if he does go? who do we get?

[Darren]

This is a club in crisis. There is no question about that. I don't want a man like David Weir who at the moment will not hold his hands up and say that he got it wrong. I am sick of watching my side every game play with no desire and no passion. A team (that as already been pointed out) bring everybody back for a last minute corner when we were losing one nil. A manager that refuses to change his tactics. A manager that tells blatant lies (say the 25 chances to score interview after Preston). Take the Preston game again for example. Losing in the dying minutes, not a single player looked like they wanted to go and push on and find a late goal. This has happened far to often to be a one off. Either he has lost the dressing room and the players don't believe in him or he has told them to play like this. Either way you look at it, are you telling me for one minute Warnock would let his team play like that or get away with it if they did. I am not saying he is the long term answer but at the moment he in my eyes is our only realistic way out of this mess.

Warnock, my dead granny, the lady in my avater and an untrained blinfolded chimp with an IQ significantly less than the average chimp and who thought a football was a melon and tried to eat it would all be better managers than Weir.

 

[lawlessdan]

What do we know about Rob Page? Sounds alarmingly like a poor man's Weir, but I might be missing something?

UTB

Rob Page was just a suggestion. Not necessarily him, but if they are looking for a young manager to take us to the next level, then I would think it would make more sense to get them in early and learn the club and learn the players and not just take a risk on another unproven manager. If in fact this is they way the club wants to go.

 

[oldblade]

If Weir does go, I agree with Silent. In our position we need an experienced manager with a proven track record.

 

[alcoblade]

The Hodges and Page combination sounds better to me thanter. I won't Weir and Carsley

Right now, a dose of the clap sounds better, but that doesn't mean we should be trying to pull a slapper outside bar Reflex.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Rob Page was just a suggestion. Not necessarily him, but if they are looking for a young manager to take us to the next level, then I would think it would make more sense to get them in early and learn the club and learn the players and not just take a risk on another unproven manager. If in fact this is they way the club wants to go.

I think we / the club are in danger of over thinking this. We should be punching massively above the position we're in. We are debt free, well supported, with good infrastructure and a decent squad. But we are currently shite. I think we need a steady, reliable pair of hands to return some stability and Championship football. From there, we can have another look.

People shouldn't be seduced by the guff spouted by the likes of Pinchy. There's no single way, no magic formula, and no need for us to define ourselves as the polar opposite of what we've been.

Now is definitely not the time for David Weir Mark II

UTB

 

[Darren]

If Weir does go, I agree with Silent. In our position we need an experienced manager with a proven track record.

Indeed. There must be any number of managers who have achieved promotions in the lower leagues and for whom managing SUFC would be a step up. Give one of them a 2 year contract with a brief to get us up. At the end of that, we re-assess.

 

[axel smeets]

Simon Grayson at PNE is the only man for the job for me. Three promotions, all from this league in the past 6 years, and none of the teams he has took up have been relegated.

 

[alcoblade]

Simon Grayson at PNE is the only man for the job for me. Three promotions, all from this league in the past 6 years, and none of the teams he has took up have been relegated.

If we could get him, then a definite yes.

UTB

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

I think pinchy makes a good point. We are a heritage of either hoof or hit-and-rush football. In my lifetime it's synonymous to Bramall Lane. How many visiting team managers in the past used the clichès such as 'it's a tough place to come', 'never easy coming here' when describing BL? Our club has never embraced the idea of changing the culture wihin the club despite the likes of Southampton, Wigan and Swansea overachieving by doing it. I've watched in envy of how it must feel for their fans to go support their team and be treat to an attacking, pass and move brand of football.

That said, at some point these clubs all hired football managers capable of seeing out the transition smoothly. In pre-season David Weir spoke astutely about his plans for the club and I was sold instantly however the league table so far will show you how ineffective he is as a manager. I've never wanted a Manager to succeed as much as DW but I can't see him realising the targets he set himself at the club. The players are unfit, he's recently made panic signings and his post match comments are delusional. We need a new Manager who wants to implement the same style of play as DW but with the ability to do it.

 

[sheepbridge]

Sound like we need Di Canio.
Shouty person who demands passion from players, experienced, won promotion, kept a team up and yet doesn't play hoof ball.
Should please everyone.

 

[alcoblade]

Sound like we need Di Canio.
Shouty person who demands passion from players, experienced, won promotion, kept a team up and yet doesn't play hoof ball.
Should please everyone.

I think first and foremost we need to stabilise. Do you really think an unstable manager like Di Canio should be part of that plan?

UTB

 

[Bergen Blade]

Our club has never embraced the idea of changing the culture wihin the club despite the likes of Southampton, Wigan and Swansea overachieving by doing it.

Isn't it the opposite? Aren't we changing culture, or football philosophy, every time we change managers, often from one extreme to the other?

