Cotterill about Blackwell

[Robbie]

...and I can't believe he is only 21. He looks at least 41.

He's got Arjen Robben disease.....

Old before their time

 

[Houso]

I don't blame Cotts one iota for having a pop at Blackwell. Let's be honest, he's been the only player that Blackwell has identified to the press as having a poor game from time to time, so why shouldn't he have a go back? I bet he was tempted to do the same when he was actually at the club.

The worrying thing is hearing a player say exactly the same things we've been saying about the manager having favourites etc.

 

[Willie Carlin]

Who would you lot prefare playing in that position Cotts or the present incubnant a certain Mr Ward. No contest IMO. Cotts has skill but doesn't put himself about enough like the wee lad does.

 

[matth]

I don't blame Cotts one iota for having a pop at Blackwell. Let's be honest, he's been the only player that Blackwell has identified to the press as having a poor game from time to time, so why shouldn't he have a go back? I bet he was tempted to do the same when he was actually at the club.

The worrying thing is hearing a player say exactly the same things we've been saying about the manager having favourites etc.

Couldn't agree more. Why should he look like the bad guy if he's been forced out by a clueless, abusive manager?

I'm glad that someone's actually had the balls to say it like it is in football rather than mouthing the usual empty platitudes.

I'm sure he's not the only player wishing he'd never come here to play for Blackwell. Still, at least it's not just the fans he's alienating, eh?

 

[blades1889]

Cotterill seems to not rate Blackwell too highly in this article (I think the feeling was mutual)
Once again though Blackwells man management is called into question.

http://www.planetswans.co.uk/article.aspx?ArticleID=10083

David Cotterill has had a final swipe at Sheffield United insisting he never got a chance


Cotterill joined Swansea City this week and was on hand to make his debut at Newcastle yesterday with an encouraging performance despite the 3-0 final scoreline.

And he revealed his final thoughts on Sheffield United and their manager Kevin Blackwell when he said "He didn't give me a fair crack of the whip. If he'd given me a run in the side I'm confident I would have done the business for him.

"I had a good run at the back end of last season when I played 15 or 16 games. I produced some of the best football of my career and we got to the play off final.

"This season was different. I was starting once in a blue moon and it's difficult to find any form when you're in that situation.

"I needed a decent run of games but the manager was judging me on one game. Other players would have two or three bad games yet were still getting picked. I was playing with zero confidence because I felt I was going to be dragged off if I made one mistake.

"It was obvious to me I wasn't one of Kevin Blackwell's favourites and it was time to move on.

"I came off the bench at Reading, scored and we won 3-1.. A week later I came off the bench against West Brom and scored a penalty near the end that got us a 2-2 draw. After that I thought I was going to start the next game at Derby but I was on the bench again. That's when I realised I wasn't in the managers plans.

"After I scored against West Brom he pulled me to one side and said I was doing really well and should be playing for Wales. He wasn't picking me for his team yet he was saying I shoudl be playing for my country - that didn't make sense to me.

"Another time in training he said I was on fire and doing really well. Then a few days before I joined up with Wales for the Scotland game he called me into his office and said I wasn't doing it this season. I seemed to be in a no-win situation.

"A lot of Wales players - and some of them have played in the Premier League - couldn't believe I wasn't playing for Sheffield United.

"I need to settle down at one club now. I'm 21 and Swansea is my fourth club - that's not good.

"I need to get my career back on track and that's why I joined Swansea. I don't expect to walk straight into the team because they've had a great run and it would be unfair to drop anyone. I've got to bide my time and take my chance when it comes."

feel sorry for cotterill he a good talented player he would have been our best winger if he stayed.
Blackwell out
blackwell out
blackwell out

 

[shorehamview]

feel sorry for cotterill he a good talented player he would have been our best winger if he stayed.
Blackwell out
blackwell out
blackwell out

That point was well worth quoting the entire message, just to make a new and interesting point about Blackwell that's not been raised before.

We are still in that parallel universe where people get pissed off that we won on Saturday aren't we?

 

[puppet]

I believe Blackwell has a major problem with players who are say less than model professionals Hendrie, Carney, Cotterill come to mind as probably players in this mould.
It appears from the outside that Blackwell is a bully and does have his favourites and his man management does leave a lot to desire.
Cotterill had his faults but in essence you don't represent your country unless you are a bloody good player and he did show that last season.
He hasn't had much opportunioty this season probably down to Wardy making that right wing berth his own but I am sure Cotterill is good enough to hold a place in a mid table Championship side!

