Bye Bye Blackwell

[Micalijo]

I've driven to todays game from Norwich in the hope of blagging a ticket in the home end as all Blades tickets were sold. I succeeded, and, it was really quite interesting watching the game from another supporters view.
Regardless of injuries, we had a team on paper of players who have experience of International football, playing in the Premiership and at the top level of the Championship. I admit to not having heard of the majority of the Scunthorpe players, but as a unit it was clear to see the difference in managing players and getting them to work for each other. We looked so dis-jointed at times it was frightening.
We're so lacking of any confident playing ability at the moment it's frightening.
I think we're coming to the stage now where even if Blackwell has a fully fit squad to choose from, the Blackwell haters are adamant that he has to go.
None of us really know what the true answer to our problems are at the moment, but like every other Blade i truly hope something gets resolved much sooner rather than later.
I would just like to add that despite the result and the 320 mile round trip for me, to stand in the opposite stand with opposing fans and watch my beloved, fellow supporters(not including the idiots who aim sheer hatred at our players!!) sing their hearts out made me feel really proud. UTB!!!!!!!

Great effort by the way - love hearing stuff like that.

It is the beginning of a very sad decline. I love watching United but the general shambolic nature of it all is hard to take at the moment, at a time when we should be doing so much better. I know he could turn it around and something could click but I just don't see it.

That said, zero exectations make wins all the sweeter and there is that to look forward to.

 

[Kenilworth]

Exactly would all walk into other championship sides much like the rest of the squad.

Apart from Killa and Walker who would get anywhere near a premiership side?

None of our squad is consistent, week in week out, prem quality. The only one I rate is Ward and he is still developing.

Killa was shit in the Prem. Against Villa he cost us the game and did piss all for the other games he played. Yes he has improved over the last 2 years but if he think she is Prem quality then he is deluding himself.

If the injury list wasn't so great at the moment I would let him rot in the ressies until his contract came up for renewal. Bollocks he hasn't got a contract offer - it's only cos he and his agent haven't agreed terms that no one has drawn up the contract yet. Greedy bastard.

 

[GAZBLADE]

Gaz, were Hooper and Hayes as good as Edwards said they were? Sounded like they ripped our back four a new one. Keith even said we should sign Hooper up asap!

Yes Guesty they were. The understanding and the combinations between the two were very good. I'm also very surprised that Grant McCann, with all due respect to Scunny is playing for them.
I'm surprised by Keith Edwards comments on signing Hooper, coz IMO it would be another Billy Sharp all over again!! Sign a goalscorer and turn him into a donkey!!:shakehead:

 

[Guesty]

He was particularly impressed with his movement and link up play, something we've missed with our current front two!

 

[bricktop]

Over the last few seasons we have signed Rob Hulse, Luton Shelton, Billy Sharp, James Beattie, Darius Henderson and Ched Evans, all for fee's over £1 million.

Beattie and Hulse both did it, but what about the rest?

Have the others been shit signings, shit players, or players not suited to our crap style of play.

I think Shelton, Sharp and Evans are players who would be more conducive to a passing style where the ball is played on the deck, and i think Henderson would prove his worth a lot more if he was given plenty of crosses to work with, rather than having to do the donkey work of knocking on balls pumped up from the back 4

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Over the last few seasons we have signed Rob Hulse, Luton Shelton, Billy Sharp, James Beattie, Darius Henderson and Ched Evans, all for fee's over £1 million.

Beattie and Hulse both did it, but what about the rest?

Have the others been shit signings, shit players, or players not suited to our crap style of play.

I think Shelton, Sharp and Evans are players who would be more conducive to a passing style where the ball is played on the deck, and i think Henderson would prove his worth a lot more if he was given plenty of crosses to work with, rather than having to do the donkey work of knocking on balls pumped up from the back 4

Billy's managed 1 headed goal at football playing Donny so far in 6 games and although that's hardly conclusive evidence, the argument that our 'style' was the reason for his lack of success is losing strength every week.

I think we disect style too much at times and the one thing that is apparent from the games I've seen, backed up by the comments on the radio is that we're just not doing the basics right. Giving the ball away too much, bad final ball, wrong decisions etc etc

Blackie chased Cotts all last Summer, has brought in Reid, Treacy and Little yet ends up playing Wardy and Cresswell on the wings and seemingly coaches the team to play it long down the middle at Hendo, all very strange.

