. I'd have gone for Chris Coleman myself!!

 

[shorehamview]

You may have spotted that I wasn't terribly keen on Bryan Robson becoming our manager.
However, now that he is in charge I will back him like I've backed previous managers. As long as we do well, I'll back the manager. If we do poorly as a result of the manager, then I will make my complaints, but at the moment it's pointless not giving him the chance. He was a very good player, let's hope and pray that he can finally do well as a manager with us.

 

[Foxy]

Message from Robbo....

“You are always going to have fans who are sceptical about managers no matter what club you are at,” Robson said. “That is why we managers are all mad to keep coming back into it. All I would say to the Sheffield United fans is ‘give me a chance’. There is only one thing on my mind, and that is getting this club promoted back to the Premiership at the first time of asking.”

 

[Sensiblade]

Message from Robbo....

“You are always going to have fans who are sceptical about managers no matter what club you are at,” Robson said. “That is why we managers are all mad to keep coming back into it. All I would say to the Sheffield United fans is ‘give me a chance’. There is only one thing on my mind, and that is getting this club promoted back to the Premiership at the first time of asking.”

I for one will be backing Him and the Team.
If we play bad for the first half of the first match of next season I won't be one of the Idiots Booing.
Go on Robbo, you can do it

UTB

 

[MAQ]

I for one will be backing Him and the Team.
If we play bad for the first half of the first match of next season I won't be one of the Idiots Booing.
Go on Robbo, you can do it

UTB

couldnt have said it better myself

 

[matth]

Never booed the team once yet. I refused to stay after the Wigan match, as I just wanted to get out of there and into a pub as quickly as possible, but I've never booed, and I never will.

I will voice my displeasure regarding certain things about the club in private conversation, or on internet fora, but I think there's little to be gained in paying money to stand chipping away at the confidence of the players!

I wish Robbo all the best; although I think it's possibly the wrong decision (and don't think that McCabe has some kind of mystical ability to see things in football that no-one else can, just because he's a chairman), it is nice to see a big name at the Lane, and if he can attract players of the calibre of Richardson, I'm all for it. And if he does manage to get us up and keep us there, he'll have a special place in the Blades hall of fame, just like his predecessor.