Interestingly, the three players you name there are all full internationals and have played at the highest level. Maybe its more a case of he just hasnt got the first idea how to man-manage a player of that calibre? Youre not telling me Hendrie isnt a better footballer than Monty, Carney better than Quinn (who himself has gone backwards since KB took over), Cotterill a better RWer than Ward?
The problem we have at the club is so easy to see, its a shame McCabe cant. Previously successful-on-a-budget manager who played hoofball, Bassett and Warnock, largely relied on a mix of old cloggers they'd known throughout their long, budget-managing careers and bargain buy youngsters. KB doesnt have that managerial background, so apart from filling us up with Watford players, a lot of whom have been hit and miss and a great signing in Ward, I personally dont have the faith in him to get it right here, using that kind of balance, especially given that Naughton who played 2/3 of a season and Walker, who played a handful of games, were flogged off without a second thought.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Fully Agree with your post Pup
Bassett whilst a devotee of the Long Ball (Hoofball for our younger posters) did have the respect of some quality footballers as well including the master Glyn Hodges as well as the much underated John Gannon and Jocky Bryson. Gage, Gale, Cork and Carr wern't too bad either plus Goalies kelly, Tracey and Rees. Bassett knew his football and his players Blackwell is not in the same class as Bassett and not achieved anything remotely near what Harry did for the Blades!

 

[Micalijo]

That point was well worth quoting the entire message, just to make a new and interesting point about Blackwell that's not been raised before.

We are still in that parallel universe where people get pissed off that we won on Saturday aren't we?

No, we we are in a parallel universe where a top CCC club with 25k average crowds and with financial advantages that the majority of its competitors could only dream of is managed by a clown who spends millions of that budget on players who never play. In this universe, the top CCC club has to sell good players because it is struggling to shift apartment blocks in some riverside development in a nameless town crippled by the recession.

 

[Foxy]

Couldn't agree more. Why should he look like the bad guy if he's been forced out by a clueless, abusive manager?

Thing is, who's the one doing all the talking?

Cotterill is being made to look like nothing, other than another sold player.

Cotts himself on the other hand, is taking every opportunity to blame people for not giving him the chance and alienating his ex-team mates.

If it was the other way round, as a fan of the buying club, I'd be pretty annoyed that all our new signing could do is have a dig at his previous club.

 

[Fiery Blade]

I actually think he is explaining why a Welsh international player can only get three starts in a side decimated by injury with over 11 players injured at the same time (according to Blackwell) and the same international has to sit on the bench whilst a 2nd rate left full back plays on the right wing!

 

[Foxy]

I actually think he is explaining why a Welsh international player can only get three starts in a side decimated by injury with over 11 players injured at the same time (according to Blackwell) and the same international has to sit on the bench whilst a 2nd rate left full back plays on the right wing!

Even if he was, he doesn't need to... Especially on 3/4 separate occasions.

If Blackwell came out and slagged him off, said that he wouldn't listen to instructions, that other players were better than him... He'd be crucified.

Why is Cotts a martyr for doing it the other way round?

Instead of explaining that he deserved to start and that he's better than anyone else played in that position whilst he was on the bench, shouldn't he be concentrating on doing well for his new club and proving Blackwell wrong?

 

[Worksop II]

Even if he was, he doesn't need to... Especially on 3/4 separate occasions.

If Blackwell came out and slagged him off, said that he wouldn't listen to instructions, that other players were better than him... He'd be crucified.

Why is Cotts a martyr for doing it the other way round?

Instead of explaining that he deserved to start and that he's better than anyone else played in that position whilst he was on the bench, shouldn't he be concentrating on doing well for his new club and proving Blackwell wrong?

Maybe Cotts thinks SUFC and Blackwell are still a threat to Swansea for a playoff place, any stirring he can do is unhelpful to the Blades .....

 

[Fiery Blade]

Cotterill is not a martyr, just a welsh international footballer that fell foul of our manager who wouldn't play him for whatever reason!.
Perhaps Cotterill was bullied by Blackwell and this is the only way that Cotterill can get back at Blackwell Not Sure! Bullyingis a strange phenomina where the bullied sometimes does not know how to reply when working alongside him but can perhaps reply from the safe confines of another club!

