Is Blackwell doing a remarkable job?

[Pinchy]

We don't want 'gung ho' football. Quite the contrary. We want calm, measured, 'put your foot on the ball and have a think' football. We want 'use the ball skilfully and creatively football' We want 'just for once outplay the opposition with the quality of your play' football rather than battling and scrapping our way to, at best, untidy, unconvincing victories.

 

[LouTheBlade]

We don't want 'gung ho' football. Quite the contrary. We want calm, measured, 'put your foot on the ball and have a think' football. We want 'use the ball skilfully and creatively football' We want 'just for once outplay the opposition with the quality of your play' football rather than battling and scrapping our way to, at best, untidy, unconvincing victories.

I just thought I would jump in on this one with you guys. Pinchy there is nothing more that I would love to see than skilfull, well thought out and creative football that outplays the opposition. Sadly I dont think our current side is capable of that. That's not to say we have a bad side or have rubbish players, we just dont have enough of that type of player IMO.

I know my friend ollesendro will want to debate this with me because despite our similar views on other subjects, we disagree entirely on KB. The point I suppose im trying to get to is that I accept our players and manager for what they are. We have a decent bunch of hard working players that can play a bit under certain circumstances. Generally I feel we have the sort of players suitable for a direct style of play.....

As for the manager I have openly admitted to my family and friends that he is not going to get us playing champagne football. He prefers a direct style but I think that comes from his background as a player. I personally like the guy and respect the job he is doing under a mixed set of circumstances. But I also accept that we arent going to play wonderful football under him. I think its more his approach that Blades dont like - but people often confuse this by saying he has no tactical awareness, which is extremely unfair in my view.

 

[Grecian2000]

I just thought I would jump in on this one with you guys. Pinchy there is nothing more that I would love to see than skilfull, well thought out and creative football that outplays the opposition. Sadly I dont think our current side is capable of that. That's not to say we have a bad side or have rubbish players, we just dont have enough of that type of player IMO.

The most annoying thing for me is that I disagree entirely with that paragraph. We do have players capable of playing the game in a "better" way but we choose not to do so.
We look a far better side going forward when we don't simply lump it to a big man up front. Walker is great at overlapping (negated totally by having Williamson like a fish out of water in front of him last week-end) and can deliver a decent cross. Ward has the pace to get to the byeline. We tend not to do it though.
We have genuine wide men who are not played because they don't add enough defensively. This is horribly negative.

Out of the players I would pick we have Walker, Seipp and Taylor all happy on the ball (Taylor is far better going forward than defending), we have a "proper" midfield pairing of Harper and Williamson who look made to play alongside each other, and we have Ward and Camara (and maybe even Evans) who are all better with "ball to feet" football.
We have the players, we don't have a man in charge who has the bottle to let them play.

 

[Ollessendro]

For what it's worth i think Blackwell is doing a great job under the circumstances of the boards restructuring and the economic climate.
I think he would love to play more gung ho football but knows the limits of his players. That said i do think he makes some tactical blunders in the pressure games.

I suppose everything looks rosier when you are by the sea in 35 degrees!? ;-)

 

[LouTheBlade]

The most annoying thing for me is that I disagree entirely with that paragraph. We do have players capable of playing the game in a "better" way but we choose not to do so.
We look a far better side going forward when we don't simply lump it to a big man up front. Walker is great at overlapping (negated totally by having Williamson like a fish out of water in front of him last week-end) and can deliver a decent cross. Ward has the pace to get to the byeline. We tend not to do it though.
We have genuine wide men who are not played because they don't add enough defensively. This is horribly negative.

I appreciate your sentiments Grecian, especially the belief you have in the ability in our playing staff. Im not saying our team is completely incapable of playing decent football - theyve shown they can at times but I know they wouldnt be able to do it consistently against different opposition.

At the risk of sounding like an arrogant twat - forgive me if I do but I have played the game to a reasonably high standard (not quite that level) and have played with and against some well known players so I know what it takes to be a consistent performer and be able to produce the same quality week in week out, its very tough and you need to have both the mentality and the pedigree. Our playing staff is good but not that good.

