Ollessendro
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2009
- Messages
- 5,024
- Reaction score
- 987
I must say that I am pretty excited about the season ahead. I think we have shown a soliud start and some real grit. I must give Blackwell credit for stmaping his authority on the team and shaping it into a team which is able to challenge for promotion.
I am not simply looking at the decent start we have had through Red and White spectacles. I genuinly believe that the team is much stronger than last year. Blackwell has brought in some really useful additions such as Evans, Treacy and Harper as well as keeping the spine of the team: Killa (particularly)m, Morgs and Monty.
Like most Blades I still have my issues with Blackwell. His tactics are often questionable, as is his man management and his under usage of talentened players (such as Cotts, Hendrie). However his results speak for themselves. He took us from a relegation team to almost the play offs. Then in his full season he narrowly misses out on promotion on 2 occasions. I don't wish to get into a debate about Blackwell. This is not the point of the post, I am merly saying that he has got us into a promotion challenging position.
Newcastle and Boro's fire power is a bit of a concern. However Boro lost a few key players and showed their vunderability the weekend before last. Additionally there manager is unconvincing. Newcastle have really lit up the champioship in their first few games. However it is a long hard season in the Championship and they still don't have a manger. Yes they have started well but if they hit a patch of bad form, get injuries etc then who is going to motivate them? On top of all this Premiership clubs such as Portsmouth, Hull, Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley (i.e the strugglers) will be looking to raid them in January. Hence even though the division is stronger than last year, an automatic spot for the Blades shouldn't be written off!
So I'm excited!
But also I'm bloody frustrated. My main qualm is the crappy fixtures for this season. I am a Blade who lives and works in London. Hence me getting to the games is difficult. However my mate (Blade in Thatcham) lives close to Reading and we meet up for London and surrounding games. In fact this year he has offered to drive to places in South/Midlands and we'll stay the night there. But the fixtures are gash (from my point of view). First London game isn't until December. Reading away and Derby away I have/will miss due to family commitments (my fault I know). Coventry, Forrest and Leicester, all do able in the car, are out due to being night games and boxing day (respectively). Pigs game is a Friday night and I can't get up in time.
We were hoping for one or 2 games in the South whilst the weather has been nice. First day of the season we get bloody Boro away!? This means that despite itching to get to some games I won't be able to see United until late November (Bristol away) and maybe on 2 or 3 times (max) before xmas.
Yes this is a rant, Yes it is sods law and Yes this is my fault (I chose to live in London and have commitments down here) but it's bloody frustrating the way that fixtures have panned out
I am not simply looking at the decent start we have had through Red and White spectacles. I genuinly believe that the team is much stronger than last year. Blackwell has brought in some really useful additions such as Evans, Treacy and Harper as well as keeping the spine of the team: Killa (particularly)m, Morgs and Monty.
Like most Blades I still have my issues with Blackwell. His tactics are often questionable, as is his man management and his under usage of talentened players (such as Cotts, Hendrie). However his results speak for themselves. He took us from a relegation team to almost the play offs. Then in his full season he narrowly misses out on promotion on 2 occasions. I don't wish to get into a debate about Blackwell. This is not the point of the post, I am merly saying that he has got us into a promotion challenging position.
Newcastle and Boro's fire power is a bit of a concern. However Boro lost a few key players and showed their vunderability the weekend before last. Additionally there manager is unconvincing. Newcastle have really lit up the champioship in their first few games. However it is a long hard season in the Championship and they still don't have a manger. Yes they have started well but if they hit a patch of bad form, get injuries etc then who is going to motivate them? On top of all this Premiership clubs such as Portsmouth, Hull, Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley (i.e the strugglers) will be looking to raid them in January. Hence even though the division is stronger than last year, an automatic spot for the Blades shouldn't be written off!
So I'm excited!
But also I'm bloody frustrated. My main qualm is the crappy fixtures for this season. I am a Blade who lives and works in London. Hence me getting to the games is difficult. However my mate (Blade in Thatcham) lives close to Reading and we meet up for London and surrounding games. In fact this year he has offered to drive to places in South/Midlands and we'll stay the night there. But the fixtures are gash (from my point of view). First London game isn't until December. Reading away and Derby away I have/will miss due to family commitments (my fault I know). Coventry, Forrest and Leicester, all do able in the car, are out due to being night games and boxing day (respectively). Pigs game is a Friday night and I can't get up in time. We were hoping for one or 2 games in the South whilst the weather has been nice. First day of the season we get bloody Boro away!? This means that despite itching to get to some games I won't be able to see United until late November (Bristol away) and maybe on 2 or 3 times (max) before xmas.
Yes this is a rant, Yes it is sods law and Yes this is my fault (I chose to live in London and have commitments down here) but it's bloody frustrating the way that fixtures have panned out
writes that one off. 
:mwah:
