It's crunch time

[7UpJordan]

After Robson's departure, the installation of Blackwell brought some smiles back to the faces of many Blades fans - myself included. Two battling performances against Middlesbrough - although not perfect - showed signs of encouragement and that we were finally turning that corner.

But on Saturday, we understeered into the wall - again. This time though the players were responsible and Blackwell was absolutely furious. We know what we have to do now, avoid relegation and try and finish the season encouragingly in order to build a platform for next season. The question is as Blackwell rightly asked, have the players got the bottle to do it?

Blackwell's players meeting could make or break our season - just like Warnock's team talk at half time against Coventry back in the promotion season. It's up to the players now to go out there and kick some arse, or else they can say goodbye to being at the Lane next season. If we finish well, Blackwell's players meeting will have worked wonders. If we finish poorly or - dare I say it - get relegated, then the players have nobody but themselves to blame. They can't blame the manager now for not firing them up, Blackwell having worked alongside Warnock for so many years would do just about anything to get players psyched up, even reverting to harsh language!

Will the players stand up to the challenge and finish what has been a travesty of a season on a more sweeter note? We know players like Morgan - who is coming back on form nicely - and Geary will always wear their heart on the sleeves, but there are 11 players in a football team and they should ALL do the same, it's why we got promoted to the Premiership in the first place. Only one way to find out...

 

[Robbie]

I'm not disagreeing with you before I say this Johnny by the way.

But before it was Robbo's fault for the team not performing, now if they don't perform its either the plays or still Robbo? I don't get it.

Are Blackwells long ball tactics working? Well we are creating less chances now than before so it would seem no.

 

[happyhippy]

It's going to take time to undo Sornob's 'Harrying Of The Blades'. Blackie himself said in no uncertain terms that he was, er, unhappy about Saturday's performance. He's only had two league matches for Christ(TM)'s sake, and is being asked to turn around a sorry season.

Sornob had several months to create his own side, and ferked it up in a right royal manner. Blackwell has had a matter of days to sort things out.

 

[Robbie]

We heard it loads of times from Robbo that he was unhappy about the performances.

All I'm saying is, people are very short sighted with it all, perhaps I am too.

 

[TonyAgana]

We heard it loads of times from Robbo that he was unhappy about the performances.

All I'm saying is, people are very short sighted with it all, perhaps I am too.

I can understand both sides of the argument but as the facts stand, Robson had a pre-season and 2 transfer windows to make his mark on the team (and what a mark he made) and Blackwell has got a very narrow loan-transfer window and a few remaining games to turn things around.

I said a few times that I'd be willing to give Robbo a chance if at least we were seeing signs of improvement but instead it just got worse from game to game.

Also, from a very reliable source, I hear that Blackwell will not be given another contract at the end of the season pretty much regardless of how well we do in the mean-time.

 

[Sheffield-Bl4de]

It certainly is ''Crunch time'' but i just don't feel anything will come of this 'meeting' they had. Depending on how seriouse Blackwell is, alot of the players (I.E Beattie, Speed, Cotteril) may just shrug this off with the thought of '' I don't care, i came from the premiership, they need me'' I'm not saying this is the case but with the attitude of the players these days, it seems most likely to me. I hope this has gotten through to them, but i just can't see promising things from this.

 

[Robbie]

I can understand both sides of the argument but as the facts stand, Robson had a pre-season and 2 transfer windows to make his mark on the team (and what a mark he made) and Blackwell has got a very narrow loan-transfer window and a few remaining games to turn things around.

I said a few times that I'd be willing to give Robbo a chance if at least we were seeing signs of improvement but instead it just got worse from game to game.

Also, from a very reliable source, I hear that Blackwell will not be given another contract at the end of the season pretty much regardless of how well we do in the mean-time.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not sticking up for Robbo, its just I never saw any point in the Blackwell appointment (except that it was a short term contract)

I just haven't seen any improvement in football terms since Blackwell came (albeit only 2 weeks ago) than when Robson was here. Yes there has been an improvement in work ethic (the Charlton game apart) but the performances are dwindling, and no chances are being created.

If other managers can go to clubs who are faultering and turn it round for them, why shouldn't we expect this of Blackwell?

Perhaps I'm being naive about all of this. But my opinion is that we are under performing and we are seeing no signs of improvement since Blackie came in.

Also, do you think it is any coincedence that we played better football after Blackie left last time/

 

[TonyAgana]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not sticking up for Robbo, its just I never saw any point in the Blackwell appointment (except that it was a short term contract)

I just haven't seen any improvement in football terms since Blackwell came (albeit only 2 weeks ago) than when Robson was here. Yes there has been an improvement in work ethic (the Charlton game apart) but the performances are dwindling, and no chances are being created.

If other managers can go to clubs who are faultering and turn it round for them, why shouldn't we expect this of Blackwell?

Perhaps I'm being naive about all of this. But my opinion is that we are under performing and we are seeing no signs of improvement since Blackie came in.

Also, do you think it is any coincedence that we played better football after Blackie left last time/

Hmm, fair points. I'm still expecting Blackwell to at least stabilise us. I do understand his short-term appointment on two levels - firstly to level some heads and repair any dressing room rifts. Secondly, if McCabe is still wanting to attract a big name manager, he wouldn't want them coming to a club in turmoil with arguments on and off the field, amongst staff, directors and fans. I'm sure he'll want everything to settle down first - a bit like tidying your house before somebody's coming round!

 

[Foxy]

I just haven't seen any improvement in football terms since Blackwell came (albeit only 2 weeks ago) than when Robson was here. Yes there has been an improvement in work ethic (the Charlton game apart) but the performances are dwindling, and no chances are being created.

Perhaps I'm being naive about all of this. But my opinion is that we are under performing and we are seeing no signs of improvement since Blackie came in.

Is there anyone out there that could have come in and drastically changed things around in the short timescale you've allowed him so far?

Like you just said, there has been an improvement in work ethic in this time, so he's at least he's begun making a difference.

 

[Robbie]

Is there anyone out there that could have come in and drastically changed things around in the short timescale you've allowed him so far?

Whose to know really? How do we know the work ethic wouldn't have improved had Robbo stayed?

I honestly believe however, that a number of managers (that are available) would have done better than Blackwell currently has.

I do think however, the 4 games given so far haven't been easy games, but I still think we could have done a lot better in them.

How many times have we tested the opposition keeper in 4 games? I think it would be safe to say you wouldn't need 2 hands to count.

 

[jodman]

Is there anyone out there that could have come in and drastically changed things around in the short timescale you've allowed him so far?

Like you just said, there has been an improvement in work ethic in this time, so he's at least he's begun making a difference.

There is no way of knowing what effect another manager would have had on the team from the get-go; often you see a new manager come in and the team instantly improve whilst others take a while to bed in.

It is too early to make any judgements on the effect that Blackwell has had but this bunch of players have had many opportunities to show their ability and we are still waiting.

The problem is that Blackwell is all but stuck with this squad due to the conveniently timed departure of the former manager at the end of the transfer window.

 

[Bladesman]

There is no way of knowing what effect another manager would have had on the team from the get-go; often you see a new manager come in and the team instantly improve whilst others take a while to bed in.

It is too early to make any judgements on the effect that Blackwell has had but this bunch of players have had many opportunities to show their ability and we are still waiting.

The problem is that Blackwell is all but stuck with this squad due to the conveniently timed departure of the former manager at the end of the transfer window.

Exactly.

Also its not like Blackwell hasnt had much time either like you say Robson leaving was poorly timed.