 

[sheepbridge]

I think pinchy makes a good point. We are a heritage of either hoof or hit-and-rush football. In my lifetime it's synonymous to Bramall Lane. How many visiting team managers in the past used the clichès such as 'it's a tough place to come', 'never easy coming here' when describing BL? Our club has never embraced the idea of changing the culture wihin the club despite the likes of Southampton, Wigan and Swansea overachieving by doing it. I've watched in envy of how it must feel for their fans to go support their team and be treat to an attacking, pass and move brand of football.

That said, at some point these clubs all hired football managers capable of seeing out the transition smoothly. In pre-season David Weir spoke astutely about his plans for the club and I was sold instantly however the league table so far will show you how ineffective he is as a manager. I've never wanted a Manager to succeed as much as DW but I can't see him realising the targets he set himself at the club. The players are unfit, he's recently made panic signings and his post match comments are delusional. We need a new Manager who wants to implement the same style of play as DW but with the ability to do it.

I agree with most of this, apart from the panic buys bit, with the possible exception of King.
One of the best things about Weir is that he has recognised the really poor players and replaced them with better players. Flynn, Murphy, Porter, Westlake, Williams & Ironside have been taken out of the team. There are still more to go, especially in defense, but I'm sure he knows this, just had more pressing priorities for signings.
The problem is how he's deploying the team and the inflexibility to change formation or style of play, even when losing is infuriating and will cost him his job, which is a shame, because I do want him succeed and think there could be a good manager there, but he's not showing it at present. Every good manager adapts to the state of the game and his current players to get results. Weir doesn't, but I really don't want to return to Warnock etc. or replace a manager, any manager, after 9 games of new season. That really is no way to run a club, but Weir has to do something, and quick because I think a defeat on Friday could be the end, not least because the following games are no easier and will probably lose them as well if nothing changes.

 

[MCFC]

So, given what people have posted here Weir is a potentially good manager..in a couple of years when he have learned to add a bit of fluidity to his teams/gameplans/style etc.
But that it´s by no means certain that he´ll have years..or even a week, to learn that at SUFC

 

[alcoblade]

So, given what people have posted here Weir is a potentially good manager..in a couple of years when he have learned to add a bit of fluidity to his teams/gameplans/style etc.
But that it´s by no means certain that he´ll have years..or even a week, to learn that at SUFC

There are a number of things to be positive about. Sadly, in the end the most likely outcome will be more of the same. We look "nice" at times, but with little killer instinct and more worryingly, no sign of a catalyst that will change things.

UTB

 

[oldblade]

So, given what people have posted here Weir is a potentially good manager..in a couple of years when he have learned to add a bit of fluidity to his teams/gameplans/style etc.
But that it´s by no means certain that he´ll have years..or even a week, to learn that at SUFC

The problem is that if we let him carry on learning his trade here for the next two years we could well find ourselves in the Conference.

I'm not sure that we have yet reached the point where there should be a parting of the ways. He has to be given a fair chance. But everyone's perception of what a fair chance is differs. Is it 10 games. Is it a season. Is it two seasons?

I want Weir to succeed, but I do think time is beginning to run out. He may well turn out to be a very fine manager, but I don't think relegating us to the fourth division is an acceptable trade off for that. Many of us posting on this forum remember the last time that happened. The 2nd of May 1981 is certainly ingrained in my memory and was the closest I've ever been to tears at a football match. I regard it as a dishonourable stain on the history of our club. going there again is unthinkable and preventable.

Our squad is not great, but it's not the weakest in this division either. We should be doing better than we are, and we simply have to start picking up points soon.

 

[lawlessdan]

Sound like we need Di Canio.
Shouty person who demands passion from players, experienced, won promotion, kept a team up and yet doesn't play hoof ball.
Should please everyone.

You could argue that yes he is an experienced player but so is Weir. Yes he kept Sunderland up, but you could also say he was going to take them down this year (not that we will ever know this)

I personally wouldn't want him. I worry he would cause more trouble for us. Especially the way he has dealt with players in the past. I'm all for passion but there are ways to go about it.

 

[BladeFisher]

So, given what people have posted here Weir is a potentially good manager..in a couple of years when he have learned to add a bit of fluidity to his teams/gameplans/style etc.
But that it´s by no means certain that he´ll have years..or even a week, to learn that at SUFC

Well he can have as long as he likes so long as you don't mind watching SUFC playing games in the 2015-16 season in the Conference Premier.

 

[Silent Blade]

We are a heritage of either hoof or hit-and-rush football.

We didnt play hoof in our history until Bassett came to us. Wolves under Stan Cullis in 1950s were probably the 1st team in the world to play hoof tactics

 

[sheepbridge]

You could argue that yes he is an experienced player but so is Weir. Yes he kept Sunderland up, but you could also say he was going to take them down this year (not that we will ever know this)

I personally wouldn't want him. I worry he would cause more trouble for us. Especially the way he has dealt with players in the past. I'm all for passion but there are ways to go about it.

Sorry, I should have added a or something to show I wasn't being entirely serious!

One thing is for sure, if Weir is replaced, or stays, and whoever replaces him, there will be unhappy fans with whatever decision is taken.