 

[holmfirthblade]

:thumbdown:It doesn;t even look like the lads are playing for Blackwell, its going to be long season because your right McCabe will not sack him. He has turned us into a laughing stock.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

"Killa off cause head not in the game"

I was away this weekend and have noted one or two comments about Killa in this vein and also apparently some mention of his comments presumably on Radio Sheff.

What's that all about - can someone enlighten me please?

Ta

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

"Killa off cause head not in the game"

I was away this weekend and have noted one or two comments about Killa in this vein and also apparently some mention of his comments presumably on Radio Sheff.

What's that all about - can someone enlighten me please?

Ta

In a nutshell, he's been in the papers this week saying we haven't offered him a contract and he wants to play in the Prem sooner rather than later. Whilst there hasn't been on official response as such, the club's stance seems to be that there's no contract on the table because they are miles apart.

 

[BexleyBlade]

Who`s turned us into the ugliest team to watch in the land?

Granted our football is shocking at the best of times, and don't take this as a dig at you - it's directed at the players, but yesterday we showed what we can do at times (mainly courtesy of Walker's pace down the right in the first half).

Even if Blackie's teamtalk does consist of, "kick it to the big'un", I'm baffled as to why the players fail to notice that it doesn't work. It's no coincidence that when we play FOOTBALL, which believe it or not we can do, we create the best chances of the game.

 

[BexleyBlade]

Great effort by the way - love hearing stuff like that.

It is the beginning of a very sad decline. I love watching United but the general shambolic nature of it all is hard to take at the moment, at a time when we should be doing so much better. I know he could turn it around and something could click but I just don't see it.

That said, zero exectations make wins all the sweeter and there is that to look forward to.

Exactly, everything is wrong at the moment; the players are disjointed, the manager is clueless at times, the squad's depleted, the fans are fickle and embarrassing, even the new T.V screen doesn't work properly, the board appear to be taking the easy way out by selling certain players (which on occasion I have defended).

It's a mess and I'm still confident it will change but our expectations are apparently too high. It is the clubs fault for promising quality not quantity, europe in 5 years etc. etc.

If we can't do it for whatever reason, don't promise it, then we won't be driving the 4 hour journey home from Scunny so disappointed.

UTB

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I think most fans appreciate the financial side of things and that we couldn't sustain the wage bill we had. With that in mind, KB was always going to have to make changes to the squad. Having made the changes we have, we still have a team / squad that should be capable of living with the best in this division.

Fans can put up with 'style' issues if the results come but it's the apparent lack of cohesion, something that is central to a Blackwell team that seems to have gone missing, the apparent lack of a plan of how to get the best out of the players we have. I haven't seen us 'live' since the Wendy game but even then we looked 2nd best for most of the game and they looked much more like a 'team' than we did. 4 games later and we seem to have drifted even further away from where we want to be.

The 'we're still 6th' argument has gone now and it remains to be seen whether KB can work wonders in the next 48 hours but listening to him post match yesterday, he seemed bemused as to what to do which can only make things worse.

 

[Casper]

Its quite simple, Blackwell has lost the players. It is becoming more and more obvious that they arent playing for him. Yesterday was diabolical. Even worse than the Ipswich 'performance' and i didnt think that would be possible!

He is very lucky cos Wednesday hammered us, we spozzed 3 goals, but come on, Stevie Wonder could have seen, apart from their joke defending first half, they were the better side. If we had drawn or lost that game, Blackwell would be history.

A manager stands or falls on his signings - Jamie Ward apart, name me one decent signing. He blew 75% of his transfer budget on a player who is either not bothered, or crap - i still cant decide which. We all know who that is now dont we!

 

[Come from away]

I know we lost a game but it's only one game. If Speed was manager from the start we would give him till Xmas regardless of results. With Blackwell's record of success there is no point thinking about anything in his dircetion before Xmas. The odd's are he will sort it out. We gave Robbo longer and despite the mess he created Blackie almost pulled it off. Don't like the style much but overall the results do work. IF IT DOESN'T TURN AROUND then we can see, but till then the focus should be on getting the players back on tune.

 

[uniblade]

Agree blackwell has lost the players

Sorry to say this but its time for a change

Our style of football is horrid to watch, that said I would cope with it if we were winning but sadly its not happening.

Give someone else a chance now and by the time the window opens he will Know who to keep and who to let go.

 

[WhiteHawk]

Even if Blackie's teamtalk does consist of, "kick it to the big'un", I'm baffled as to why the players fail to notice that it doesn't work. It's no coincidence that when we play FOOTBALL, which believe it or not we can do, we create the best chances of the game.