The trouble is football supporters (even myself at times) want/demand a certain brand of football along with winning consistently. It isnt as simple as that. I would love to see us win whilst playing with style as well but I feel we have a lot of work and development to get on with before we are at that level. Its not as simple as it looks on Championship Manager or FIFA. I think sometimes we all forget that it is real life and eleven other men are trying to win as well.

 

[Ollessendro]

I just thought I would jump in on this one with you guys. Pinchy there is nothing more that I would love to see than skilfull, well thought out and creative football that outplays the opposition. Sadly I dont think our current side is capable of that. That's not to say we have a bad side or have rubbish players, we just dont have enough of that type of player IMO.

I know my friend ollesendro will want to debate this with me because despite our similar views on other subjects, we disagree entirely on KB. The point I suppose im trying to get to is that I accept our players and manager for what they are. We have a decent bunch of hard working players that can play a bit under certain circumstances. Generally I feel we have the sort of players suitable for a direct style of play.....

Your first statement Lou is plain wrong!? (IMHO of course). And I'll be happy to oblige on the 2nd one!?

The most annoying thing for me is that I disagree entirely with that paragraph. We do have players capable of playing the game in a "better" way but we choose not to do so.
We look a far better side going forward when we don't simply lump it to a big man up front. Walker is great at overlapping (negated totally by having Williamson like a fish out of water in front of him last week-end) and can deliver a decent cross. Ward has the pace to get to the byeline. We tend not to do it though.
We have genuine wide men who are not played because they don't add enough defensively. This is horribly negative.

Out of the players I would pick we have Walker, Seipp and Taylor all happy on the ball (Taylor is far better going forward than defending), we have a "proper" midfield pairing of Harper and Williamson who look made to play alongside each other, and we have Ward and Camara (and maybe even Evans) who are all better with "ball to feet" football.
We have the players, we don't have a man in charge who has the bottle to let them play.

Grecian sums a lot of this up for me. i know I am sounding like a stuck record but I really think that we have a talented bunch of players.

Of the defence, Killa, Seip and Walker all look comfortable on the ball. Naymsith is the same (although he is crocked). Jamie Ward, Stepehn Quinn, James Harper and Lee Williamson (my first choice 4 midefelders) are all godd on the ball. There is no doubt about that. Haprer and Quinncut it at Premiership standard. Ward is elecrtic and all Blades have been impressed by the promising Williams. Up top we have Premiership class Camara and Evans who can both play football.

Lou are you seriounly teeling me that these players can't play better football than what we are seeing now????

We are not asking for miracles. We don't expect to be Arsenal. We are the Blades and we've always played direct. HOWEVER, a bit of football wouldn't go a miss. Yes, sometimes it makes sense to knock it long. But, I'd love to see united string more than 10 passes together a couple of times in a game. For United players to look comfortable on the ball. For Blades players to come short and look for short passes rather than HOOF. I watched Everton take Man City apart on Saturday. They play a real mix of passing and direct football. Yes, of course they are a much more tallented team, but there is no reason why we can't do that. So called 'clappers' get this mixed up. We are not expecting to be Arsenal! It makes sense to lupm it to big Darius sometimes. However, we want more football. A plan B. Using the wide men. Crosses into the box. Players looking composed on the ball.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Lou are you seriounly teeling me that these players can't play better football than what we are seeing now???

Its not so much that Olle. What im saying (as in my last post) is at the moment we dont have a team capable of playing this demanded brand of football on a consistent basis and winning regularly at the same time. I think the majority of the players have quality in them and I know many argue its the manager that prevents them expressing this - but I just dont see it that way.

We have a number of young players - Ward, Evans, Quinn, Walker etc. who I believe can and will become a lot better and this will enhance our ability to play a more attractive brand of football. I just think that where we are at the moment means we are not going to see it this season. I think we play according to our current strengths and depending on what the opposition have.

Team selection plays a big part in it as well as im sure you will agree - clearly we are more likely to keep it on the deck when Evans and Camara play for example. There is nothing inherently wrong with the way United play, yes sometimes its not so pleasing on the eye - but its just what we have in our armoury on certain days. One thing I would say is that the manager doesnt have full say on how a team plays.....

Players, like managers have their own unique styles and beliefs about football and these will naturally come out in a player when he decides to play a certain type of pass, or hold or make a certain run. There is nothing a manager can do about that. If a centre half feels comfortable to hit it 40 yards across the pitch he will do, regardless of how the manager prefers to play. Players are the all important factor. A manager can only instruct or advise.

I appreciate your point about our defenders and how most of them look comfortable on the ball but if Blackwell (as you say) plays such an ugly brand of football all the time - do we see the back four do this often enough to suggest that?

 

[Robbie]

Players, like managers have their own unique styles and beliefs about football and these will naturally come out in a player when he decides to play a certain type of pass, or hold or make a certain run. There is nothing a manager can do about that. If a centre half feels comfortable to hit it 40 yards across the pitch he will do, regardless of how the manager prefers to play. Players are the all important factor. A manager can only instruct or advise.

He can sub/drop said player if he doesn't listen to his instructions.

 

[LouTheBlade]

He can sub/drop said player if he doesn't listen to his instructions.

Im not saying that. Lets not twist people's words.

 

[Robbie]

Im not saying that. Lets not twist people's words.

I'm not twisting anyones words.

You stated the manager 'There is nothing a manager can do about that'.... I'm simply proving that there is.

If you don't play the way he wants, he can simply take you out the team.

 

[LouTheBlade]

I'm not twisting anyones words.

You stated the manager 'There is nothing a manager can do about that'.... I'm simply proving that there is.

If you don't play the way he wants, he can simply take you out the team.

Robbie, what I actually said was the following;

"Players, like managers have their own unique styles and beliefs about football and these will naturally come out in a player when he decides to play a certain type of pass, or hold or make a certain run. There is nothing a manager can do about that. If a centre half feels comfortable to hit it 40 yards across the pitch he will do, regardless of how the manager prefers to play. Players are the all important factor. A manager can only instruct or advise."

What this means and what im saying is that its not just a simple case of the manager telling a player to do something and if he doesnt do it - sub him off. There are lots of varying factors in football. A manager for example might tell a player to play a certain way but because of a complication or the way the game pans out, that player might out of his own nature - try something else. It doesnt mean the manager has instructed this or that the player is ignoring the manager. It just means a player is expected to have his own personality traits and you have to allow for that.

Players arent robots and they cant do what is asked of them 100% of the time - life and indeed football doesnt work like that. If everything went to plan and players carried out every single last little instruction football would be predictable. Managers know this and they entitle their players a little bit of room for error and for deviation. Theyre human beings. You cant just say "right hes coming off, hes not doing exactly what I said." Its not that simple.

 

[Darthblade]

I just thought I would jump in on this one with you guys. Pinchy there is nothing more that I would love to see than skilfull, well thought out and creative football that outplays the opposition. Sadly I dont think our current side is capable of that. That's not to say we have a bad side or have rubbish players, we just dont have enough of that type of player IMO.

I know my friend ollesendro will want to debate this with me because despite our similar views on other subjects, we disagree entirely on KB. The point I suppose im trying to get to is that I accept our players and manager for what they are. We have a decent bunch of hard working players that can play a bit under certain circumstances. Generally I feel we have the sort of players suitable for a direct style of play.....

As for the manager I have openly admitted to my family and friends that he is not going to get us playing champagne football. He prefers a direct style but I think that comes from his background as a player. I personally like the guy and respect the job he is doing under a mixed set of circumstances. But I also accept that we arent going to play wonderful football under him. I think its more his approach that Blades dont like - but people often confuse this by saying he has no tactical awareness, which is extremely unfair in my view.

An example of his lack of "tactical awareness" is losing 3 games to Burnley last season having played the same style in each game. Never learning what doesn't work and unable to adapt to a different approach. as many people have commented, "no plan B". !!

 

[Robbie]

What this means and what im saying is that its not just a simple case of the manager telling a player to do something and if he doesnt do it - sub him off. There are lots of varying factors in football. A manager for example might tell a player to play a certain way but because of a complication or the way the game pans out, that player might out of his own nature - try something else. It doesnt mean the manager has instructed this or that the player is ignoring the manager. It just means a player is expected to have his own personality traits and you have to allow for that.