 

[Foxy]

Cotterill is not a martyr, just a welsh international footballer that fell foul of our manager who wouldn't play him for whatever reason!.

Ched Evans is a Welsh International footballer too

Should we have left non-international Darius Henderson out of the team on Saturday for him?

Being an international, doesn't mean you automatically deserve to start a match in front of a non-international. He's reportedly a confidence player, struggling with us due to a lack of confidence, yet he seems pretty confident when comparing himself to his ex-team mates.

As much as I'd have liked to have seen more of Cotts (despite his inconsistencies and annoyances), in my case, he's eroding the sympathy I had for him.

Still, once again, the player playing in his position was one of the most popular on Saturday and had another good game.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Ched Evans is a Welsh International footballer too

Should we have left non-international Darius Henderson out of the team on Saturday for him?

Being an international, doesn't mean you automatically deserve to start a match in front of a non-international. He's reportedly a confidence player, struggling with us due to a lack of confidence, yet he seems pretty confident when comparing himself to his ex-team mates.

As much as I'd have liked to have seen more of Cotts (despite his inconsistencies and annoyances), in my case, he's eroding the sympathy I had for him.

Still, once again, the player playing in his position was one of the most popular on Saturday and had another good game.

I too think that Wardy is playing well at the moment but we are talking about a time when Wardy was out injured!
Yes Cotterill was inconsistant, which on last years experience the longer run of games he had the better he developed until at the end of the season he was one of the first names on the team sheet.
I just think he is another player that got on the wrong side of Blackwell who hasn't got the guile, techniques and man management skills to extract the best out of a player.
With Blackwell it appears you do it his way or No Way!
Whilst I don't know the definative story the bullying seemed to be an answer to why Cotterill didn't perform - only a theory backed up by body language during the game from both of them and after match interviews where Blackwell was keen to lay the blame for most things at Cotterills door!

 

[shorehamview]

I love the "he's a Welsh international" line. How many good international players have the welsh had in the last, say, ten years? Giggs, Bellamy, and a whole passel of others who would struggle to get in the Donny Papergirls Under 12's. Well not exactly, but how many have chosen to play for Wales despite being born in England? Why? Because they've no chance of playing for the country they were born in. Cotts is indeed Welsh, but would he command a place in the England side? No.

 

[Robbie]

Cotts is indeed Welsh, but would he command a place in the England side? No.

Doesn't mean he's not a good player still.

Aaron Lennon is a fantastic right winger, but rarely sees any game time for England

 

[shorehamview]

Doesn't mean he's not a good player still.

Aaron Lennon is a fantastic right winger, but rarely sees any game time for England

My main point about Cotts was the "He's a Welsh international" bit. So what? There are at least a hundred posters on here who could get a game for Wales if they had a Welsh granny, including twelve over-50's and several fat blokes. Wales are Giggs, Bellamy and a bunch of also-rans. Putting Cotts amongst them carries the same weight as saying he should be a first team regular because he's got a massive tub of Lego, a cute hamster, and a signed picture of Dale Winton.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Now youre talking Dale Winton Anyone with a signed photo of Dale Winton should walk into the side!

 

[judge]

couldnt give a furry vag what cotts thinks, never been so relieved to see anyone shipped out as that cowardly waste of a shirt

 

[Micalijo]

My main point about Cotts was the "He's a Welsh international" bit. So what? There are at least a hundred posters on here who could get a game for Wales if they had a Welsh granny, including twelve over-50's and several fat blokes. Wales are Giggs, Bellamy and a bunch of also-rans. Putting Cotts amongst them carries the same weight as saying he should be a first team regular because he's got a massive tub of Lego, a cute hamster, and a signed picture of Dale Winton.

Unfortunately we have paid £3m for one of these also rans you talk about. I assume from your post you agree that Evans is a waste of money?

 

[shorehamview]

This could easily be subtitled "Man Who Plays For Country Ranked Below Mozambique, Uzbekistan, Legoland, Sodor, Narnia, and Middle Earth Slags Off Manager Of Old Club Shocker - Exclusive!!!"



Wales are ranked 79. Mozambique are 72, Uzbekistan 76. Narnia are 12, according to that old bag at the back of my cupboard.
The Lying Old Witch In The Wardrobe.

 

[Ollessendro]

Another absolutely infuritaing decision by Sheffield United. Another bollock dropped by that clueless idiot Blackwell.

