- How would you class your season so far compared to the expectations you had pre-season?
For me is has been a disappointing first half of the season. Sure we are sat in 7th place and within a hiars breath of the play offs, but I feel we should be doing better. Our squad is thin, but it is full of quality. I look at the team sheet every week and see it contains names such as Chris Morgan, Kyle Walker, Mathew Kilgallon, Steven Quinn, James Harper, Jamie Ward, Henri Camara and Daruis Henderson and think we should be challenging the top 2. These are players that are proven quality or budding young stars.
At the start of the season I thought we'd be pushing for an automatic position. I predicted top 4, but we are nowhere near that. I honestly believe that we have to quality to challenge the top 2, but we just lack direction from management. The Championship is very poor this season and we are wasting an opportunity to try and get back to the promised land.
- Tell Us about Sheff Utd, who are the dangermen and key players?
To be honest we are a bit one dimensional. We play very 'direct' football. this usually involves our centre backs hoofing it up to Daruis Henderson (or Richrd Creswell if he's not fit). That said we do have quality in the team, we just fail to use it most of the time. The Blades are a hard working side with players such as Montygommery, Morgan and Ward who give it 110% week in week out. Sheffield United have never really been a slick passing side. We got a repuation for long ball tactics with Basset and although we've had snippet of good football over the last 15 years (Spackman, Kendall and times under Warnock) it's been mostly route one football. This has not changed under Kevin Blackwell.
Watch out for young Jamie Ward. He is a real terrier and hassles defenders. Not only this but he is very dangerous. The guy is quick, nippy and razer sharp. Henri Camara is struggling with fitness, but when he is on the pitch he is very dangerous. The guy just has that extra yard of pace that reallly threatens defenders.
- What about United's future, any promising kids coming through?
I'm sure there are but there's none that I am aware. United have pumped a lot of money into the yoth set. The academy produced 2 incredibly talented youngsters in Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton. Both have bags of potential. They both play at full back and are both very quick. Unfortunately we sold both of them to Spurs at the start of the season.
- Do you expect to be doing much business in the transfer window?
No. Blackwell has already said that we won't be spending, unless Kilgallon is sold. I expect Blackwell to bring in 2, possibly 3, loan signings.
- Who would be the dangerman or one to look out for in the Boro team from a Sheff Utd viewpoint?
To be honest i don't know any Boro players. I looked at the squad and the only names I recognised where Aliadier, Lita and Arca. I don't rate any of those 3. The name Johnson is being ping around, so I guess id go with him.
- Who do you see going up this season?
Newcastle and West Brom and oh so easy. The play offs are an absolute lottery. There are a whole host of teams in with a shout. As said beofre the Championship is awful this year. The standard is terrible. I'm not even impressed by Newcastle and West brom. They are just
slightly better than the rest. Of of the other play off contenders (Forrest, Cardiff, Boro, Leicester etc) no one has really impressed me.
- We played out a dull 0-0 draw on the opening day of the season, What is your prediction for this game?
Another draw, but this time with goals. I'm going for a 2-2. It will be a game lacking in any real quality. A tough, pysical battle between 2 average looking sides.
The academy may have some more ready in year or so. None imminent.