Players arent robots and they cant do what is asked of them 100% of the time - life and indeed football doesnt work like that. If everything went to plan and players carried out every single last little instruction football would be predictable. Managers know this and they entitle their players a little bit of room for error and for deviation. Theyre human beings. You cant just say "right hes coming off, hes not doing exactly what I said." Its not that simple.

But you're stating a manager can only advise or instruct. When simply that is not the case. He has third option of not allowing them to play.

Yes certain circumstances will change passages in play. But if a player continually plays against his managers wishes, then that player will ultimitalely be sacrificed from the team for a player who will.

Blackwell for me looks a very defensive manager, so it makes sense that he wants the defenders to loft the ball forward. This way the defenders are rarely out of position to be hit on the counter.

Killa and Walker seem to be players who would like to play the ball out nicely, making space to go forward etc, but we often see them lofting the ball forward.
So for me, they're either players who are being told what to do (ie loft it forward) or in fact, how they look (like proper footballers) is a false one.

 

[DazBlade88]

I've just had a quick look at the table to see how well/badly we are actually doing this season, and I found it quite interesting to see.

Against the bottom half of the league, we have an impressive record, taking 27 points out of a possible 39. 8 wins (Peterborough (H), Plymouth (A), Reading (A) Wednesday (H), Derby (A), Preston (H), Watford (H), Middlesbrough (H)), 3 draws (Ipswich (H), Barnsley (A), Middlesbrough (A)) and 2 defeats (Scunthorpe (A) & Coventry (A)).

But, against the top half, we've only taken 11 points out of a possible 33. 2 wins, (Bristol City (A) and Crystal Palace (H)), 5 draws (Forest (H), WBA (H), Leicester (H), QPR (A), Doncaster (H)) and 4 defeats (Newcastle (H), Swansea (A), Cardiff (H), Blackpool (A))

Now, this is why we'll not get promoted in my opinion. We're not taking enough points out of the teams around us. We can get away with that to actually get into the playoffs, but if we get into them you have to expect that we're not going to be able to succeed. Obviously it might improve over the season, but as it stands that's what we have to look at.

What I'm wondering is, why can't we beat the top teams? Is it because of a lack of ability in the playing staff, or is it because we're not getting these games right tactically, or is it both? Personally, I think it's the second option. And to me that is your answer to whether Blackwell is doing a remarkable job or not. As I said previously in the thread, mediocre.

 

[Ollessendro]

I've just had a quick look at the table to see how well/badly we are actually doing this season, and I found it quite interesting to see.

Against the bottom half of the league, we have an impressive record, taking 27 points out of a possible 39. 8 wins (Peterborough (H), Plymouth (A), Reading (A) Wednesday (H), Derby (A), Preston (H), Watford (H), Middlesbrough (H)), 3 draws (Ipswich (H), Barnsley (A), Middlesbrough (A)) and 2 defeats (Scunthorpe (A) & Coventry (A)).

But, against the top half, we've only taken 11 points out of a possible 33. 2 wins, (Bristol City (A) and Crystal Palace (H)), 5 draws (Forest (H), WBA (H), Leicester (H), QPR (A), Doncaster (H)) and 4 defeats (Newcastle (H), Swansea (A), Cardiff (H), Blackpool (A))

Now, this is why we'll not get promoted in my opinion. We're not taking enough points out of the teams around us. We can get away with that to actually get into the playoffs, but if we get into them you have to expect that we're not going to be able to succeed. Obviously it might improve over the season, but as it stands that's what we have to look at.

What I'm wondering is, why can't we beat the top teams? Is it because of a lack of ability in the playing staff, or is it because we're not getting these games right tactically, or is it both? Personally, I think it's the second option. And to me that is your answer to whether Blackwell is doing a remarkable job or not. As I said previously in the thread, mediocre.

Good post Daz.

Of course i'm going for option b) not getting it tactically right. Our home form was our downfall last season. Not only that but (what you pointed out above for this season) our inability to beat teams around, and particularly above, us.

I have to agree that I think this will cost us again this year. Better managers continually out fox Blackwell. away from home when the pressure is off it's not a problem. But at home it can be. When our 'direct' style of play doesn't work then we really struggle. Most managers in the league know that if you stop the arial bombardment (i.e. you have 2 big, strong centre halves who are good in the air) then we'll struggle to break them down. Perfect examples are Brian Stock and Billy Davies coming here and frustrating us (and that is not to mention the obvious Owen Coyle).