Coterill doesn't fit into Blackwells plans. That's because he is actually a footballer. I think what went wrong is when Blackwell lined up all the players at the start of the season and asked all of them to kick the ball as far as they could then Cotts was one of the weaker ones. Lee Hendrie must have been similar. Why have a talented winger like Coterill when you can have a bruiser lie Creswell playing? At least we can hoof it to the wing as well as to Henderson now. And if Henderson gets injured or suspended then we can hoof it to Creswell.

The reason why Coterill has gone is because he is not a big lump. He is not a work horse with very little actual footballing ability. Blackwell obviously wants to fill the team with people who can hoof the ball, win headers, put in crunching tackles etc.

Kilgallon is on his way thank the lord. The way thast he looks composed on the ball is ridiculous. Get him sold. And this James Harper guy in midfield. He looks for space, is always an option and definately has footballing ability. Is there not a bigger, stronger midfielder that we can raplce him with. Someone with much less ability but who can crunch bones and win headers. Maybe we could bring someone in on loan???

 

[Foxy]

The reason why Coterill has gone is because he is not a big lump. He is not a work horse with very little actual footballing ability. Blackwell obviously wants to fill the team with people who can hoof the ball, win headers, put in crunching tackles etc.

Which I assume is exactly why he's filled the position with Jamie Ward.

Kilgallon is on his way thank the lord. The way thast he looks composed on the ball is ridiculous. Get him sold.

Good player, will be a big loss (when on form), but it'd be ludicrous to pay him what he's wanting. Despite his composure, he's also one of the biggest culprits for punting the ball aimlessly down field.

 

[Fiery Blade]

This could easily be subtitled "Man Who Plays For Country Ranked Below Mozambique, Uzbekistan, Legoland, Sodor, Narnia, and Middle Earth Slags Off Manager Of Old Club Shocker - Exclusive!!!"



Wales are ranked 79. Mozambique are 72, Uzbekistan 76. Narnia are 12, according to that old bag at the back of my cupboard.
The Lying Old Witch In The Wardrobe.

To try and take a balanced view on Cotterill is very difficult, whether Wales is or is not a highly ranked country within the echelons of world football to represent your country means that you are not a bad footballer.
On occassions since he has been in the side he has dazzled and dribbled and been the difference between us and other sides. On his day he can be a match winner, scored every penalty he has taken for us some in diificult situations eg Birmingham home last season.
No he doesn't defend very well, and fails to track back and sometimes looks like he can't be arsed with playing. Unfortunately there are lots of players in this mould and the secret is for the manager to extract the best bits and get him playing to the maximum of his capability.
Clough Senior could do that just look at Robertson, mcGovern, O'Hare, Gemmill, Burns etc good players that performed week in week out under a man that knew how to handle those players.
As Cotterill has shown in glimpses his potential and ability I am afraid the blame must go back to Blackwell and crew for not getting the best out of the guy! Simple As!

 

[gregblade]

I expected something like this to come out and none of it surprises me to be honest. It will be interesting to hear Killgallons thoughts on Blackwell when he leaves in January. Having played for Blackwell at Leeds (I think) and then again at United he should have a good understanding of how he works. Given he's also played under Warnock, who in my opinion is one of the best man managers around it could prove quite interesting.

I know all teams have bad run and results wise we look to have turned a corner. But ask yourself, how is Warnock managing to get Palace above us in the league given he cant sign anybody and has to make do with alot of the youth squad.......man management.

 

[HoodedClaw]

Instead of explaining that he deserved to start and that he's better than anyone else played in that position whilst he was on the bench, shouldn't he be concentrating on doing well for his new club and proving Blackwell wrong?

Any reason he cant do both?

 

[Foxy]

Any reason he cant do both?

He can indeed do both.

I just find it a bit of a lack of respect for his former club and teammates and towards his new club and teammates to focus on making sure that he repeatedly gets his point across in the press.

Why not just say he's delighted with the opportunity and looking forward to working hard to cement his place in the first team?

 

[Robbie]

I just find it a bit of a lack of respect for his former club and teammates

I believe it to be a lack of respect how Blackwell was with him.

I don't see a problem with him airing his grievances, because all the points he mentions are relevant. He is not aiming anything malicious towards any of the players - he is simply stating that it was unfair that others seemed to have bad games yet stayed in the side.