The club really has got itself in a mess with a series of very poor decisions over the past few years.
Weir actually looked like one of the better decisions when appointed, I just hope it comes good, but it needs to happen very soon I think.

 

[Fiery Blade]

When do people think this miracle is going to materialise ?
We have scored ONE goal in the last seven matches - ONE goal in seven and a half hours football - that is PATHETIC
I don't care if it is looking better - we cannot score - if we don't score we won't win matches plain and simple.
Who do you blame manager, players, board - the mess we are in involves everbody !
One thing is plain at the moment we're a PATHETIC Football Club =- Pathetic Manager, Pathetic Players and a Pathetic Board !!

 

[Sirius]

Given that it is not actually possible to do worse than Weir at the moment*. My choice is Anyone Who Is Not Weir.

* ok, I suppose we could be bottom with fewer than 4 points, but a trained chimp (or even an untrained chimp) trying deliberately to lose every game would be hard put to manage SUFC to that kind of outcome.

The chimps in the tea advert, P.G.? Were they, the trained chimps ,Darren? Where are they now? Sadly the P.C. Brigade prevent them managing the Blades.They would have us out of the shit in no time at all. They were so happy and well rehearsed. Unlike a certain team so close to my heart.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Isn't it the opposite? Aren't we changing culture, or football philosophy, every time we change managers, often from one extreme to the other?

Good point. We've done this since Warnock left.

Anyway, back to the thread topic and just noticed your avar, Bergen. Might be getting on a bit now, but is old Drillo available?

 

[Darren]

The problem is that if we let him carry on learning his trade here for the next two years we could well find ourselves in the Conference.

I'm not sure that we have yet reached the point where there should be a parting of the ways. He has to be given a fair chance. But everyone's perception of what a fair chance is differs. Is it 10 games. Is it a season. Is it two seasons?

I want Weir to succeed, but I do think time is beginning to run out. He may well turn out to be a very fine manager, but I don't think relegating us to the fourth division is an acceptable trade off for that. Many of us posting on this forum remember the last time that happened. The 2nd of May 1981 is certainly ingrained in my memory and was the closest I've ever been to tears at a football match. I regard it as a dishonourable stain on the history of our club. going there again is unthinkable and preventable.

Our squad is not great, but it's not the weakest in this division either. We should be doing better than we are, and we simply have to start picking up points soon.

We have a decent squad by 3rd division standards. Only utter organisational ineptitude could see that squad at the bottom of the league. There's only one person to blame for that.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

We have a decent squad by 3rd division standards. Only utter organisational ineptitude could see that squad at the bottom of the league. There's only one person to blame for that.

People were saying that the last time we went down to division 4, Dazzler!

 

[Darren]

People were saying that the last time we went down to division 4, Dazzler!

Well we did, and a manager of astonishing ineptitude (M. Peters) saw us relegated.

To be fair that season was very much a freak. We got the equivalent of 54 points under 3 for a win, had a positive goal difference and were never in the bottom 4 until 4.40 PM on the last day of the season. In 98% of other seasons we would have been lower mid table with that record. As always happens with SUFC (cf 2011-12 and 90 points), freak seasons continually happen to us.

We were never as bad in 80-81 as we are now. That is how bad the current situation is.

 

[axel smeets]

Well we did, and a manager of astonishing ineptitude (M. Peters) saw us relegated.

To be fair that season was very much a freak. We got the equivalent of 54 points under 3 for a win, had a positive goal difference and were never in the bottom 4 until 4.40 PM on the last day of the season. In 98% of other seasons we would have been lower mid table with that record. As always happens with SUFC (cf 2011-12 and 90 points), freak seasons continually happen to us.

We were never as bad in 80-81 as we are now. That is how bad the current situation is.

Talking to some older Blades on the train on the way back from molineux on Saturday, and they basically said everything you've said there. I wasn't even born in 1981 but the consensus was that this is the worst team in our 125 year history bar none. Like you say Daz we had only ever been in the bottom 4 of div three once until 2 weeks ago. Now we're bottom.

 

[bladesadviser]

Thats another point our history tells us if we need a win from our last game it won't happen so we need to be well away from the drop zone

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Tis true, I think we could have just told the players to "do their best", left them managerless and I honesty think we'd have done better.

It doesn't really help with the next choice though. It's no time for a return to Warnock or the like. Even if you want that style, we don't have the players to play it. We should have gone for Gary Johnson at the end of last season. The best realistic candidate should be someone who's beneath the radar, yet always seems to have teams punching above their weight. No doubt most would balk at someone like Steve Evans at Rotherham, but we could do far worse.

UTB

Evans has already outsmarted us this season, seen his team (amazingly) outclassed in the first half, changes his tactics when he sees his game plan isnt working an we get hammered. Everything we've been asking of Weir.

Why would most people not want Steve Evans? He seems the obvious candidate to me (excluding NW).
Why should appointing a proven successful manager be a controversial choice?

 

[blade too long]

looks like Derby are going with SteveMcLaren , for sure

seems a good move and shows theres possibilities