 

[Ollessendro]

Its not so much that Olle. What im saying (as in my last post) is at the moment we dont have a team capable of playing this demanded brand of football on a consistent basis and winning regularly at the same time. I think the majority of the players have quality in them and I know many argue its the manager that prevents them expressing this - but I just dont see it that way.

We have a number of young players - Ward, Evans, Quinn, Walker etc. who I believe can and will become a lot better and this will enhance our ability to play a more attractive brand of football. I just think that where we are at the moment means we are not going to see it this season. I think we play according to our current strengths and depending on what the opposition have.

Team selection plays a big part in it as well as im sure you will agree - clearly we are more likely to keep it on the deck when Evans and Camara play for example. There is nothing inherently wrong with the way United play, yes sometimes its not so pleasing on the eye - but its just what we have in our armoury on certain days. One thing I would say is that the manager doesnt have full say on how a team plays.....

Players, like managers have their own unique styles and beliefs about football and these will naturally come out in a player when he decides to play a certain type of pass, or hold or make a certain run. There is nothing a manager can do about that. If a centre half feels comfortable to hit it 40 yards across the pitch he will do, regardless of how the manager prefers to play. Players are the all important factor. A manager can only instruct or advise.

I appreciate your point about our defenders and how most of them look comfortable on the ball but if Blackwell (as you say) plays such an ugly brand of football all the time - do we see the back four do this often enough to suggest that?

You raise some interesting point and I take some of them on board. However the manager is the man in charge of the tactics. I accept that players have a role and responsibility to play, but they act on a managers orders. Yes of course they won't listen to them all of the time, but most of the time they will try and fit into the managers style of play.

Our current style of play: negative, cautious and direct is being instilled to them by Blackwell. yes of course there are other factors. Killa and Walker may be less tempted to hit it long if Camara is upfront and not Henderson. However it's KB who dictates how he wants the team to play. On the training ground and before the match he is instilling his style of play and tacts on the players.

The fact that we've had 2 full seasons of this style of play (with lots of new arrivals and departures) surely suggests the style of play is down to Blackwell? Or do you still think not?

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

As ever, the problem with this argument is a) we win and nothing's said, b) we lose and Blackwell is blamed for getting it tactically wrong.

Blackwell's record in this division shows that he knows how to get results over 46 games (enough for the play-offs anyway) but as many have said, when it comes to forcing games at home or winning the one-offs, he often falls short. Whilst the facts bear this out, you also have to lay part of the blame at the players' door. Whatever they're told to do, I really can't understand how they can put in such an underwhelming performance as they did at Wembley for example. I understand the bigger picture about not performing to manager's instructions etc but surely in a game like that it's the players who are ultimately responsible for what happens on the pitch.

 

[Grecian2000]

As ever, the problem with this argument is a) we win and nothing's said, b) we lose and Blackwell is blamed for getting it tactically wrong.
Blackwell's record in this division shows that he knows how to get results over 46 games (enough for the play-offs anyway) but as many have said, when it comes to forcing games at home or winning the one-offs, he often falls short. Whilst the facts bear this out, you also have to lay part of the blame at the players' door. Whatever they're told to do, I really can't understand how they can put in such an underwhelming performance as they did at Wembley for example. I understand the bigger picture about not performing to manager's instructions etc but surely in a game like that it's the players who are ultimately responsible for what happens on the pitch.

Have no arguments with the second part. However, the highlighted sentence is not strictly true.
There are several people who will speak out against the manager if the result is OK but the performance is poor. The "problem" part is that this is usually drowned out with the "but winning is the only thing that matters" argument or the even more annoying Radio Sheffield mantra "Ah, but you're (4th, 5th, 6th etc.).

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I've got to say while I was disappointed with the results against the likes of Forest, Newcastle, WBA the reason behind the disappointment was that I thought we deserved more out of those games.

Therefore we can't of gotten it that tactically wrong against the top teams can we when we certainly matched them over 90 mins?

 

[Robbie]

I've got to say while I was disappointed with the results against the likes of Forest, Newcastle, WBA the reason behind the disappointment was that I thought we deserved more out of those games.