Thats one thing I don't get, if the players can see that hoofing it long doesn't work, then why don't they just say "fuck you gaffer" and keep the ball on the floor?

Then again, knowing Blackwell he'd drop the entire team and never play them again. He seems to me to be the type of manager who, if he's got even the slightest problem with a player, he'll just flatly refuse to play them, I think this is probably why Kyel Reid isn't playing.

 

[Lt. J Dangle]

If Kevin Blackwell does lose his job, he will be replaced by Gary Speed. What will change?

 

[Bladesman]

Thats one thing I don't get, if the players can see that hoofing it long doesn't work, then why don't they just say "fuck you gaffer" and keep the ball on the floor?

Then again, knowing Blackwell he'd drop the entire team and never play them again. He seems to me to be the type of manager who, if he's got even the slightest problem with a player, he'll just flatly refuse to play them, I think this is probably why Kyel Reid isn't playing.

Yep was rated in pre season and also despite the Port Vale game being another shite performance he was one of a few that actually played well.

He has definatly been frozen out by Blackwell and he was only on the bench yesterday because we had no one else fit. Even then he still brought Tracey on who wasnt really fully fit.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Thats one thing I don't get, if the players can see that hoofing it long doesn't work, then why don't they just say "fuck you gaffer" and keep the ball on the floor?

Can't remember which game it was but earlier in the season Naysmith did the co-commentary on Radio Sheffield. One of his complaints during the game was that we weren't keeping the ball well enough and too often took the easy option of playing the ball up to Hendo. He then added that although he was guilty of it himself sometimes, it was often the lack of movement and lack of options that meant there was not much else on.

I'm sure the players don't think of the 'Hendo ball' immediately every time but quite often, there is nothing else on and that's the area we need to improve more than anything.

 

[Dog Blade]

Thats one thing I don't get, if the players can see that hoofing it long doesn't work, then why don't they just say "fuck you gaffer" and keep the ball on the floor?

Then again, knowing Blackwell he'd drop the entire team and never play them again. He seems to me to be the type of manager who, if he's got even the slightest problem with a player, he'll just flatly refuse to play them, I think this is probably why Kyel Reid isn't playing.

They were in yesterday and I think that is the sort of thing they said in training when Blackwell went on his usual rant. It went downhill from there for him with plenty of raised voices and even a few bits of physical signs of discontent by all accounts...

 

[madeinsheffield]

We were very poor on so many levels, and I was so pissed off with them after spending a big chunk my weekend on them, they just didn't seen arsed, 2nd to a lot of 50/50 balls, I really don't think we are playing to a lot of our players strengths, they ARE good players, it's just not working, the nails are getting banged in KB's coffin as every week goes by.

I could take poor performances and unattractive football if we were getting results, but we aren't, we haven't scored many by booting it up to Hendo and feeding off whatever happens next, so why keep doing it, when we play it quick and on the floor we look like a different side and we've scored, but why oh why do we keep battering it up there????

Still be there saturday though.......

 

[Bladesway]

I don't disagree with you MIS, it didn't look good when we were winning so it looks even worse when we are losing. I don't mind the losing and I don't mind playing badly because it happens, we are just in a bad run of form. However when you have a chairman going on about Europe in 5 years, hotels being build, world cup bids being put in and all the other stuff you really would hope for a first team squad that wasn't quite as threadbare as it is.

I saw it mentioned elsewhere that what has put the club under so much pressure from the fans is the weight of expectation issued from the chairman. I think that pretty much nails it. Because we aren't going anywhere quickly.

 

[Ollessendro]

I've missed a lot of this thread as it seemed to snowball and I tend not to come on here at weekends, so forgive me if I am repeating things already said.

Firstly, no excuses for Saturday. Even KB has admitted this himself. Yes we have a lot of injuries, but the team that played on Saturday should have beaten Scunthopre. Simple as.

My second observation is that Blackwell is on borrowed time. He has a good squad and some great individual talents but just can't get them playing. I can only see things getting worse and fully expect him to walk beofre the end of the season. Many have pointed out that McCabe won't sack him, but I don't think he'll have to. Another poor performance and/or loss on Tuesday night and KB is really under pressure. Of course we have 2 difficult home games and after a run of really poor performances and results (again poor opposition) poor results at home to Cardiff and Newcastle and he could be heading for the door.