Therefore we can't of gotten it that tactically wrong against the top teams can we?

Ultimately, the results would suggest yes we did.

 

[Ollessendro]

As ever, the problem with this argument is a) we win and nothing's said, b) we lose and Blackwell is blamed for getting it tactically wrong.

Blackwell's record in this division shows that he knows how to get results over 46 games (enough for the play-offs anyway) but as many have said, when it comes to forcing games at home or winning the one-offs, he often falls short. Whilst the facts bear this out, you also have to lay part of the blame at the players' door. Whatever they're told to do, I really can't understand how they can put in such an underwhelming performance as they did at Wembley for example. I understand the bigger picture about not performing to manager's instructions etc but surely in a game like that it's the players who are ultimately responsible for what happens on the pitch.

Slight contradiction there!?

But of course you're right Jim, player must accept some responsibility. They were not fired up and put in a poor performance. To suggest that it was mostly down to the players is sheer lunacy!?

Still do you think we got it tactially righ at Wembeley? Absolutely not. Blackwell was out done by the better manager again. We continued to lump it up front (despite having only Craig Beatie up there) and got no joy all day. this was after we'd been beaten twice in the season using the same style of play. Clark Carlisle won everything against us at BDTBL and at Turf Moor. This was when Henderson was playing! Carlisle is massive, strong and good in the air. Still despite all this 9and not having our target man) we liump it up the pitch. Was that Morgan, Kilgallon, Naughton and Walkers fault for listening to Blackwells long ball instructions. It was Blackwells tactical ineptness that cost us that day.

Look at Blackwells record of when we go behind to a goal. We haven't won a game that we went behind in for ages. Does this not suggest that he has no plan B? Yes you can counter with the record bout winning every game we go in frony in. So I'm willing to accept that he has a plan A.

Jim. When we went 1 nil down at Wembeley, who was responsible for the tactics? Should the players have gone against Blackwells instructions and started playing their own game?

 

[Bramley]

Much, much better on Saturday's second half. If we play more like that I'll be happy.

 

[Ollessendro]

As ever, the problem with this argument is a) we win and nothing's said, b) we lose and Blackwell is blamed for getting it tactically wrong.

Have to say that I think this statement is completely wrong.

If we win I come out and compliment the plays. I'll begrudgingly give Blackwell praise. Either that or i'll state well done, but I thought we were poor. Credit to KB for the result etc, but why on earth did he do X. etc etc. Micalijo is chief 'knocker' and he comes out and states when the players have played well and when Blackwell gets it right.

Of course KB is going to take some flack if we lose. Us so called 'knockers'. Do you think we moan about Blackwell becasue we have nothing better to do? Do you think we are aternal pessimists who will never be happy?? It is simply not the case. Of course I can only speak for myself, but I just want what is best for the Blades. If KB turned things around, got us promoted and kept us there then I'd happily bow down and accept I was wrong. Unfortunately on the evidence I've seen KB will not get us promoted, nor would he keep us there if he got lucky. Hence, I don't want him at the club. I will give him priase if he gets things right, i'll support the team, i'll hope and pray he gets things right. however, as a concerned fans who is sure that he is not right for the job, then I will continue to raie my concerns about him!

 

[Micalijo]

Cheers Ollie. That is arguably one of the proudest moments of my life!

I think we looked like a really solid unit on Saturday and yes KB has to take credit for that. Seip looks about as good as we could have realistically hoped for in the property recession and we have many more options with Willo and Yeates hopefully fit and ready to go.

A successful side is driven by the manager, obvioulsy he doesn't play but the tone is set by the manager. Constant moans about injuries, budgets etc would make me as a fit player think 'why bother, we've got problems today.' People say he'll talk differently in the dressing room and I'm sure he does but whatever he says it didn't get any results of note during the injury 'crisis' so for me he really struggles when the chips are down or when we play the good sides. Warnock's results at Palace say it all about who is the better manager for me. Not even close. Imagine Blackwell having Palace safely in the top half? I can't.

In answer to Jim's post I genuinely believe that any manager in the division would be minimum 6th place with our resources and therefore in my small head I can easily justify giving KB very little credit for victories. How people say he is doing a good job and how people have bought his we are skint line is frightening to me - especially when McCabe says we have a huge budget in CCC terms.

The Wembley performance was a disgrace. Too hot for our pathetic brand of football, although ward's sending off I thought came just when I sensed we were going to have a decent go in last 15.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Ultimately, the results would suggest yes we did.

Newcastle aside draws not defeats.

 

[Come from away]

Slight contradiction there!?

But of course you're right Jim, player must accept some responsibility. They were not fired up and put in a poor performance. To suggest that it was mostly down to the players is sheer lunacy!?

Still do you think we got it tactially righ at Wembeley? Absolutely not. Blackwell was out done by the better manager again. We continued to lump it up front (despite having only Craig Beatie up there) and got no joy all day. this was after we'd been beaten twice in the season using the same style of play. Clark Carlisle won everything against us at BDTBL and at Turf Moor. This was when Henderson was playing! Carlisle is massive, strong and good in the air. Still despite all this 9and not having our target man) we liump it up the pitch. Was that Morgan, Kilgallon, Naughton and Walkers fault for listening to Blackwells long ball instructions. It was Blackwells tactical ineptness that cost us that day.

Look at Blackwells record of when we go behind to a goal. We haven't won a game that we went behind in for ages. Does this not suggest that he has no plan B? Yes you can counter with the record bout winning every game we go in frony in. So I'm willing to accept that he has a plan A.

Jim. When we went 1 nil down at Wembeley, who was responsible for the tactics? Should the players have gone against Blackwells instructions and started playing their own game?

Sorry mate, but given the number of players who 'went missing' at Wembley there was no tactic to fix it cause we just did not have enough subs. Poor display not tactics, and I do recall Walker and Naughton bombing down the wings and (Naughton) getting flattened. Still, it's just an opinion.

 

[LouTheBlade]

As ever, the problem with this argument is a) we win and nothing's said, b) we lose and Blackwell is blamed for getting it tactically wrong.

Blackwell's record in this division shows that he knows how to get results over 46 games (enough for the play-offs anyway) but as many have said, when it comes to forcing games at home or winning the one-offs, he often falls short. Whilst the facts bear this out, you also have to lay part of the blame at the players' door. Whatever they're told to do, I really can't understand how they can put in such an underwhelming performance as they did at Wembley for example. I understand the bigger picture about not performing to manager's instructions etc but surely in a game like that it's the players who are ultimately responsible for what happens on the pitch.

This is a really interesting point from my perspective because I often think this is where KB falls down tactically (in the one off important games). He is essentially the opposite of Rafa Benitez (traditionally) - who used to win those one off knock-out europen ties but couldnt manage a league programme well enough to win anything.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Re the above few posts, my point is basically that it's not black and white.

Did Blackwell get it tactically wrong against Cardiff and Newcastle where we ended up with 0 points ? Did he get it tactically right against Brizzle and QPR away when we almost threw away 2-0 leads in both games but came away with wins ? Was he tactically superior against Palace at home ?

Re the players, I remember having this argument with our old friend Curtis who tried to convince me that any given result was 95% the manager 5% the players. As I said above, a manager can do all the planning, pick the team, tactics etc but at the end of the day, you're not telling me that the players had little control over what they dished up against Burnley at Wembley.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Sorry mate, but given the number of players who 'went missing' at Wembley there was no tactic to fix it cause we just did not have enough subs. Poor display not tactics, and I do recall Walker and Naughton bombing down the wings and (Naughton) getting flattened. Still, it's just an opinion.

I think everyone got it wrong at Wembley. The players, the manager, the ref....even the supporters who I thought were piss poor on the day. I went with family and friends in a minibus full of beer (11 of us), we had a right laugh - sang outside and inside the ground where as nearly all the Blades fans we passed were morbid.

Maybe it was the realisation of impending doom that comes with following United.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Sorry mate, but given the number of players who 'went missing' at Wembley there was no tactic to fix it cause we just did not have enough subs. Poor display not tactics, and I do recall Walker and Naughton bombing down the wings and (Naughton) getting flattened. Still, it's just an opinion.

Yep, people forget that we were without Hendo and Ward for the final and Gregory obviously wasn't fit. We had no options whatsoever on the bench and you'd fancy our chances much more if we'd started with those two up front and had the likes of Camara to throw on.