In his interview on Radio Sheff (beofre the game) he came out fighting and saying that he was 'the most succesful Blades manager based on results', but who is he trying to convince? I think he realises he has taken us as far as he can. The vast majority of Blades fans think that he has. Is he the man to take us to the top tier and keep us there? No. The sooner he goes the better.

Before anyone starts harping on about Blackwells record then hold on a second. I am greatful for him for steadying the ship after Robson. He came in a nd did a good job. He brought some pride back to being a Blade after Robson deplted that aspect. Last season was ok. In a very pooir championship he took us to within a hairs breath of promotion. He got us playing some really good football in the second half of the season adn it was exciting. The play off final was heartache, but that's life as a Blade. Sadly Blackwell has lost any respect from the majority of fans and it's only one way from here.

 

[Dog Blade]

From the Yorkshire Post;

"Last year we had a solid defensive unit. But my goalkeeper has gone, the right-back has gone, the left-back has gone and one of my centre-halves has been missing.

"If you only have one out of five, your unit has been destroyed. We had Kyle Naughton and Gary Naysmith last season and the back four picked itself".


And you are getting paid to 'manage' Kevin! You had an idea on Paddy months ago, you knew about the Kyle's (especially Naughton) once we lost to Burnley, Killa has made it very clear since the play off defeat that he wants to play in the Premier League and won't sign a new contract and Naysmith has been out since when???

Take that all on board, think about it, and then come up with a solution and stop preaching quality over quantity when you are practising your usual rubbish.

Your team selection on Saturday was a joke and just highlighted the mistakes you have made in your signings and also your tactics.

At last a lot of the fans are seeing that we will never ever progress with you as a manager in our current set up and you are simply a charlatan in the world of football who should never have been released from your post as a 'number 2'.

Thanks for steadying the ship when Robson went, and thanks for helping Mr Warnock in your rightful role, but please just leave my club now.

 

[boo radley]

After all this, did we miss wait for it -------- the once scorend super spoiler player

Nick Montgomery

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

After all this, did we miss wait for it -------- the once scorend super spoiler player

Nick Montgomery

I'm pretty sure he would have been in McCann's face and he wouldn't have got the time and space he did for their opener. Love him or loathe him, he is key to Blackwell's tactics although you'd have thought Harper could do job.

 

[Bladesman]

From the Yorkshire Post;

"Last year we had a solid defensive unit. But my goalkeeper has gone, the right-back has gone, the left-back has gone and one of my centre-halves has been missing.

"If you only have one out of five, your unit has been destroyed. We had Kyle Naughton and Gary Naysmith last season and the back four picked itself".


And you are getting paid to 'manage' Kevin! You had an idea on Paddy months ago, you knew about the Kyle's (especially Naughton) once we lost to Burnley, Killa has made it very clear since the play off defeat that he wants to play in the Premier League and won't sign a new contract and Naysmith has been out since when???

Take that all on board, think about it, and then come up with a solution and stop preaching quality over quantity when you are practising your usual rubbish.

Your team selection on Saturday was a joke and just highlighted the mistakes you have made in your signings and also your tactics.

At last a lot of the fans are seeing that we will never ever progress with you as a manager in our current set up and you are simply a charlatan in the world of football who should never have been released from your post as a 'number 2'.

Thanks for steadying the ship when Robson went, and thanks for helping Mr Warnock in your rightful role, but please just leave my club now.

Also doesn't sound like he has much faith in the players that he brought in to replace them. Taylor, Stewart, Davies and Fortune. Pretty poor cop out from Kevin really as you like you say he knew the situation ages ago and had more than enough time to replace them. I hate the way he makes clear how he feels about the transfer window aswell as if it makes it an excuse for not signing the players he was after. You have the same amount of time as everyone else Kevin deal with it.

 

[Dog Blade]

Exactly Bladesman - add France and Bunn to that list too.

 

[Nuttyboy]

I've read a few of these threads and come to the conclusion that 95% of you want Kevin out. Who would you want to take over from him as manager then? Warnock? Gary Speed? I think we need a proven manager at the moment to get us out of this mess, I wouldn't mind Steve Coppell coming here, and he's a free agent at the moment. What about asking Nigel Spackman if he'd like another bite at the job.

 

[Worksop II]

After all this, did we miss wait for it -------- the once scorend super spoiler player

Nick Montgomery

I would have thought the longer Monty is out the more it will become apparent he is the answer to our problems, but when he does return it will also be apparent he aint